MSI Press Blog

  Learn more about cats. See our many  Caturday  posts. Be entertained. See all our posts about  cats . Be inspired. See posts by and about  Sula , parish cat, and her books. Have a chuckle. Read posts by and about Jeremy Feig's award-winning book (book of the year finalist, Kops-Fetherling Lagacy Award for Humor),  How My Cat Made Me a Better Man . Watch for Luna Norwood's forthcoming book,  Raising Happy Cat Families . To purchase copies of any MSI Press book at 25% discount, use code FF25 at  MSI Press webstore . Want to read an MSI Press book and not have to buy for it? (1) Ask your local library to purchase and shelve it. (2) Ask us for a review copy; we love to have our books reviewed. VISIT OUR  WEBSITE  TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL OUR AUTHORS AND TITLES. Sign up for the MSI Press LLC monthly newsletter (recent releases, sales/discounts, awards, reviews, Amazon top 100 list, author advice, and more -- stay up to date) Check out  ...

  Everyone talks about the 150 minutes of cardio from federal guidelines. No one talks about the other half of the national exercise recommendations — the half I’ve actually been acing for years without realizing it. Here they are: 1. Strength training twice a week I do this daily. Planks, chair sits, Russian twists, glute bridges, upper‑body work — check, check, check. 2. Balance training Also daily. If you’ve ever carried a cat, a toddler, and a laundry basket at the same time, you know what I mean. 3. Mobility and flexibility My calisthenics cover this too. I bend, twist, reach, and stabilize more than most people half my age. 4. Functional movement This is the category no one names, but everyone needs. It’s the “can you get off the floor” and “can you carry groceries” category. I’m solid here. So while I was busy worrying about the 150 minutes I wasn’t getting, I was quietly exceeding every other guideline. That’s the part no one tells you: You can be strong, mobile, balanced,...

  Finding the Right Balance Too little activity (< 30 min/week) Raises risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension, and excessive weight gain Slows postpartum recovery and increases fatigue Leads to poorer sleep and mood regulation Fix: Add short daily walks, gentle yoga, or light stretching — consistency matters more than duration Just right (≈ 150 min/week of moderate activity) Improves cardiovascular health, mood, and sleep Reduces complications and supports healthy fetal growth Builds endurance for labor and recovery Fix: Maintain steady routines like brisk walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga; hydrate and rest Too much (vigorous or prolonged activity without rest) Can cause overheating, dehydration, or reduced uterine blood flow May trigger dizziness, contractions, or exhaustion Fix: Scale intensity, shorten sessions, and monitor symptoms; consult your provider How Prior Activity Level Matters Active before pregnancy: You can usually maintain your routine with minor adjust...