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Taking Shape – Plus Size Women’s Clothing

Curve Fashion and Plus Size Clothing Available In-Store & Online at Taking Shape.

I want to tell everyone about Taking Shape, the plus size fashion label that is truly size inclusive.  Taking Shape specialises in fashion for bigger girls.  Its not your average store that tacks on bigger sizes just to make a sale.

Taking Shape have been leading the way in women’s curve fashion for over 35 years. Proudly designed in Melbourne, Australia by women who believe fashion is for all to enjoy.

Taking Shape are here to help you find your fabulous, to give you style confidence and experience the feel-good factor of wearing clothes designed especially for you.

Great style has no limits which is reflected in our plus size range of 12 – 30, with outfits for every moment and occasion.

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Taking Shape

Whether you’re looking for the perfect plus size dress or curve comfort lingerie, swimwear, sleepwear or activewear, we have everything you need for top to toe dressing. Our in-house designers consider every detail from pockets to leg lines and widths to ensure all our styles work for your shape.

Unique prints and bold designs are part of our signature style, with many designs created in-house, exclusively for Taking Shape. Our dedication to bringing you patterns, prints and colours that pop ensures you’ll always stand out from the crowd. The secret to feel good fashion is dressing for comfort. We take this seriously at Taking Shape, fitting every garment on real women in our production process.

Style confidence starts with great foundation garments providing comfort and support so everything sits where it should. Our plus size bra range, that goes up to a G Cup includes special design features to help support large breasts. If you haven’t tried anti-chafe shorts, what are you waiting for? These are literally life changing, putting an end to the discomfort of thigh rub forever. Your feet also get special treatment with our wide fit footwear, including easy on and easy off styles so you can step in and go.

Not sure where to start or just want your wardrobe to work harder for you? Treat yourself to a one-on-one personal styling experience. Where our expert in-store stylists will show you all the tips and tricks, including what’s new and what suits you. Experts in curve fashion they know everything there is to know about dressing women with curves, providing outfit choices to suit your individual style. To find your fabulous book a personal styling experience with Taking Shape today.

Shop your way with over 140 stores Australia wide or visit our online store. FREE delivery Australia-wide for orders $90 and over. Shop plus sized women’s clothing online today with Taking Shape Australia.

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Full disclosure: I may earn a small referral fee if a sale is made.

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Three for the price of one

Hi Lynda
I will have to have a look tonight and see. I’m sure there will be something but maternity jeans were high on my priority list as I am travelling to Canberra and Hobart in two weeks and I have no winter clothes that fit me any more.

I’m sure you hear it time and time again but it is so hard to find good maternity jeans anywhere including online and when you do find them they are so incredibly expensive.

I would have only gotten one pair on other sites for the amount I paid for the three pairs of pants I got from your site and I have no problem with pre loved.

Veteran Good Sammy’s customer that I am.
Regards
Kirsty
Feb 2013

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Happy with clothes

Hi Lynda,
Just wanted to let you know how happy I am with all of the clothes I bought from your website!

They are all beautiful and will definitely be passing on your info to all of my friends & family!

Thanks also for your quick delivery! Ill definitely be browsing again soon!
Thanks again
Nicole
May 2013

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Pregnancy and exercise

Regular physical activity can provide health and social benefits for many pregnant women. Suggestions for exercise during pregnancy include walking, swimming and supervised classes such as yoga or Tai chi. Pelvic floor exercises are also important before, during and after pregnancy. Unless you have complications, it should be possible to enjoy some level of physical activity throughout most of your pregnancy.

The first step is to consult your doctor, physiotherapist or healthcare professional to make sure your exercise routine won’t harm you or your unborn baby. You may need to modify your existing exercise program or choose a suitable new one if you were sedentary before conceiving.

While exercise during pregnancy is usually encouraged, under some circumstances exercise can be detrimental to both the expecting mother and the growing fetus.

Benefits of physical activity during pregnancy

Exercise during pregnancy offers many physical and emotional benefits. Physical activity may also help manage some symptoms of pregnancy and you’ll feel better knowing you’re doing something good for yourself and your baby.

Some of the benefits of exercising regularly throughout your pregnancy include:

  • More energy
  • Stronger back muscles which can help manage back pain and strain as your belly grows
  • Improved posture
  • Weight control
  • Stress relief
  • Improved sleep and management of insomnia
  • Preparation for the physical demands of labour
  • Faster recuperation after labour
  • Faster return to pre-pregnancy fitness and healthy weight
  • Increased ability to cope with the physical demands of motherhood.

Changes associated with pregnancy

There are many changes that take place during pregnancy. Some will affect your ability to exercise.

  • Hormones such as relaxin loosen ligaments which could increase your risk of joint injuries (for example, sprains).
  • As pregnancy progresses, weight increases combine with changes in weight distribution and body shape. This results in the body’s centre of gravity moving forward, which can alter balance and coordination.
  • Pregnancy increases your resting heart rate, so it is not recommended to use target heart rate to work out the intensity of your exercise. In healthy pregnant women, exercise intensity can be monitored using a method known as Borg’s Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE). This measures how hard you feel (perceive) your body is working.
  • Your blood pressure drops in the second trimester, so it is important to avoid rapid changes of position – from lying to standing, and vice versa – so as not to experience dizzy spells.

General exercise suggestions during pregnancy

It is important to discuss your exercise plan with your doctor, as each pregnancy is different. In general, healthy women who have uncomplicated pregnancies can continue their previous exercise program after consultation with a doctor. It is also now considered safe to start a new exercise program during pregnancy if given the all-clear by your doctor.

If you have been cleared to exercise, it is recommended that you:

  • Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (according to the Perceived Exertion Scale) on most, if not all, days of the week.
  • Do no more than three sessions per week of vigorous exercise by the third trimester.
  • Let your body be your guide. You know you’re at a good intensity when you can talk normally and not become exhausted too quickly.
  • Be guided by your doctor, physiotherapist or health care professional.

Suggested exercise activities during pregnancy

Activities that are generally safe during pregnancy, even for beginners, include:

  • Walking
  • Swimming
  • Cycling – outdoors or on a stationary bicycle
  • Exercise in water (aquarobics)
  • Yoga
  • Stretching
  • Dancing
  • Pilates
  • Pregnancy exercise classes.

Some activities are safe when done in moderation by pregnant women who had already been participating in these activities prior to pregnancy. These include:

  • Running
  • Strength training.

General cautions for pregnancy exercise

While most forms of exercise are safe, there are some exercises that involve positions and movements that may be uncomfortable or harmful for pregnant women. Be guided by your doctor or physiotherapist, but general cautions include:

  • Avoid raising your body temperature too high – for example, don’t soak in hot spas or exercise to the point of heavy sweating. Reduce your level of exercise on hot or humid days.
  • Don’t exercise to the point of exhaustion.
  • If weight training, choose low weights and medium to high repetitions – avoid lifting heavy weights altogether.
  • Don’t exercise if you are ill or feverish.
  • If you don’t feel like exercising on a particular day – then don’t! It is important to listen to your body to avoid unnecessarily depleting your energy reserves.

Exercises to avoid while pregnant

During pregnancy, avoid sports and activities with increased risk of falling. These include:

  • Contact sports or activities that carry a risk of falling (such as trampolining, rollerblading, downhill snow skiing, horse riding and basketball)
  • Competition sports – depending on the stage of pregnancy, the level of competition and your level of fitness
  • After about the fourth month of pregnancy, exercises that involve lying on your back – the weight of the baby can slow the return of blood to the heart. Try to modify these exercises by lying on the side.
  • In the later stages of pregnancy, activities that involve jumping, frequent changes of direction and excessive stretching (such as gymnastics).

If you’re not sure whether a particular activity is safe during pregnancy, check with your healthcare professional.

Pelvic floor exercises and pregnancy

The pelvic floor muscles are weakened during pregnancy and during birth (vaginal delivery), so it is extremely important to begin conditioning the pelvic floor muscles from the start of the pregnancy. Appropriate exercises can be prescribed by a physiotherapist. It is important to continue with these throughout the pregnancy and resume as soon as is comfortable after the birth.

Abdominal exercises and pregnancy

Strong abdominal muscles support your spine. The internal core and pelvic floor abdominal muscles act as a natural ‘corset’ to protect the pelvis and lumbar spine. Traditional sit-ups or crunches can be ineffective during pregnancy and may make worse the condition known as diastasis recti abdominis (a painless splitting of the abdominal muscle at the midline).

Appropriate core stability exercises are recommended during pregnancy to strengthen the muscles of the abdomen:

  • Concentrate on drawing your belly button towards your spine.
  • Breathe out while pulling in your belly.
  • Hold the position and count to 10. Relax and breathe in.
  • Repeat 10 times, as many times a day as you are able.
  • You can perform this exercise sitting, standing or on your hands and knees.

Warning signs for exercising during pregnancy

If you experience any of the following during or after physical activity, stop exercising immediately and see your doctor:

  • Headache
  • Dizziness or feeling faint
  • Heart palpitations
  • Chest pain
  • Swelling of the face, hands or feet
  • Calf pain or swelling
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Contractions
  • Deep back or pubic pain
  • Cramping in the lower abdomen
  • Walking difficulties
  • An unusual change in your baby’s movements
  • Amniotic fluid leakage.

Where to get help

  • Your doctor
  • Physiotherapist
  • National Continence Helpline Tel. 1800 330 066

Things to remember

  • Exercise during pregnancy offers many physical and emotional benefits. While exercise during pregnancy is usually encouraged, you may feel it’s not right for you.
  • Talk to your doctor, physiotherapist or healthcare professional to make sure your exercise routine won’t cause harm to you or your unborn baby.
  • Any illness or complication of the pregnancy should be fully assessed and discussed with your doctor before commencing or continuing an exercise program.

Source: Pregnancy and exercise