Recommended weight gain: 25-30 pounds. Good theory; but it didn’t go that way for me. I reached the recommended weight only 6 months into my pregnancy and then continued to exceed it. After the initial shock that I was leaving the hospital in my maternity clothes much the same size I entered it with a only 7 pound 1 oz. baby to show for all of my weight gain, I resolved to lose the weight.  I gave myself a year to lose the weight and I met my goal. This is how:

Stroller strides. I recommend stroller strides for many reasons besides getting in shape. But, the classes did truly help me get in shape. I lost a few pounds and actually started seeing some definition in my legs again.   My body just looked better. People even noticed. I felt better about myself. It got me back into a regular exercise routine.   www.stollerstrides.com.

Fitness kits by Lauren Hendler. On the mornings when we just could not make it out of the house for stroller strides, I would just use my fitness kit. The kit includes an exercise guide and all of the equipment you need. Since it would take me only 10 minutes to complete one set, I was able to work out while Peanut played in his play-zone and watched on in amusement. His favorite was watching mommy jump rope. I liked that I could work out to a set routine without having the television on as I would with a video. And, when he was very busy playing or god forbid- napping- I was able to complete 3 sets and really get my heart rate up. These kits should be available for sale on the web by Summer 2008.

Walking. When all else fails, nothing relaxes Peanut and me more than getting out the stroller and going for a quick walk around the neighborhood. I started slow, 10 minutes at a time and eventually worked up to hour long walks. Some days in the beginning, taking a short walk was the only time I left the house all day.  Try it, even if you can only manage a few minute at first. Eventually,  you will build up to longer walks and start losing the weight.Diet: I am no good at dieting. I don’t like people telling me what to do. I cheat. That being said I did manage to follow a few guidelines that helped me take the weight off. I gave up all diet soda and all products with nutra-sweet. I cut way back on high fructose corn syrup. It is hard as it is in almost everything in the grocery store. I drank David Kirsch’s protein shakes every day. I am in love with these shakes. You mix them with water and they taste great. I may have an addiction. Low sugar, high fiber, but they taste good. But, be warned, they are not cheap. www.madisonsquareclub.com  I can not give up bread entirely, but I tried to limit my intake of simple carbs. I usually failed and just ate the bread. No good at dieting.