When Baby Stroller was born, I thought the mantra “9 months on 9 months off” sounded perfectly reasonable. After all, 9 months was sooooo far away back in December of 2011. Now that I’m 4 weeks away from Baby S’s 40 week birthday, with a little extra junk still in my trunk, I’m starting to realize that I need to kick things into high-gear if I want that mantra to be true.

It seems like a lot of the moms in my December 2011 due-date group started to get serious about losing the baby weight when our babies were around 6 months old. Many of them have been successful, so I polled our group of ~80 women to get some losing-the-baby-weight ideas that work.

The general consensus is that everyone is either glad they didn’t overeat and continued to exercise during their pregnancy, or really regrets overeating and not exercising during pregnancy. Not a single one of the second-time-around moms went wild with “eating for two” this time. I guess the lesson from that is if you’re still pregnant or TTC, there’s no better time to start a healthy lifestyle than now – keep your extra calories to around 300 a day when you’re pregnant (it’s really not that much, unfortunately) or however many your doctor advises, and get moving now.

For those of us who have our babies and their accompanying baby weight here with us now, here are some ideas from busy moms.

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 This nine week long program gradually takes you from walking to running 3 miles. It’s a 3-day-a-week commitment for 20-40 minutes each day. I’m doing the C25K and have to say that it’s one of my favorite programs for getting into (or back into) running. It takes things slowly so you don’t get hurt. I take baby S out in the jogging stroller or run during lunch or after he’s gone to sleep at night.


Weight Watchers has a great online program where you can log your food, get recipes and meal ideas and get support from your peers. Perhaps most importantly, it teaches portion control. Weight Watchers has a special program that’s appropriate for breastfeeding moms too.


Jillian Michaels’ DVDs whip you into shape in just 20 minutes a day. Combine the program several times a week with good nutrition and you’re sure to see a little less post-baby jiggle in a month.


This set of DVDs has some truly intense workouts! As one mom put it, “you want to die afterward, but they work FOR SURE.”


You don’t need to invest in huge machines for your house. Just a few free weights or DVDs and a commitment to “just do it” each day is all you need. No DVDs? Run up and down the stairs a few dozen times while your baby naps!


My Fitness Pal, My Net Diary and other online food logging programs let you count calories and keep track of what you’ve eaten from your phone or computer. We often underestimate the number of calories we consume in a day, so these programs are a great way to get on track. With weight loss and calorie counting, accountability is half the battle!


Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and then continuing on for over a year helps a lot of women lose weight. At first a lot of moms will hold on to an few extra pounds when they’re breastfeeding, but that weight may come off as your baby gets closer to the one year mark. If you can maintain your calorie intake (about an extra 500 per day) then you can usually see a drop in your weight when your baby has a growth spurt. In my experience it’s hard to do though, when he has a spurt; I know it because I’m starving!

As one mom of three said, “Nursing 100% until six months and continuing to 18 months or longer has always been an extremely effective way to get my body back. I’m patient because I know it works in the long run, although that’s hardly the reason I nurse; it’s all about my baby and her health. The weight loss is just a positive benefit for me as bonus!”


A great way to have some time to yourself and great for strengthening your core and other muscles you need for lifting your baby as she gets bigger!


Pushups are a great all-over toner and especially good for moms who are putting constant strain on their backs by picking up their baby. This plan gets your arms, back and core buff with just a short time commitment a few times a week. Put your baby on the floor with you and make funny faces – he’ll think the pushup challenge is the greatest game ever!


Put your baby in a carrier or stroller and get some fresh air each day. It’s a great way to wind down at the end of the day and if you add a little speed and some hills into your walk, you can get an even better workout. You don’t have to run to get exercise on your own two feet.

One mom who is lucky enough to live near a lot of local amenities says she invested in a double stroller when her second baby was born and walks or jogs everywhere: the library, the park, and even to the grocery store. Now there’s dedication – the week’s grocery shopping one stroller basket full at a time!


Stroller Striders is a group mommy & baby fitness class offered all over the country. It’s the country’s largest stroller fitness program for moms offering pre and post-natal fitness classes for every stage of motherhood. These classes are a great way to get moving during your maternity leave and meet new moms. It’s also a great resource to meet moms of similarly aged babies for play dates.


Sports Bra
When I first started running, I discovered that none of my pre-pregnancy sports bras fit. Because I sometimes run to pick up Baby S from daycare, I wanted a sports bra that could be easily used for nursing since he wants to eat the second he sees me in the afternoon. Moving Comfort’s Fiona bra fit the bill – plus the adjustability of the straps is great for nursing moms who might be different sizes throughout the day.

Hip & Belly Binders
Several moms recommended using belly and hip binders for the first eight or so weeks immediately postpartum. Belly binders are common in many cultures and are starting to catch on here in the U.S. They help hold together the muscles of the abdomen that have separated during pregnancy so that they can heal properly (and thus avoid the dreaded mummy tummy.)  I used both and while the hip binder was for medical necessity, I think both made a difference.

Water Bottle
I bought myself two Nathan water bottles when Baby S was born. I try to drink four to six bottles a day, especially on days when I exercise. Proper hydration is also key for keeping up your milk supply, especially when exercising.


Use nap time! If your significant other is around in the evening, go out after your baby has gone to sleep for the night. If your exercise of choice brings you outside, take your little one with you. Make it fun. I run with a BOB Revolution jogging stroller, but there are other great brands to try out too. If you’re a working mom, then try to fit in a short exercise session at lunch. I have one friend who goes to the gym at 9am after being at the office for two hours.

It takes some finagling to find the time to exercise, but with a little dedication you can make it work. Remember, every little bit counts! As one mom put it, find something you love and make a rule that no matter what, no matter the weather, the nap, the day, you go out even if it’s just for 20 minutes.

What tips do you have for moms who are trying to get back in shape or increase their overall health?