Losing weight after pregnancy is challenging for many new mothers who want to get back to how they used to look.

Your body tends to retain extra weight after you give birth as a reaction to what it has been through over the nine months. The body has lots to contend with during pregnancy, and it will take several weeks before everything is back to normal. Be patient and realistic, but take some action to getting back your pre-pregnancy body.

Getting back some muscle tone in your abdominals is a great first step; they have been stretched beyond recognition and need some help. Start with those pelvic floor exercises you’ve been shown. These muscles can be contracted at any time when you are sitting, standing or lying. Try to think about doing five slow contractions several times through your day. Gently work your abdominals: sit in a chair and slowly straighten your knees and raise your feet off the floor and hold for three. Repeat.

You are tired, exhausted and sleep-deprived, but some gentle exercise is going to help you feel better and will increase your energy levels. If you have an exercise machine at home, aim to do just five minutes, twice a day, while baby is sleeping or having a kick on the floor. Start out carefully and gently; you can increase the time and intensity as you gain strength.

If you don’t have a machine at home, there are other exercise sessions you can do. Put baby in the carriage and go for a walk around the block for 15 minutes or so. Pick a nice day and both of you will enjoy the fresh air. Do a short session of step-ups, squats, jump rope, dancing to your favorite music or jogging on the spot – anything that gets your heart rate and breathing up.

Losing weight after pregnancy might be hard, but it isn’t impossible. Eat 6 smaller meals and snacks a day and lots of fruit and veggies, avoid fatty snack foods, exercise a little each day, work that pelvic floor and your body will soon start to look like your own again.