When you give birth to a new baby, there is nothing quite as wonderful as peering into your newborn baby’s sweet face, except maybe the day you shed the unwanted pregnancy pounds! It is a known fact that most women gain at least a little weight during pregnancy and while some women seem to melt this fat off like butter, other women struggle to get to that pre-pregnancy weight. Even if you reach your weight goal, you may find that you don’t look quite the same. You may find that you are stretched out and sagging in places you would rather not. The only way to get your pre-pregnancy figure back is by frequent exercise. But, how do you possibly find the time with that sweet newborn? Here are some easy exercise tips to help you lose that weight, even with baby in tow.

Walking: It may sound like an old-fashioned way to exercise and it may not be as glamorous as joining the local gym, but walking is probably one of the best ways to help you get in shape. Plus, it is free and you can bring your baby with you. If you have just given birth, you certainly want to wait for your doctor to give you the clear to begin activity again—usually between four to six weeks. Then you can gradually get into a good walking routine. Start off slow and work your way up. If you plan on bringing baby along, make sure you have a good stroller and you bring along all the necessary supplies such as diapers, wipes, and bottles. Most new moms that walk with baby prefer not to get too far from home in case they need to make a speedy return, so walking a few blocks around your neighborhood is perfect. You can also plan on walking around your local mall when it is too hot or too cold for you to be outdoors with your baby. Many malls actually open a little early for mall walkers and some even sponsor mall walking clubs.

Get with friends: One of the best ways to stay motivated is to exercise with your spouse or friends. If you get a group of other moms out to exercise with the babies, then you will get out of house, enjoy the outdoors and enjoy the fellowship of other moms. You may even find that some mom clubs or organizations have exercise co-ops. They may meet at a park a few days a week and a couple of moms will stay to watch the kids while the other moms go out for the exercise. This is a great way to make sure you get back in shape while enjoying the company of other moms like yourself.

Mom and tot classes: There are many gyms and centers that offer fun and energizing classes for mom and baby. Check around to see what is offered in your area. You might be surprised to find yoga classes that you can attend with your baby and perhaps even swim exercises. You might also check a child’s gym center because most of these classes are intended for mom and baby. You will find that an hour of chasing your little one around the gym for an hour will give you plenty of exercise.

Leave baby with dad: Of course, sometimes you really need some time for your self and there is no shame in that. If you long for an exercise routine that does not include your child, leave baby home with dad and find an exercise that your truly enjoy. Many new moms want to ease into an exercise routine and something such as yoga, pilates and low impact aerobics can offer this sort of work out routine. Also check into water aerobics at your local gym. If you are really not interested in hitting the gyms, you might want to consider finding a personal trainer that can help you find a good routine in the privacy of your own home.