One of the most difficult tasks that many women face is losing the extra pounds they gain while they are pregnant. I was faced with an eighty-pound weight gain during my pregnancy. My weight gain was simply due to overeating and lack of exercise. As I gained more weight, my back began to give out. As my back began to give out, I moved less. As I moved less, I put on more weight. I decided that boot camp would be the only solution to my post-pregnancy weight dilemma.

Boot camp was the solution. I did lose thirty of the eighty pregnancy pounds just by having the baby. I was relieved that so much weight came off and I was even more pleased to find that another twenty pound fell off in the first month after my pregnancy. I just had forty pounds to go. This is a lot of weight, but it's not nearly as daunting as the initial eighty pounds.

One thing I have learned over the years is the most effective way to lose weight quickly is to exercise. It just didn't seem possible to fit an exercise routine around a newborn's schedule. Fortunately, I read an article about ?baby boot camp? in American Baby magazine. I was so happy that a writer took time to address the exercise needs of new mothers. I was a little disappointed that I had to wait to see my doctor before starting baby boot camp, but I'm glad that I did.

My doctor looked at me as if I had lost my mind when I told her that I wanted to know if I could start baby boot camp, but she quickly embraced the idea when I explain what it was. The boot camp involves a structured exercise regimen that revolves around babies. Mothers can cater their program to their own needs and abilities.

Mothers also have to consider their baby's age as well. Taking your little one on a stroll around the park is an extremely helpful routine supported by the boot camp and it's appropriate for babies of any age. The baby gets a change of scenery and maybe even a nap. The mother gets a healthy, low-impact workout and some fresh air.

Some of the other activities outlined in the baby boot camp article include pushups and squats. The mother lays the baby on his back and does pushups face-to-face with the baby. My daughter would get so excited during this activity that I often had to stop because I was laughing so hard. She still squeals when we do pushups. Squats are done while the mother holds her baby. The baby's weight adds resistance to the activity and as the baby gains weight, the mother finds that she's in good enough shape to accommodate the baby's weight.

There are a number of other fun exercise activities that mothers can do with their little ones. Baby boot camp is a brilliant idea that is realistic and motivating. Make sure that you discuss the program with your doctor. I found that my doctor did not want me to engage in some of the activities because of a previous back injury. It's important to keep communication open with your doctor, especially after having a baby.