Trying to regain your pre-pregnancy figure? We've got some tips for you!

It's not a great feeling when you realise that even though you've given birth, you still can't fit in your pre-pregnancy clothes and you've got nothing to wear to your friend’s party.

Your super comfy tracksuit pants have become your “very best friends” over the last few weeks and it is clearly time to let them go, yet, if you're like me, not everyone seems to get you…

Me: Yes honey, I can go to the bank next Thursday, I'll be in the CDB anyway as I need to go shopping…

My husband: What do you mean, you need to go shopping?

He opens the closet, looks inside at the tooooons of clothes stacked on top of each other, then looks at me and repeats: What do you mean, you NEED to go shopping?

Me: You don’t understand, I replied, a tiny bit annoyed…

He clearly didn’t realise what it feels like when you are just too big for your old clothes and -thankfully- no longer big enough for your pregnancy clothes!

As physiotherapist and fitness leader Lisa Westlake explains "the early days, weeks and months of motherhood are precious and exciting.

Never is there a more important time for women to nurture and look after themselves, both physically and emotionally."

As a new mum, it is essential to exercise wisely.

Remember that it takes 9 months to make a baby and at least the same time to lose the weight gained!

Depending on the size of your newborn (usually between five and ten pounds) and actual weight of your amniotic fluid and placenta, pregnant women can lose up to 12 pounds during delivery. Considering the average pregnancy weight gain is between 25 and 35 pounds, that’s a healthy start!

Motivation is just what you need to get started. Then on top of that, here are 5 tips that helped me a lot:

1. SLEEP

The more you sleep, the better your body will recover and the quicker you will be ready to get back in shape. My Cocoonababy helped me a lot with my 3 children. When they slept, I slept!

2. SET UP REALISTIC GOALS

It's probably not the best idea to aim for a Mont Blanc track in Europe in the few months after your delivery… It’s ok, it doesn’t mean you'll NEVER do it, but maybe just not this year!

Whether you aim to fit in your favourite pair of jeans or just reach a particular number on the scales, you have to be able to visualise what you really want and keep this goal in mind.

It may be inside or outside.

I chose “Mums Shape Up”, a book by Lisa Westlake on how to exercise at home. And while I was exercising, my baby was enjoying watching me, sitting next to me.

If you decide to do an hour walk, say each Tuesday from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, try to stick to this specific day and time and to not let other priorities come in the way. Make sure it becomes YOUR time.

Even if you are 10 or 20 pounds above your ideal weight, you need to feel and look good! Get a nice shirt, a nice pair of pants, great looking shoes… nothing better to set you (well me anyway!) in a good mood.

5. THROW AWAY YOUR JUNK FOOD

Although shedding 10, 20 or more pounds post-baby might seem insurmountable, it may take less “work”- than you might think.

Breastfeeding helps melt off the pounds in record time. Breastfeeding can burn up 500 calories per day.

Saying that, don’t forget to empty your boxes of biscuits and get rid of your half empty Nutella jar! What might be acceptable binging while you're pregnant is certainly not going to help you reach your weight loss goal! 

Some final words of wisdom... it is important to seek medical advice before starting a diet or physical activity.

And don’t forget, you have created a beautiful baby and he or she is more important than anything else!

If you have any other weight loss tips or stories you'd like to share, I'd love to hear them, so please share in the comments below.