There is no reason to not breastfeed. Even from a financial standpoint, it’s a smart thing to do (have you checked out formula prices lately?!). Health-wise, breastfeeding builds up your

baby’s immune system; gives them stronger bones; lowers their risk of SIDS; gives them more antibodies, and that’s just for starters. For you, breastfeeding can give you some additional time

off from your period (bonus!) because it delays ovulation which delays your cycle; it lowers your risk of getting premenopausal breast and ovarian cancer and yep, it can help you

to shed a few pounds. That’s because as your baby is getting the nutrients they need, that can result in your burning some calories. The best way to lose weight

while breastfeeding is to eat smaller meals on a more consistent basis, to exercise (after your six-week check-up) and to do it for at least six months. You should definitely

see results if you do.

It’s no secret that yogurt is directly linked to weight loss. It contains good bacteria, lots of vitamins, it lowers your blood pressure, is high in protein, and it's an excellent source

of Vitamin D and calcium. If you want those abs back, have some yogurt at least a few times a week. It’s been proven that consuming 18 ounces a day

can help you to drop at least one pant size. One way to ease into eating more of it is by replacing the ice cream you already have stashed in your

freezer with some frozen yogurt. There are some good ones out here. Give it a shot.

Until you can get your body back to where you want it to be, start with your face. We’re dead serious. Face exercises can take away some of the chubbiness

and start to make you look smaller. What exactly do you need to do to pull this off? Click here for some details.

You may have purchased some maternity clothes to get through your pregnancy. Understood. But now that your son or daughter is here, avoid going shopping for larger sizes. All that’s

going to do is get you into the habit of covering up the extra pounds instead of losing them. In fact, a great motivator is to buy some things that

are a size or two smaller than you currently are. Then as you’re running or doing some Pilates, you can think about how sexy you’ll look in that little (relatively)

little dress that’s hanging up in your closet.

No one can relate to what you’re currently going through quite like another mom can. Find one to be your exercise buddy, accountability partner and shoulder to cry on when

you are asking yourself “Will this weight EVER come off?!” Studies also indicate that when you’re not trying to lose weight alone, you actually end up shedding pounds much quicker.

You probably want to throw your laptop at this one, but it had to be said. Sleep deprivation leads to anxiety, raised cortisol levels (that’s stress), irritability, mental fogginess and

it can throw your metabolism way off. Sleep when your baby sleeps and try to get on some sort of sleep schedule at night. It’s a way of telling your

body “I know you need some rest.” Watch how it rewards you by dropping off a pound or two a week. Seriously.