The sensible way to shift your baby weight

It has been revealed that American reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian was so obsessed with losing her baby weight that she passed out during a workout. In a bid to get in shape for her first post-baby photo shoot, Kourtney pushed herself to extremes: dieting fanatically and exercising twice a day.

The need to be back in your pre-pregnancy clothes as soon as possible is a worrying celebrity trend. But for real mums the first moments after you have given birth should be about enjoying your new baby, not worrying about your dress size. It is advisable to wait for six weeks after birth to attempt any exercise, when you have had your six-week check and the go-ahead from your GP.

Here are gurgle’s top tips for losing your baby weight sensibly, when you’re ready:

-   10 minutes of exercise a day, a short walk, for example, will help you to build your fitness level. Take things slowly and listen to your body; work at your own pace.

-   Exercising in water, walking and gentle postnatal yoga are the best ways to build up your fitness again. High impact exercise like contact sports, and aggressive aerobic exercise should be avoided because your body will be more susceptible to injury at this time.

-   Work your pelvic floor muscles: these are basically Kegel exercises, which you may have done before and during your pregnancy. Squeeze your vaginal muscles as if stopping the flow of urine, hold for four seconds, then release. You should feel a difference between the two positions. Repeat several times throughout the day.

-   Once you have found a fitness plan that works for you try to establish a routine, aiming for three or four days a week to maximise the benefits.

-   When establishing new exercise routines, be patient and build up to your former routines slowly. Remember that you will get the best results from your new exercise schedule when it is combined with a healthy diet.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.