Still holding onto the handle bar of the pram, raise your leg to the side as high as possible, squeezing the outer thigh. Don't swing but use muscle control to make the move. Gently lower. Do 10-12 reps with each leg.

Now raise your leg to the back, squeezing your butt and back of the thigh and repeat another 10-12 reps with the other leg.

Calf Raises (Modified)

This is the same as your pre-pregnancy exercise (Refer to Calf Raises from Fitness before planning a pregnancy).

Hold onto the pram handle bar and as you get stronger, hold baby in your hands for added resistance.

Finish off your routine with all your stretches -- The Back and Hamstring Stretch, the Inner Thigh Stretch, and the Quadriceps Stretch from A fitness routine for when you're pregnant. Stretches feel wonderful, releasing all the stiffness of your muscles and joints, rejuvenating you!

After a month or so of these exercises, you can go back to your pre-pregnancy workouts.

Food

Stick to your healthy eating patterns. Some nursing mothers feel hungrier than usual. If you are one of them, keep a jar of nuts or a bowl of fruit around to snack on. Do not by any means go on a diet and try to lose weight at this time. Your body needs some extra calories to produce milk.

My Experience:

My baby arrived through a C-section, keeping me away from exercise for a good three months. I started gentle walks after two months. At three months I went back to attending a low intensity aerobics class. The class also included some resistance training exercises. I did the beginner's level, so as to allow my body to regain its strength gradually.

Food-wise, I ate everything. Thanks to my high levels of metabolism from years of exercise, I dropped 10 kilos in the first week, post-delivery itself! The balance five kilos are almost gone at three and a half months! It is now time to get my muscle strength and tone back, along with upping my stamina levels.

Important: Don't let anyone tell you that you can't go back to pre-pregnancy shape. You can! So put on your trainers and get working towards becoming a Hot Mamma!

Part I: Fitness before planning a pregnancy
Part II: A fitness routine for when you're pregnant!