The phrase goes it takes over 9 months to put on pregnancy weight and will take up to 9 months to get rid of; yet if you too, like so many, are finding it hard to shed those excess lbs then these strategies can help.

1. Have a break

It is easy to snack on the go when you have a baby, yet by nibbling all day - and on fatty foods - this can make losing body fat complicated and might even encourage weight gain. Therefore try to set time aside for yourself where you can pre-cooks meals for the next day and make sure you are eating a balanced diet.

2. Walk with friends

Taking your baby for a walk to the park or into town, or meeting your partner for a snack can all assist to train those limbs and get you working out. The weight of your stroller in particular is great for strengthening muscles and will make your limbs to train harder.

3. Cook from scratch

Resist the temptation of cooking ready made supermarket meals and aim to make your own food. The majority of ready foods are overflowing in fat and salt which can quickly bump up the calories. Because of this attempt to make your own food as this will allow you to monitor your calorie consumption more effectively. Please Note: if you are struggling to find time to cook, set some time aside for yourself to cook in bulk. Utilising your freezer, you can split up these pre-made snacks and re-heat them over the week.

4. Join your local gym

Now we are not talking about spending an hour on the rowing machines here. You can make visiting your local leisure centre fun for the whole family by going swimming weekly. Swimming is a great way to train your entire body and have fun with your family, without putting too much strain on your limbs.

5. Breastfeed

You think the concept of breastfeeding time consuming, especially when your baby needs feeding every couple of hours; however breastfeeding has been found to use up over 500 calories per day (or 200-600 calories).

6. Workout with friends

Going for walks or joining a fitness class with a friend is a great way to stay focused and make sure that you exercise often. Tip: if you are feeling self conscious about your body, why not get another new mother to attend with you and use each other as encouragement.

Losing excess lbs after having a baby doesn't have to be complicated or tiresome. Use any of the listed strategies in your regime and you can confidently get in shape.

However if you are genuinely finding it hard to shed those baby lbs, then a proven herbal tablet such as Proactol can help.