How to reclaim your body after childbirth

You are enjoying a rare, child-free evening at a party when a chatty stranger engages you in polite banter. "What a wonderful get-together!" she exclaims. "Are you having a good time? Did you try the buffalo wings?"

You nod absent-mindedly, hoping she will go pester someone else so you can sample the hors d'oeuvres in peace. Then IT happens. The chatty stranger looks down, spies your large protruding belly and loudly asks, "When is your baby due?"

The problem: You already gave birth. Months ago. Maybe decades ago. So how do you respond?

A) Lie and reply "any day now," then invite her to feel the baby kick.

B) Laugh and say, "Girl, I'm not pregnant, just fat!" then jiggle your belly and shout "Ho! Ho! Ho!" every time you spot her.

C) Smack your teeth and crack, "When is your face lift due?!" then snap your fingers and give yourself 1,000 points for putting this chicken-head in her place.

D) Politely tell the truth, forgive the woman for her faux pas, then sulk in the corner under a ficus tree the rest of the evening.

Whatever your answer, it won't solve the real problem: The extra pounds you put on during pregnancy just won't go away. And all that lingering baby flab is making motherhood miserable.

But maternity weight doesn't have to be a permanent pain in your life. The following tips can help you reclaim your body, even gain a better one, so when strangers meet you, instead of asking when the baby is due, they'll exclaim "I can't believe you have a baby with a body like that!"

* START LIGHT. Most new moms can perform light exercises like stretching and easy walking one to two weeks after normal childbirth, and three to four weeks after a Caesarean section, physicians say. Kegels (squeezing and releasing the muscles you use to stop your urine flow) are good for tightening pelvic floor muscles that stretch out during delivery. Toning exercises with light dumbbells, like bicep curls and arm lifts, prepare arms and back for daily activities like lifting and carrying your baby.

* GO SLOW. Postpone strenuous activities like aerobics, jumping, running and brisk walking until four weeks after delivery, and forgo abdominal exercises for six weeks to give the uterus and any incisions a chance to heal, and to avoid overstraining muscles and ligaments. Above all, listen to your body and get the green-light from your doctor before you start any fitness regimen.

* STEP OFF. Walking can take you from those first few weeks after delivery into a full-fledged fitness plan. To get the most from your walk, invest in a comfortable pair of walking shoes and carry a water bottle to keep hydrated. Walk tall with your stomach tight. Lift your chest, relax your shoulders and keep your head up. Step with your heel first, then roll to the ball of your foot and push off your toes for more power. Bend your arms and let them pump naturally. Gradually increase your pace and distance as the weeks progress. Strive to walk at least 15 minutes a day. Work in quality time with your baby by strapping your little one to your back or pushing your precious in a carriage or stroller while you walk.

* PUMP IT. Once you've made a full recovery, go for the burn with fat-blasting ab crunches and leg-sculpting lunges: Ab crunch--Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Curl your head, neck and shoulders up and forward as you exhale. Your shoulder blades should only come slightly off the floor. Contract your stomach as you lift, pause, then lower to starting position. Lunge--Stand facing the back of a chair. Rest hands on the top of the chair and spread your legs hip-width apart. Take a large step back, bending your left leg until your right thigh is parallel with the floor. Your left knee should be bent toward the floor. Return your left leg to starting position, then switch legs and repeat.

* BE REALISTIC. Women can easily gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. Regardless of how many pounds you put on, don't expect them to melt away the moment the baby arrives. The best ways to shed leftover pounds are the ways that work for anyone trying to lose weight: healthy, balanced eating, frequent exercise, patience and persistence. But mothers do have an added advantage since studies show that breastfeeding promotes weight loss--not to mention it boosts the health of your baby and gives you both precious quality time together.