Q) “I’m a new mom and I’m ready to start shedding some pregnancy weight. Help! I don’t even know how to begin.”

A) Our trainers see many moms with this goal. To be successful, it’s important to focus on both nutrition and exercise. Start by stocking up on healthy snacks. With the busy life of a new mom, you’ll need quick, tasty options in the fridge, like low-fat deli meats, fat-free pudding, and part-skim cheese sticks. Next, choose between attending a gym with childcare or exercising at home. Either way, the key to weight loss is consistency and keeping your heart rate up. Consider aerobics, calisthenics, and low-resistance weight lifting to start. A running stroller can be another great investment!

To measure progress, ignore the scale and focus on getting into your pre-pregnancy jeans. It might even provide a good excuse to add to your wardrobe!

Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer in Vancouver, B.C. For more info call his office at 604-420-7800 or visit KarpFitness.com. You can also find Karp Fitness on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.