Don't Rush to Lose Weight After Pregnancy

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Moms who have just given birth often race to lose their baby weight. But they really shouldn't put too much pressure on themselves to achieve a speedy slim down, because strenuous exercise and restrictive diets can be unrealistic and dangerous.

"We would discourage a rush to lose weight after pregnancy, it places undue strain on the mother's body when she needs her strength to look after her baby, and the evidence suggests that slow and sustained weight loss, if needed, is the sensible option," Louise Silverton, a midwife with the Royal College of Midwives told the BBC.

It can take women six months to a year -- not weeks -- to shed the weight they put on during pregnancy, according to experts. In fact, women need some of that extra weight to provide nourishment for the baby, according to Germany's Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.

Don't let those skinny celebrities convince you that bouncing back after baby is a simple feat. While the pounds do melt away from some women, it's just not so easy for many.

The smartest post-pregnancy plan is to eat a nutritious diet and start with a slow fitness schedule, gradually building up to more vigorous exercise. Eating healthy and staying fit before and during pregnancy should be part of every woman's strategy too.