We hear it so often from our customers: “How do I get my body back after pregnancy?” You’ve worked hard carrying that baby around in your belly (actually, you still are working hard), so you deserve to feel great about your body.

Here are four tips for feeling like your old self again—and even better!

1. Eat smart.

Let’s be honest: you know you should eat right, but when you’re sleep-deprived and adjusting to life with a newborn, it is sooooo hard to have healthy, unprocessed meals. But if you want to feel and look your best, this should be one of the top priorities.

For starters, drink lots of water and limit the caffeine and alcohol. Next, try to eat five to six small meals a day instead of three big ones. Include a balance of protein, healthy fats and unprocessed carbs in your diet. If needed, get help! Ask for assistance from your partner, a nutritionist, or even a meal-planning service. And don't go on any extreme diets without talking to your doctor.

2. Exercise smart.

It sure can feel like a lot of exercise when you’re carrying a baby on your hip all day. But for the best results you need the right kind of training.

In addition to aerobic cardio, you need strength training and higher intensity interval training (HIIT) to build up your muscle strength—especially in your core. To make it work, try going to a gym that provides childcare (it will be a nice break!). You can also do workout videos in your home while your baby naps, or join a local stroller fitness group.

3. Use a waist trainer.

So many of our customers absolutely love the results a waist trainer can provide during your post-pregnancy weight loss journey (check out this true story!). It’s an effective way to slim down your waistline—immediately—even while you’re still working on dropping the pounds. See here for more postpartum waist training tips.

4. Be patient.

It takes time for your body to go through a pregnancy and it will also take time to recover from one. If you’re feeling impatient, focus on the progress you make—even the little milestones! Instead of obsessing over the numbers on the scale, take photos of your progress each week. You might be surprised at the little changes you start noticing.