Along with learning how to change diapers, mix formula or operate a breast pump, if you’ve just given birth you’re probably already wondering how – and when – you’ll ever get your pre-pregnancy body back. Well, rest assured, you will lose the weight. But for many women, it takes about as long to take off as it did to put on: It’s roughly a nine-month journey. Still, you know you can’t just sit and wait for the pounds to roll off. You need a plan that will work for you. These real-mom stories will inspire you to get the scale moving in the right direction again.

“After my second was born, I became a devout Stroller Strides attendee,” says Leticia, founder of Tech Savvy Mama. “I found the workouts helped shape and tone my body and the camaraderie from the other moms was fabulous.” Victoria Mason, author of The Mummy Chronicles blog, gained 40 pounds in her first pregnancy. “I made deals with myself that equated to weight loss goals,” she recalls. “First, I vowed to not to go back to work in maternity clothes. I did it through eating less junk, walking with my baby, and some light Pilates at home. I lost about 20 pounds that way. Then I joined Weight Watchers and lost about 15 pounds in three months. Finally, my husband and I booked a trip and I made myself use that gym membership and cut out junk food once again. Thanks to tips from Weight Watchers and lots of cardio gym time, I was back to my pre-baby weight and seeing my abs again.”

Some moms say breastfeeding is the panacea for post-partum weight loss. “My son is almost two years old now, and I still breastfeed him,” says Dagmar Bleasdale. “The weight (I gained 37 pounds) just melted off. I now weigh less than I did before I got pregnant. I also found that eating the leftovers of his organic, healthy food helped. After I learned that 80 of his little cereal stars only had 25 calories, they have become my snack of choice!”

Not so for Courtney Ilarraza. “I was very hopeful that breastfeeding would just zap the fat right off me, and very disappointed when it didn’t,” says the mom of a now 19-month-old boy. Courtney turned to exercise instead. “My husband bought me a package of personal training sessions which focused mostly on Pilates. The weekly escape to the gym to do something for myself felt amazing, and it helped me tone my core. I also made a point of going on a daily walk with my son.”

Above all, when trying to lose weight it’s important to plan ahead, suggests Toby Amidor, MS RD. “Write out a shopping list and stick to it. Take 15 minutes when the baby is sleeping to plan your meals and snacks. Make healthier versions of “kid foods” such as mac and cheese, using part-skim mozzarella and whole-wheat pasta (instead of the boxed version).”