Five things your skin need daily

1.Skip the soap when it comes to cleaning your face -- all facial cleansers should be soap-free. Your facial skin is more delicate, and the soap used for your body is probably too harsh.


2.Breathing, sweating and most of your other bodily processes remove water from your cells. That's why it's so important to drink at least a half-gallon (2 liters) of water every day.


3.Essential fatty acids are crucial to keeping your skin looking healthy. Find them in your favorite foods: Omega-6 -- poultry, grains, cooking oils Omega-3 -- cold-water fish (salmon, sardines), kidney beans, walnuts, spinach Gamma linolenic acid -- plant oils.


4.Excessive sun exposure can actually age your skin, causing it to look dry and leathery.


5.Beneficial to both your body and skin, antioxidants are crucial for healthy skin cells. Antioxidants fight free radicals, which can otherwise damage healthy cells. 

Face Packs for Oily skin

Note for Oily Skin: - Wash your Face with lukewarm water and then with cold water. While washing with lukewarm pores on your skin open's and you can wash off the oil present in the pores. After that you need to close the pores, so that dust does not move inside, for that wash your face with cold water. Do not use soap to clean the mask.

Apple facial Mask - Smash ½ apple and add 1 tablespoon lime juice and 2 tablespoons sour cream. Apply to face and let set for about 10 minutes. Gently wipe off with lukewarm water and then with cold water.

Tomato facial Mask -without using water add tomato juice to 1/3 cup flour and mix it well. Apply to face and let set for about 10 minutes. Gently wipe off with lukewarm water and then with cold water.

Potato facial Mask - Take a tablespoon of potato juice to it add a tablespoon of multani mitti mix both well and apply it to your face. Let it dry and gently wipe off with lukewarm water and then with cold water.

Egg White facial Mask - Take egg white and apply it on your face, do not beat the egg. Let it dry and gently wipe off with damp cotton balls or wash it off with lukewarm water and then with cold water.

Mint facial Mask - Take mint juice from mint leaves, mix the juice with rose water and let it dry. Gently wipe off with lukewarm water and then with cold water.

Cucumber facial Mask - Take a tablespoon of cucumber juice and equal quantity of mint juice. Mix both well and apply on your face. Let it for dry and then rinse off with lukewarm water and then with cold water.

5 steps to repair dry skin

1. Mash half a ripe banana, add a teaspoon of honey and make a paste. Apply on your face. Once it dries, wash with cold water and pat dry.This acts as a moisturiser and helps in tighten your skin.

2.Soak khus khus (poppy seeds) overnight. Grind it with just enough milk to make a paste. Apply on your face. Once it dries, wash with cold water.The natural oil present in khus khus helps to moisturise your skin.

3.Just before boiling milk, remove two tablespoons. Massage it lightly on your face in an upward motion. Leave to dry, then wash with water and pat dry.This helps to keep your skin supple.Variation: Add ¼ teaspoon of salt to the raw milk and follow the same process. However, avoid doing this if you have pimples on your face.

4.Make a paste of 2-5 tablespoons of raw peanuts with milk. Add ¼ teaspoon of honey to it. Apply on your face. Leave to dry. Then wash with cold water and pat dry.The natural oils present in the peanuts help moisturize your skin.

5. Make a paste of one teaspoon of malai, a pinch of turmeric and four to five drops of olive oil. Apply on your face, leave to dry. Wash with cold water and pat dry.Malai acts as a natural moisturiser and turmeric and olive oil helps rejuvenate your skin.

Sandalwood Face Pack

A paste of sandalwood powder and rose water can be used to add that extra glow to the face. This remedy can provide relief from prickly heat as also from the irritation caused form continuous sweating. Using milk instead of rosewater can also provide relief for dry skin on the face. A paste of sandalwood powder and coconut milk or oil can provide a good face pack for soft and supple skin. This paste can give relief from sun burns and sun tans. There is even a sandalwood powder that can be used to apply and soak up extra oil. 

A sandalwood face pack can even provide relief from skin irritations that are caused by allergies, or burns like scalds. It can prove very beneficial and soothing in conditions like eczema and psoriasis. This combination can be used to treat insect bites, burning sensation or even to control itching of dry skin.  A combination of turmeric powder with sandalwood powder can be very beneficial for controlling acne and blackheads. This particular combination, used repeatedly helps reduce facial scarring.

Success of natural hair removal by Home remedy

The success of natural hair removal tactic would depend totally upon which part of the body you would like to remove hair from. There are two types of hair on the human body. One is primary, which is the kind of hair that grows on the head, underarms, pubic area, and the beard and moustache in men.

The other is secondary hair, which is softer and finer, more downy in nature. It grows everywhere else on the body. In women, secondary hair is also found on the face. If the hair you are looking to get rid of is primary, then you should know that while there may be methods of getting rid of it temporarily, it is next to impossible to completely rid yourself of primary hair. It is coarse, tough and strong and has very strong roots as well. There are also a few methods you can try to get rid of secondary, finer hair. But once again, you should know right from the start that it may not be able to solve the problem on a permanent basis. To get rid of hair of any kind permanently, you would have to resort to methods such as electrolysis or laser hair removal. These are the only known methods of permanently removing hair from the body.

To temporarily get rid of body hair, you can wax it off. Herbal wax is common and easily available and can be used with little or lesser side effects. You can use hot wax or cold wax - both will work similarly. Alternately, you can make a paste of equal parts of gram flour and yogurt and apply this to your body. Leave it on till it just begins to dry and then rub it off your body. While this procedure is painful, it will manage to successfully get rid of your finer hairs from the roots.Mix turmeric powder with milk and apply on the face. Scrub it off slowly moving your fingers in circular motion, and then wash with cold water.

Blackheads with home remedies

How to get rid of blackheads with home remedies?

Fortunately there are several blackhead remedies which are quite effective, if used often, as soon as a blackhead crops up. Given below are some of the most commonly recommended ways to get rid of blackheads naturally and fast. These blackhead treatments could be used for children as well as adult men and women.

Steaming

This process is regarded as the best blackhead remover, as it is used before any of the other removal methods. Steaming opens up the pores, which makes it easier to get rid of the blackheads from the chin, nose, ears and other areas of the face. For this procedure, boil some fresh water in a large pot and after it comes to a boil, take it off the flame and leave it to cool for around five or ten minutes. Then cover your head with a thick and large towel, before bending it over the pot. The steam needs to permeate your skin for at least 5 to 10 minutes (with a short break or two in between) before the blackhead removal process can be initiated. 

Exfoliating 

*Take 2 tablespoons of baking soda add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoons of water. Mix everything thoroughly and use as a scrub and wash your face with warm water .

*Soak rice in the milk for about 5 hours, grind them and make a paste. Use this as a scrub and wash your face with warm water .

Extracting tool

A special tool to extract blackheads is excellent for getting rid of the ones that are deep within the skin. However, this tool should be cleaned before each use and an astringent should also be used to clean the face, after the extraction procedure. This is usually recommended as the best blackhead remover for men. 

Honey 

Honey is an important part of blackhead treatment at home, since it is a natural moisturizer. In order to remove blackheads, around quarter cup of honey should be applied like a face mask each night. Wash your face with warm water before applying the honey evenly. Allow your skin to soak up the moisturizing properties of the honey for at least 20 minutes or so, before washing it off with some warm water. Alternately, a teaspoon of organic honey can also be mixed with a teaspoon or so of ground cinnamon. The thick paste that is formed should be applied to the blackheads to break down the hardened oily sebum. 

Home Remedies for dark Underarms

Dark underarms are a very common problem as any movement of your arms causes friction between your shirt and your underarms.Some of the causes of dark underarms are as follows:

* Friction due to tight blouses and tops that brush against the skin.

* Excessive sweating, Infections due to improper washing of underarms.

*Shaving.

* Dead skin buildup.

*Chemicals, alcohol and strong fragrance in deodorants.

Remedies
*Rub lemon slices on your armpits,Use alum powder instead of deodorants. 

*After a shower rub some baking soda on your armpits.

*Apply vitamin E oil on your armpits.

* Wash your armpits with coconut oil.

Make a paste using 1 tsp of lime juice, 1 tsp of cucumber juice and a pinch of turmeric powder. Apply it on your armpits and rinse after 20 minutes. This is a very effective remedy for dark underarms and so you should use it at least four times a week. Lime juice is acidic in nature and will help to get rid of any excess sweat, oil, and grime on the surface of your skin. It will also help to get rid of the upper layer of dead skin and this will help to whiten dark underarms.

*Apply a paste of 1 tbsp. curd, 1 tsp. gram flour, pinch of turmeric and 1 tsp. milk on your underarms. Rinse with cold water when it dries. 

*Apply paste of rose water and sandalwood powder on your underarms. Curd and yogurt are both extremely effective in treating discolored underarms as they contain several vitamins and fatty acids that help to prevent as well as treat skin damage. Use unsweetened and unflavored curd or yogurt that has been made from whole milk and not skim milk.

*Pour two tablespoons of pure water into a small bottle and then add three drops each of olive oil, wheat germ oil, jojoba oil and any citrus oil. Shake the contents well so that it forms a milky emulsion and then apply this lotion to your underarms.  You could use this cream on a daily basis as it is an excellent dark underarms treatment.

*Rubbing raw potato juice on the underarm skin is also an effective home remedy for whitening dark underarms. 

*Similarly tomato also has great bleaching properties and rubbing raw tomato slices on the underarms for at least 10 minutes every day can help lighten underarm skin considerably. 

*A mixture of one tablespoon each of lemon juice and honey can be applied to the armpits before a shower or bath and left to dry for 25-30 minutes. It can then be rinsed off with warm water. This is another effective home treatment for lightening dark underarms.

*Another good home remedy can be prepared by mixing a tablespoon of fresh yogurt with some dried orange peel powder. This mixture can be regularly applied to the armpits to effectively remove dark underarms.

A perfect Home Remedy for Asthma

Take 1 tsp honey and ½ tsp cinnamon powder and mix them well before consuming.
OR
For people who are in their early stages of asthma, a perfect home remedy is to boil 8-10 cloves of garlic in ½ cup of milk and consume it during night time.
OR
Take very hot water and add a tsp of honey in it. Consume it just before sleeping and take small sips.

Treatments for Dark Lips @ Home

 Long-term use of lipsticks — especially lower-quality lip colors — can permanently darken lips over time, due to the harsh chemicals in the cosmetics. But there are some things you can do yourself to help lighten dark lips and remove some of the staining that the makeup can cause.

Stop using the products. If you continue using the lipsticks that caused the problem in the first place, you’ll only make the darkening worse.

Try lime and honey. A mixture of lime juice, honey, and glycerine, applied regularly, could help lighten dark lips. You’ll need to apply it every day for several weeks before you see any positive effects.

Consider almonds, butter, and milk. After you wash your lips, apply almond milk, almond oil, or cream made from milk, and let it stay on your lips for at least one hour. Continue using this treatment daily for several weeks to lighten your lips.

Experiment with other natural ingredients. Some experts suggest beetroot, pomegranate, or coriander juice to lighten lips. To make coriander juice, grind up some coriander leaves in a blender.

Moisturize your lips. Keeping your lips moisturized can help make them appear lighter. You can try natural lip softeners like clarified butter or over-the-counter products like Vaseline to help condition your lips and lighten them. Apply either of these to your lips at night and as needed during the day to help moisturize and protect them.

Use lemons. Lemon juice is well known for its skin-lightening abilities. You can make a paste of equal parts lemon juice, graham flour, yogurt, and honey, and rub it onto your lips. Leave the paste on your lips for a half hour, then wash it off.

Keep your lips covered. Use sunscreen to protect your lips — the sun can increase the amount of pigment in your lips, making them even darker.

Limit your exposure to other potential skin darkeners. Cigarettes, coffee, and tea do more than stain teeth — they can also darken lips. Give your lips a break from these potential stainers.

Home Remedy for Body Rashes

Body rash is nothing, but an inflammation on the skin. Also known as skin rash, it causes a change in color and texture of the skin on the affected area. While some rashes appear on the whole body, a few occur on specific body parts only, such as back, face, neck, etc. The cause of body rashes might be a disease or an allergic reaction. While some body rashes are contagious, the others are not. Body rash is seen in the form of red, itchy or non-itchy bumps on the skin. There might be stinging or burning sensation over the affected area as well. In the following lines, we have listed some home remedies for curing body rashes. 

Home Remedy For Body Rashes

• An effective home remedy for healing body rash would be to wash the affected area with chamomile tea. Take a cup of boiling water and steep 2-3 tsp fresh or dried chamomile flowers in it. Strain the decoction and cool it down.

• Olive oil is said to have therapeutic qualities. Apply olive oil to the affected area. It would penetrate the skin and cure the rash.

• A simple way to treat body rash would be to apply Aloe vera gel or pulp. Apply this on the affected region. This would be very helpful in treating the body rash.

• Apply baking soda on the affected body part. After applying it, press the area gently. It would provide relief from the irritation and also cure the rash.

• Blend 10-15 basil leaves with 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, salt and pepper. Apply a coat of this mixture on the rashes.

• Increase the intake of food rich in Vitamin C. Citrus fruits will work best in this regard.

• Oatmeal bath proves useful in treating body rashes. Take a cup of uncooked oatmeal and pour it into the bathwater. Immerse your body in this water. Apart from providing instant relief, it would also heal the rash.

How to Choose the Right Shade of Lipstick

The lips are instant focal point of the face. Even if you have pretty and well-shaped lips you can enhance them more to your heart’s desire. This is by using the right shade of lipstick for your lips. There are some basic ways to remember if you want to achieve this.


 Complement Natural Beauty with Your Lipstick
One of the first tips is to match your lipstick to your hair and your skin tone rather than your clothing. When your lipstick doesn't match your skin tone, it doesn't complement your natural beauty.

Lipstick for Fair Complexions

                                           

If you have a fair complexion such as porcelain, ivory or nude, you can wear red wines, caramels, chocolate, beige's, even some pinks. What you want to stay away from is fuchsias, oranges and brown that has yellow pigment in it.

Lipstick for Medium Skin Tones

If you have more of a medium tone to your skin, a beige or a sand, the best things to wear are very warm reds such as rust, you can wear pinks, some peaches, some corals, some fuchsias, caramels like a café latte. What you want to stay away from is lighter shades of brown.

Lipstick for Olive Skin
                                          

If you have more of an olive to darker skin tone you can wear a wide range of browns. Of course you can do a red that has a little purple in it, so more of a raspberry. Some plums, mahogany. You can also do some caramels. What you want to generally avoid is oranges.

Lipstick for Dark Skin Tone 
                                                

If you have darker skin, you can wear a tone such as a dusty pink, peaches and corals, also some caramels. And then you have a wide range of reds. The darker your skin, the darker the red can go. You can to do a mahogany, a maroon, a deep chocolate and a deep red. Colors you want to avoid are reds that have blue specks in it or any color that is too orange.

I know there are a lot of varying different skin tones and about a million shades of lipstick so following these guidelines and picking up a few different shades, before you pick up the perfect shade for you

Effective Home remedy for Hair growth

There are several easy and effective remedies you can employ at home in order to ensure a full and healthy head of hair. However, you must begin with using preventive measures to ensure that you are not suffering from hair fall for no reason. Sometimes, this can happen quite easily, because we mainly do not realize the amount of damage caused through sheer neglect.


To begin with, you must stop using plastic combs that have fine teeth. This will only end up entangling your hair more and you will end up knotting it and losing it all the more. Try to use wooden combs as this will not only ensure that you are not losing too much hair, it will also reduce static in your hair. This way, your hair will be less dry and will always be less prone to excessive breakage as well as strand damage. Hair irons, blow-dryers, electric curling rods and other hair care appliances that generate excess heat will always damage your hair. Do not use these appliances regularly as it will make your hair dry and brittle and therefore prone to breakage.  

In order to encourage new hair growth, you should make it a point to keep your hair well nourished. This can be done by applying hair oil to your scalp at least twice a week. Hair oil is essential for healthy silky hair as it provides your hair with nutrients and moisturizes it.  
Here are a few tips and practices you should follow when oiling and washing your hair.

• Mix equal amounts of olive oil, almond oil and coconut oil in a bowl. Warm this oil slightly and massage your scalp with it. For the best results, wrap your head in a thin cotton cloth and leave it on overnight. The cotton cloth will help to retain your body heat and so your scalp and hair will be slightly warm. This will increase the amount of oil absorbed by your scalp and hair.

• If you cannot leave the oil on overnight, wrap your head in a warm moist towel after oiling your hair and allow it to remain on for an hour before you wsh your hair.

• If you have oily hair, wash your hair with warm water to get rid of the excess oil but if you have dry hair make sure that you always use lukewarm or cold water. 

• Do not use hot water as this will damage your strands and will also end up weakening your hair.

• Massage a generous amount of onion juice into your hair once a week and leave it in your hair and scalp for about two to four hours. This will  encourage hair growth.

• A trim is advisable every 8 to 10 weeks or so.

Dark spots on finger knuckles

Dark knuckles are a common occurrence and require adequate skin care to treat them. Hands are exposed to various external factors such as harsh chemicals, detergents, cosmetics and weather changes. These damaging elements can cause skin discoloration and dryness. Home remedies are very effective in treating various skin conditions including this type of blemishes. 


*Lime juice applied on the dark areas is known to have a   bleaching effect. 
*Buttermilk is also known to have a bleaching affect on the skin. 
*Grated horse radish simmered in milk also makes an effective bleaching solution for dark skin. 
* Applying mustard oil with basil juice on the affected areas is also known to treat skin pigmentation problems. 
*Apply powdered oatmeal mixed with sour yoghurt and cucumber juice on dull areas to brighten the skin. The mixture needs to be applied and left on for half an hour before you rinse it off with cold water. 
*Another effective remedy is to rub half a teaspoon of sugar granules with lime juice or honey over dark skin or pigmented areas. 
*Soaking your knuckles in bowl of warm water mixed with glycerin, rose water and baking soda can reduce dark spots. 
*Soak your hands in a mixture comprising of fuller’s earth and carrot pulp or grated papaya skin. Rinse the mixture with cold water to leave your hands looking fresh and attractive.  Sandalwood powder, rosewater and lemon juice can also be added to fuller’s earth for a cooling effect.

Dark Skin : Home Remedies

Remedies for Dark Skin

When it comes to treating dark skin or discolored patches on the skin, most health experts will advise you to first determine the factors that are causing the problem. In case your skin is producing too much melanin mainly due to simple factors like excess exposure to the sun, you may be advised to use simple home remedies to regain your original skin color. Given below are some of the most commonly recommended natural home remedies for dark skin:

• Mix one teaspoon of milk powder, a teaspoon of lemon juice, a teaspoon of honey and half a teaspoon of almond oil, to make a thick paste. Apply this on to the skin and keep it on for around 15 to 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with cold water. This not only helps reduce the effects of tanning and skin blemishes, but also gives your skin a natural radiance

• Add some plain oatmeal to unflavored yogurt and apply the mixture on to the affected skin. After around 20 minutes, wash the mixture off your skin with cold water. Some tomato juice could also be added to this mixture to increase its effectiveness

• Potato has natural bleaching properties, which is why it is excellent for lightening patches and blemishes as well as darkened skin. Cut a potato into thin slices and place them on the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes.

• Take a bowl of plain, unflavored yogurt and add a few grated dry orange peels to it. This paste is very effective in getting rid of a tan and should be kept on to the skin for at least 15 minutes, after application.

• Mint works wonders in lightening the skin tone and therefore, the paste of freshly ground mint leaves should be applied on to the skin for around 15 to 20 minutes, before being rinsed off.

In addition to the remedies for dark skin mentioned above, you also need to get an adequate amount of sleep, rest and exercise a day, as they all play an important role in keeping your skin healthy. Unhealthy practices like smoking and the use of illegal drugs should be strictly avoided.

Tips to get rid of Excessive Sweating

1. Wear loose fitting and light clothing that allows your skin to breathe. Cotton and linen are great, but avoid synthetic fabrics and silks whenever you can.
2. Wear light colored clothing that will not absorb the heat.
3. Maintain good personal hygiene to prevent body odor. This may mean showering 2-3 times a day with hot water and a good anti-bacterial soap.
4. Keep a handkerchief on you at all times if facial sweating, or sweaty hands are a problem.
5. Use antiperspirants, deodorants and talcum powders regularly and keep an extra bottle of these on you or at work so that you are never stuck without.
6. Shave or was under your arms as the hair makes a perfect breeding ground for the bacteria that causes body odor.
7. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and replace lost fluids.
8. Whenever possible, try walking barefoot or open shoes. This helps cool the entire body, and prevents sweating from the feet.
9. Make sure you eat a healthy balance diet with plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Foods to avoid include spicy foods, and strong smelling foods such as garlic, onion and hot peppers.

Excessive Sweating Home Remedies

1. Harad (haritaki) grinded and applied on the body 10 minutes before bath helps to cure excessive sweating problem.
2. Goose beery (amla) juice applied on the affected area before bath cures excessive sweating problem.
3. Raw brinjal (baigan) paste applied on the affected area before bath cures excessive sweating problem.
4. Alum (phitkiri) dissolved in water can be used to wash the affected parts which helps to cure excessive sweating problem .
5. Brinjal pieces with poppy seeds (khus khus) grinded and this paste applied on the effected area before bath cures excessive sweating problem.
6. Roasted green gram (moong) powder mixed with water to make a paste. This paste rubbed on the affected area before bath helps to cure excessive sweating problem.
7. Brinjal pieces dipped in water for sometimes and this water used to wash the affected parts cures excessive sweating problem.

Teeth Whitening Home Remedies

1. Brushing with Sea salt as a tooth powder is a very beneficial remedy for  teeth whitening Home remedy
2. Brush your teeth at least 2 times per day – morning and night. But it will be really useful if you practice brushing and cleaning teeth after eating so you can maintain your teeth whiteness every time. Don’t forget to use floss as the bacteria could affect the whiteness.
3. Prepare a paste by mixing the salt, honey, milk, lemon and turmeric powder and brush twice with this paste will helps for teeth whitening.
4. Twigs of neem tree are indian traditional brushing for tooth whitening. These twigs of neem are also kills complete germs and helps to strengthen your teeth. This is very beneficial home remedy for teeth whitening and stronger teeth.
5. Brush your teeth with the mixture of 60 grams of charcoal of babul tree wood, 24 grams of roasted alum and 12 grams of rock salt.

Have you ever felt embarrassed because of your Body odor ?

A lot of times one may get into a situation where he/she is avoided because of foul body odor. It’s important to learn how to control and eliminate this problem and remain smelling fresh and pleasant all the time.

Body odor can be caused due to a number of problems such as anxiety, stress or hormonal imbalance. The first step that you must take in order to eliminate body odor is to increase your water intake.

Drink more than 8 glasses of water in order to get rid of toxins and it would be even better if you add a bit of lime juice in the water. Lime juice acts as a catalyst and fastens the process of toxin’s elimination.

Make sure that you shower or bath every morning and evening so that the body remains fresh and clean. The foul-smelling body is because of bacteria growth and keeping the body clean will help in keeping away the foul smell.

Losing Weight After Pregnancy

Why do I Still Look Pregnant?

One of the first thing new moms notice after having a baby is the fact that they may still look several months pregnant for awhile after giving birth. This is absolutely normal. Remember, you had a baby in there for nine whole months. From the moment you give birth, your body starts working to shrink your belly back to its pre-pregnancy state, or something close to it, but it's a slow process. It takes about four weeks for your uterus to contract to its normal size, and many women will lose about 8 to 20 pounds during that first two weeks as the body gets rid of all that extra fluid.

How Do I Lose This Baby Weight?

Though you may be eager to jump into a workout program or diet, easing into light exercise is crucial for keeping your body safe and injury-free. Even the fittest moms may have trouble getting back to exercise. After all, having a baby is a major ordeal and something you'll need time to recover from. You'll need clearance from your doctor and, depending on what kind of birth you had, it may be 4 to 8 weeks before you can engage in serious exercise.

Breast feeding can help you lose weight, requiring an extra 500 calories from you a day and helping reduce some of the fat you gained during pregnancy. If you do breastfeed, make sure you're giving your body the fuel it needs for that extra energy demand. Now isn't the time to go on a diet; restricting your calories too much can reduce your milk supply, and losing too much weight (more than two pounds a week) can actually release toxins that wind up in your milk.

The good news is, you can still exercise if you're breastfeeding. Studies show that moderate exercise won't affect milk production as long as you're giving your body enough calories.

Exercise can actually help with some of these issues, and there are ways to make it easier to fit exercise into your life:

Split your workouts -- Short workouts spread throughout the day are just as effective as continuous workouts.

Keep it simple -- If you have a few minutes while the baby sleeps, take some laps around the house or trips up and down the stairs. Exercise doesn't have to be complicated, it only has to get you moving.

Find support -- Talk to friends, family or neighbors about how they've handled having a baby and staying in shape. You'll be amazed at the creative ideas out there.

Focus on what's important -- It's easy to get stressed out about losing weight, especially after inhabiting a body so different from the one you've been used to for most of your life. You will get back to normal, even if your body isn't exactly the same. Give yourself permission to enjoy your baby and your body, even if it's not what you hoped it would be.