5 tips to help tackle baby weight

>>> this morning on "today's moms," dropping the baby weight . slimming down can be a major struggle for any mom, even for someone like fitness expert and mother of two, laila ali . she's here to share some slim-down strategies that worked for her. laila, good morning.

>> good morning.

>> how are you?

>> i'm great.

>> hard to believe you're the mom of two children, 4-year-old curtis mohammed jr. and 7-month-old sidney. what are the secrets for you, such a fitness expert and fitness buff. how are you able to stay in shape?

>> i think it has to be a priority, obviously being a mom, being a businesswoman, if it's not a priority the whole day will go by. won't work out, haven't eaten right. a constant work in progress for me.

>> and you're the daughter of the champ, muhammad ali . so i imagine fitness came at an early age for you. you grew up with that. what was some of the advice that your father gave you?

>> you know, my mom and my dad led by example. it was never like you have to do x, y and z. he was always working out, eating healthy so i watched that and i think that's important for us as parents to be a great role model.

>> set that example.

>> exactly.

>> brought some tips for us this morning. at first you say is to focus on a healthy proegsy were. there some foods you stayed away from when you were pregnant, and what are some of the things you encourage women to do?

>> a lot of women fall into the trip of saying i'm eating for two, i can eat anything and might as well eat whatever. focus on nourishing baby, eating things good for mom and baby, whole foods, grains, lean meats and lots of fruits and veggies and water. you won't gain too much weight. you'll be in the healthy range of 25 to 35 pounds, unless you're underweight, obese or having twins.

>> they say eat only 350 calories above what you normally eat per day so that's nothing.

>> that's like a yogurt.

>> like a starbucks drink which you shouldn't be having.

>> exactly.

>> set short and long-term goals. give me some examples of what could be a good short-term and long-term goal.

>> once your doctor clears you to work out, six to eight weeks, depending on natural or c-section, have you to start walking, start stretching and feeling good again. that would be a short term to be committed to walk 30 minutes a day and work yourself up to it. once you start feeling better, getting your groove back, go to a gym, run, start toning and doing the abs and crunches and all that.

>> once baby comes incorporate baby into routine so what are some things you can get your baby out there doing?

>> so many moms are saying they don't have time to work out, you know, because they are watching the baby or they are tired. trust me, i get it, i understand. we can do things with the baby. go walking. there's a great running stroller. that was my best friend , to tell you the truth.

>> mine, too.

>> exercises you can do. until the baby starts walking, of course, you can do pushups and planks, and chest press with your baby, and there's lots of programs for that.

>> a lot of baby yoga classes as well.

>> that's what i'm saying. coming out with everything for mom and baby. no excuses anymore, ladies.

>> you say utilize the mom network. so many of us have friends who are going through the same thing, right?

>> i mean, any time you utilize a network and have support from others going through the same thing as with you. a great website, strollerstrides, hook women up in different areas where they can go out and do stroller workouts and find support so definitely use that.

>> stroller strides, a good organization.