Tips from Vanessa

Seriously now. Who doesn't want to be quoted talking about their boobs?

Also, here's a tip from me: If you're a postpartum mom trying to get back in shape, make sure you wear some sort of a belly slimmer when you exercise. Like this one, or this one. You can usually pick them up at TJ Maxx for $5-$10.

Will it make you look all supermodelish like the box says? Probably not. These belly slimmers come equipped with all sorts of promises and gimmicks.

But I promise it does have some definite benefits. First, it will support your low back, which might be pretty shot from pregnancy. Second, it will make you sweat like a pig, which isn't a bad thing when you're exercising. And third, it will help bring your abs back together after being separated during pregnancy. If you tone your abs with the giant gap in between, the gap will want to stay. But if you pull the abs together, they'll tone up with a more pre-pregnancy shape.

Meet Vanessa

Since we're on the topic of pregnancy, everyone meet Vanessa. Isn't she cute like a friggen little button?

But hold on. As if this girl wasn't adorable enough on her own, she has a perfect little southern accent and this baby:

That's Willie, and these days he's 8 weeks old. He's a good little sleeper and the kid loves to eat. Like most new moms, Vanessa is feeling anxious to get the old body back, so we're teaming up!

Here are some pregnant Vanessa pictures:

19 weeks, hiking a mountain

37 weeks, showing off her abs

41 weeks, about to go through 40,000 hours of labor

And here she is now. Possibly looking way better than I do, 118 weeks post partum:

Her very favorite date dress

She was like, "Here, take a pic of my muffin top!" You know what? That's a mini-muffin top.

Vanessa's goal is to zip the dress, button the pants, and tone up the post-baby looseness. We'll track her progress on the blog and keep you posted on her new-mom-friendly workouts. Goooooooooooooo Vanessa!