Star Moms' Weight-Loss Secrets

When it comes to losing weight after having a baby, most celebrities don't mess around.

Blink and you may miss the time it takes many famous new moms to make the transition from bulging baby bump to red carpet ready.

That can be frustrating for the typical woman to watch. After all, she may not have quite the same resources available to the stars but wants just as badly to reclaim her body.

In Pictures: Star Moms' Weight-Loss Secrets

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And though doctors say women should focus on taking care of themselves and their babies in their first few post-partum months, rather than rushing to shed the extra pounds, that's easier said than done.

If you're a new mom eager to get in shape again, experts say there are a few things you can learn from the stars. While not all of their methods are worth mimicking, many are tried and true and could help you achieve notable results.

What's Their Motivation?
They've got loads of time, money and a support staff including nannies and trainers. But, perhaps above all else, the reason famous new moms slim down so fast is because they know they're being scrutinized by the tabloids, movie, TV and music studios, and the public.

"Most people's jobs don't depend very heavily on aesthetics," says celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak. "Whereas celebrities, because they are performing music, [in] the arts, acting, modeling ... it's key to your identity. You have motivation that's tremendous."

Earlier this year, Pasternak worked one-on-one with actress Milla Jovovich, who reportedly gained 70 pounds while pregnant with daughter Ever Gabo, about two months after she delivered. Over three to four weeks he got her bikini ready for her upcoming film, "The Perfect Getaway," by having her perform cardio, strength, and core training for 25 to 45 minutes a day, five days a week. Jovovich also followed his 5-factor diet, which consists of five meals a day that mix protein, low-to-moderate glycemic carbohydrates, healthy fats, fiber, and a sugar-free beverage.

Even when big-name new moms aren't rushing to get ready for a film, they can't help but be aware that if they don't lose the weight they could lose their career.

"For A-listers it's not as much of an issue," says Danielle Friedland, publisher of the Celebrity Baby Blog. "But if you're C-list or a TV actor, an extra five or 10 pounds makes a difference between you and somebody else at the same level."

Rather than setting a harsh deadline for when you want to lose the baby weight, as many stars are forced to, Pasternak suggests figuring out what motivates you and picking a diet and exercise program that you'll be able to keep up with once you reach your goal. Push yourself too hard, he says, and you'll inevitably burn out. Over the long term, the net result will be worse.

Breast Is Best
A pregnant Jessica Alba may not have wanted to share with Ryan Seacrest in a pre-Oscars interview this year whether she plans to breastfeed (she does), but plenty of other stars, including Christina Aguilera and Naomi Watts, have spoken openly about how nursing helped them lose their post-partum weight.

Breastfeeding can help women burn an extra 500 to 600 calories a day. In fact, breastfeeding mothers tend to lose more weight when their babies are three to six months old than formula-feeding moms who consume fewer calories, according to the La Leche League, a Schaumburg, Ill.-based not-for-profit that encourages women to nurse.

The method, however, may not work for everyone. In a poll of her site's readers, Friedland says about half claimed breastfeeding helped them lose weight, while the other half reported it didn't. On a recent "Oprah" appearance, Salma Hayek even said it was a lie that breastfeeding makes it easy to lose weight fast.

To help make the strategy work for you, Dr. Jennifer Wider, author of "The New Mom's Survival Guide" (due out in July), suggests waiting at least two months after delivery to start a new diet, which shouldn't dip below 1,800 calories a day. That should give your body a chance to build up a steady milk supply. Just make sure you stay hydrated and eat foods high in nutrients such as fruits and vegetables, as well as low-fat dairy products, like cheese and milk, to stave off a loss in skeletal calcium.

Fit To Start
When it comes to losing baby weight, celebrity new moms also tend to have a head start on the average woman. Not only are many stars thin -- think Nicole Richie -- and/or fit to begin with, they also tend to continue exercising, albeit at a more moderate pace, during their pregnancies.

Under her doctor's guidance, "Dancing With The Stars" host Samantha Harris continued running stairs during her first trimester, using a heart-rate monitor to make sure she didn't go over 130 beats per minutes. In her sixth month she took a class combining cardio, sculpting, and yoga, and she continued working out up until her 35th week. Mom-to-be Nicole Kidman also has been spotted visiting a Santa Monica, Calif., gym.

"It definitely makes it much easier to bounce back," says celebrity trainer Harold Palacios. (Not to mention the fact that it's also supposed to make labor and delivery easier.)

Palacios tells clients to work on getting fit before they conceive. That way, once the baby comes new moms can ease into their old routines rather than trying to start new fitness regimes amid all of the other changes in their lives.

The Bottom Line
If you're struggling to get rid of all of your baby weight, you're not alone. Not all celebrities claim to have been able to get their pre-pregnancy bodies back.

Jennifer Garner has said she's constantly fending off rumors that she's two months pregnant because her stomach isn't as flat as it once was.

"Of course," Friedland points out, "most people would still die for her belly."