Here's an easy-to-do strategy for burning more calories and bodyfat on workdays. I did these two easy things to quickly shed the last stubborn pounds of baby weight when I went back to work after maternity leave.

At (or nearby) your workplace, are there any flights of stairs? On my lunch hour every day, I climbed several flights of stairs in my air-conditioned office building. I only spent about 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week, doing it - but it really helped.

Also, when I went back to work after maternity leave, every day I parked my car in the farthest away parking space at work so I had to do a brisk 10-minute walk to get to my desk on time in the morning - and had another brisk 10-minute walk back to my car at the end of the work day.

With those strategies, I managed to fit basically 35 minutes of cardio into each work day, without requiring a large block of time or going to the gym.

I hope this helps!

I am so glad you are posting again! I really missed your amazing outfits! You look amazing in these looks. Keep dressing the body you have and you will look fab!

You look so great in your outfits - I wouldn't have thought for a second there was anything you were trying to hide. I think many understand that there are times when we don't feel our best physically. It's so wonderful that you are willing to share it and provide your fantastic fashion solutions. Life can sometimes become so busy that we forget how to make time for our personal goals and well being. I hope you'll find a way to make more time for yours. You and your family both want you to feel your best.

Your outfits look great but I can understand your frustration. I gained almost 10 pounds when I quit nursing too. It was really annoying and I'm still trying to lose some of that weight. Can you walk on your lunch hour? I used to do that until I changed by work schedule to a 30 min lunch so I could pick the kids up after school. Walking is nice because you just have to change your shoes - you don't have to change your whole outfit like if you went to the gym or for a jog. Even light exercise will help if you're consistent. I go walking with my neighbor at 5:30 am which sounds insanely early but it's the only time I can consistently count on.

Your outfits look amazing to me. What beautiful children. You have already gotten lots of advice from other forum members but I personally find classes and not having to travel far work best for me. I go to Yoga daily but for exercise I go to a fitness class, the instructor tells me what to do, I do it and that is that. No thinking required.

You always look fab. You still do. I love your "hyper matchy matchiness". You have three darling children. I have no advice for you, I just wanted to point out the obvious.

I hear you! My metabolism has slowed down, period. I am determined to get back some of my old figure by 50, but my body also changed irreversibly after pregnancy. I've adopted many of the same dressing strategies - but sometimes I feel like that contributes to the lack of motivation to change anything! Anyhow, i think you look wonderful and love these outfits.

This resonated with me too! I have also put on weight recently, though I can't blame stopping breastfeeding 4 years ago (when DD#3 was 3). I can relate stopping affecting weight maintenance though, in fact I have had to make an effort ever since then, I realise thinking about it. ( I am blaming getting older, having a coeliac diagnosis and not being very self controlled).

Some of the professional women I work with have personal trainers, and I really think that it is an effective way to go when you are time constrained,

Now as for the dressing - you are looking as fab as ever and as Maneera says, you have done us all a great favour by showing us your wonderfully flattering dressing.

I beg you don't be that hard on yourself, GP-you have such a great genetic I'm sure the belly will be gone soon! You are still the slimmest and (the most stylish!) mom of 3 small kids I know in my life! Your outfits are all very happy and flattering here-please post again!:-)

Thank you all so SO much for your comments and for your support! You had me in tears with how kind and reassuring you all are. I've been reading and re-reading all of your comments over the last couple days and they are like lots of warm hugs from friends. It's hard not to get down on myself when I look in the mirror or try to squeeze into jeans that no longer fit without huge muffin top, but you are right I should focus on the positives about the body that gave me my three wonderful kiddos. I've been trying to keep thinking of the "All About That Bass" song with that line "Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top."

I've been trying to get back into exercising and have been using the elliptical in our garage and doing the Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 DVD. And I dug out my Fitbit and put that back on. The problem is I only have time to exercise after the kids are in bed and right now my 2 year old just transitioned to a bunk bed in DD and DS's room and he has been extra clingy since DH and I left on a trip together, so he wants me to lie down with him while he falls asleep. And half the time I end up falling asleep too. Can't usually wake up early and sneak away to exercise because DS2 often wakes up early at 5 or 6 am and cries for me, so I can't be in the garage otherwise he'll wake the other kids up with his crying. I don't usually get a lunch break since I'm so busy at work, but that's a good idea to bring some sneakers and take a walk if I ever get time. Can't get too sweaty though...no place to shower at work!

I've also been trying to watch what I eat and reduce portion sizes too but it's difficult since I'm a "snacky" person. Trying to eat more carrots and apples and vegetables and less candy and cookies and carbs. The sad reality with my metabolism is that the era of eating whatever I wanted because of pregnancy and nursing is over! I need to face that fact! I have had normal labs including cholesterol and thyroid in the past, but good reminder to get a recheck.

"PN" is Precision Nutrition and it's a year long program that I signed up for with online coaching and exercises and daily lessons to complete. I feel bad that I've wasted so much money and haven't been participating, but I'm hoping I'll be able to keep up at least for the last 4 months. Better than nothing. I did run my first 5K in the spring, maybe I'll sign up for another run this winter to motivate me to keep up.

Thank you all for the empathy and encouragement and virtual hugs--you have no idea how much you've helped me! YLF rocks!

Sterling, thanks--I love the matchy matchy bag and skirt too! I love when I can find things from different sources that are EXACT matches! Like my Kate Spade polka dot bag and Bobeau polka dot skirt.

UmmLila--I don't wear anything with the sandal boots--just over bare skin. Wouldn't that look funny to have hose with the peep toe and peep heel? Although the downside is I have to make sure my toenails aren't too grungy and my heels too cracked.

Thanks Carla, Donna, Joyce B, Bijou, Jeweled, WordLily.

Suz (I feel so bad that I've been slacking on your program!!!), thanks for your kind words. I hope the illustration was helpful, as embarrassing as it was for me to post I thought it might be useful (just like when I was posting WIWs 3 days postpartum with my huge squishy belly. Keeping it real!). My PN coach has been after me and bugging me to rejoin, so I'm going to join the Clean Slate Club.

Peri--I loved the striped skirt on you! Aren't the tube skirts the best thing since sliced bread? I have at least 4 or 5 of them!

Thanks Elly!

Angie--thanks so much for your encouragement. It means the world to me! I'm trying to keep up with the Precision Nutrition program with online coaching. I think Suz and Shannon had great results from it. I wish I had really given more effort to it, but I'll try to rally for the last few months so it won't be a total waste.

Unfrumped and Nebraska, sorry the weight has been an issue for you too. I agree, it is tempting to just start all over again and buy more. I did get some new things at NAS but hopefully they'll still work even if I lose 10 lb. (I'm being optimistic!)

Sharan, I was so glad to meet you too!

Elle, I will try to do a class someday when I can carve out some dedicated time. For now it will have to be the DVDs.

Thanks FrannieB! Thanks Maneera, I'm glad it was useful for you.

Shannon...thanks so much. I know you were having some struggles with weight as well...any tips as a PN grad? Can I just admit that I hate exercising?! It's such a chore! I feel good afterward but trying to get myself to do it is so difficult!

Thanks Jenn and Diane G and Isabel!

Vix--thanks for the reminder. Going for a pap smear tomorrow and I will ask them about lab tests. And yes, I need to approach it from a positive standpoint rather than focus on what I'm taking away.

Harmonica...I feel like we're in the same boat with the 3 kiddos and busy lives! I knew you would understand!

Thanks Shedev, Lyn D, Shevia and Deb!

Jeweled--I try to take the stairs always at the hospital but there are only 5 flights. I should try to go up and down multiple times, good idea. And good idea about breaking up the exercise into small chunks.

Thanks JamC and texstyle!

Sara, I would still be nursing for the calorie burning if it weren't for having to avoid so many foods because of DS2's allergies! Just kidding, but only partly. I can't believe how many calories that burned! I will try to see if I can bring some shoes to walk more at work, good idea.

Style fan, my schedule is so unpredictable that it's hard to plan for classes. I did do Fitmob for a little while but couldn't plan in advance for that. I do like being told what to do though, so the DVDs work well for me.

Thanks JAileen!

AG, I totally hear you. Damn those metabolism changes! You always look great though...definitely a style role model for me!

Thanks Anne--celiac disease is tough...gluten free is definitely a challenge! I had to avoid a lot of foods when nursing DS2 because of his allergies so I sympathize!

Thanks so much Lyn--have been so busy it's been hard to post WIWs but I will try to do it more!

You've got great style! You've got great pieces there and the pics show that you know what your doing. Believe in yourself. I've got 4 kids and found that the weight loss stalled the most when I fixated on it and felt terrible about my shape. Get clothes that make you feel fantastic! It seemed like feeling better about my self and giving myself a break just got everything else rolling..
Some tools I've used that might be of help are the app myfitnesspal and benderfitness.com . Great way to keep an eye on intake and the website is updated daily with new HIIT workouts that are usually no longer than 20 minutes. They are tough, but she's got some beginner options to get started with. Then you just keep improving! I never miss a day without checking in on that site and youlookfab!
Good luck! The sky's the limit!

Darling, Natalie. It is JUST like you to bounce back and get on with it. Your positive attitude and proactive nature are inspirational and commendable. I am proud of you. You have a GREAT attitude. Much love to you too.

Oh, we should have a foodbaby playdate group... Ha!

I love love the horizontal skirt and bag outfit and the chevron top. (The blue and yellow is maybe too preppy for me.)