There's a reason most Alcoholics Anonymous meetings take place 30 minutes after Mommy and Me group. "Many mothers find a glass of wine or two -- or more -- at the end of the day to be relaxing," says Melinda Johnson, MS, RD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "But what they may not realize is that alcohol gives you extra calories fast, without helping you feel full." Even worse, those extra calories from alcohol tend to end up around your middle. (Hence the term "beer belly.") The solution? Stick with water. Not only is it calorie-free, but staying well-hydrated helps beat abdominal bloat.

During a baby's first months of life, her mother will subject her to a special kind of torture known as "tummy time." That's when we flip Peanut over onto her belly to help her strengthen her neck and prevent Flat Head Syndrome ... and when she proceeds to scream like a howler monkey. To help the time pass when my daughter was younger, I'd do "tummy time" too: I'd get into Plank position and hold it for a minute at a time. It helped me recoup some abdominal strength post-C-section and get my pre-pregnancy abs back a little quicker.

Before baby, a half-eaten chicken nugget, three soggy tater tots, and some corn niblets were probably not your idea of fine cuisine. So why are you vacuuming up your kid's leftovers now? Probably out of an irrational fear over "wasting" food. But think of it like this: Inhaling odds and ends left over from Junior's lunch is just going to waste your efforts in the gym and at your meals. Make like Nancy Reagan and Just Say No. "Make a simple rule at your table to eat off of your own plate only," Johnson suggests. "Grabbing a nibble or two from your child's plate can really add up to extra calories that your body is probably not even asking for."

When you have no time to chew, it can be way too tempting to down a frothy caffeinated beverage from your favorite coffee shop. But those drinks are usually packed with so much sugar and fat, you might as well be ordering a "Super-cal Flabby Abs Latte." In almost the same amount of time, you could whip up this green smoothie concocted by 9-months-pregnant registered dietitian and fitness expert Rebecca Scritchfield: Blend a frozen banana and two cups of raw spinach with 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup ice cubes, and two scoops of organic whey protein powder. "With less than 300 calories and three servings of fruits and vegetables, you get carbs for fast energy, nutrients to keep you healthy, and protein that will help keep you full for several hours," she explains.

In Mom World, the pecking order usually goes something like this: Kids, husband, grandparents, dog, neighbors, dry cleaner, Mom. That has to change if you really want to work on your physique. "You've got to take time for YOU without feeling bad about it," insists Madeline Glasser, 25, mom to 12-month-old Emmalyne and a blogger at FoodFitnessandFamilyblog.com. Think about it like this: You're not taking time away from your little one; you're setting a healthy example for her to follow, now and when she's an adult. Prioritizing herself helped Glasser blast away the 32 pounds she gained during her pregnancy. She joined a gym with child care, takes a boot camp class, lifts weights, runs, and walks her baby and dogs nearly every day. Can't make it to the gym? "Throw in a DVD during nap time," says Glasser.