Laila Ali has been a professional athlete all her life. After giving birth to her son Curtis in late August, the new mom found herself needing to get back in shape. But how does a mother find the time and the energy?

Laila, who found out that being fit is good for both the mom and her baby, shares her get fit tips with new moms.

Before starting an exercise regime, check with your doctor. Here are some other exercise safety tips to keep n mind:

• Invest in a good support bra. Your breasts are going to be larger than normal from the milk production and will need a lot of extra support.
• Be careful of high-impact sports due to lax pelvic ligaments and joints left over from pregnancy. This is why core (abdominal work is key after pregnancy preventing lower back and joint injuries).
• Make sure you drink lots of water to replenish yourself, especially when breastfeeding.
• Listen to your body. If you’re feeling tired, go easy on yourself. Try not to push yourself until you feel ready.
• If you start to feel light headed and nauseous, or notice a change in the color of your vaginal discharge, consult with your doctor. You may be exercising too strenuously.

*And remember, losing baby weight takes time. Since her son was born in August, Laila has lost 15 pounds. She says she has 20 more to go.*

OK Magazine has the exclusive first shots of the couple’s first baby that arrived on August 26th, weighing 6 pounds, 8 ounces.

Laila spoke to the magazine about her approach on motherhood,

“If all these other women have been able to do it, then so can I. I have never been afraid that parenthood was going to be too much for me.”

According to the star’s website, Curtis Muhammad Conway arrived on August 26th weighing 6.8 lbs., measuring 19 inches long.

“Although mom and baby are both healthy and happy, there were some surprises during labor that altered Laila’s birth plan,” the statement said.

Laila had planned to have a home birth with possibly a watertub available.

Here are some of the highlights:

When is the baby due?

I don’t put a due date on the baby, whenever he’s ready to come out.

How did you decide to have a home birth?

I saw Ricki Lake’s documentary, The Business of Being Born. I think all women kind of like to be in control, but I want to really experience the birth. Society tells you , “You get pregnant, you go to the hospital”, and that was just naturally what I was going to do, but once I saw that there was another option, it just fit me. I want to be fully present – I don’t want any medications. I just want to be in control of the situation – as much as I can be anyways.

Any details you can share about your birth plan?

I’m going to have water there, but I know that I might not end up giving birth in the water. Or, I might just use my own tub.

Do you plan to breastfeed?

I’m definitely breastfeeding. God gave us the gift. Our bodies are made a certain way to nuture our children. To certain point, anyway. I’m not going to be one of those mothers breastfeeding my 3 year old.

For more of the interview and more pictures please pick up a copy of Pregnancy Magazine.

Laila is five months along, and shared her pregnancy has been uneventful and free of morning sickness and cravings. “I was worried about that because I like to eat, so far that hasn’t happened,” she laughed.

PHOTOCREDIT:AP Photo/Richard Drew VIA YAHOO.COM

“I don’t know yet if we are having a boy or a girl, but I’m excited that I have a life inside me that my husband and I created,” Ali says in the May issue, which hits newsstands April 11.

This is the first child for Laila and the fourth for Curtis, who has twin sons, Kelton and Cameron, 13, and a daughter Leilani, 9.

“I am 100 percent undeniably happy,” Laila tells Essence. “I’ve never been able to say that before.”

SOURCE:ESSENCE VIA PEOPLE MAGAZINE