For Karen Montgomery, the need to get back into physical shape after having her son, Wyatt, was a necessity. She would head to the gym and leave her little one with the in-house daycare service but would only get about 20 minutes of exercise before he would start to cry.

"I wasn't getting a very good workout," she said. "I thought there had to be another way."

In April, Montgomery, a certified group fitness instructor, started the East County chapter of the nationwide program Baby Boot Camp to help new moms get back into shape while spending time with their babies. The program provides a challenging workout that doesn't require hiring a personal trainer and a babysitter or purchasing a gym membership.

Most classes are held outdoors and moms bring their babies in strollers or joggers. The 75-minute workout combines strength training exercises and cardiovascular drills in an at-your-own-pace format.

"Some moms are dying to get some normalcy back into their lives after having a baby and this program helps them do that," Montgomery said

Baby Boot Camp has been helping women look and feel great since 2001.

`For Brentwood's Dana Smith, a mother of four, the challenge was finding time for exercise.

"I've been looking for something I can do and take my daughter with me," she said. "This program was more than what I expected. After I did the class every muscle in my body was sore. I can tell I had really done something."

Studies have shown that exercising with other new moms can also help alleviate the postpartum Baby Blues. Montgomery agrees, calling it a valuable resource.

"Not only is Baby Boot Camp a fun and challenging way to get fit; it is a great way to meet other moms in our area," she said. "Taking care of yourself physically and spiritually is one of the most important gifts you can give your child."

Montgomery suggests that new moms wait six weeks after delivery and eight weeks after a Cesarean section before attending Baby Boot Camp classes.

For more information about the program, visit www.babybootcamp.com or call Montgomery at 525-1600.