When I look at the stretch marks that now permeate my stomach, I remind myself that this is the badge of motherhood. Those shimmery little lines, once bright red, have now faded into more earthy tones. Sometimes, they're hardly noticeable. Then, the light hits them just right, and they glisten brightly as if to remind me of their presence.

Perhaps I've been too enthralled with the beauty of my 4-month-old to pay much mind to my own physical state of being. But then I look in the bathroom mirror, and there it is—my hair a mess of tangled curls matted with baby drool, and my outfit consistent of my husband's work t-shirt and a pair of sweats.

A quick step on the scale provides a fatal blow to my waning sense of confidence.

Health-wise, I'm not where I'd like to be. With the New Year fast-approaching, it's time to make a change. And what better place to start than right here in Kennesaw?

The Kennesaw Parks and Recreation Department recently released its Winter-Spring 2012 Guide. The city offers more than 125 classes, camps and workshops, including fitness classes geared toward new moms like me.

The Let's Roll Stroller Fitness class incorporates your stroller (and accompanying baby) into an aerobics routine. During the winter months, the class is offered indoors at Ben Robertson Community Center, and in the spring, the action moves outdoors to Swift-Cantrell Park.

I'm also considering joining Mama Dance, a cardio dance class with an emphasis on losing baby weight while encouraging bonding time with your baby or toddler. Each class ends with a "tummy time" abdominal and stretching routine designed to repair the damage caused by pregnancy.

Other classes I'm considering: Authentic Salsa & Notorious Siblings, Belly Dancing, Zumba Fitness and Cake Decorating. Okay, okay, the Cake Decorating class is probably counterproductive. Perhaps I'll join that one as a treat after I reach my weight loss goal.

I've already started eating healthier and lost 5 pounds over the past couple weeks. I have another 35 to go. That will put me way below my pre-pregnancy weight and land me right around my sophomore year of college when I could actually run and touch my toes with ease.

In fact, let's just say toe-touching ability is my official measure of fitness success.

Have you tried any of the classes offered by the city? What classes do you suggest? Tell us in the comments.