Hilary Duff took up boxing to lose baby weight

Hilary Duff turned to boxing to help her shed the pounds after diet and exercise failed to get her back in shape following the birth of her first child.

Unlike so many celebrity moms, the So Yesterday singer couldn't bounce back after becoming a new parent and she admits only now - a year later - is she happy with her body again.

She tells Life & Style magazine, "I'm finally at a comfortable place with my body. It took me a full year!"

The 25 year old reveals she packed on 50 pounds (22.6 kilograms) when she was pregnant with baby Luca and it took her a while to get "mentally motivated," explaining, "I was enjoying being home with my baby, and I wasn't super strict with my diet."

But then late last year (12), she realized it was time to get serious about her look and called in celebrity trainer Gabe Johns, who introduced her to boxing.

She tells the publication, "It makes me feel super fierce. Gabe and I box outside my home, so my neighbors watched the whole shrinking process! They cheered me on!"