Losing The Baby Weight

I will admit that one of the hardest things for me post pregnancy has been the weight issue. I gained 40 pounds during my pregnancy and as much as I felt like I was as big as a house I had a baby inside of me so I dealt with it. I figured after I had Hallie and no longer had a baby inside me I would drop the weight fast and go back to the weight I was when I got pregnant. We all see the TV stars that have babies and then one month later appear on a magazine cover in a bikini! I quickly realized that that's just NOT realistic! 

So what is realistic?   

Advice or tips on losing the baby weight and being patient until you do?