Jogging after my first child

Question
I have been an athlete my whole life and I recently had a child who is 8 months I gained a little bit of weight and started working out with a fitness ball. I noticed results after about 3 weeks and at the 7 week I decided to start joggin once a week. I started on Saturday mornings since I have done this 4 times. I do 8 laps I walk and then jog the entire 2 miles. I have recenlty started having serious knee problems only on the right knee. This is also the side of my body that when I was pregnent I had hip problems on. I'm not sure if I'm not stretching enough or if my body just isn't used to it. I ran track took gymanstics, and played softball. I haven't worked out as hard as I have been since high school I'm now 26 years old. I want to continue because I have noticed a difference in my stomach since jogging a lot more so than the fitness ball alone. I have a hectic schedule and money is tight so this is the best outlook for me as far as worknig out. Can anyone offer any solutions I feel great when I excersize and I am able to exercise the entire time without stopping which keeps me going. I just don't want to hurt myself. Please offer any good sugestions I really need some. Thanks Shell Bussel

Answer
Shell,
The best I can offer for assistance is suggesting some walk & jog intervals.  This should keep you from the increased pounding on your lower body, yet still work as a great way to raise your heart rate up and keep it there as you're slightly recovering during your walks.  An example is walking 2 minutes, jogging for 1, then walking for 2, jog for 1, etc.  I would go more for time, than for just a set distance with this type of effort being applied.  The walks work as little recoveries between the harder bursts of jogging.  

Another tip is on stretching before exercise.  I hardly recommend this, since static holds do little to actually warm up the muscles needed.  I use something called "The Stick", found at http://intracell.net its an information page for this device.  Most fitness product websites sell this, such as Perform Better, or Power Systems.  A much more economical and similar thing to do is to use a wooden rolling pin on your muscles, in the same way that a Stick is used.  Its not exactly the same, but I've had online clients tell me that it helps them out a lot better than doing nothing at all before a workout.  I have a special quick YouTube clip at this site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIRqyN1PvgE

I hope this helps you well,

Rick Karboviak
http://speeddialcoach.com