To wonder what posh Mums cook for dinner…

[Primrosecottagelover]

I have just seen Pippa Middleton’s bikini photos on the DM. Three different bikinis so far, washboard abs & nothing jiggles as she chases three kids. She could easily pass as a fibreglass mannequin. I’m wondering why it is that the Middleton women and affluent women (even middle class at my child’s school), always seem to be so impossibly slim. I struggle with my weight and I would love to see the groceries, fridge contents, packed lunchboxes and dinner plans of the other half. Obviously I know what healthy eating and cooking is but, the bodies of Mothers these days is next level. Why am I struggling to keep my tummy from flopping out while women in their 40’s pull off wearing linen mini shorts (not in UK) and high waisted jeans.

....and , conveniently enough, every other poster has a figure just like Pippa Middleton ...🙄

I'm 50 and I've always been naturally slim. I have a really good appetite, I never skip meals and I've never been on any sort of diet in my life. I put not putting on weight down to exercising every day (even just an hour's walk or half an hour swimming) and being fairly mindful about what I'm eating. I don't ban any foods at all though and always have some sort of treat every day. So it's not about being wealthy or how the other half live

I’m very curious, please don’t take this the wrong way, it’s just a question and not an assumption…. Would you look down on someone that didn’t do that exercise or befriend them ?

she will eat something like this

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/victoria-beckhams-grim-diet-uncovered-31083536.amp

I'm pushing 50, one child and have always been slim. Skinny in my youth but with exercise (particularly weights) I'm now slim still but stronger looking.

I'm definitely not posh though

I do the same as you but am much larger..

I do think genetics play quite a large role. Just walking and being active at weekends doesn't make most women a size 8.

look into the side affects of this drug before you go ahead. I don't believe drugs or staples are cheating and worth trying - but not if it will wreck your wellbeing down the road

I also love food but have always exercised sensibly. Love wine too but peri menopause is slowly making a dent in how much/frequency I have nowadays. I've noticed since drinking less I'm definitely less bloated

Well tbf the OP asked what women with PMs figure eat, so I'd have thought it would attract those that have similar figures, as they're the best to answer in the absence of PM herself! It's usually pretty obvious from the replies about their diet and lifestyle who is telling the truth anyway, and the ones who really do have that body will be able to offer useful tips on diet and excercise which is what the OP asked for.

The most miserable people in the world are those trying to maintain the “starved” look of abs and washboard stomachs. They have to starve to achieve that.

I’m very curious, please don’t take this the wrong way, it’s just a question and not an assumption…. Would you look down on someone that didn’t do that exercise or befriend them ?

Surely that would depend on what you have "in common" we naturally make friends we have similarities with and have something of a general bond. If our lifestyles are vastly different with no common hobbies or interests then it makes friendship fine but more difficult to sustain.

Ofcourse not everyone will be that size. But small lifestyle changes really can make a difference. For example, if you need something from the shop (and time allows), don’t jump in the car (even in the rain) and walk it. That would make such a difference for so many people. There’s people on our school run who drive every day, not going straight on to work and live close by. Why would you do that?

I think it's sad that people convince themselves that to stay slim and in good shape it must mean you starve yourself. It's utterly ridiculous.

Most people think it is acceptable to eat processed food more than 20% of the time and it isn't / this is why you get fat. It would be difficult to get fat in vegetable and sweet potato and meat. People say this is extreme to eat this kind of food but how is it? It sounds like a tasty meal to me better than McDonald's or smiley faces.

Also drinking / if you drink mostly water you will not get fat it's quite simple. Whether you want to drink water is another question.

Then on top of less processed foods and drinking water, throw in exercise even just three times a week (not the extreme 90 mins a day as someone pointed out these slim women must be doing) and you can stay slim and toned just like pippa (or close).

Please stop convincing yourself that to be slim you need a private chef, lots of money and two hours a day in the gym - you are kidding yourself to make yourself feel better

To be fair we use small plates and start with small portions. We eat at the table together every tea time and spend a while chatting once done. Sometimes we'll have second's otherwise those left overs are frozen for another day. But often eating big portions from big plates is a habit. We don't always need that volume of food.

I know a fair few women who look like that after having kids just from doing CrossFit 4/5 days a week and eating a balanced diet. I got a full six pack after two kids at age 35-40 from doing a class a day 5 days a week (work full time so would be 6am or 8pm) and then eating ‘normally’. I would snack/eat pasta and bread etc. No food group was excluded.
To me, from her body shape and definition it looks like she does CrossFit type exercise. Barbells/gymnastics/cardio.

I don’t think you’re ever going to look like PM going for a jog around the block or hitting the treadmill for twenty minutes.

Some of it is genetics. I was super skinny almost immediately post partum. I did breast feed, but I also ate a LOT of biscuits and chocolate. I just have a very fast metabolism, always have done.

In my early forties I am now still objectively very slim. I’m not as toned as I was when I was younger but my build hasn’t changed. I can honestly say I eat what I want, and that does include cake, but not every day. We cook mostly from scratch, rarely have take away as we live rurally and nobody delivers. Three meals a day, reasonably small portions. I do often snack in the evening- mostly crisps - and drink about a bottle of wine a week at the moment (has been more in the past). But I also run. Currently about 30k a week (usually not that much). And we are an active family, so we will go for walks, bike rides, swimming at the weekend. I garden a lot. I don’t do a lot of sitting down.

I know that my genetic make up makes it easier for me. But I also know that it isn’t just that, and, especially as I get older, I’m conscious that if I ate regular take aways, large portions, snacked a lot, and didn’t get a lot of exercise, then the weight would creep on. And I think as a previous poster said, it’s harder to lose than it is not to gain in the first place.

I’m 50 and in the best shape I have ever been in. Def don’t look like PM but my stomach is completely flat, no muffin top, slim and toned. I do reformer pilates 3x a week, don’t eat until lunch time, very little bread, no cakes, biscuits or fruit. Loads of vegetables, chicken, salmon and I eat rice and pasta. I don’t really snack although crisps are my downfall. I don’t have a sweet tooth, It simply doesn’t occur to me to eat cakes biscuits sweets

i would say 99% of my friends are 48-52 and in really good shape. None over a 12 and lost 8-10 if they are tall and 6-8 if smaller

Agee

and it’s her choice of course but there was an interview with her husband and he didn’t look very excited about it.
I don’t know, it doesn’t sound like a very relaxing approach to a family dinner.

Pippa Middleton isn’t just thin, she’s like granite, incredibly strong and toned. It is often a class thing. The Middletons are very athletic, brought up playing tennis, hockey etc. For girls particularly, this tends to be more of a focus in middle class areas/ fee paying schools which is a disgrace but as with so many things, money is such an advantage.

They keep up that type of exercise level all through their lives and team it with an iron will and low cal diet.

The reality is that when you have plenty of money, it’s much easier to make these kind of choices.

I think both the Middletons have three advantages when it comes to physique

one is genetic, they have the same build and body type as their mother.

two they were both extremely sporty and active as young women at school, so they never built up the layers of excess fat as do so many young women who are not active during their teen years, it really stands you in good stead for the future..

three they both married extremely rich men who are not only in the public eye but who can afford to pay for their gyms, personal chefs and trainers.

Sure, but pippa Middleton is clearly not one of those people, no one who starves themselves is able to develop and maintain muscle. Factually your muscles waste if you starve.she is the opposite, she has a thin layer of fat and flesh, and when she flexes, ie getting in and out of th4 boat, you can see the muscle definition in her arms, thighs, stomach etc

I sometimes think we have lost sight of what a healthy toned body looks like. Or maybe it’s just envy . I for one would love to be a lot fitter and toned, but I’m not going to rip pippa apart, say she looks unattractive or starves herself or is miserable. As I don’t believe any of that is true.

it maybe not be someone’s preferred body type. Who cares. But factually that woman is slim, toned fit and healthy looking.

You sound like me. I weigh 8.5 stone, five eight. I don't have especially washboard abs and I am quite curvaceous (the real meaning, not the euphemism for overweight) and I love love love my food but hate junk, plus I am very active and always on the go.

Predominantly it’s genes.

I agree ….. to a point.

I don’t buy the whole ‘I’m a busy mum therefore I can’t exercise etc’ so therefore I am overweight. There is always time.

However, I do think that class and money have a whole lot to do with things.