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.

Probably a very strict diet in terms of specific macros, resistance training and some cardio. To stay slim as you get older, you have to prioritise strength training to maintain muscle mass and as far as abs are concerned, it’s a combination of genetics and being very careful what goes in your mouth. In summary, she’s always on it and has the time to devote to her personal health in a way lots of mums with young children don’t.

This was a thing in the 80s / 90s. Cotton wool dipped in orange juice (for flavour) would make you feel full.

She does eat what she wants though and doesn’t count calories or diet, she just doesn’t want what other people want.

That’s exactly what I was going to say! She’s either got an eating disorder and/or spends most of her day in the gym!

How do I know this? My own half sister was a big size (18-20) in her teens and early 20s. She met her wealthy DH had DC and became a SAHM/W who spent all day working out at David Lloyd. I also worked in a posh area and heard gossip that a few women had eating disorders, mostly due to the supplements or medicines they bought at the local health food shop and chemist, the former were clients of ours.

Pippa isn’t skinny, she’s muscular and slim and clearly works for that physique. As others have said before exercise as has always been a feature in the Middletown’s lives. She will eat a diet a very healthy one of non ultra processed foods, but plenty of calories to sustain the exercise she does.

My partner and his sister are just like @Rivendeluge SIL was always very slim and forgot to eat meals when her children were young and she was running about after them. Whereas I’d feel hard done by if I had to miss a meal. My partner is now on 3 meals a day but it’s taken 10 years, even still he’s not bothered if he misses a meal. Doesn’t have a sweet tooth, not bothered about snacks, might have desert once a year - there’s no restraint they’re just not people who like that sort of food. Food is for eating, to fuel the body rather than ‘craving’ that many of us have. I would love to not be bothered by food but I don’t have that mindset and I’m quite a hungry person. My son is the same, he’s a hungry one too.

Pippa is superich, not just averagely wealthy, and never has to work again. She probably spends a significant about of time every day working out. She certainly seems to have developed rugby player shoulders - I would change her trainer if I were her.

They eat porridge, fish, fruit and salads
Probably no bread, cake, crisps with their sandwich when out, etc
I used to work in a cafe. Crips were part of a sandwich meal.

No money worries, help with childcare, less stress than the rest of us. All that helps. Less stressed/comfort eating. Time to take daily exercise in gyms, room for loads of exercise equipment at home, money to pay personal trainers to keep them on track...

Meaning no offence but I don’t see Pippa Middletons figure as aspirational or even attractive. I dare say she doesn’t hanker after mine either.

If it takes lots of work to look like that it’s a bit sad.

@Nots456 I eat similarly. I'd love to know what cheese you enjoy? 😊

I used to have a similar physique although am not posh.

I have always been naturally slim but back then I was VERY slim and sometimes asked if I was anorexic (I wasn't).

I was doing about three hours of exercise six times a week. I'm tee-total as I don't like the taste. Drink mostly water or fruit juice. Breakfast would be toast and fruit, lunch would be cheese sandwiches, chocolate bar, pieces of fruit, dinner would be pasta or rice with bolognase/curry/chicken tonight (ie something with meat and veg and a sauce). Very repetitive as I'd batch cook everything due to time constraints. Large portions. I'd definitely say I ate what I like and also drank a protein powder shake a day.

But - I really think a lot of it is genetic. I had friends doing the same amount of sport as me who ate similarly and they didn't have the same physique at all. Someone born to be short and curvy is never going to look like PM.

I don't have any stretch marks post-baby, and it was just luck. I didn't use any creams or anything and my bump was relatively small. I'm still slim, but I'm not toned anymore as I don't do anywhere near that amount of exercise now, and I'm losing my waist due to peri-menopause.

I started off really slowly. Not a set routine as such, i didnt have any idea or belief that i could achieve what i have, so i went in to it blindly. I always went to the gym but had done cardio only. So I started doing one kettle bells class a week. It was so hard and I ached like a bitch for a whole week the first time, but I stuck with it. My strength gradually... very gradually... improved and I went from not even being able to hold a plank for 10 seconds to 2 minute planks while passing a 8kg kettle bell from side to side. I then added in other weight classes, but would never do more than 2-3 per week tbh. I rarely do cardio, unless I need an endorphin boost. I'll walk on the treadmill on a steep incline (15% incline, 3mph, for 20-30 minutes), 1-2 times a week, I also walk my dog for an hour a day. I occasionally do yoga to have a good stretch.

It is really hard work in the beginning, but once you reach a level where you have good muscle tone, it gets easier. Now I'm maintaining rather than building muscle, I have to do less than when I was fatter and unfitter, if that makes sense? When you're at the start of your "journey", you're having to put in maximum effort and I think this is often why people quit, as they probably think it will always be hard. It's honestly just fun for me now. The hardest part was starting.

I could have written this 🤦‍♀️

I am size 6 and weigh 7 stone. I've been the same size all of my adult life apart from when I was pregnant when I went up to 8stone and 8stone 5. Back to my normal size within 8 weeks both times with no effort. Babies were both healthy weights. I eat what I like, lots of meat, poultry, fish, carbs, fruit and veg. Loads of cake and chocolate, desserts, biscuits, ice cream and crisps! My mum is slim. My sister is different and puts on weight easily, she's a size 14. My daughter is size 12. I struggle to put on weight. I got ill in India and lost a stone in two weeks. If I don't eat a lot, every day, I lose weight quickly. I eat porridge with fruit or toast for breakfast. Full English one weekend morning. Lunch is a sandwich/wrap or pasta salad, plus a chocolate bar and crisps. Dinner is always protein carbs and veg. One day might be prawn and crab linguine, next might be sausages mash with veg and onion gravy. Plus dessert, every day. Then I have tea and biscuits through the evening. Or wine and chocolate. My mum says I'm a 'throwback' as her dad's sister was the same as me (she didn't have children so no peers to compare with). Who knows, but I also have muscles from doing very little exercise, daily walking, weekly yoga but that's all. My mum said to me when I was 39 - you need to stop eating so much as you will start gaining weight when you hit your 40s. I didn't.
Maybe the Middleton sisters are the same as me. It's just the way I am.

If I had the money I would have a personal chef and zero access to a fridge or snack cupboard 🙈. I imagine the people you are referring to are no different. Plus if I had more time I would be partaking in exercise everyday.

Some will be genetics, my cousin is never more than a size 8 and eats like a horse, will have biscuits with her tea, breakfast will be scrambled egg toast with butter, a bacon sandwich with a Starbucks caramel latte etc, lunch sandwich from the deli chocolate and crisps, dinners she has home cooked food, simple stuff like spag bol, chillis, curry etc but eats huge platefuls and I've got a good appetite. I couldn't eat what she does, eats out or takeaway at least once a week. She's 5'2 has 3 DC and works full time, with each baby she has left hospital in her size 8 jeans. She doesn't do any regular gym type exercise, she will go on bike rides with the kids, walks at the weekend etc so she's not sedentary. If I ate like she did I'd be huge. Her mum is the same. She's now 70 and a size 10 rather than 8 , says she got squishy round the middle!
If I generally eat healthily and go to the gym 3 times a week I can maintain a 10-12 but I've been a size 18. I have also been a 6-8 but people started asking me if I was ill, I'm 5'9+ and have quite broad shoulders so I looked boney. I have to make conscious decisions about food and not just eat what I want.

Cotton wool dipped in orange juice was not 'a thing'!

I enjoy life and refuse to believe we "should" aspire to remove all the joy from eating!
See, I don't get this. What's joyful about eating? You eat because you need fuel for your body. It's something you do to stay healthy and have energy to live and do whatever activities you want, stop being hungry. It's like washing yourself or learning for a test. Something you have to do to get on with life. Cooking, and deciding what to eat is tedious and a chore. Then you have to clean up. Why is that joyful?

Wow. Why do you think it’s ok to body shame her in that way?

I think we all know what’s healthy to eat and that exercise is also important.
Dont we.? I don’t put it down to being posh as I’m not keen on the word, makes me cringe a little like the word terf.

Perhaps a photo of your food cupboard and fridge and a basic rundown of your weekly menu / food and how much exercise you do would be more helpful and maybe others can then see the issue as you’re struggling.

Can you send a picture or list OP

I’m quite posh, but I’m also quite fat. 😂 I don’t eat too badly funnily enough, but I do have adhd which in me partly manifests itself as zero impulse control or willpower. I can’t get in an exercise routine, and can go days eating really well, then eat 5 packs of crisps on the trot because the crunch or whatever is so satisfying.

I should add that I cook well and all my kids are a lovely healthy size and weight.

Follow Yoanna Hanbury on Instagram, she often does a what I eat in a day.. She's married to the british polo player Charlie Hanbury they have three gorgeous daughters & I follow her page for pure escapism

Hmm by all accounts there's a reason Kate's had surgery. That relates to not eating.

And to the pp saying that all men prefer curves- BS - I have only been single for a year in my life, since teenage and that was through choice, recovering following separation from my husband of 21 years. Never been short of male attention! I have the same measurements as Kylie M and am two years younger.