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MNHQ

Need quick thoughts on Celebs losing weight v quickly post pregnancy/and not putting much on during - how do we feel about this?

63 replies

carriemumsnet · 15/09/2008 11:02

On the back of this article The Sunday Telegraph have asked what Mumsnetters think out the pressure on women to stay in shape during their pregnancies. Are celebrity magazines to blame? Why are we expected to marvel at a flat-stomached Nicole Kidman just ten days after the birth of her baby and what effect will all of this have on the babies themselves in the long run?

There's a tight deadline but I promised we'd have some thoughts in the next few minutes.... so over to you.

OP posts:

RnB · 15/09/2008 11:29

Message withdrawn

Flier · 15/09/2008 11:31

I think that most "normal" new mums are too busy and wrapped up in their own worlds to be bothered about slebs that are back into a size zero 6 weeks post birth, but it certainly does alot of harm in the long run as to what people think is the "norm", the more we see of slebs being so skinny both during pregnancy and so soon after childbirth in the media, the more it will be seen as normal, which is so sad.

MamaG · 15/09/2008 11:34

I don't feel pressured by celebs losing weight/not putting it on pre and post pregnancy - their lives are so far removed from mine I really don't feel its an issue.

midnightexpress · 15/09/2008 11:36

I couldn't care less about Nicole Kidman's belly tbh, but I'm an older mum, and I think it may be different for younger mums - more pressure to get it all snapped bak into shape. Mostly I feel quite sorry for the celeb in question that this takes priority over the babymoon for them, but they are in a no-win situation - damned if they do (Nicoles Kidman and Ritchie) and damned if they don't (J-Lo, after she first gave birth, though a few months on and she seems back to pre-pg figure to me).

I liked Milla Jovavich's attitude when pg, though.

traceybath · 15/09/2008 11:36

I think its mad and sad and really respect celebs who don't succumb to the pressure.

I know that probably a lot are genetically blessed after all they're gorgeous and slim and i'd probably have been a bit more concerned about weight gain if the world's media was stalking me.

However it does create unrealistic expectations. Breastfeeding which they all profess to do doesn't necessarily turn you into a sylph over night. And whats with 'the running round after a newborn' that they also always say helped them lose weight. In my experience newborns don't move very fast.

Of course if i had a personal trainer, day and night nanny and personal chef i'd look fab too.

EffiePerine · 15/09/2008 11:40

I do get annoyed at the unrealistic expectations of weight generally - most people are NOT healthy at a size 6 or whatever, most women do out on at least a couple of stone in pg and most women take a while to lose it (the weight that is ). Agree with whoever said that a normal 9 mo bump is made to look massive by the gutter press (and while we're on teh subjcet, what about pics of bfing?)

EffiePerine · 15/09/2008 11:40

'in my experience newborns don't move very fast'

GrimmaTheNome · 15/09/2008 11:42

What pressure? If there is any, then I blame the media (including newspapers) not the 'celebs' themselves.

ninja · 15/09/2008 11:45

But following on from the comments here - the whole point is that restricting your diet during pregnancy CAN have health effects on the baby.

I think it's quite well established that 'starving' yourself during pregnancy leads to the childs genes being programmed to famine mode so they will have a propensity to put on weight which I guess in this day and age leads to a higher possibility of obesity - I think that's what the article was trying to say.

cmotdibbler · 15/09/2008 11:45

I didn't feel pressured by the celebs, but didn't put weight on during pregnancy (constant nausea for 16 weeks and pregnancy after repeated loss does that), and lost two dress sizes in 6 months whilst breastfeeding (and eating everything in sight). I know other women who put on 2 or 3 stone as they felt that pregnancy was a time that they could not 'be on a diet', and felt less pressured about their body than at other times.

I really admire Charlotte Church who does things as she likes and doesn't give a stuff about anyone elses views (it seems)

DrNortherner · 15/09/2008 11:47

Agree it's not the celebs at fault it;s the media (OK, Heat et al) for their pointless articles on size of bumps during and after pregnancy.

Look how slim she is now/struggling with her bay weight.

It's all bollocks.

Tortington · 15/09/2008 11:50

they are aspirations are they not?

if we could all do it - there would be no 'marvelling' at nicole kidman.

whether they should be aspired to is another thing, and incorporates the whole of the media vis-a-vis weight and visualised ideals.

fanjolina · 15/09/2008 11:53

It's totally false anyway. man y of the celebs pose of the steps of the portland with new baby, then are separated from their baby whilst they either a) head off for detox spa/mass training sessions for a few weeks or b) have liposuction. Meanwhile baby is looked after by maternity nanny or relatives.

I feel sorry for them that they put the vanity imposed on them ahead of the need to bond with their new baby.

(And btw, I know this happens as have friends who work at the Portland).

artichokes · 15/09/2008 11:54

Lol at somments saying people know of others who have put on two or three stone in pregnany. That is not alot guys. It is within normal guidelines.

With DD I put on five stone... By 7 months post-partum I had lost six stone so was lighter than before I started. Six months into this pregnancy I have put on one and a half stone and I reckon that is a really good amount to have gained. If I can get to nice months with a 2.5 - 3 stone gain I will be VERY pleased with myself.

AmIWhatAndWhy · 15/09/2008 11:54

Oh I can say loads about this having had a 'concealed pregnancy'.

But must dash to get DS from preschool, so just posting now to put it in my active convos.

stroppyknickers · 15/09/2008 11:55

Surely more people could do it if they wanted to? It's just more important if it's your job NOT to 'eat for two' etc and pile on six stone you then can't lose for ages afterwards. Their real lives are different to ours. I didn't eat much more when I was pregnant, only put on a bump and then lost it quickly. But then, I like being slim more than I like cake. Weird, I know. BTW I have no issue with people who do take ages to lose weight - we are all leading our own lives etc and slebs need to look thin etc to get paid/ avoid being trashed in tatty mags.

EffiePerine · 15/09/2008 11:55

atri: I put on 2.5 stone with DS and you wou ld be amazed at the comments I got on how big I was getting (and I'm 5'8 so it was actually not a massive amount for my frame)

artichokes · 15/09/2008 12:03

Effie: Strangely nobody commented on my size when I gained 5 stone. I think they were all too embarrassed! I am 5' 11' but still it was alot to gain. Some of it (about one stone?) was down to bad water retention and my ankles were like elephants. This time all I get told is "you are so small".

FWIW I am not sure how much you eat has the any relevance to how much you gain. I have eaten more healthily in this pregnancy than I do normally and I have exercised more. However my body reacts to the faintest hint of HCG by piling on the pounds.

NorbertDentressangle · 15/09/2008 12:25

I think women should not give a toss about "celebrity" Mums but unfortunately some do, and some will try and emulate.

It doesn't help when newspapers publish photos of the likes of Nicole Kidman, days before she gives birth heading off to the gym (looking stick thin with a bump that is more like the average 4/5month bump).

Those pregnant women (and they are out there)who aspire to have that sort of figure may feel that they are a failure by not going to the gym right up to birth or not working out for 4 hrs a day post-natally.

There are also celebs who almost hide from the limelight when pregnant as if theres something to be embarrassed about in putting on weight (Posh springs to mind -you see very few photos of her pregnant)

OTOH those that are photographed are deemed to be huge/bloted/overweight, with articles that mock how much extra weight they've put on.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't in the medias eyes

twinsetandpearls · 15/09/2008 12:26

I find it disapointing that loosing baby weight seems to be equated with succeess as a mother and there almost seems to be a desire to deny the motherhood process. I can remember writing about this topic when studying and reading loads of articles in glossies by new mums and the only mention of time spent with the baby was when one celebrtity said she spent time every day using her dd as a substitute dumb bell.

twinsetandpearls · 15/09/2008 12:28

But agree that these celebrities don;t have mormal body types to begin with so will not have a normal post pregnancy figure.

mabanana · 15/09/2008 12:31

I was very shocked, upset and depressed by my body after having my first baby. I had no idea I was so fat, I focussed on my bump. I was still stones overweight and breastfeeding did NOT make it all melt away as I had been told. I have struggled with my weight ever since, and yes, it does get me down. I'm not sure I compared myself with pregnant/new mother celebs though - I compared myself with how I was just nine months before.
BUT I couldn't help getting so fat. I ate super-healthily, got my five a day and more, ate fish, didn't drink, loads of salad - a mjuch healthier diet than my pre-pregnant one. It was mostly changes in my hormones and metabolism that made me gain stones and stones of fat in such a comparatively short time. I think to be told that research showed I had probably damaged my precious new baby and predisposed them to a lifetime of obesity and ill health would have made me practically suicidal at that point.
Sometimes you just can't HELP gaining weight or not gaining weight in pregnancy. Yes, I know the research is valid etc, but god, it's depressing. YOu just can't win and it's all your fault!

Aitch · 15/09/2008 12:36

i find it depressing that women are thougth of as so stupid by the newspapers that serves them (DM being a classic wifey's paper) that they think this stuff actually does influence our behaviour. i know a dm journalist who told me wrt to their stories 'if it's not hurting it's not working'. nice.

poppy34 · 15/09/2008 12:41

I think its pretty subtle - although I know that papers print rubbish (esp daily mail etc).. I was surprised about how mcuh I minded putting on weight and then the shape my body was in..I don't think its entirely celeb mags (although it does add to the general culture of thinking its ok to comment on women for looks/thinness) but I do think that there is a general lack of realistic sensible advice on exercise trhough pregnancy and diet/exericse afterwards..

mabanana · 15/09/2008 12:42

I am quite encouraged by celebs that do get fat (like Catherine Zeta Jones and Liz Hurley) and I wish I could afford their combo of maternity nurse, trainer and chef to get the flab off afterwards, frankly.

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