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Original poster

Sam Cam, Jools Oliver etc - how do they fit exercise and beauty stuff in

326 replies

Luckytohavemybaby · 31/05/2015 20:37

Do they get lots of help? Wondering if they do their running and work outs at 5am as they seem quite hands on mums.

OP posts:
Sallystyle · 01/06/2015 19:14

What the fuck is this thread?

People having yoga teachers, personal trainers and nannies People telling Sam to eat more and fat flabby while whales and all kinds of weird shit!

Baddz · 01/06/2015 19:14

Not really...I am currently sitting posting on mn and eating a curly wurly Smile
There are so many more women who have much more on their plate than I do and it's articles like this (I won't dignify it by calling it a news item) that make them feel more isolated, alone and not worthy.
Sadly, as pinks post makes clear, only work that earns money is valued.
Only women who look a certain way are deemed attractive.
It's very tiresome.
I find anyone who judges people on how they look or what they wear really fatuous.
Sorry.
I think if you like going swimming at 4am then good for you.
But I prefer to be asleep or reading a good book or having sex

I don't think I will regret all the times I didn't work out /do yoga/go swimming at the end of my life tbh.
But I might regret the times not spent just smelling the roses, you know?

Bouncey · 01/06/2015 19:16

I genuinely believe that if beauty and fitness is important to you then it's possible to prioritise them. I don't have a nanny or cleaner (and don't begrudge those who do, who generally work very hard to pay for them). I have no family closer than a flight away although I do have a very supportive DH. I work part time but always find time for hair / low key makeup and I maintain a size 8 figure. It's just about being very organised, such as planning my wardrobe a week in advance and doing a proper blow dry every couple of days (it really doesn't take that long). Most beauty treatments can be done via a mobile beautician at home, although tbh I do most things myself. Hair is the big exception and I get a proper cut and colour after work every 3 months while DH does the nursery run. It's not that difficult, just a case of priorities.

That said I'm about to have another baby so fully expect to look like a total slob for a bit and prioritise sleep!

Shenanagins · 01/06/2015 19:18

It's ac not that hard to fit in exercise if you really want to.

We both work full time and apart from nursery the only help we have is a cleaner once a week. Despite this we manage to exercise at least 3 times a week.

I go for a run at 8.30 pm when the kids are in bed 3 nights a week come rain or shine. If my oh is away I get up at 6 for a 30min DVDs session.

It is possible if you really want to do it whether you have money or not.

Baddz · 01/06/2015 19:18

Ohhhhh Caitlin Moran wrote a really good piece on carers and obesity...wish I could link but in all my years on mn I have never managed it! :(
It was fab, and so true.
Mums can't drink all night and then do the school run.
Can't do lines of coke and then oversee homework
Can't go to all night parties and then sit up all night with an ill child.
So they eat.
You can eat 10 kit kats and still make the school run.
It was such a good piece...I hope someone clever comes on and does it!

Bakeoffcake · 01/06/2015 19:20

God there are some horribly rude individuals on this thread.

Does it make you feel better about yourself? Or is there another reason you want to be nasty to strangers on the Internet?

Baddz · 01/06/2015 19:21

And....
If you haven't got a Dh?
Or DVD player?
God, I'm glad you all can't see my hair ATM!
I missed my appt for my colour as I had to go to a funeral :(
My head looks like a badgers arse!

Bouncey · 01/06/2015 19:31

As it happens, I didn't have a DH for 7 months last year - he was in Afghanistan - and I still managed to fit in some grooming. It's just a question of priorities. I like to make a bit of effort, so would do stuff when the children are in bed. Mobile hair and beauty therapists are often available in the evenings and are usually cheaper than salons because they don't have overheads.

That said my house probably looked like a clean but not particularly tidy bombsite for much of that time.

Baddz · 01/06/2015 19:31

Thank you WF x

maroonedwithfour · 01/06/2015 19:36

think if you like going swimming at 4am then good for you.
But I prefer to be asleep or reading a good book or having sex

Baddz wtf wants to get up in the middle of the night at 4am to exercise. I value my sleep and my health too much for that.

6Musiclover · 01/06/2015 19:42

I don't think I'll regret all the times I didn't work out/do yoga/ go swimming at the end of my life tbh.But I might regret the times not spent just smelling the roses you know?
Brilliantly put. I hope you enjoyed your curly wurlySmile

Original poster
Luckytohavemybaby · 01/06/2015 19:42

I feel sort of inspired by some of the posts and some of them have made me scared of posting again!
For the record I work out 5 times a week - and I work full time, I do have a childminder but my work is getting more and more full on, so I need to fit in my exercise either first thing or later in the evening. Like so many others here I'm knackered by 8pm. I just wanted to keep the regime that has served me so well for a few years; I do get stressed but without some kind of exercise I would go crazy. I think it helps me cope with being a mum and working. I guess Sam Cam and JO were probably unrealistic examples though JO does sound like she tries to fit in exercise around her family. Which is what I may need to do. I'm quite driven though and used to run with the pram with both DDs, can't now as they are too big. Even when I was really really knackered. But, big big 'but' - the housework does not always get done.

OP posts:
DinosaursRoar · 01/06/2015 19:43

I think the idea that anyone who works full time can't possibly be a 'hands on mum' if they are also thin is a bit insulting, plus the higher you go, the more likely it is you can set your own hours, so eg missing breakfast with the DCs, but being there for dinner and homework. If your image is important to you and your a driven sort, you might use more of your free time exercising.

Noone suggests someone who works and also manages to watch Eastenders 3 times a week or read a book weekly isn't a 'hands on mum', but maintaining a toned figure for most woman can be achieved over the same amount of time a week.

My DCs are now in bed. I'm going to do about half an hour of cleaning up that I didn't do straight after dinner, and then for the rest of the evening until bed, I'll be on the sofa, with the laptop MNing or reading my kindle. If I was more concerned about the 1kg (!) I gained over half term (the lack of school run exercise and comfort eating biscuits though the hell of half term play dates), I might spend this evening exercising. My choice not to exercise isn't caused by lack of time due to lack of staff or spending quality time with DCs instead, it's caused by me being a lazy arse today.

Shenanagins · 01/06/2015 19:43

baddz you can watch videos via YouTube or get books out of the library, however the hardest part is getting motivated in the first place to do so.

All I'm saying is that you don't need money, just the motivation!

Original poster
Luckytohavemybaby · 01/06/2015 19:43

And I'm just about to have 'kid's tea' for dinner - Heinz baked beans, McCain Home fries, a fried egg and a bit of salad! Life is too short not to exercise but too short not to love my food!

OP posts:
IamJeff · 01/06/2015 19:51

I think Sam cam looks amazing and is a naturally thin person but DC has said she is disciplined about what she eats.

Disciplined people generally do well with the exercise too. A lot of it is personality and how important it is to you to stay Healthy and slim. And dedication.

Nothing to do with being a Mum, I have 4 young children and work and study and get up at 5.30 to run, exercise at home to insanity/Davina run at 9pm, because it's important to me. Drink lemon water and watch what I put in my mouth. Easy if you really want it and are driven, not so easy if your attitude look at others and think the reason they look like that is because they're lucky Smile

IamJeff · 01/06/2015 19:52

And if you prefer to be reading or sleeping that's exercising there is your answer?Confused

Baddz · 01/06/2015 20:00

Oh I agree!
Motivation is key
But...as I say...when money is tight and your responsibilities weigh you down its hard to find the motivation.
I have just had the worst 2 years of my life...seriously...like a bad episode of eastenders! Smile
I am worn down.
And tired.
And a bit pissed off.
I have lost 10 family members in the past 2 years inc my beloved dad.
It takes its toll.
Or, at least, it has on me.
I hope to get my mojo back but until then....life is too short, people.
It's just too short Hmm

Baddz · 01/06/2015 20:03

Oh! And tonight is the first night I have to wear my dental night splint...I look like Frankenstein!!!!Confused
Woe is me Hmm

IamJeff · 01/06/2015 20:04

And if you prefer to be reading or sleeping that's exercising there is your answer?Confused

IamJeff · 01/06/2015 20:06

Completely understand the tiredness but it's hard to stress enough how exercise really does make you have more energy in the short term and long term. Every person has stress, can just imagine SamCam reading this thinking those who have not lost a child do not know what stress is.

Life is too short. Even shorter if you don't look after your body.

Baddz · 01/06/2015 20:09

Well there is my answer!!...I will never be motivated enough it seems...

Ubik1 · 01/06/2015 20:09

I really like the exercise I do - yoga.

I work ft and manage to get to a class twice a week after work. Weekends are just too full on to fit in exercise mainly because I am
A ) hungover
B ) having a lie in
C ) doing the washing for five people
D) cleaning kitchen / bathroom
E) food shopping
F ) having fun with the kids
G ) hoovering
H) reading sat /Sunday papers
I) washing bedding
j ) sorting toys in kids rooms
K) finalising next week's itinerary with DP
l ) hungover.

I don't have cleaner, housekeeper, personal assistant etc.

I am a size 10/12 (vanity sized and Not Disciplined like Sam Cam and Jools.

puremuscle · 01/06/2015 20:09

They obviously have masses of help and money so much easier for them to be fit and groomed.

I agree that a lot more people could fit in some exercise or at least be more active if they wanted to at least some days per week but I certainly don't think that everyone can manage it at every phase of their life. Sometimes just surviving the day to day drudge is all that can be managed.

I disagree that anyone who has a nanny/ cleaner, etc can't be an good parent although the term 'hands on parent' irritates me. Most parents are 'hands on' because they have to be. It is just normal parenting not something that deserves special recognition.

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