Are You Pressured By Celebrity Mothers’ “Unhealthy” Weight Loss Methods?

Dear New Mums…

Do You Feel The Pressure To Be Slim?

Pregnancy would change a woman’s body, including hormonal changes and weight gain. Many of you would experience significant weight gain during pregnancy that stays with you after your baby is born. You would develop a fixation to always be slim thus it is instinctive for you to immediately begin to focus on shedding the extra weight and body fat that you gained during pregnancy.

With increasing media coverage about celebrity mothers, their rapid weight loss and getting into pre-pregnancy shape immediately following child birth, this has heightened the emphasis on post-pregnancy weight loss in our society, pressuring you, new mothers about losing your baby weight quickly.

I am sure that when I ask you which celebrity mother you would like to look like, you would say Catherine Zeta Jones or Victoria Beckham. That was what most said they wished they had.

Prior to this post, I did some research on surveys that would support my opinions on new mothers. I found that 47 per cent felt pressured into being an “all-rounder mother”, even when pregnant, by maintaining their career, looks and social lives. This is according to a survey of 1,000 women done by Mother and Baby magazine.

Eight out of 10 said it was important to keep their looks and figure while carrying a baby, and 46 per cent admitted to worrying about weight gain in pregnancy.

It was worrying to find out that new mothers lacked the support system from their loved ones including their spouses. In the similar survey I have cited above, it was found that more than half (57 per cent) felt pressure from their partners to look good. A third said that celebrities influenced how they thought they should look.

This reminds me of a meeting last year with a new mother. I would not mention her real name as I respect her identity. She was in her early 30s and she has just given birth to her second child and has a 7 year old daughter. The first time I met this lady at the hospital cafeteria I see a lady who needs a lot of motivation and guidance to shed the pregnancy fat.

We introduced ourselves and I began asking her questions pertaining to her goals, motivation, health and fitness. As the conversation went further, her eyes were watery and I could tell she has lots of emotional baggage on her shoulders.

The conversation goes as such;

Diana: So tell me, what is your weight loss motivation?

Lady: Well, my husband recently divorced me and I need to get in shape and have the stamina to look after my kids.

Diana: Sorry to hear that. Hey, no problem I am here to help you go through this process with you. Any other form of motivation?

Lady: My husband divorced me because I am fat. (Tears welling in her eyes.) He told me that I am so fat and ugly and he cannot stand the sight of me. He even said this to my 7 year old daughter when I was around with them; “Look at your mother, so fat. Please do not turn out like her. So yucky!” My self-esteem became worse and I told him before that I need to lose the weight after my first pregnancy before proceeding with the next. He barged. And now that I have a newborn, I put on more fat and he left me. (Tears rolled down her cheeks.)

At that moment, I thought about my mother. How did she handle the after effects of childbirth? Did she go on crazy fad celebrity diet to be stick thin? Did she starve herself to please the whole world? Did my father pressure her so much so that she loses her confidence? How do other mothers out there in the world feel?

I am sure only you know how it feels like.

It’s understandable that you feel pressured to look good after giving birth. However it is important to set realistic goals and do what you are capable of doing. Do not push yourself too hard and follow crazy weight habits celebrity adopted. Just take Elizabeth Hurley for example – Elizabeth Hurley lost 24 kg after the birth of her son Damian, reportedly by living on one meal a day.

Imagine how un-nutritious (If there is such a word!) and harmful that can be for you and even the breast fed baby!

Thus I would emphasize that you should set out realistic goals and take things progressively. I would not recommend new moms to start training to run a marathon immediately. Instead, they should focus on improving stamina, increasing muscle tone, and their general overall fitness.

Start by doing some body weight resistance exercises and nailing down the nutrition. I am sure you have indulged quite a fair bit and picked up bad food choices throughout your pregnancy. Most importantly, surround yourself with new mothers alike and develop a positive support system with them. Often a time, new mothers with the same goals as you would be able to relate to what you are feeling right now. It is important that you know that you are not alone going through the self and social pressure to get thin.

While I am aware that new mothers would want to return to their pre-pregnancy shape immediately following childbirth. However as I have mentioned earlier on, it is recommended that you take it slow. By taking a slow and steady approach to post-pregnancy weight loss, you are likely to experience long term weight loss and improve in your fitness level.

So now go set up a support group for new mothers or be in one! (*Hint Hint* You can join my support group on facebook!) You can find various support groups on the internet and perhaps where you are staying now. However if you want, you can always set up one and invite other new mothers to be part of your group.

Good luck on the positive support system towards achieving your goals!

Remember, following the footsteps of celebrities does not mean you would be more beautiful or live a longer life. You may be in a better state than them. We’re all humans after all. Be YOURSELF!

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