Celeb moms bounce back too quickly after giving birth

Celebrity mothers Catherine Zeta-Jones and Victoria Beckham have been criticized for their unrealistic post-baby bodies, in a survey of new British moms.

British mothers admit they feel under pressure to regain their pre-children bodies, but without the help of expensive personal trainers utilised by most star mums, they are able to regain their regular figures within weeks of giving birth.

But the super-slim celebs have now been slammed for showing-off their birth bodies, because of the pressure it puts on most mothers who fight a losing battle to shed the pounds.

The survey of 2,000 mothers – commissioned by Britain’s Mother and Baby
magazine – found that only three per cent were happy with their figure after
giving birth.  Magazine editor Elena Dalrymple says, "The pressure from super-slim celebrities to be a ‘yummy mummy’ is so intense, ordinary mums feel
they should have a film star body and be back in their jeans just days after the birth."

Those interviewed rated CHICAGO actress Zeta-Jones with the best body of star mothers, ahead of Beckham, Kate Winslet and Elizabeth Hurley. 

What do you think?  If you’re a mom, has seeing celebrity moms’ fabulous post-baby figures made you feel more pressure to bounce back to your fighting weight? 

Comments

Antidepressant medication weightloss. on February 11th, 2005

Cheap airline flights. on February 11th, 2005

Stephanie on February 11th, 2005

I’m not a mother, but I understand the pressure new mums must feel when they read articles like “*celebrity name* looking fabulous only two weeks after baby!” but as Elizabeth Hurley had said, squeezing into tiny clothes is what they do for a living. It’s not their fault, they have to lose those baby pounds so they can keep working and pay for the Bugaboo stroller

Jennifer R on February 11th, 2005

I certainly agree that it puts alot of pressure on new moms to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight quicker than what is considered “healthy.” I know I felt that way. It’s very hard not to. You think, they can do it, why can’t I?

stacey on February 11th, 2005

im a mom of 3 and seems like with each pregnancy it was so much harder to get back to my weight and seeing all these celebs who have had babies right around the same time i have had mine looking skinnier than eve just 6 or 8 weeks later made me feel like i had to live up to that in somw way especially when u have people around u saying well so and so looks fabulous after having her baby but i realized that i am me i dont have thousands upon thousands of dollars for private trainers , plastic surgery, botox, and allthe diet foods u must buy. this is who i am and im proud of it. ill lose the weight someday but im not going to obsess over it and let it rule my life. if i had their money and time than maybe i could look like that but im happy just the way i am.

anon on February 11th, 2005

I don’t have any children, but I get very annoyed whenever “People” or some other magazine trumpets a “body after baby” story, parading slim celebs who “bounced back” mere weeks after giving birth. Now, I know that’s a matter of career survival for the celebs, but it’s grossly unfair to average women — who can’t afford personal trainers and personal chefs, not to mention nannies — to imply that “they can do it too.”

Kristen on February 11th, 2005

I’m currently pregnant with my 3rd child and have had no problem bouncing back fairly quickly to my pre-preg weight after my first two children’s births. I attribute it completely to breastfeeding, though!! I certainly didn’t diet or exercise

I think it’s kind of sad that these celeb moms have so much pressure to get their figures back so quickly. They don’t have the luxury of being anonymous and taking their time regaining their slim figures like most of us do – no one is snapping my picture every time I step out of the house with my babies.

Tena on February 11th, 2005

It also depends on genetics. I weigh about 100 lbs and gained 25 with my son. At my 2 week postpartum appt, I was within 2 lbs of my prepreg weight. And no, I didn’t breastfeed or starve myself or go on any other type of strange diet. I wasn’t trying to lose the weight- at that point I cared more about the sleep. The same thing has happened with other women in my family- genetics. But I assumed it would take a couple of months, if it had, I would have been no worse for wear. We go with what nature gives us and be happy we have our beautiful babies.

Magda on February 11th, 2005

Im not pregnant, But i just hope they’re eating healthy and have a healthy lifestyle. Some celebrities work out so much, their bodies cannot give enough nutrients to their child and cant breastfeed. Im all for breastfeeding, but im not going to insult formula either. Im just saying, they shouldnt be pressured and its silly that they do. Some celebrity women really dont care what people think of their pregnancy weight. They want to enjoy their child, not work out so much.

becca on February 11th, 2005

I’m surprised Catherine Zeta-Jones has been criticized. She looks to me like she put on an extra ten pounds after each baby, which seems very normal. (Bear in mind, I am certainly not calling her fat– she was a twig before and she looks much closer to a realistic woman now.) Not only that, it *seems* like it took her months to work it off, instead of the weeks or days some stars bounce back in.

I am pregnant with number two, and I was one of the lucky few who bounced back almost immediately after delivery– I even ended up going down a size. Mine was somewhat genetics (most woman in my family snap back quickly), but I was also on a STRICT vegan diet; because I was breastfeeding and my son was allergic to everything. Having said that, I still think it’s unfair to have these women on magazine covers. I didn’t even want to tell friends how well I recovered, because I think my weight loss was unusual, and not a fair representation of most women… and I think stars, who have more trainers and personal assistants and chefs, have even more unattainable figures.

Just my two cents!

April on February 11th, 2005

I, personally, don’t think it’s unfair of these mothers being on the covers showing off their body. They’re PROUD of their body, just like anyone else would be. It shouldn’t put pressure on ANYONE. No one should ever feel pressured because of a celebrity. There’s a lot of airbrushing that goes on in pictures anyways. If you want to get back into shape, then do it.

I know I bounced back pretty well after having my daughter. Just 2 days after having her, the lady at the grocery store said, “Girl! You look DAMN good for just having a baby!” It does have a lot to do with genetics, as someone else mentioned. I didn’t breastfeed, I didn’t workout, I didn’t eat the “right” foods. My daughter is 4 months now, and I’m already back to my normal size. I just NOW started to work out.

Aurelia on February 11th, 2005

I don’t think they give “ordinary” moms enough credit. We’re not stupid. We know that celeb moms have the money for a trainer and nutritionist and time and a nanny to attend a gym. I don’t think it’s particularly healthy for them to work so hard to get slim again so fast, but, like the posts above, sometimes it just works out that way.

Jennifer on February 11th, 2005

I have 2 children and it has been very difficult for me to bounce back…in fact I am still working on it. I do think it is part genetics and a little luck, but having money to hire a personal trainer and chef doesn’t hurt either. It is great that some people bounce back quickly but I am tired of Hollywood’s and by extension America’s obsession with attaining this ideal look that is not possible for everyone. It sets a bad example for our children especially girls. I would rather the focus turn towards eating right, exercising and understanding that usually in weight loss things take time.

Polly on February 12th, 2005

It’s not just pressure to lose weight after pregnancy. Even when you’re pregnant, people make comments about weight gain. Either The New Yorker or New York Magazine had an article about women who actually diet when they become pregnant! It’s crazy. I’m currently pregnant and people will ask when I’m due (early June) and some will say, ‘Wow, you look small!’, as though that’s the compliment every pregnant woman wants to hear. Then there are people like my grandmother who say, ‘I only gained 15 pounds when I was pregnant with your mother.’ Everyone is a critic. You need a thick skin to deal with it all. Celebs have it worse than the rest of us because they’re photographed and scrutinized, but they also have it better than us because they have the trainers, cooks, etc So it balances out. I look at it like this – your body is nourishing another life. It doesn’t get more amazing than that, does it? Ignore the numbers on the scale and just be as healthy as you can.

Sarcastic Journalist on February 12th, 2005

it is not easy to bounce back. you’re tired and you just don’t feel like running around to lose the weight. it is unreasonable! i dont have the time or $$ to look like that.

zoe on February 12th, 2005

Actress Leah Remini (King of Queens) has
gotten a lot of flack for not losing
her post baby weight gain.

Jemma on February 13th, 2005

Everyone keeps telling me that I’ve bounced back as I’m naturally quite slim, but I know that I have another 1/2 stone to lose to be back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Plus I hide my flabby belly under clothes. I think it’s all down to perspective, I feel fat but to someone else I would look like I’ve got my bod back really quick. Maybe it’s the same for some of the celebs?

Yonni on February 14th, 2005

I have two girls. My oldest is 2 ½, and my youngest is 16 months. They were only 16 months apart. So my body had not even begun to recover from my 1st pregnancy when I got pregnant with my 2nd. I also had two c-sections. Here it is 16 months after my second daughter’s birth, and I am just starting to see my stomach look a little better. Now granted I don’t exercise like I should. I am working on that, but as far as feeling pressure..Yeah, it’s there. Our husbands/ families look at these celebrities and expect us to look like them. They have no idea about the fact that they have personal trainers, chefs, dieticians etc. It is not our fault. It takes time. I watch Las Vegas, and I see Vanessa Marcil. She has a two year old. She looks like she never gave birth. Also look at the models. They all have flat, toned stretch mark free bodies…They also might get plastic surgery before they even leave the hospital..

Kristine on February 15th, 2005

My daughter is 6 months old and I am 19. I thought I would bounce back, because of all the celebritie “examples” Instead I’m losing the weight slowly, and I will never wear a bikini because I have stretch marks everywhere. Funny celebs never get em???

Emma on February 16th, 2005

I am 33, and my daughter Anna is 10 months old. For the first few months after she was born, I have to say that the last thing on my mind was my figure. I breastfed her for 8 months, which meant I had to eat well myself. I was also slightly overweight before I became pregnant, and my job involves sitting at a desk all day. So, of course, no celebrity-type bouncing back for me – I am only now starting to lose the weight naturally, and aim to be pre-pregnancy on my daughter’s first birthday. However, I just want to say that when my husband looks at my non-too pleasant C-section scar and stretch marks, he always tells me how beautiful they are, because without them, we wouldn’t have our little girl. And I am somehow starting to agree with him! There is pressure to be like the celebs, but imagine the pressure they are under themselves. I wish that things were different for them, not for us. We are the lucky ones. Love your bodies, all you mums out there – you’ve just had your very own miracle!

ashley on February 17th, 2005

I too think Catherine Zeta-Jones has a very healthy post-baby figure. She has definitely put on some weight since her second child, but I think she wears it well and it’s refreshing to see.

Donielle on February 17th, 2005

I agree, it’s not easy to lose the weight – especially if you are breast feeding b/c producing that milk takes a lot of energy! And, even more so if you have more than one child – I have a 6 year old daughter and 7 month old son who wakes up every 3 hours for feedings or diaper changes. I am a tired mom who has no motivation to lift weights or do any strenuous exercise. I know that this is a phase and I will get my energy back slowly and with that will come my motivation to work out. I am grateful that I don’t have the pressure that a celebrity mom does to look good all the time. I know that I am loved by my husband and children the same if I am in sweats and a t-shirt or in a black cocktail dress and make up.

Donielle on February 17th, 2005

I agree, it’s not easy to lose the weight – especially if you are breast feeding b/c producing that milk takes a lot of energy! And, even more so if you have more than one child – I have a 6 year old daughter and 7 month old son who wakes up every 3 hours for feedings or diaper changes. I am a tired mom who has no motivation to lift weights or do any strenuous exercise. I know that this is a phase and I will get my energy back slowly and with that will come my motivation to work out. I am grateful that I don’t have the pressure that a celebrity mom does to look good all the time. I know that I am loved by my husband and children the same if I am in sweats and a t-shirt or in a black cocktail dress and make up.

karen on February 18th, 2005

I’m sure some of these celebrities have the genetics to lose the baby weight quickly without even trying, but it has to be a pretty small percentage. I feel lucky that I had no pressure to get the weight off fast. But even if you lose the weight-you’re body is often different–wider hips, smaller bust, bigger waist, etc. But I suppose it’s no big deal for them–they don’t have to worry about having money to buy new clothes! Or if it is something really pricey just get it altered…

J-nu on July 5th, 2006

I just had my baby girl 3 weeks ago and i dont have aproblem with my weight, my problem is in all the extra skin ur left with after losing that big tummy u had for 9 months! can I go back to my flat stomach without surgery?!? the sad thing is that im really obsessed with my figure and i want it back =(