Celebrities often slim down just weeks after giving birth
It's almost sickening when, just a few weeks after giving birth, a woman can fit back into her pre-pregnancy skinnies - but when it's a celebrity flaunting their flat stomach in a teeny-tiny bikini, it's a whole lot worse.
A survey by the Royal College of Midwives found that two thirds of mothers felt pressure to slim down quickly after giving birth, a somewhat unhealthy frame of mind, considering the massive strain pregnancy and giving birth can have on their bodies. It doesn't all end once a woman has given birth, their body will remain fragile and in need of rest for a little while longer as everything returns to how it was.
Often, however, celebrities have a strict deadline for needing to lose their excess weight, with a busy calendar of red carpets, and photoshoots. Victoria Beckham had just one month to tone up before a runway appearance, after having gorgeous girl, Harper Seven by C-section - yes, she looked fabulous, but who has time for daily workouts when you could be cooing over your baby and watching them develop each day?
Pregnancy is traditionally the time when women bloom, and start glowing as their bump grows and grows. It is inevitable, and essential, that you gain some extra pounds. The recommended daily calorie intake during pregnancy is around 2,000 calories, with an added 200 each day during the final three months. The myth of 'eating for two' can mislead women into thinking they need to eat even more to help the baby grow, but experts have warned that living by this is not beneficial for mother or baby. Similarly, dieting during pregnancy is not recommended.
Sticking to a healthy diet, and just doing gentle exercise will make all the difference to your post-pregnancy body. The general advice is to ensure you get five a day of fruit and vegetables, with a good balance of protein, carbs and dairy - and to allow yourself the occasional treat. A slice of cake every now and again isn't going to make you gain 10 pounds.
There are plenty of pregnancy-proof exercises you can do too. Walking, jogging, swimming and 'aquanatal' classes are all appropriate, providing you know your body and don't overdo them. Your doctor will be able to advise you if you're at all worried, or if you've experienced some complications so far which may mean you should avoid exercise.
Post-pregnancy healthy eating is just as important. Victoria may have forced herself on a strict dieting regime, but that doesn't mean you have to. Set yourself a reasonable goal and work towards it - think of it as a long term solution, rather than dropping the weight quickly and being unable to maintain it.
You may think it's a massive injustice that celebrities can be bikini-ready mere weeks after giving birth, but remember this - they can afford to hire nutritionists to calorie count and plan every morsel that passes their lips, personal trainers to whip them into shape and motivate them to work out every day, and most importantly, they have nannies on hand to watch their baby whilst they work out. Being happy, healthy, and enjoying your new baby is so much more important than looking good in a bikini.
So if you're lusting after the flat tummy and those tight jeans, just think of it this way - you made a body sacrifice in order to produce your beautiful baby. And was it worth it? Of course it was.
Your doctor will be able to answer your questions about keeping healthy during pregnancy, or advice you on losing weight safely after giving birth.
Georgia Smith
Tagged in Victoria Beckham