Mums ‘weigh nearly 2kg MORE than childless women of the same age’, study finds
Whether it’s down to picking leftovers off their kids’ plates or feeling too exhausted to exercise, new research has found that mums weigh MORE than women without kids!
But it DOESN’T have to be that way. Find out how to lose the mummy pouch below…
Mums weigh more than women without kids who are the same age
Scientists at the University of Cambridge analysed data from women between the ages of 15 and 35 to find out what lifestyle changes occur with parenthood.
They found that women who had no kids gained around 7.5kg over five to six years, while a mum put on that weight plus an extra 1.3kg.
Is tiredness to blame for mothers being more overweight?
Experts believe that parents are less likely to exercise compared to their childless peers, they may also feel more tired and be more likely to snack on unhealthy food.
Interestingly, when men become dads they don’t appear to put on extra weight.
“Becoming a mother is associated with 17 per cent greater absolute BMI gain than remaining childless,” reads the report in the Obesity Reviews journal.
“Motherhood BMI gain is additional to an alarming BMI increase among young women, highlighting the need for obesity prevention among all young women, including new mothers.”
Dr. Eleanor Winpenny, from the University of Cambridge, stresses the study is not about pregnancy weight gain, it’s about the lifestyle changes people make when they become parents.
“People overall gain a small amount of weight over that transition and that’s the bit we’re worried about,” she says.
“If all these life transitions are contributing to small weight gains, overall that becomes a problem.”
Squeeze in a workout before the day begins – before school and when everyone is still in bed. You can be finished before mid-morning and utilise that time in the mornings that is often slow moving. You still have a day ahead to tick off your to-do list!
Like most things in our lives, the best way to ensure exercise is to schedule it in each week.
Put it in your calendar at the beginning of each week, choose your workout of choice and then just do it. No excuses!
If you can’t get away from the kids to work out in peace, then include them. Babies can be used as the perfect weight to squat with. Your local park makes for a free and fun gym.
Strap your baby to your back and climb the stairs. Run with your toddler in the pram. Like to swim? Have your toddler hold on to your shoulders while you breast stroke through your laps! There are ways to make this work. Whether this is at your local gym or finding a trainer who includes the kids in their program, or trainers that provide babysitting services – use it!
Exercising doesn’t necessarily have to be in an hour block. It can be two minutes here and two minutes there. While unpacking the dishwasher I hit the squats and calf raises.
Now that you’ve scheduled your time in, what are you going to do? Be prepared and know what you are going to do ahead of time. Or sign up to our 28 Day Weight Loss, and then download our app and we can tell you exactly what to do each day!
With healthy meals and snacks ready to go at home, you end up eating out a lot less. Plus, if you meal prep on the weekend or in the evenings, you actually find you have MORE time on your hands as you don’t have to make dinner every day!
A lot of the time you’re unaware you’re doing it. Instead of you eating everything you make for dinner or your child’s leftovers, be aware of portion sizes. Any excess can be stored away in the fridge or freezer for another day. This will help you save money!
10 ways busy mums can find time to exercise and stay healthy
1. Start early
2. Schedule
3. Involve the kids
4. Utilise the creche
5. Try a two-minute workout
6. Choose your workout!
7. Meal prep
8. Eat mindfully
9. Make healthy food choices
Eat well and sleep well – when you are tired you are more likely to make unhealthy choices. If you have a fridge stocked full of nutritious meals and snacks, you are more likely to have those than order takeaway.
Check out our yummy Chicken and Pineapple salad recipe here.
It is so easy to make excuses to avoid exercising! But our children should not be our excuse, they should be our reason to live a healthy life!
Tamarah says, “In November 2014 I found The Healthy Mummy 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge. From then my life has completely changed.”
“I’ve had my ups and downs. I initially lost 41kgs in 18 months using the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge and Healthy Mummy smoothies. I put on about 15 kgs due to some significant stress before I then fell pregnant with baby number two.”
“After the birth of number two I’d put on more weight but since restarting (for the thousandth time) I’ve since lost 9kgs. The Healthy Mummy works for me and my family and is helping me find me again!”
Leah says,“I have been working hard, eating delicious Healthy Mummy food and drinking Healthy Mummy smoothies daily.”
“I’m so proud of the achievement I had made in those months. I’m fit, healthy and a role model for my 3 boys!”
“Set goals, everyone, because when you reach them it’s the BEST feeling.”
Lisa says, “Through using The Healthy Mummy 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge and Healthy Mummy smoothies, I’ve lost 40kgs and 6 dress sizes. Most importantly though I have learnt how to be healthy!”
“Physically and mentally, this program is unlike any other I have ever used and I can’t wait to live The Healthy Mummy life for forever.”
Chloe says, “No idea what the scales say, and I could care less to be totally honest! This year has been all about working on me, finding a balance of moving my body, eating right and being kind to myself.”
“There have been some huge changes, and a lot fear that I would revert back to my old ways of emotional eating, but I didn’t! With the things I have learnt since finding The Healthy Mummy and the trusty app my chocolate cravings were covered a healthy way!”
Nic says, “I’ll admit I don’t have a lot of unexpected pics now except for my Parkrun pics because I’m too busy taking my own selfies.”
“I cringe when I look at pics of myself. I can’t believe I let myself get like that. But I did and now I’m doing something about it. I’m so much happier and enjoying life.”
“I’ve gone from 146.6kgs to 89.9kgs. Size 26-14”
“My kids have an active mum that joins them and they join me. I love that they see me trying new things. I love that I’ve become that great role model and mum they can be proud of.”
“You seriously need to give it a go. If you have been thinking about it, think no more jump on board.”
Well done ladies!
If you are interested in kickstarting your weight loss and want to improve your energy – not to mention – improve your overall health and wellbeing – our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge is an awesome program to check out.
Our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge includes:
To learn more about our 28 DAY WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE CLICK HERE
10. Just do it!
These mums have lost over 185 kgs between on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge
Tamarah Deborah has lost 41 kgs
Leah Romiti has lost over 8 kgs
Lisa Porteous has lost 40 kgs
Chloe Emma has lost 40kgs
Nic Marnell has lost 56.7 kgs
Are you ready to kick-start your weight loss?
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