Weight Loss

Having a baby is a beautiful experience, but losing the weight post-pregnancy is never easy. So how do these celeb moms do it? We asked some local and international celeb moms for the secrets to their rapid flab-free recoveries...

Michelle Cowley

It was Patrick Holford’s Optimum Nutrition Before, During and After Pregnancy that had model Michelle Cowley on the cover of Shape barely three months after her baby was born.

“A combination of low-GI food and advice on the correct supplements meant I didn’t experience the cravings many women do,” explains Michelle, who opted for safe, low-impact exercise such as walking uphill on the treadmill holding light weights. “After my baby was born, I upped the pace of my workout. Plus, breastfeeding definitely helped shift the last kilos,” says Michelle.

Last updated: Mon, 2010-02-08 11:31

By Anonymous (not verified) on 2010-02-07 06:48

This is ridiculous! How will this help women who are struggling after having their babies to feel motivated? These women all have the means and the time (with the help of personal trainers and dieticians) to get into shape fast. But instead of owning up to the truth, they prefer telling us they just did breastfeeding and had a fast-paced lifestyle. Please..........Of course there are women who are genetically inclined to shed the kilo's easily but the majority of us have to work had to regain our pre-pregnancy bodies. Keep it honest and real and don't give us a distorted and dishonest view of getting back into shape.

By Anonymous (not verified) on 2010-02-09 16:01

I have to agree with the previous comment. I just gave birth 3 months ago to my second child. I was hoping this article had more practical advice by giving us a workout routine to use. I breastfeed, eat healthy and run after my first born son as well as try to do some sort of exercise and I can't seem to loose the weight that easily. This article just made me feel worse than encouraged.

By Dorette (not verified) on 2010-03-02 21:53

I have to agree with the two comments above. I have two kids and this is nonsense. Of cause all of that will help.

But there is only one way - low calories, low GI and loads of cardio and toning with weights.

3-6 months minimum if no cheating goes on and we all cheat!

Then your body will not miraculously stay like that you need to maintain yourself. And guess what, a balance between diet days and off days and a minimum of 3 times a week cardio training to keep your metabolism at peak performance.

Good luck!

By Dorette (not verified) on 2010-03-02 22:00

oh and as an after thought, it is 13 years later and I am still at it! Gained 8 kg over Christmas, still trying to get the last 3 off!

Its like the couch says under Ashlee's tips, routine, like driving, just do it, make it part of your life or you may just be one of those fat mamma's with overdone hair and nails to compensate for not putting in the effort.

The key word is effort - and water yes!

By Anonymous (not verified) on 2010-03-08 21:39

Michelle Cowley has always been athletic. She has a very good metabolism and has the genetics for staying slim and toned. She is very active physically, always has been! Comparing oneself to a person whose career depends on them being picture perfect is not wise and discourging for most. A friend of mine gained over 30kgs with her third pregnancy. Within 4 months she had lost it all, without dieting, excersising, she never drinks water (her preferred drink is coca cola) and she eats fast food every single day. It's disgusting how lucky some are but some people just need to do what suits their body type. Many women who find they cannot lose any weight no matter how hard they try do not realize that often a child (ren) brings sleep deprivation which increases stress too. Lack of sleep and stress have often been linked to being unable to lose weight, no matter what the diet and the excersise! Try yoga.

By Anonymous (not verified) on 2010-03-11 14:50

And we dont all have nannies to watch the kids while we have our intense training workout.

By Miocene on 2010-10-26 15:01

This just comes to show the difference between real life moms and celebrities who live their lives by the click of a remote!
Its not as simple as they make it out to be,its a lot of work for us women who don't have personal trainers,and big bank accounts to cater for some of these things!

By Thembile (not verified) on 2011-03-14 13:59

Ladies please stop making excuses. I was 63kg before the baby and weighed 75 kg after I gave birth to my girl. for two months I struggle to loose wieght cause I was hoping it will just go off. after 3 months I was at gym by 6 am and 5pm doing 45 min each time. I read a lot about healthy eating and loosing pregenany weight that is when a friend even introduces me to womans health. I worked very hard and drank a lot of water today after 8 months I am 65kg. if you look at my tummy you will swear I didnt just had a baby. I, have no professioanl trainer and no dietician....I cook my own food. I now have well defined ABS and in better shape than b4 d baby. In fact having a baby has chaged my lifestyle for better...I now run 10km races every weekend "which I never use to do b4"

By addie on 2011-10-31 17:07

Losing weight after pregnancy is a real challenge but the effort is totally worth it. My daughter is the definition of perfect especially now that I found the cutest infant headbands to match her eye color. I'd like to be thin again and I am confident I'll get thinner but for now I'm just focusing on my baby, I am still breastfeeding and I don't want to affect her nutrition because of that.