If someone were to tell you that Hollywood is one big lie, would you believe them? If someone were to tell you that your body image and the majority of your insecurities are born and nurtured through the prism of Hollywood marketing and superstar influence, would you try to rise above it? This is exactly what is happening to first-time mums and mum veterans alike all over the world, their bodies shamed by unrealistic goals and expectations set by skinny Hollywood superstar mums, boasting their six pack bellies a week after they left the maternity ward.
This has got to stop.
Not only is setting such expectations for others unrealistic due to the numerous financial, logistical and lifestyle factors, but more importantly they are unhealthy for the soon-to-be mother and her baby. It becomes easy to avoid processed foods when you have a personal chef waiting on your every unhealthy craving with a healthy solution, and it becomes even easier to get back in shape quickly with an army of nutritionists and personal trainers. Moreover, reaching your fitness goals becomes a simple process when you’re not the one getting up 10 times during the night to feed, change and tuck your baby back to sleep.
Imagine what every mother in this world would be able to achieve if only they had their 8 hours of sleep every night – getting a six pack would be a breeze, that’s for sure.
The Dangers of a Hollywood Physique During Pregnancy
Finding a balance in every instance of life is essential for your well-being, so you should avoid steering towards any extremes, pregnant or not. This is especially true for soon-to-be mothers who are supposed to mind what they eat, tailor a diet to benefit themselves as well as their developing babies, and remain active throughout their pregnancy to promote healthy habits.
The thing that defies this balance is the Hollywood mum physique. While a woman should strive to be fit regardless if she is pregnant or not for her general well-being, maintaining a low body fat percentage can be very dangerous, especially during pregnancy. The healthy body fat range for a female is between 17% and 25%, the lower percentage is maintained by athletes training for performance, and the higher percentage carried by women who are mindful of their health.
The golden ratio lies somewhere in the middle; while the majority of Hollywood mums maintain a strict low body fat percentage, that is unhealthy and can lead to numerous complications. Hormonal imbalances, fragile bones, tooth decay and poor organ health are just some of the conditions that will affect a mother who fails to store enough body fat to provide adequate nutrients for herself and her developing child.
The other end of the spectrum poses health risks of its own, as high body fat can lead to numerous complications of the same kind, along with heart illnesses, joint pains due to excess weight, heavy breathing and more.
The other major point is fitness. There is a clear difference between being slim and being fit. Hollywood moms are portrayed as fit, while their photos obviously tell a different story – they are not fit, they are skinny. Do not let yourself fall into the trap of believing that a skinny physique is healthy for you, rather take up your favorite sport, whether that’s yoga, pumping iron or swimming, and maintain a balanced fitness level throughout your pregnancy to gain some much-needed muscle mass to get your through it safely.
Paired with a healthy diet to maintain body fat levels, you will enjoy a rewarding journey imbued with health and positivity.
The mum trap media trend has its numerous faults, so spread the word, and inspire every woman around you to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stand in defiance against the lies of the mainstream media!
