New mums are being advised against the radical methods celebrities use to get back into shape after pregnancy.
With high-profile mums such as Gwen Stefani, Geri Halliwell and Angelina Jolie all showing their slim physiques just days after giving birth, many mums feel pressure to take similar measures to regain their pre-pregnancy figure.
But experts have advised that intensive exercise and crash dieting is the very last thing your body needs after the stresses and strains of a pregnancy.
The body needs lots of energy to recover after the trauma of birth so denying yourself calories will only lead to exhaustion.
Joints and ligaments are more susceptible to injury for up to ten weeks after birth. Exercise could actually cause harm.
Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell reportedly told people how disappointed she was not to be able to squeeze into her size eight jeans after baby Bluebell's birth, while Angelina Jolie appeared before the world's press looking almost as trim as she was before she became pregnant with Shiloh.
The methods celebrities use to get their shape back include girdles, yoga and ginger root and garlic tea, but the message is loud and clear: make sure you give your body plenty of time to rest and recuperate before heading for the gym.
28 June 06 |
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