Kourtney Kardashian and partner Scott Disick
Bet you never thought you had anything in common with the Kardashian sisters, did you?
Well, new moms, you may just be able to relate to Kim's sister Kourtney. In an interview with celebrity magazine Us Weekly, the reality-show star discusses the oft-cited challenge of dealing with "mom guilt," that nagging sensation many mothers feel when they take time away from their children to do something for themselves.
In Kourtney's case, "mom guilt" arises when the mother of two sneaks off to exercise away the weight she gained during her most recent pregnancy.
"Sometimes I think, Why should I work out when I can spend time with my kids? I feel guilty doing something for me," Kardashian said, noting that she tackles this problem by scheduling her workouts early in the morning.
"The trainer comes over at seven in the morning when my kids are still asleep so I don't have any mom guilt," she said.
It's a dilemma many new mothers face: feel awful because you aren't shedding your pregnancy weight quickly, or feel awful because you're taking the time to workout. As The Globe's Madeleine White previously mentioned on The Hot Button, mothers are under tremendous pressure these days to strive for a "sexy post-baby body." Yet those who do also risk getting criticized for not putting parenthood first.
Kardashian, who gave birth to a daughter last July, says she is actually taking a more balanced approach to slimming down this time. Back when she gave birth to her son in 2009, she told Us Weekly, "I was comparing myself to other people and putting all this pressure on myself. I was working out and not eating enough. I definitely pushed myself too hard."
She added: "This time, the focus is early on being a mom and being present, knowing my priorities."
That means working out at home, squeezing in sit-ups while her infant daughter plays on the floor, and eating in moderation, she explains. And most importantly, it means not being too hard on herself.
"I definitely had some moments when the weight was at a standstill," she said. "It was frustrating and I'd start to wonder, 'Am I ever going to get my body back?' Then I'd be like, 'Okay, you just had two kids. Take it easy'."
Parenting advice from a Kardashian? Who would have thought?
Wency Leung