Skinny celeb mums are crazy - I'd never starve myself

by Louise Burke

New mum Anna Friel has revealed shed rather enjoy motherhood to the full than worry about losing the weight she gained during her pregnancy, just to keep up with other celeb mums. The stunning actress, 29, who gave birth to daughter Gracie on 9 July, thinks its crazy that female stars set unrealistic post-pregnancy weight-loss goals in order to flaunt their skinny bodies. "I'm against the whole pressure not to put on weight during pregnancy and instantly lose any extra pounds afterwards", says Anna, who lives in Windsor. "Its crazy and, as someone in the public eye, sets a bad example for other women. "

Last Autumn, Anna was surprised to discover she was to have a baby with her actor partner David Thewlis, 42, after suffering from endometriosis and an ovarian cyst two conditions which Anna was told would make it harder for her to conceive.

Such circumstances have led the star to re-think her lifestyle since having daughter Gracie one adjustment being not to bow to pressures from celeb mums to rapidly shift excess flab.

"Having a child puts everything else in your life into perspective and losing weight isn't a priority", she says. "It takes nine months to make a baby and at least nine months for your body to return to normal. "

Although Anna is giving her body a break when it comes to dieting, she's not wasting any time getting back in front of the camera. Three months after the birth of Gracie, Anna walked the red carpet at the premiere of the Brit flick Goal! which she stars in, and is now filming the comedy, Irish Jam. It appears life is too busy for any calorie counting.

The former Brookside babe says she certainly wont be losing any of the little sleep she gets over her figure. She admits that, during her pregnancy, she put on 2 and a half stone, most of which was the baby, but now some bits may take some shifting. "The great thing about being pregnant is that its the only time in your life when you can eat what you want and not worry no one should be allowed to take that away from you. I resolved not to change my eating habits during or after. "

She adds, "I really hope that other women will stop giving themselves a hard time."