Latest so far on the survey is exactly 50/50 on this topic. If you have not had a chance to have your say visit the Members area

On Monday 15th May 2006, an article in the Times was published with the results of a survey about how working mum's are fitter than mum's who stay at home.

I was invited to attend the Kay Burley slot on Sky News to debate this subject. My friend Gaelle Green-Garandel and her daugher Maeva came along with me and we responded to the feature.

Having been a stay at home mum and a working mum, I was able to appreciate both sides of the argument. I did gain weight when I was at home, purely because I did not have the willpower to leave the fridge alone. As soon as James starting eating "proper" food I began picking at his plate. Leftovers are the worst, I even tried a tip that was given to me to put washing up liquid on the food so that you did not pick at it.

I would agree that I did loose weight when returning to work, but it was down to rushing around. As my children have got older I do have the routine that so many mum's have these days, of checking I have not got porridge down my trousers before I leave home, have I got all the bags, made the lunch, what have the children done to their school uniform!. Once they have been dropped off I rushed to work and start my "day job".

But I was not less busy when at home, it was just different. The pace was slower but out of choice. I wanted to enjoy the baby, and perhaps this did make me sluggish. I did loose my self-esteem and confidence and would agree that work has given that back to me, but this is not necessarily the case. I know some mums that are stay at home mums who look wonderful. They have managed to make the most of their time and get out and about walking or visiting the gym.

Gaelle is currently a stay at home mum, she has a young baby, Maeva 7 months and a toddler, Kieran. She admits that she does not have time to exercise, partly due to the fact that she cannot get childcare on an ad-hoc basis so that she can get some time for herself.

As mum's know you have to become selfless when you have children, you are not just looking after you, but your children and often partner. Life is not easy for a stay at home mum or a working mum, each lifestyle brings with it issues of their own. As mum's we are constantly expected to meet the needs of everyone and now they are proving that mum's who stay at home are more likely to be overweight! so is this the mum's who work turn to get something positive about juggling their home and work life?

Let me know what you think

We ran a poll on the site, and two thirds of you agree that mum's who go to work are fitter than mum's that stay at home.

If you want to read the articles visit
Times Online - At Last! vindication for working mums
or
Times Online - Women can have it all - and will be much healthier for it

Comments from the Survey!

When boredom sets in at home then food is a comforter and it then becomes a habit which is hard to break.

When mums start work they will become more fit because they will keep themselves busy and concious about body and join to jims, cutting junk foods.

If you have a office job than you sit all day but if you are at home you go out with your baby for all kind of activities

I'm on my feet all day. This must burn more energy than someone at a desk job.

My definition of fit is not whether you could run a marathon but I think stay at home mums will be more mentally balanced and ready for the day ahead which will involve gentle exercise which I think is better than sitting about doing nothing

Stay at home mums can walk a lot when they choose

Stay at home mothers are more active throughout the day, for instance mothers who work and have other children at school ages often tend to drive their kids to school and drop of baby's at nurseries. Stay at home mothers have the time to walk their children to school whilst giving their babies a walk in the pram, so the mother gets plenty of exercise if their dropping off and picking up their kids, not the mention the running around they do all day preparing bottles and food for other family members along with all the usual household chores, I would say thats a lot more exercise than going to work, say in an office where you are sitting answering telephones all day!!.

If the mums has an active job where she is on her feet at lot then she will be the fittest as mums who she at home are more likely to sit down and pick at food due to bordem.

Your Views and Comments

I am a mum of a 1 year old and I'm looking after her. I do plan to go to work when she is about 2 years old. I do agree with working mum's but not when the child is not ready for it and suffering. About 2 years they start to understand and acknowlege that mummy has to go to work, few months old they just feel the difference but do not understand the reason why mummy is not there. I think we only can learn how to appreciate our childrens childhood if we would see the outcome of what we do with there mental development by going to work to early. Every child is different, some are ready for nursery with a few months old, some are not. Some mothers don't have the opportunity to choose they just have to do it because of financial reason and I think in those cases the politics have to support those women with children. This topic is complex and difficult to judge because if the mum is not happy with staying at home than the baby won't be happy either. It is from case to case different. But I honestly think mothers should try to enjoy their little ones as much as they can because they grow so quick.

Sarah Kayser

I agree - I have lost weight since I returned to work which is good in that respect, but I am constantly running around as you say, tired all the time and would love to stay home more often! But I do feel all Mums are working, regardless of whether they 'go into' work or not and that must be recognised.

L Hall

This is a really difficult one!