Holly is FitBump mum of the month - congratulations!

27 March 2016

Hi Holly! First of all, congratulations on being Mum-of-the-month!

You’re a mum of twin girls – tell me a bit about your little ones!

I have identical twin girls called Florence and Willow who are almost five months old. It was quite a shock finding out we had two babies on the way but it’s been such an exciting, rewarding and incredible journey thus far and my husband and I are totally in love with our little girls.

What aspects of motherhood do you most enjoy?

Being a Mum of twins means I don’t get lots of time to just sit and cuddle my girls so I love those special moments when my husband and I can just indulge in cuddling them whilst they nap.

I’m also loving watching their relationship develop; they’ve recently started smiling at each other and holding hands, which is very adorable.

And the not-such-fun bits?

It probably sounds daft but getting two babies and a double buggy in and out of the car a few times a day can get a bit tedious. It’s not a quick job.

The sleepless nights were also very tough at times, there was a point when I thought I’d never get more than an hour’s sleep again. Thankfully the girls have started sleeping through so those long nights are starting to become a distant memory (for now at least).

What’s your favourite gadget in motherhood, the one you can’t live without?

Without doubt the Tommy Tippee Perfect Prep machine – I can’t imagine having to make ten bottles a day without it! Even if we go away for just a night, it’s the first thing that’s packed as it just makes feeding so much quicker and easier.

You do postnatal fitness with me but have you always been into exercise?

After a relapse in exercise during my university days I decided to get fit before my wedding and haven’t looked back. I started by running and cycling and before I knew it I found myself doing an Olympic Distance Triathlon, so I suppose you could say I got the bug. Despite saying never again as I crossed the finish line, I already have my sights on completing another Triathlon in the (hopefully not too distant) future. I like to have a challenge to focus on, otherwise I tend to choose sitting on the sofa over exercising.

Are you into healthy eating? What’s your all-time favourite dish?

I’d love to say I am but I’m afraid that I’ve had to rely on a lot of sugar to get me through the sleepless nights and busy days with the girls. I’m trying to ensure I eat at least one substantial and healthy meal a day though as I’ve realised a diet of biscuits probably isn’t sustainable, although quite enjoyable.

Favourite dish would have to be a Vietnamese Tofu noodle salad with plenty of chilli sauce.

How do you find the time to fit in exercise with young children?

I take them with me. That’s why Jo’s classes are so great, it’s brilliant that I don’t have to organise childcare just so I can fit some exercise in. I also take the girls for a walk every day – we sometimes walk for hours as the girls love being in their buggy and it gives me time to listen to a podcast or two.  

Tell me a bit about your career – I think it might involve a sports aspect. Is that so?

I’m a Senior Artist Relations Officer at Comic Relief, which essentially means I recruit and work with the celebrities who brilliantly support Red Nose Day and Sport Relief each year. It’s a fun and varied role that has allowed me to work on some brilliant celebrity challenges and TV shows, as well as taking me to some of the amazing projects we fund across Africa to see first-hand how the money raised changes lives, so it’s a very rewarding job.

I took the girls down to the Sport Relief Games at the Olympic Park last weekend and we all walked the mile - I think they may have been the youngest participants. It was fantastic to see so many families there doing something active together, whilst also having fun and raising money for a good cause.

What one piece of advice would you give expectant mums of twins?

Keep your babies on the same routine. If one wakes for a feed, wake the other one and feed them together. It may seem cruel at the time but having them on the same routine enables you to have at least a few free moments throughout the day.

What’s your favourite “mummy me time” activity? Actually do you ever get any…?

Does a shower count?

Fitness for ever?

Definitely. I want to be fit and healthy so I’m able to keep up with the girls when they’re running in different directions. Although I appreciate that may be harder than any Triathlon!

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