Weight loss program helps busy mums

Trying to lose weight when you're a mum can be mission impossible.

But a budget-friendly weight loss program is helping Aussie mums get their bodies back - and their families are reaping the benefits as well.

Mt Cotton mum Nicola Oates credits a Christmas Day photo as her wake-up call.

"This was a size 20 down to a 12," she said.

"I didn't like what I saw. So I knew straight away that there was something wrong... no one should feel like that in a family photo."

She signed up to The Healthy Mummy program which claims to have helped followers lose a combined weight of three million kilograms.

"We help mums lose weight in a healthy way without having to deprive themselves of food they love. It's family friendly, it's budget friendly and it's realistic," founder Rhian Allen said.

She started the program after gaining weight with her first baby and says it's aimed at busy, and often exhausted, mums.

For around 50 cents a day, mums can access a support network with more than 4000 recipes and 350 exercise videos that can all be done without leaving home as well as a 28-day challenge.

"28 days is good because it's not too scary but it's enough days to actually make an impact," Ms Allen said.

North Lakes mum Kat Christ is keeping healthy while expecting her third child.

"It's just literally been a lifesaver," she said.

The Healthy Mummy helped her lose 32 kilograms after the birth of her second child.

Cooking separate meals for the rest of the family can make sticking to a diet difficult, and Ms Allen believes the key is to find low-fat recipes the whole family can enjoy.

She said the recipes were mostly under $2.50 per serve.

"We try and focus on really family friendly food so that it's not just about salad."

Mrs Christ wanted to make sure even the pickiest member of her family would enjoy the meals.

"It's very family friendly - the kids are always finishing their dinner," she said.