It’s here folks: the first pictures of Michelle Bridges’ new baby.
We suspected her elusive Instagram presence had a magazine deal behind it, and we were right.
Bridges, 45, posed with little Axel, who was born in December, for the latest issue of the Australian Woman’s Weekly.
Behold:
In the accompanying story, Bridges calls Axel, her child with fellow fitness guru Steve “The Commando” Willis, “the best thing I’ve ever done”.
New mothers are advised against high-impact exercise like running in the first three months after birth, so of course, she was castigated.
“If an individual decides to jog soon after giving birth, this is their choice,” Women In Focus Physiotherapy posted to its Facebook page in response to Bridges advice.
“However as a public figure encouraging women who’s [sic] body types, birth and fitness histories are unknown, to start jogging is quite frankly concerning. It could potentially cause a woman more harm than good in these early stages, especially to the pelvic floor and the ligaments that support the bladder, uterus and bowel.”
Bridges acknowledged the criticism in AWW, noting “a lot of people were freaked out that I was exercising”.
Top Comments
She is a professional trainer and I dare say more fit then a lot of her critics both before and during her pregnancy. She's not a silly woman, I am sure she has cleared it with her doctor. What's the big deal? Jealously is pathetic ladies, if you are feeling bad because of something someone else is doing, maybe it is time to change yourself?!
couldn't agree more! Even when she actually says don't do what I do she still gets criticised...
The big deal is that she is acting like giving birth is a minor event that doesn't need special advice and post-natal treatment, including a modified exercise regime. My understanding is that most doctors advise waiting 6 weeks before gradually returning to exercise. (Of course walking is fine.) For very fit women like Michelle there might be different advice. Alternatively some fit mothers might be in denial and start pushing themselves too hard too early. It's not jealousy. It's not anti-exercise, it's concern for her well-being both physical and psychological now and in the future. It is concern for the other new mums who see her as a role model. Waiting 6 weeks won't kill her.
I absolutely agree with you :)
Mmmm no I don't think she has ever acted like birth is not a big deal. She has frequently said that people should consult their own specialist prior to undertaking any exercise and in most of the posts I have read from her she is pretty clear about her fitness level and her being able to do what she does because she is so fit. How about people just take responsibility for themselves...if you're not fit don't do the same exercises as bloody Michelle Bridges!! I don't know anyone that thinks they need to be as fit as her either before or straight after having a baby. Some people may feel the pressure to get back into exercise and get their pre-baby body back but surely they have as much responsibility on themselves to be realistic about that as Michelle does saying "don't try this at home" when putting an instagram post up.
Awww, he's so tiny and cute!!
That's what my first girlfriend said after I had taken off my clothes
Haha!