The Biggest Loser trainer Michelle Bridges has responded to the backlash she has received over her post-birth exercise regime, saying she was given the ok by her doctors to train.
Bridges, 45, and her partner Steve “Commando” Willis, who also appears on The Biggest Loser, welcomed their son Axel last month, but last week the personal trainer was labelled “irresponsible” by some health experts after posting details of her postnatal workout regime on Instagram.
“If an individual decides to jog soon after giving birth, this is their choice,” the Women In Focus Physiotherapy group posted to their Facebook page on Friday. “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.”
Speaking exclusively to The Weekly, Bridges says she felt it was the right time to resume her training after consulting her doctors.
“I’m back into things a little faster than most, simply because it feels right for my body,” she says. “I have moved my whole life (a lot!), trained safely all the way through my pregnancy, and so I felt perfectly fit to get back into it (after the docs ok of course).”
The new mum also acknowledged that everyone is different and there shouldn’t be any pressure to return to exercise following the birth of a child.
“Be patient with your body, give it time to recover,” she advises. “It’s just undergone a maternal marathon and needs time for muscles, ligaments and tissue to return to normal. The recommended guidelines advise waiting six weeks before commencing a fitness regime; however this can vary from person to person.
“As soon as your doctor gives you the all clear, start making it part of your daily routine. And do your pelvic floor exercise every day.”
Bridges says she is following her 12WBT post-baby meal plan to get back into shape.
“There’s definitely no dieting involved,” she tells The Weekly. “I’m eating a broad range of good quality whole foods, focussing on my iron and calcium intake.”
See all the exclusive images of Michelle and her gorgeous baby in the February issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly.
RELATED VIDEO: Michelle Bridges and Steve ‘Commando’ Willis welcome new little boy
