Michelle Bridges reveals baby Axel to the world in Australian Women’s Weekly

IT’S been a week since Michelle Bridges was slammed for providing “irresponsible” advice about jogging post pregnancy. Now, she’s hit back at critics.

Guinness World Record Largest Fit Ball Class with Michelle Bridges at Bondi Beach. Michelle pictured with another mum to be, Bree Fennell, from Bondi. Picture: DYLAN ROBINSON

IT’S been a week since Michelle Bridges made headlines for providing “irresponsible” advice through her Instagram regarding jogging as exercise after giving birth.

But now, TheBiggest Loser trainer has hit back at critics, insisting she isn’t focusing on getting her pre-pregnancy body back anytime soon.

February’s issue of the Australian Women’s Weekly. Picture: AWW.

Opening up about life and love as a new mum in the February issue of The AustralianWomen’s Weekly, the 45-year-old hopes to bounce back to her pre-baby body “in her own time”.

“I put on about 14kg in pregnancy and I’ve got about 7kg to go, but it’s not a rush,” she told the magazine.

“I haven’t trained at all [since giving birth], I’ve just gone for walks.”

“I am looking forward to getting back in to it,” she said.

Since the interview with the magazine, Bridges was criticised by women’s health experts for providing irresponsible advice about jogging on her Instagram account.

Revealing her post-natal training as 56 minutes of walking and jogging, experts raised concern over the message she was giving to other new mums.

Michelle Bridges toned down her training while pregnant, and said she “listened” to her body. Picture: Media-Mode.com

During her pregnancy, Michelle also copped flak for doing crunches and weightlifting while carrying an unborn baby.

“A lot of people were freaked out that I was exercising,” she said.

“But there is research as long as your arm on the benefits of exercising. Not everyone can exercise during pregnancy — I understand that — but if you have been given the all clearance by your specialist, there are some incredible benefits to you and the baby during pregnancy, the birth, after the birth and the future.

“Some days I was training, and some days I did nothing,” she said.

New mum, Michelle Bridges takes a stroll her son Axel. Picture: Matrix/GC Images.

Axel Bridges Willis was born at Sydney’s Prince of Wales on December 19, and although Michelle had a “dream pregnancy,” not everything went to plan after the birth.

On Boxing Day, the new mum had to make a return to hospital after feeling unwell.

“I was going hot and cold,” she revealed.

“When we got there [hospital] they took my temperature as it was 39.6C. I was so delirious that I said, ‘That’s normal isn’t it?’

“They thought it was mastitis at first, but it ended up being a urinary tract infection. I was on an IV drip and antibiotics, and they kept me in for four days.”

Just four years ago, the fitness entrepreneur told the Weekly her focus was on her successful business empire, which left little room for anything else — including starting a family.

But, since giving birth to her son, Bridges looks “at life differently”.

“I have got this mother instinct that people always talk about. It’s quite fierce and protective.”

Steve ‘Commando’ Willis can’t wait for his partner Michelle to get back in to training with him. Picture: Supplied.

As for getting back in to her pre-pregnancy regimen, Michelle said her partner — and father of Axel, Steve ‘Commando’ Willis — was looking forward to seeing her back in training.

“He’s saying he can’t wait for me to get back into it because we train together.”

Steve and Michelle confirmed their relationship in 2013 under controversial circumstances. Bridges broke up with her husband and then business partner Bill Moore, and Steve split from his wife and mother of two of his children.

Michelle revealed Steve’s previous parenting experience had been a blessing as she finds her feet as a new mum.

“He’s up early getting [Axel] sorted, on the vacuum, getting the kids organised, getting breakfast ready, putting the washing on and cooking — he leaves me for dead,” she said.

Michelle is “absolutely loving” being a new mum. Picture: Matrix/GC Images.

Michelle expects the couple will require a nanny in the future, given neither had family in Sydney.

“My preference is to bring Axel with me [to work] as much as possible,” she said.

“I’ve got my own office and I’ve got the ability to do a lot of work from home.”

Michelle, who fell pregnant naturally, revealed to WHO magazine in July that her unexpected pregnancy at 44 was down to a healthy lifestyle.

“I feel all of my years and all of Steve’s years of looking after ourselves and taking care of our health and our bodies, it just goes to show for someone my age, for it to happen so quickly, it’s obviously got to do with good health,” she said.

Now, Michelle speaks of the advantages of being a new-mum later in life.

“I’ve had an amazing life, I’ve travelled and done a lot,” she said.

“I’m ready for this. I’m confident in the person I am and I’m comfortable in my own skin. I’ve learned a lot of lessons and, financially, I’m more secure than I was in my 20s.”

Bridges, who is also behind the 12 Week Body Transformation program, will release a self-help book titled Make It Happen: Live Your Best Life on February 29.

The February 2016 edition of the Women’s Weekly will be available from Thursday.