Ashy Bines’ Bikini Body Challenge has been described as ‘dangerous’ by some healthcare professionals, especially when it comes to young mothers determined to shed their “baby weight”.
Her Instagram account, featuring thousands of images of her lean body in crop tops and shorts, has been criticised as promoting unrealistic body image to young women and new mothers alike.
But on tonight’s episode of Sunday Night, Bines defends her “Boot Camp”, saying it’s important to give women the opportunity to be their best selves.
“I get hundreds of messages on Instagram, with girls saying, ‘I hate my body’, or ‘I’m pudgy here’ or ‘I’m sick of looking in the mirror’, or ‘I don’t want to be naked in front of my partner,'” she tells Melissa Doyle.
“All of those comments break my heart, that’s why I do what I do. Every single day.”
Throughout her pregnancy, Ashy made it clear she wasn’t letting her bikini body go. She gave tips for exercising while pregnant, aiming to keep trim and taut while her son Taj grew.
Her followers described her as an “inspiration”. Her more cruel critics said she “didn’t deserve to be a mother
It’s clear Bines is a divisive figure, but she’s not letting naysayers deter her from approaching parenthood in her own way.
“I’m a better mum when I’m active. I’ve a better mum when I start my day with a walk,” says Bines of her controversial approach.
“I feel good, and [my son] feels that.”
To be fair, the takeaway message Bines has for girls worrying about the shape of their bodies seems appropriate: to “accept that you’re not going to look like someone else,” in her words.
But when she’s disseminating photos of her own body that border on perfection, many believe it’s a hard sell.
Bines’ response?
“You can choose who you follow on social media. If you’re following someone that doesn’t make you feel good or you don’t like their message, click unfollow,” she tells Doyle.
“Maybe some mums are feeling guilty for not being active or not eating healthy… People always have to find someone to blame instead of taking responsibility.”
We spoke to Michelle Bridges about staying fit as a mum:
Top Comments
I live Ashy Bines and Lorna Jane. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be fit and healthy.
I'm so sick of hearing the excuse oh I had a baby and I just can't get the weight off.
After 4 children I'm often asked what my secret is... There is no secret. I work out I eat healthy and I love it. I love that feeling when I finish a workout that I am totally spent. I love that I can run around at the park with my kids and not get tired.
I'm proud of my body and what it can do.
This really frustrates me and channel 7 is so irresponsible for running this segment that is, lets face it, reverse fat shaming!
I am so sick of hearing that as a mother I am only respected if i let myself go, wear tracksuit pants every day and whine about how hard it is 24/7.
I am a mother of a 1 year old.No amount of being a mother is going to change what I want in life for myself. I go to bootcamp. I go because it helps me to get fit so i can play with my daughter and have energy, I go because it helps with my mental health, I go because I want to be fit and feel good, I go because if i sit on the couch like a slob I wont feel good, and I go because I want to, because at the end of the day I AM STILL ME. And you know what, there are 450 women that do bootcamp in the program i attend from young and old to big and small. And they are all AMAZING,a nd it is such a supported network of women. I exercised during pregnancy - which by the way channel 7 is recommended for a healthy pregnancy. My OB (ah- yeah a professional) and my doctor both said this is not the time to start a new fitness if you weren't doing it pre pregnancy, BUT if you were doing something, it is generally safe, listen to your body and adjust as things get harder. Simple. I have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
How dare channel 7 question a mother on what they are doing for their body. Its their body. Just because they are a mother does not make them a alien species. We should be celebrating all shapes and sized. Australia has an obesity epidemic, if nothing this is changing the mindset of women to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle.
Ashy is 100% right, people always have someone else to blame. Click un-follow if it offends you so much.
Good on all the mums that exercise, that dont exercise, that are PROUD of their progress for their own reasons. Share away. You're AWESOME!