I’m a fit mum & in my 40s – I wear sexy bathing suits to exercise… people beg me to put clothes on but I don’t care
WHEN pilates instructor Michelle Laframboise uploaded a clip of herself working out in a skimpy bathing suit, nothing could’ve prepared her for the nasty comments that were to come.
The fitness lover, believed to be in her 40s, described the remarks as ”vile” – they ranged from body-shaming, ageism and misogyny.
Michelle, she bravely opened up on Instagram, was told a number of disgusting things, including that she was ”too old” and it was time to ”give up”.
Another comment that stood out was someone calling her a ”pathetic attention seeker”, the fitness lover said in her video, as well as trolls begging her to ”put some clothes on and stop with the dumb bathing suit workouts”.
Although there was one simple solution – to turn the commenting off – Michelle decided against it; she was here on a mission.
”I didn’t, because along with the bad, came the good as well. An outpouring of both men and women offering encouragement and support.
”If one woman found my account and someday benefits in any way from what I teach, it’s worth every last awful comment.”
Nonetheless, seeing all the hate and just how severe it was, as well as people making assumptions based on one clip was ”jarring”.
According to Michelle, who regularly shares fitness-related content on her page, some even went as far as encouraging her to ”just go sit on a couch and let yourself age with the rest of us”.
”Yes, it’s all about them and their own internal struggles. But it’s still jarring.”
Luckily, there has also been heaps of support – and Michelle is even in the works of launching Menofitmethod, a community for those going through menopause.
The mum, who is also now dealing with the same stage of life, said she knw what it’s like – suddenly, you don’t like your old self, there’s always constant comparing, feeling like ”s**t”, feeling lost inside, figuring out ”who we are again”.
”Kids flying the nest. Divorce. Aging parents. Stressful workplaces. Overwhelm. Too much responsibility. It’s just a lot.”
She went on: ”When I launch the #menofitmethod, I want it to be a place of empowerment and community for ALL. No discussion will be TMI. We. Need. Each other.”
Until then, though, Michelle keeps hitting back at the meanies.
”To all the ding dongs who can’t handle a woman in her 40s accepting and owning who she is and the body she lives in – I won’t apologise.
”I won’t make myself smaller. I won’t let your hatred shape my choices.
”Your opinion of me is none of my business.”
And to those, who’ve had moments of self-doubt, criticism or any other negative emotions regarding their age or image, Michelle reminded: ”They don’t own you.
”YOU own you.”