Michelle Bridges’ comments warning people not to knock back too much alcohol have come back to haunt her after she was allegedly caught drink driving on Australia Day.
The celebrity fitness trainer, 49, previously urged people to ‘be the designated driver instead’ of drinking and admitted that she ‘loves’ a glass of wine.
But Michelle said despite her fondness for the odd glass, she avoids getting drunk.
Michelle Bridges’ (centre left) comments warning people not to knock back too much alcohol have come back to haunt her after she was allegedly caught drink driving on Australia Day
‘Not to say that I’m against alcohol – I love a glass of wine, but I think that if you’re drinking every day, you need to take a good hard look at yourself,’ she told The Daily Telegraph in 2012.
‘If you know you make dumb food choices when you drink, then don’t drink – be the designated driver instead.’
She added: ‘When you know yourself, you can save yourself a lot of torment.’
She also urged people to ‘be a grown up’ and ‘wise’ when it comes to making decisions about alcohol.
‘Leave the big nights out for the loser who’ll be late and hungover,’ she added.
Other previous posts on her blog also suggested people steer clear of alcohol to help them stay fit.
The celebrity fitness trainer, 49, previously urged people to ‘be the designated driver instead’ of drinking and admitted that she ‘loves’ a glass of wine
‘Not to say that I’m against alcohol – I love a glass of wine, but I think that if you’re drinking every day, you need to take a good hard look at yourself,’ she said
On her blog, 12WBT, she urged fans to ‘make a plan’ if they wanted to go out drinking.
‘If there’s a special occasion and you want to have a few drinks, make a plan with yourself as to how many drinks you will consume across the course of [the] night,’ one blog post reads.
‘If you end up drinking rounds with your mates, or someone keeps topping up your glass without you taking notice, things may get messy.’
The post concluded by reminding people to ‘always drink responsibly’.
She gave similar advice in her 2016 health and wellness book, Food For Life.
One of her ‘rules’ for drinking alcohol was: ‘Aim for at least four to five alcohol-free days a week. Never drink when I’m by myself. Never drink when I’ve had a hard day. Stop drinking after dinner.
‘Being able to moderate my drinking makes me feel like I’m in the driver’s seat.’
Heading home: After an eventful few days, Michelle was spotted arriving at her home in Sydney’s Potts Point on Wednesday
Sneaking out: She arrived in a taxi, and seemed keen to keep a low profile as she made her way out from the backseat of the vehicle
Michelle first found fame as a fitness trainer on the reality TV series, The Biggest Loser, which aired on Channel 10.
In a 2012 episode, participant Luke Stephens was kicked off the show after he was caught smuggling alcohol into the house.
‘Rules are rules and you can’t get drunk in The Biggest Loser house – it’s as simple as that,’ an unsympathetic Michelle told The Advertiser in January 2012.
And it wasn’t just drinking Michelle would lambaste the contestants for, showing little sympathy when smoker Jess O’Malley struggled with a group fitness challenge on the weight loss show in 2013.
‘It’s the smoking! Anytime you guys feel like having a cigarette, I want you to remember this moment,’ Michelle yelled, as Jess proceeded to throw up into a bucket.
Famous words: In a January 2012 interview with The Daily Telegraph, the 49-year-old celebrity fitness trainer encouraged people to forego drinking and opt to ‘be the designated driver instead’
‘If you know you make dumb food choices when you drink, then don’t drink – be the designated driver instead,’ she told The Daily Telegraph in 2012
During the 2015 season of The Biggest Loser, Michelle was forced to eat what the participants ate, reducing her to tears.
‘My whole head’s spinning. I can’t believe you eat like this,’ she told one family, as she eyed off the tubs of ice cream and boxes of pizza on the counter in front of her.
Beginning to cry, she added: ‘This is really awful! Sorry, it’s really depressing me.’
She later added: ‘Everything in this training session was a struggle for Jess, mostly because she cannot breathe. And this is what smoking does to you.’
Breaking out in the business: Michelle first found fame as a fitness trainer on the reality TV series, The Biggest Loser
Judgment: It wasn’t just drinking Michelle would lambaste the contestants for, showing little sympathy when a smoker struggled with a group fitness challenge on the show in 2013
‘It’s the smoking! Anytime you guys feel like having a cigarette, I want you to remember this moment,’ Michelle yelled, as participant Jess O’Malley proceeded to throw up into a bucket
Food for thought: During the 2015 season of The Biggest Loser, Michelle was forced to eat what the participants ate, reducing her to tears
Michelle was allegedly caught driving over the limit with a child in the car in Sydney’s Bellevue Hill at about 11.25am on Sunday.
In a statement to The Daily Telegraph on Monday, Michelle described her actions as ‘inexcusable’.
She also revealed she has been dealing with the recent split from her longtime partner, Steve ‘Commando’ Willis, 43.
‘I would like to express my deep regret for breaking the law, this was a terrible mistake and an error of judgment,’ she told The Daily Telegraph.
‘This behaviour is inexcusable, and I am absolutely devastated and embarrassed to find myself in this position.
Hard to swallow: ‘This is really awful! Sorry, it’s really depressing me,’ she said through tears while discussing what the show’s participants ate
Busted: Michelle was allegedly caught driving over the limit with a child in the car in Sydney’s Bellevue Hill at about 11.25am on Sunday. Pictured with her son, Axel
‘It has been a very difficult time for me the last few weeks dealing with the break-up of my long-term relationship.
‘This is by no means an excuse for my behaviour but I feel the emotional turmoil I have been going through has impacted my decision making. I am extremely sorry for my actions.’
Police confirmed the incident: ‘A 49-year-old woman, driving a Range Rover SUV, was subjected to a roadside breath test which returned a positive result. A 5-year-old passenger was in the car at the time.’
Break up: She also revealed she has been dealing with the recent split from her longtime partner, Steve ‘Commando’ Willis
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire: Steve and Michelle had faced split rumours for months
Filled with regret: In a statement to The Daily Telegraph on Monday, Michelle described her actions as ‘inexcusable’
After being arrested, Michelle was taken to Waverley Police Station, where she returned a reading of 0.086.
In New South Wales, the legal blood alcohol limit is under 0.05.
She was issued with a Future Court Attendance Notice for mid-range PCA (prescribed concentration of alcohol), and will face Waverley Local Court on Tuesday, February 18.
After an eventful few days, Michelle was spotted arriving at her home in Sydney’s Potts Point on Wednesday.
She arrived in a taxi, and seemed keen to keep a low profile as she made her way out from the backseat of the vehicle.
The health and fitness advocate covered up her face with a black baseball cap and oversize sunglasses.
‘I would like to express my deep regret for breaking the law, this was a terrible mistake and an error of judgment,’ she said