Gemma Atkinson reveals cruel trolling after giving birth as she wows in red swimsuit
Former Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson has opened up about the cruel trolling she received after giving birth last year. As she turned 40, the actress posed in a sexy red swimsuit on the cover of Women's Health UK to share why she’s feeling fitter and stronger than ever and spoke about her C-section birth last year. During the interview, Gemma revealed that some people asked her why she hadn't got back in shape quicker after welcoming her second child with fiancé Gorka Marquez.
Gemma, who shares daughter Mia, five, and 17-month-old son Thiago, 17, months with pro Strictly dancer Gorka, 34, shared: "A few people messaged and said, #I thought you'd be in shape quicker; you're so into your training; I'm surprised it's taken you 10 months.'
"My mum used to say – well, she still says to me – if someone doesn't know you personally, why would you take what they say personally? Even if someone says something lovely, it's so nice, but you can't take it on board because you walk around with a swollen head."
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For her cover shoot, Gemma looked sensational in the one shoulder swimsuit which had cut out on the waist revealing her toned stomach, as she styled her blonde hair in a braid.
Gemma - who previously played Tamzin Bayle in Casualty - also opened up on returning to training at her own pace following welcoming son Thiago in July 2023 via C-section.
She said: "I kept telling myself, 'You've been sliced open – through, like, seven layers [of tissue], yeah? Let that heal before you do anything.' So I focused a lot on nutrition…And then after about 13 or 14 weeks, I started doing light exercise again.
"I gradually built myself back up to where I am now...I feel the best I've felt. So, it's taken more than a year, but I just did it in my own time, at my own pace – and now I feel great."
Gemma is also no stranger to sharing her workouts with her two million dedicated Instagram followers, and her latest gruelling exercise routine even saw her share a crucial piece of advice to her female fans.
The Hits radio presenter detailed her current routine and revealed her plan to "build muscle", as well as urging women "not to fear weights" while they're training. Taking to Instagram, Gemma shared a clip from her latest session alongside an informative caption. She wrote: "Snippets from todays session. A week into @elliottupton program for me and so far loving it. Today was an EMOM, I performed the above exercises for 4 rounds, a min on each (28 mins so nice and quick). My aim is to build more muscle. I know not everyone will get that, BUT I had a chat with Eliot before our first session and I told him it’s something I’ve always done, for at least 15 years because it makes me feel good."
She continued: "He explained to me how there’s a lot more to it and he put it to me in layman’s terms. He said the below, and honestly, it makes me want to do it even more now. 'Your 40 in November right? So weight training is 100% the thing you should be doing. In fact for women over 40 or women going through menopause, it’s essential. It’ll increase insulin sensitivity as the menopause kicks in, it’ll help combat stress levels, decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases, help prevent bone degeneration going into menopause and building muscle is the number 1 factor in slowing down the aging process'.
"He ended it with 'there is no argument against weight training for women, esp women over 40'. So ladies, do not fear the weights! Your body and mind will thank you for it."
The full interview is available now in the Jan/Feb issue of Women’s Health UK or on the WH website
