A super-strong woman who lifts 205lb (14.6 stone) weights is continuing her gruelling fitness regime – despite it being over a week after her due date.
Emily Breeze Watson, 31, is still practising CrossFit – a combination of weightlifting, gymnastics and intensive cardio – six days a week, even though she could go into labour at any time.
But the fitness instructor, from Charlotte, North Carolina, who posts her workout photos on Instagram, has been forced to defend herself after angry strangers accused her of harming her unborn baby.
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The super-strong 5ft 5in athlete first sparked fury almost a month ago when she was lifting 155lb weight at eight months pregnant.
However she now deadlifts an even bigger mass despite being full-term with her son, who was due on April 29.
Emily says she has never felt stronger and healthier, and rubbishes claims that her intense fitness regime could be dangerous for her child.
She said: ‘I never considered giving it up. My body has felt really great. It gives me so much energy so why would I ever think of stopping?
‘Pregnancy isn’t an illness, the human body is capable of remarkable things.
‘The negative stuff, I just have to look at it like it has to be some sort of jealousy and hate.
‘If you don’t know me then why do you feel the need and the pressure to have to react that way?’
Video: Pregnant weightlifter continues training days before due date
Emily, who was dead-lifting 325 pounds before she became pregnant, has the full support of medical professionals but says the best guide is simply ‘listening to her body’ when knowing how far to push herself.
Emily’s husband Montell Watson, a fellow weightlifter and fitness fanatic, is her biggest supporter, and the couple regularly train together.
Montell said: ‘I support her 100 per cent and I’m so proud of everything she’s been able to do.
‘What an inspiration she’s been to not only myself but to hundreds and thousands of women across the country.
‘I’m obviously cautious because I love her and I love the little guy in there, and just want to make sure that everything is okay.
‘I know if she wasn’t able to do this, it would drive her crazy as well.’
But not everyone has been so supportive.
Emily said: ‘People have criticised me on social media, which I find interesting because I had no idea that it would spark any kind of buzz like that.
‘I’ve just tuned it out. I don’t even want to read it or care. I know with full confidence that my doctor and I are on the same page. And we’re working towards bringing this healthy baby into this world.’
Now Emily is encouraging other expectant mothers to stay active during pregnancy and hopes to change the attitude surrounding pregnant women.
She said: ‘I want people to think that they can continue to do their normal routine, whatever that is, while they’re pregnant.
‘I’ve had plenty of pregnant women come to my bootcamp classes. I always tell them “check in with your doctor first”, but I also encourage them to stay after it, stay active and if they feel good then let’s work it out.’
Emily hopes to spring back into fitness after giving birth and even plans to break a Guinness World Record for the biggest bootcamp session ever in the weeks after giving birth.
Emily said: ‘Our goal is to get 3,000 people out there working out. Hopefully our little guy will be there too.
‘Our hopes are to get him here healthy. I can’t wait to meet this boy and we’re looking forward to raising him in an awesome and healthy environment.
‘I want to continue to promote this lifestyle years and years down the road.’
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