Lea Michele Celebrates C-Section Scar With Intimate Selfie
Glee star Lea Michele was always seen singing and dancing—and she had reason to be gleeful this weekend. "C-section scar so low you can't even see it," Michele wrote in an Instagram Story, in which she posed for a bikini selfie. "Although I don't mind at all because it's the greatest reminder in the whole world! I can't believe it's August and my baby's going to be 1 soon!" Her son Ever Leo, with husband Zandy Reich, is her pride and joy—and didn't come without difficulty. Read on to see 5 ways Lea Michele stays in shape (mentally and physically) and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bikini Photos!
This is Her Definition of Wellness
"For me, it's about being aligned in mind, body, and spirit, and striving to find that ultimate connection between all of those factors," she told Health. "My wellness journey began when I was doing Glee. During season 2, I started realizing I can't have eight coffees a day—it makes me feel jittery and not good. I can't have craft services late at night. Yes, it might fill me up, but if I'm eating a certain type of food that's not going to give me the fuel I need, it's going to make me tired in an hour."
She Does These Workouts
Around her 30th birthday, "I also found out that I have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), which is a very common condition. The side effects can be brutal—like weight gain and bad skin. I think because of my age, that diagnosis, and the fact that I wasn't working a job that kept me dancing every single day, I needed to integrate some sort of more formal workouts. I realized that I like workouts with a spiritual element—whether it's SoulCycle or hot yoga," she told Health.
She Gets Outside
"We are all in this together and if you can stay home, please stay home," Michele told fans when the pandemic first started. "I wanted to share with you all some little tips that are helping me to find some peace during this challenging time." One tip was making a smoothie of almond milk, avocado and blueberries. "I think being outside right now is the most important so once I make my shake, I bring my laptop outside and I get some work done and I breathe in some fresh air and it feels really good."
She Stays in Touch With Her Family
"Me and my mom FaceTime with my dad at least twice a day," she said last year as the pandemic started. "It's so hard that he is on the East coast during this time and we are separated. Connecting with friends and family is so important right now." "A strong social support network can be critical to help you through the stress of tough times, whether you've had a bad day at work or a year filled with loss or chronic illness. And the lack of social support can lead to isolation and loneliness. Since supportive family, friends and co-workers are such an important part of your life, it's never too soon to cultivate these important relationships," says the Mayo Clinic.
She Learned It's OK to Lean on People
Last August, Michele gave birth to Ever Leo via C-section. She'd had trouble conceiving due to PCOS, and the whole pregnancy was fraught, she told Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt during her Instagram Live series, Before, During & After. But she got through it and had a happy ending. "I didn't know [that strength] existed within me," Michele said. "I do regret not leaning on more people. That was really isolating. I would say to lean on those around you as much as you can."
