"We're all busy, it's the year 2012," says the no-nonsense personal trainer.
"If the ex-prime minister John Howard (the former Liberal prime minister) can go for a power walk every day - and I'm figuring he was kind of busy - let's just put that one (excuse) to bed.
"I think it's important that people actually find the time in their week (to do exercise). It's not going to fall in their lap," Bridges says.
Get your new 2012 planner and start by jotting down exactly when you're going to do some form of physical activity, Bridges says.
"Go through your diary, find the time, lock it in, and do it," she says.
Apart from the reality-TV weight-loss show, she's a motivational speaker and has written numerous books including her latest, 5 Minutes a Day, Simple Tips for Weight-loss and Wellbeing.
Bridges has a direct approach when it comes to fitness, and her book is straight to the point. She designed it so that on any page there's a thought for the day. As she writes in the introduction, it's about "thoughts, words, actions".
And while you've got your pen in hand jotting down exactly when you're going to exercise for the week, Bridges suggests to also make a list of all the things you need to do.
Whether it's sorting out drawers, downloading photos, calling back friends - do these instead of going to the fridge. Better yet, stick the list on the fridge - along with a current photo of you in a bikini, suggests Bridges.
When it comes to actions, Bridges encourages people to keep them simple at the start - so we stick to them.
Begin with something simple, like having only one sugar in your coffee instead of two, or getting out of bed 10 or 15 minutes earlier, she writes in 5 Minutes a Day. Then you can tackle giving up things that are a bit more addictive, like cigarettes. But remember to give yourself a pat on the back every time you say `no', she writes.
And, be brutally honest, she says.
When was the last time you claimed you were going to clean up your act, drop a few kilos and get fitter, only to blow off your second training session and help yourself to a second slice of chocolate cake?
Make it your top priority.
Bridges wants to remind us that the road to better health and fitness can be long - there are no shortcuts and the quick-fix approach never works.
Make smart choices about your food and exercise every day, consistently, she writes.
Finally, Bridges often calls on advice from her grandmother, who used to tell her: "Don't lower yourself to being someone who's consistently asking `What can I have?' If you want to create change, ask instead, `Who can I be'?"
You can create change by being more honest, more responsible and more your word, she writes.
* 5 Minutes a Day, Simple Tips for Weight-loss and Wellbeing by Michelle Bridges is published by Penguin and available now. RRP $12.95
By Julia Carlisle
