You watch it obsessively, you weep during the weekly weigh-ins, and you root for the contestants as they overcome obstacles. Every Tuesday night, its time to reach for that tissue box and watch The Biggest Loser. But don’t get too comfortable on the couch, start doing something for yourself! Now, the show’s tough and terrifically talented trainer, Jillian Michaels is coming to you. I sat down with the fitness guru and got her insider tips on how you can get inspired and stay in shape!
Losing Weight: The Biggest Challenges
For many people, getting slim isn’t so simple. Michaels believes that there are three big challenges people face when it comes to losing weight. The first is a lack of time, the second; a lack of funds and lastly; a lack of self esteem.
The best way to solve the lack of time issue is to incorporate working out into your daily routine. Michaels suggests exercising with your kids, walking your dog, working out during your lunch hour, or even exercising during your favorite television show.
To solve the lack of funds issue, she believes you can cut out costs in every aspect of your life. Maybe you don’t go out to dinner as often or cutback on your spending at the mall. So then you may be able to afford that gym membership or those exercise videos you have been saving up for.
In order to tackle the issue of a lack of self-esteem, she believes that you need to put yourself first. Many people abandon their regular fitness routine because they don’t put themselves before others. If you put your own well-being first, you will be able to give so much more to other people.
Get Motivated! How to Find Your Drive
One of the hardest hurdles to get over when trying to lose weight is finding the motivation to eat well and exercise. Michaels believes that you don’t just get motivated, you get inspired. She suggests writing down all the things that inspire you, whether it’s a family member or a goal you want to accomplish. Then every time you make a choice on what to eat or whether or not to workout, look back to your list. Then think to yourself, “This cheeseburger won’t taste as good as what inspires me feels.”
Team Up for Weight Loss
On The Biggest Loser, families team up and work together to shed the pounds. Michaels believes that there are both positives and negatives to doing a weight loss program with a family member. On the negative side, she says that “misery loves company,” which can enable family members to influence each other not to workout. But on the other hand she believes that this co-dependency can have a positive effect and help families emphasize the good within each other. Additionally, it can offer families a support system when trying to lose weight and help them hold each other accountable.
How to Have Fun with Your Workout
One great way to get inspired to workout is to have fun and try something new with your routine. Michaels recommends yoga, dance, or kickboxing classes. If that’s not your style, try something more adventurous such as rock climbing or cross country skiing. Another great way to have more fun while you exercise is to do it with friends or family members. Exercising with someone you care about will make the experience all the more enjoyable!
For more advice on how you can stay in shape check out iMag's Fitness section.
Jillian Michaels is one of the leading health and wellness experts in the country. Perhaps considered one of the most demanding people on television for her role as trainer and life coach on the NBC hit series “The Biggest Loser,” Michaels has created a brand name for herself and motivates nearly 15 million viewers every week on television, approximately one million subscribers to her website and many more with her weekly radio show. Recently, Jillian launched Empowered Media, LLC with the goal of creating total life solutions for people across all platforms – health, wellness, weight loss and overall lifestyle. By imparting her unique and inspiring philosophy to her clients, stressing the integration of fitness, nutrition, and behavioral changes, Jillian empowers each person she works with to define and reach personal goals, both physical and psychological.Jillian currently lives in Los Angeles with her beloved and faithful Chihuahua, Baxter. When she's not on the TV set, she enjoys traveling and getting involved in charitable activities, such as her work as an American Cancer Society Ambassador. For more information please visit www.jillianmichaels.com.
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