Jillian Michaels, the tough-talking and insanely fit trainer on NBC’s The Biggest Loser, is just as hard on herself as she is on everyone else. And the results of Jillian’s diet and exercise regime are self-evident. She looks awesome!
So how does Jillian keep herself fit and healthy and how many calories does she eat a day? Her latest interview did not disappoint; lots of new information she has not revealed before.
What are the biggest myths about fitness? When it comes to fad diets, everybody’s trying to reinvent the wheel and make a dollar. At the end of the day, it doesn’t take a genius – eat less, move more.
Do you struggle with staying in shape? Oh, god, food is a constant struggle for me. With exercise, I get my workout done and I’m done until tomorrow. With food, I eat and then an hour later I’m hungry again!
Are there particular foods you can’t resist? Chocolate and wine! Those two things are hell for me. I’ll allow myself to have four glasses of wine a week. I allow myself chocolate every single day, but I only get 200 calories’ worth.
How do you motivate women to get in shape? I try to make it simple and accessible. You’ve got to count calories so you have all the power. Get a workout partner, go to your local gym and take a class. Do something you’re going to enjoy.
Describe your diet? It’s usually 1,800 calories a day on days I’m working out. Breakfast would be whole-grain cereal, blueberries and organic nonfat yogurt. Then for lunch, I’ll have a protein salad. Snack time: smoothie. You can’t just go to Jamba Juice. It will be 1,000 calories. I put organic berries, yogurt, half a scoop of protein powder and two packets of sweetener, and you’re looking at 200 calories.
Did you ever struggle with your weight? I was about 170 pounds at my heaviest, and I’m about 115 to 120 now. It’s my own experiences that make me empathetic.
Tell us about your DVD, 30 Day Shred. It’s [co-produced by ExerciseTV and] designed as the exercise counterpart to my book Making the Cut. The book is a 30-day program that’s designed to get you in the best shape of your life. Right before I start shooting, I do this program.
What’s your workout regime? I try to get in five hours a week. I’ve been doing a tremendous amount of high-intensity cardio because I want my muscles to get smaller. I’m very thick, and I don’t like how it looks. [via]