From Health magazine
When California-raised Jillian was 12, she weighed 175 pounds. After engaging in martial arts and working her way into a career as a personal trainer, the 5-foot-2 3/4-inch star got her weight down to around 117 with just 13% body fat.
She also started her own organic garden, greened up her house, and switched to clean foods. For her, the goal is a healthy body and mind. “Fitness for me is a tool that I use to build a life,” Jillian says. “It’s never about a crunch for me. I couldn’t care less.”
And, as she resumes her role on The Biggest Loser, now in its eighth season, she has plenty more to celebrate: a new Wii game, Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010; two spring 2010 follow-up books to her best-selling Master Your Metabolism—The Master Calorie Counter and The Master Cookbook; and an expansion of her QuickStart Rapid Weight Loss System supplements line at GNC.
With the same addictive intensity she uses to motivate her clients, Jillian tells Health what she thinks we all should change in our diets, why she’s not a fan of “walking,” and which celebrity she wishes she could take under her wing.
Q: How do you feel about being named America’s Healthiest Body?
A: I’m totally flattered. But I just think, God, if people had any idea of the stuff that goes on behind closed doors: the struggles in the middle of the night in front of the refrigerator, the weeks on end I can’t get my ass to the gym! But, in reality, there’s a part of me where it makes perfect sense.
Comments (8)
Jillian is so right! Staying away from processed foods loaded with preservatives and chemicals, eating organic produce, dairy and meats and experiencing yoga are the keys to reducing disease, keeping fit and staying mentally strong. It is unfortunate that so many people are fooled into thinking that foods marketed as “100 calories”, “sugar free” or “natural” are healthy. If you read the labels it becomes clear that these foods can contain a ton of chemicals and preservatives to give them flavor. Eat a well balanced diet rich in organic produce and organic lean meats. If you want a cookie, have one…just make it from scratch so you know exactly what is in it!!! You only have ONE body…treat it well!
I have no doubt that Jillian is in great shape and is extremely healthy as far as disease goes. But I’m not sure how healthy it is for a woman to have 13% body fat… As I understand it, women should aim for something like 19-30% body fat – any less and most of the time they won’t be menstruating. If it works for her, fine, but I don’t think it’s right that she is being named America’s Healthiest Body and having her (low) body fat percentage stated in the first paragraph.. it’s setting the bar too high for readers who will NEVER get that kind of body because we aren’t all personal trainers who work out for a living. Yes, it is obviously possible because Jillian used to be overweight herself, but realistic? Doubt it.
Leia,
30% body fat is overweight; Women should strive for 13% to 19% and I think it is realistic for anyone to reach their goals. Like she said people underestimate what they can do, I know I still do and I’m studying to be a personal trainer. No, I don’t get to work out all of the time but I know I could if made myself. Jillian probably is pretty healthy
OK, so she’s fit, and I agree with her on the watch what we’re eating part. But I disagree on her “walking is not exercise” comment, especially coming from someone who admits she needs a trainer to kick her butt to the gym otherwise she wouldn’t work out.
I feel it’s belittling of people with physical problems. I have a dislocated kneecap so no, I can’t run because running makes my knee hurt like hell. So I may not working out as much when I’m taking a 45 minute brisk walk on that treadmill, but at least I’m doing it. I’m not fond of it but I have no one to kick my butt to the gym, and while others are running like crazy on flat tradmills, I’m walking fast on a 7% incline, so I think I’m getting a good workout too while trying not to hurt myself
Awesome! I love Jillian’s perspective on HEALTH vs. looking good. Health isn’t the lack of symptoms. Good for her! I look forward to hearing much, much more from Jillian… and her opinions on living a healthy lifestyle. We need a LOT more of that type of thinking these days!
You don’t need to give me a lesson in body composition and health – I am studying to be a dietitian and work for the student health center doing health education. And you’re right, 30% fat is probably too much, but some women can get away with it. In any case, 13% is at the very low end of what’s recommended for females, and I don’t think that she should be glorified for that because it’s very difficult to attain! Yes, people can probably do more than they think, but we need to be realistic in understanding what people will ACTUALLY do.
The closer to the original source of the food, the better. Even BETTER is going organic. I was shocked how much weight I lost after cutting out processed foods, and I wasn’t big to begin with. I thought my diet was ok, but then went straight to the source and organic.
And, for HER 13% body fat, apparently, is totally do-able. She’s not telling people everyone needs to be 13%. It just is what it is. Don’t read more into it.
She looks fabulous, clearly loves what she is doing, and, is dead on with the general population under-estimating what it is they are capable of.
The problem is that not all of us can afford organic food. Even good healthy breads cost almost double the cheap no-nutrition bread. I’m not saying it isn’t possible to cut out processed foods but when you don’t have the luxury of paying those extra $30 per grocery visit you have to make do with what is available for your budget – processed foods.