Jillian Michaels has become a household name as the tough-love trainer on The Biggest Loser. Her controversial weight loss coaching style was unpacked in a new Netflix docuseries about the show titled Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser, in which former contestants, coaches and producers discussed the long-running reality series.
After overcoming obstacles in her own weight loss journey, the TV personality felt inspired to help others tackle their goals and achieve success by sharing before and after photos that showed her progress and results. Us Weekly is looking back on her personal transformation, which helped turn her into one of the most recognizable faces in weight loss and overall fitness.
Jillian Michaels Revealed Her Weight Loss Journey Began When She Was a Teenager
Michaels admitted that she turned to food for comfort in her younger years, and was around 170 pounds at 13 years old when her parents divorced.
“My mom enrolled me into martial arts classes — not for weight loss, but as an emotional outlet to help me through that time of my life,” she told Women’s Health in 2019, revealing it had a domino effect. “I learned to use fitness as a means of empowerment.”
“I was better able to handle bullies at school — and I realized that when you feel fit, you feel stronger in other aspects of your life, and you feel more capable,” she said about the positive impact that focusing on her health had on her overall well-being.
Michaels appeared on The Biggest Loser as one of the show’s original trainers in 2004 and returned for multiple seasons until 2014, going on to star in spinoffs such as Losing It with Jillian and Sweat, Inc.
How Jillian Michaels Shed 50 Pounds and Gained a New Lease on Life
“Here’s me at 5’0 tall and 175 lbs. If I can do it — anyone can,” Michaels captioned a throwback photo in 2020, revealing that she committed to maintaining a nutritious diet and exercise plan.
The best-selling author likes to mix it up when it comes to her fitness routine, sharing with Women’s Health that she incorporates both cardio and strength training, including cycling and yoga, into her overall regimen, which keeps her flexible while simultaneously building muscle.
Squats, lunges, burpees, pushups are all workouts that she suggested to keep trim and toned.
Jillian Michaels Said Moderation Is a Key Factor While Eating Healthy
When it comes to her diet, Michaels keeps it fresh and well-balanced, having advised a low-fat Greek yogurt with fruit and almonds during breakfast followed by protein-rich meals that incorporate daily greens like a Mediterranean salad.
Michaels, who is also a fan of Smartwatches to monitor her progress, pointed out that “health is work” during an interview with E! Online in 2022. “Just like a healthy relationship, a healthy career, it’s work,” she added. “Work with purpose becomes passion; work without it feels punishing.”
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