Four “Unbreakable Weight Loss Rules” from Jillian Michaels

For those who follow the reality TV series, “Biggest Loser” or for those who have seen her new summer show, “Losing It with Jillian,” it’s hard to miss Jillian Michaels. Though tiny in size, she’s a dynamo when it comes to fitness training and diet. As a personal trainer and someone who overcame her own weight issues, Michaels is well on her way to creating a media empire a la Martha Stewart.

From vitamin supplements to exercise videos to a Wii game, and beyond, she is making her 15 minutes of fame pay off. In a recent Redbook magazine article (see www.redbookmag.com),  Michaels not only talks about her journey to stardom, but outlines what she believes are the four essential rules to success:

1. Count Calories
She claims this is the place where most people falter on their journey to healthy living. They just don’t realize how many calories they are consuming a day. She suggests making it easy on yourself, and using whatever method works for you…an iPhone app, the Internet (see www.caloriesperhour.com), or a pocket guide.

2. Avoid All Processed Foods
Michaels notes that the only way to feel healthy is to put healthy things in your body. No chemicals or preservatives; her rule “if it had a mother or came from the ground, that’s a green light food.” Snacks like Doritos and Ding Dongs…verboten! If you find any of the following terms listed on your food, get rid of them---high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavoring, artificial coloring, hydrogenated, or sweetener.

3. Do Five Intense 30 Minute Workouts Per Week
Those are 30 solid minutes in one block of time, not divided. And 30 minutes “is me being kind” per Michaels, it should be more.

4. Inspire Yourself
For anyone to be successful and maintain that success, it’s important to be clear about why you are doing it. Says Michaels, “That why is what’s going to carry you through.”


All told there are really no surprises here, just solid advice about how to get and stay healthy. Whether it takes a screaming personal trainer like Jillian or a milder, self-motivated approach to personal health, it’s clear that there are no short cuts and no easy breaks along the way.