Optavia Diet - Real or the latest MLM? - Jillian Michaels

Got this question in my TikTok comments (follow me on there if you aren’t already!)
The Optavia diet - is it a new & noteworthy diet or just another MLM company? Here’s my take.
And as always leave me any more q’s you want answered in the comments.

[@whitneykell]

Jillian I am a big fan it was fun to here you butcher the name lol thank you for sharing about Opta Via which if you review the model I think you will find it is actually similar to the 12th step in AA. I am a sober sister for 23 years I believe because I have been an optavia coach for over 20 years! coaches keep their weight off 5x longer because they are serving others and in community which is the way you heal addiction in my eyes. Optavia which is the evolution of Medifast has been around for 40 years and they have clinical studies from John’s Hopkins university showing it’s results with diabetics. Yes you are correct it does portion control with a mild state of ketosis it was actually in my opinion the original keto! Yes with packaged food which is high quality. I trained thousands of health professionals in this program as an alternative to meds and the “diet and exercise” suggestion! Love your passion grit and your sweet heart ♥️ under all that brilliance 🙏

[@valbrenneman9071]

I wouldn't call it the "latest". Its been around years as Optavia. Before that it was Medifast.

[@jessemiller5583]

The program encourages sub 1,000 calories and not exercising.

[@chrissybobissy5109]

Optavia was amazing for me, teaches great habits for eating, taught me how probiotics are so helpful to me! No bloating, super gentle. Great stuff. It took me forever to lose 10/15 lbs until I found Optavia. Good training for controlling calories, like you said. Eventually you don’t need their products, but an easy way to get going, good training wheels! Friends of mine- my whole high school LOL- have lost tons of weight, one friend lost 100 lbs and she is still going. Good habits. I am not a coach, I don’t have time, and I am petite, I don’t think I am believable. Ha. But man, losing those last impossible 10 lbs was really hard for me until I found this.

[@MissyRose94]

Of course you and your friend lost weight. I'd shed pounds like cat hair if I under fed myself processed powder for an extended period of time too. That's not developing healthy eating habits, it's the exact opposite. I was morbidly obese, and I still have a long way to go, but I've lost almost 50 pounds and I didn't need to substitute real food with microwaveable protein powder to do it. I actually still eat what I want for the most part. I just cut down the amount a bit, started working on my mental health so I was able to get myself moving around more, and I cut WAAAAAAY back on the sugary drinks, especially soda. Diets like optavia are dangerous, they do not even come close to creating healthy eating habits.

[@tessior621]

Optavia does work. I've tried many things in the past. This one truly works. Not long term sustainable by any means but it feels great and serves as a boost to a healthier lifestyle. It's expensive and it's not a walk in the park.

[@Sunshine_State]

Weight watchers is not a multi level marketing business, nor do you have to buy their food. The only thing they sell are snacks and some desserts. But they don’t have full meals to purchase. And you don’t have to buy anything at all from them.

[@worlock27]

Optavia is great. The 5+1 is the plan to lose weight and then you move to the maintenance plan. It's a tool. I agree it's not long term - but take that time to learn and change your eating habits. I lost 55 pounds with Optavia and eventually switched to preparing all my own nutritious/healthy meals to maintain it - got back in the gym. I've not gained it back. Use it as a tool - not long term, to help/motivate you while you change your eating (lifestyle) habits.

[@jennyhill6760]

It would be helpful if you could please do a video on how to count calories of whole foods ‘without’ using an app or books. I would really like to know how to use a kitchen scale and mathematics to calculate the calories of ‘any’ non-packaged whole food. Non-packaged meaning there are no nutritional labels providing calories per serving…etc. Love the videos! 👍🏻 Please keep the information coming! 😊

[@allthingsconsideredaa]

Well, you would have to know how many calories are in a certain amount of the food you're going to eat. Unless you can personally do the science experiment where you blow up food and fecal matter to find out the calories in food.

[@calisongbird]

Apps and calorie counting books have the nutritional info for non-packaged whole foods too.

[@kbatchelor27]

OPTAVIA is more than just a diet. People who go into it like a diet won't keep the weight off. It's about creating healthy habits. The processed food is just a tool to get you to a healthy weight as quickly as possible and then you transition off of it. I've lost 145 lbs. and maintained it for over two years so far. I not only got physically healthy, but have become more healthy mentally as well. It may not be for everyone, but it's definitely worth looking in to.

[@DrChristopherMueller]

These fitness instructors and their 2 month certifications are just mad that there is a tool far more effective at fat loss and a beautiful transition plan to a healthy sustainable life. You do you. - Dr. Mueller

[@carastone3473]

Shakeology is not an MLM. It’s one product of the Beachbody company, which IS an MLM business. I used to be a BB ‘coach,’ but I HATED the fact that the ‘coaches’ are really just sales people. Many, like me, are actually fitness professionals, but the company doesn’t require ‘coaches’ to have ANY fitness or nutrition experience or knowledge. While I love many of the BB fitness programs and I do still drink Shakeology every day, that always bothered me. It was often the blind leading the blind. I dropped coaching for that reason.

[@lealeawalker1820]

Exactly!! You are more knowledgeable than Jillian. Well done on cutting your ties with another predatory MLM company.

[@dixiech1ck]

Shakeology absolutely is an MLM. It's the product you are pushed into purchasing constantly month after month so that the "coach" makes money for their upline.

[@fahfahfred]

I guess it's technically possible that some MLM's are not terrible but more often than not they're pretty exploitative right? Good for the early adopters, totally unsustainable for those who come later.

[@calisongbird]

Yep, exactly. They’re very exploitive. I’m anti-MLM just on principle.

[@juliedearien7951]

@@calisongbird There are always those who take advantage of their sales agents as well as their clients...in EVERY business realm. This company wants to get the world healthy. Yes, they pay their agents well, but they also provide a superior product and program, and have made thousands their healthiest they've ever been,..folks who had all but lost hope. It's life changing... You might want to try it before you just write it off...

[@christieleigh7728]

Jillian is always real. ❤ Her. I appreciate the review.

[@aishaludmilla]

What is your thought on hunger suppression tablets?

[@samanthakelly1166]

So would you say the Optavis food is non- nutritional and highly processed?

[@calisongbird]

She said that at the very beginning of the video.

[@suzyq5629]

EXTREMELY So

[@eddyalvarenga]

Yes, if it does not come directly from a plant or animal is processed. Like everything you buy at the grocery store not in the produce, dairy and meat session. McDonalds, Kraft, Kelloggs, Hersheys, alcohol, etc. If you are concerned with it, move to a farm otherwise don't act surprised.

[@olive872]

@@eddyalvarengawhy are you assuming everyone buys the processed junk at the grocery store?? Most people actually cook their meals. You dont have to live on a farm to buy meat and produce and make actual meals. Just because you live off junk food doesn’t mean everyone else does

[@lorrainezalewski9793]

Hi, I just came across your KZbin channel. I have dug myself into such a hole I don't know how to get out. I have a really hard time limiting my intake. I crave sugar all day long. I have seditary work from home job. Exercise is hard as I have osteoarthritis in my knees and hips and degenerative changes in my back and neck . I am getting close to 300 pounds (283 as of this morning) . I am going through menopause and I suffer from type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety and am on tons of medication. Is it too late for me? I am so overwhelmed I wouldn't know where to start. I could really use some advice. Lorraine.

[@calisongbird]

Hi Lorraine - are you working with a doctor on all of this? I relate to some of it (like menopause, anxiety/depression, and overweight). I’ve lost 26 lbs and have about 40-45 lbs to go. If you’re willing to leave an email address or Facebook page link here, I’d be happy to chat and offer support.

[@whitneykell]

Aww huni sending so many prayers 🙏 I offer free coach consults 🙏

[@daronmarkley826]

Jillian I’ve never heard of this so thanks so much for explaining what it’s all about now with that being said peace ☮️ love ❤️ and happiness to you Jillian and your wife and I’ll see you on the next Jillian Michaels positive video also I love ❤️ all your rocker shirts because I’m also a metal head and I loved your Overkill shirt I have a lot of their albums well thanks again for a new learning experience peace ☮️ out ✌️

[@jeanettemccay]

I prefer Whole Foods over shakes I do like smoothies sometimes though

[@YahushaismyKing]

I’ve done Optavia. I lost 30 lbs. fast and looked great…However, it is not sustainable. The food was 💩 and there was carrageenan in many of the bars. I knew better…I love Shakeology for the yummy factor. Thank you for this video.

[@DrChristopherMueller]

Its not supposed to be sustainable genius

[@martindeleon9863]

I had started OPTAVIA just to get their program locked in for myself because i saw my friends having AMAZING results. I canceled my subscription and bought my own “fuelings” and food and spent hundreds of dollars less than what they charge. It’s all about consistency and the will to deny yourself and learn that food is fuel. Put food in, get good out.

[@robertrose3068]

It was formerly Medifsst

[@Annie261.]

KETO KETO KETO!!!

[@susangrimshaw8346]

Sure there are a lot of fat diets out there that make money and don’t help you lose weight but in your car mat you said Weight Watchers they actually use real food it’s a point system mind you But they do usually have food there the only other one I would go to lose weight

[@BodynSoul2]

No caption in your video.

[@calisongbird]

Yes, there are. You have to go the settings (gear wheel icon) and enable them. They’re there.

[@california3716]

Optivia tastes absolutely aweful I braved myself thinking how bad can it be …. horrible absolutely horrible I have no idea how so many people stomach it?

[@stephawesome2128]

Hilarious that she 1, made a lot of money through weight loss. 2. Put people on extremely low calorie and unsustainable diets on television 3. I'm sure there's more here but I don't really want to waste my time thinking about it. I'll bet these people on OPTAVIA are eating more calories per day than the people on her unsustainable plan on the biggest loser. But that's different because we are a culture of being derisive of anything anyone else does. But when we do it, we trust ourselves to be rational and logical, so it's okay. But we expect everyone else to be ridiculous and idiotic. That's how things run socially. That's the basis of political discourse. No one can discuss rationally. We have to horriblize, demonize. Oh, then we have people join our camp. And the people in our camp of thought, deride what other people believe if it differs from the group think.

[@joannepiduch2936]

You know all about the good and bad why did you give a stimulant to your team on the Biggest Loser ? Just wondering

[@Aj.breaking.barriers.fitness]

Jillian, it's disappointing that you didn't take more time to dive into learning about how destructive this program is. Yes, you're right in that there is nothing special about this program and it's simply about calorie manipulation. However, this company is gaining steam because they are selling the "effortless" approach. It's our job as fitness professionals to educate people on how dangerous a diet that pushes a 800-1000 calories a day is. Not to mention the fact they don't recommend exercise because they know their recommendations are so low. There is nothing "healthy" or "sustainable" about this. You have such a presence and platform to stop the spread of this terrible company by letting people know the truth. I hope you take the time to do so.

[@suzyq5629]

Ashley I was on this program for3 weeks, lost 12.6 lbs. My liver enzymes jumped from 40 to 80 in one month;I’m also a BCSurvivor and nobody told me the protein they use is SOY (very BAD for BC ) I was never told about the Soy being #1 ingredient in each fueling,found out later when they sent me something you could show to your Dr about their program that there is absolutely NO MENTION of SOY anywhere on the disclosure. I have a copy. So I’m glad my Dr was looking out for me. I was not at all impressed with the Couching either,I felt I was bothering them w my questions and I got automated texts at the beginning of each week. Women need to know about the SOY ISSUE, because the Coaches do NOT talk about it. The fact too that it’s a Canadian Company is a HUGE red flag. My Dr called last week and said STOP THIS PROGRAM IMMEDIATELY

[@valbrenneman9071]

@@suzyq5629 Its listed in ingrediants. I looked those up 5 years ago.

[@whitneykell]

Ashley I respect all opinions I have been a coach with optavia in my 30’s 40’s and now my 50’s. What I respect is they don’t try and be all things they stay in their lane with an excellent program that burns fat and a coach for accountability 🎉 I love this program it has healed my addictions and given me a life and body I couldn’t have imagined! 20+ years and counting daily use

[@Lailer10]

Yes, optavia is awful for your body. Just because you're skinnier (from the severe calorie restrictions), doesn't mean you're healthier. Also, any program that discourages exercise because of the low calorie counts, RUN FAST. Not only is that a ticket to "skinny fat", but your body, especially as you age, benefits TREMENDOUSLY from weight resistance training. It helps prevent bone and muscle loss, makes bones stronger, helps posture, increases muscular strength and endurance, help blood pressure. I guarantee if there was a long study that followed a group of woman who maintained physical health with macros and weight training and a group of woman who followed Optavia, the Optavia group would turn out to be frail old woman while the other group would be much stronger into the elderly years.

[@jenniferr4326]

@@Lailer10 I have been on optavia for almost a year and it has been great. Some people like me need to lose weight but are unable to exercise to do it. I have been in a wheelchair for 40 years and have attempted other diets that did not help me at all because i was not able to exercise to go along with the diet. Please tell me what type of exercise you would have me do?????? My body below my arm pits does not work at all and it was getting harder and harder to move myself with the weight gain. Optavia has allowed to to not only lose weight, i feel better than i have in year, I can move around so easy now and i just feel better about myself in general. Some people may have a problem or reaction to optavia but that happens with anything in life. . My blood work now is better than it has been in years. You have a right to your opinion but just because you can lose weight by other means doesn't mean that everyone can and you trying to discourage people from doing what they can to help themselves shows that you really don't care about what others are going through.

[@ameywright1692]

U Did it !

[@mitzicurtiscarlin6058]

Seems like you didn’t do your homework on the whole program. The Optavia program- pronounced OP - ta- vee - ah which means optimal living - is not a diet; rather a mindset and behavior change, personal development program. The Fuelings are a tool in the whole system and are not meant to be a forever solution. Whole food is the way to go for life, and the education takes people through a step-by-step process to develop sustainable habits that lead to lasting change. The solution is changing from the inside-out, and there is an acclaimed educational system for clients to worth through with the guidance off a coach. As for being the same as the other companies, that’s not true either. Coaches pay to get trained and he coaches. There are no discount incentives. Do your homework before showing up with an “expert” opinion.

[@StatusVideoes]

Hello

[@jeromebauer3973]

She likes Janes Addiction? Very cool!

[@pandanotorious]

Your reasoning does not compute w me

[@karahamil3657]

All of their food is soy ..... that’s inflammatory

[@suzyq5629]

And horrible to consume if you are a BC Survivor

[@lisakit1]

I was on Optavia for a month, it made me so sick. So much soy and diuretic in their food. Food is nasty and VERY expensive.

[@abhijitbaner]

I feel sorry for Jillian Michaels; with keto & all these diets her business of fart your butt out is failing

[@ameywright1692]

U had ur products out there sellin it too remember!! So please be quiet!!

[@minenachos]

IDC about mlm's but as an average guy you looking sexy and I'll watch because of that reason right there.

[@juliehoffman841]

Incredibly disappointing that you didn’t do your homework for this review. 800-1000 calories a day is starvation and malnutrition. Become a “Health Coach” with no training whatsoever, only to get cheaper, packaged 100 calorie fuelings. MLM is gross enough but MLM regarding what you put into your body every day? Criminal. I had two clients on this disgraceful diet and they both lost their hair and eyelashes after being on the program for about six months. Health coach advice on this topic?…… add an ounce of additional greens to your lean and green meal. How about consult a real doctor that you have bald patches all over your head and no more eyelashes? I think a great Optavia video would be a “Where are they now?” Curious how many people would be willing to post a pic two years after doing this starvation diet….I’d bet not many. Food is medicine. Whole food is better medicine. Rapid weight loss diets are dangerous and not the solution.

[@jenniferr4326]

I have been on optavia for almost a year and it has been great. Some people like me need to lose weight but are unable to exercise to do it. I have been in a wheelchair for 40 years and have attempted other diets that did not help me at all because i was not able to exercise to go along with the diet. My body below my arm pits does not work at all and it was getting harder and harder to move myself with the weight gain. Optavia has allowed to to not only lose weight, i feel better than i have in year, I can move around so easy now and i just feel better about myself in general. Some people may have a problem or reaction to optavia but that happens with anything in life. Some people are allergic to certain medications or food that doesn't mean that no one else should be able to have access to it. I had consulted a real doctor about weight loss and his advice was to stop eating as much well that is fine but i tried it and it didn't work. My blood work now is better than it has been in years. You have a right to your opinion but just because you can lose weight by other means doesn't mean that everyone can and you trying to discourage people from doing what they can to help themselves shows that you really don't care about what others are going through.

[@me-cx8jj]

You have NO idea what you are talking about. Get your facts before you speak. You just lost a fan of yours!

[@dixiech1ck]

I developed an eating disorder because of Medifast which is Optavia.