Confronting Jillian Michaels on ‘The Biggest Loser’ & Her Fat Loss Strategies

[@hannahcurlee9497]

I was one of Jillian’s contestants on the show and I learned so much and continued my education on health after the show. My life changed in so many amazing ways. We were all adults and made our own decisions to take or not take advice from trainers/producers. I truly believe my experience saved my life and I have been able to stay healthy for 13 years! I am not a victim nor do I EVER place blame on the show for my own actions as an adult. Jillian is brilliant and treated us with kindness. Her and Bob helped me regain control of my life and my emotions. 💜

[@CassieArapakis]

Biggest loser was inspiring. I loved that Jillian pushed her team to their limits. She brought out the fight in people. You need that fight if you want to be successful. So jealous you got to be a part of the coolest show on tv.❤💪

[@titaniummaster1532]

That’s very memorable, thanks for sharing 😀keep up the great work and NEVER stop pushing ahead!

[@MathGPT]

I miss when opinions like this were validated by the public. Congrats on your journey!

[@donnapeterson1945]

I'm glad Jillian pushed people. I cannot stand the self loathing of people when it comes to weight. I've been there, one day I saw a picture of myself after having my kids and said this is bullshit.... took 9 months to lose the weight. Never looked back. This was over 25 years ago. I needed to see myself and think No, this not only doesn't look good, this isn't good for my health.

[@bluewaters3100]

Thanks for telling your experience. I am glad you are doing well still.

[@WhiteCleats]

Thomas you're a very good interviewer. You don't interrupt, talk under people, or finish their sentences. You just let them express themselves and their ideas. Excellent work!

[@steelergyrl12]

He's come a long way. You should see his previous interview with Dr Gabrielle Lyon. It wasn't exactly pleasant to watch. So he's gotten much better.

[@WhiteCleats]

@@steelergyrl12 That's even more impressive. Change is hard so kudos to him.

[@ElizabethSwartz-t9o]

I agree!

[@igortanaskovic2749]

Agreed

[@jimmyhenson2167]

Just like JDV.

[@judikatimar3366]

I would like to say that 22 years ago I was a mom of 5 and over 200lbs. I was 30 and depressed. After I watched the show, I learned so much from Jillian and understanding the BMR. I lost 80lbs and 20 years later I am still 120lbs I even had my 6th child at 42 years old and didn’t gain weight. So I am very grateful for the work she did on the show. I am in the 5% the lose weight and keep it off. I also work in fitness and I am the head coach at a gym. Thank you Thomas and Jillian ❤

[@stephE80]

Way to go! You are amazing ❤

[@jimmyhenson2167]

Good.

[@recreatingkaren]

I've never been a big JM fan, but I really enjoyed this interview and a lot of what she had to say. It's nice to see that she's human and has so many emotions on peoples' health. ❤️

[@jimmyhenson2167]

She rides horses. 🐎. Bueno.

[@michaellacross5266]

When she pointed to exercise as being the key ingredient to weight loss and calling your diet as the part of the equation that keeps you in neutral, I must say my experience was the opposite. My experience (results) give the diet elements more importance. And when I speak of diet elements I'm speaking of 1) the amount of calories, 2) the kind of calories, and 3) when I consumed those calories. Exercise, albeit very important for ones health, didn't play into my weight loss journey, or not as much as I thought it would (maybe 10% credit). 90% of my weight loss came from structuring my diet, my sleep, and limiting my stress.

[@refusalspam]

The goal for them and for you were different. These people needed to have caloric deficits in the thousands of calories per day to compete. You can only cut so many calories consumed until your body fights back. The rest needs to come from physical activity. I think it was smart to make the most of that come from zone 2 cardio to maximize the calories burned per accumulated stress to the CNS. You however are probably looking to cut 500 cals per day which translates to a very sustainable 1 lbs of fat loss per week that can be done with the methods you mentioned.

[@MindYourOwn777]

Everyone's body chemistry is different for various reasons. There is no one size fits all way to lose weight. You found what works for you.

[@unou12die]

Just think of the difference a good exorcizing routine may have made if you did it. May have improved all your vectors. Walking a mile a day is maybe 20-25 min that's 140min of pretty light work a week.

[@CindysSuccess]

Agree!!

[@calista1280]

Since I have a chronic pain condition due to an accident I can no longer do the weight lifting, calisthenics and aerobic exercise. So, I too looked to diet to control weight and by going Keto & seeing some results I was encouraged that I could have control over my body again! Once I read NO Grain, No Pain by Dr Peter Osborne and went mostly Carnivore by removing the GLUTEN that was causing most of the inflammation & my pain, I saw dramatic results! I was able to reduce the pain meds, and my brain fog cleared, and my energy surged! I feel so much younger & better now! 😂🎉

[@marksachse9027]

I worked with Jillian at a restaurant in L.A. called Chit Chat, she was a bartender and I was a manager. She always had a no bullshit, confidence about her, I can see where that came off as arrogance but that's not the case. She always worked her ass off and got the job done. Ah I miss the 90's hahaha

[@idonttan]

Give us the gossip! Haha! I bet all the ladies were hitting on her when she was bartending!

[@jimmyhenson2167]

Good.

[@bradparker579]

I find it interesting how she said “you can’t starve the weight off” Then says 800 calories diet was what she gave them….. what does she consider “starving weight off”?

[@oolala53]

Although for people with early diagnosis of diabetes, a temporary diet of 800 calories led many to reverse diabetes and a third maintained enough loss to stay that way. But for the average person, it's better to make much smaller deficits over years.

[@jimmyhenson2167]

98 percent is what you put in their mouth !! Good. Bueno. Texas. United.

[@8466ross]

I watch past shows every day at the gym!!!! Believe it or not I am very inspired by the show and proud of everyone on the show and their hard work! I have lost 50 plus pounds and I know watching past shows has helped!!!!

[@swim610]

Good idea!

[@stephE80]

Way to go! 🎉Keep it up! 💪

[@jimmyhenson2167]

Bueno. United.

[@functionalaestheticse.c.8953]

"If I can do this, what else can I do?!" GOLD. What I have learned is NO ONE wants to be mediocre. They just don't believe they can. Help them by helping them believe in themselves.

[@Turtleface869]

I had an epiphany in my introspection. When I repeat addictive patterns the signal moves from my stomach to my thyroid and then the brain feels drained and the impulse then occurs. I was meditating one day and I got agitated before I realized the feeling of letting go. I was agitated because a young mother at the pool was more interested in getting noticed in her bikini than paying attention to her nagging kid. I realized most human behavior is helpless against our impulses without self knowledge but particularly the amount of emotional weight I unknowingly carry from witnessing the world. Her helplessness to her self esteem issues were no different than the agitation I was carrying. I felt this intense wave of compassion by admitting to myself we are helpless without a higher power. What I realized was the power of letting go. It took the impulse reaction to my environment away and put me in my frontal lobe. It’s not magic. Because the brain gut control struggles for control. Each time consciously recognizing we are helpless to it puts us back in our frontal lobe. Long story short this same pattern will stop the brain drain for a few minutes when we struggle not to have another drink, sweet, cigarette, energy drink etc etc. If we try and will it away it gets stronger but if we admit we are helpless against our impulses we get control. The very thing that makes a resilient person fierce is what creates a downward spiral when we break our regimen and expose ourselves to addiction risk. The will cannot solve food or drug addiction because when we feel helpless when we just say this to ourselves the gut brain calms down and the brain drain stops for a moment the polarity reverses and now the head has control effortlessly. It’s the last muscle that needs to be developed to end all negative patterns which is to have control in the mind we must let go of our desire to control our destiny and act in the moment with reason and to accept what cannot be changed. It’s my perspective not proven by science. Sure it’s the serenity prayer in action but it does not work when you say it and wait for God itself. Amen means and so it will be. We do not live in a world with an on demand servant god ready to be summoned. That being said the way I figured it out is peculiar as if it were meant by creation. If we are upset with others or craving something bad for us or urgently need to do something but feel exhausted admitting we are helpless against our own selves returns the control.

[@Turtleface869]

One last thing. Trial by fire rebuilds is still useful to retrain the confidence and determination but I find the last stage of radical change is acceptance of our true nature.

[@nunninkav]

Jillian's point that extreme Obesity is often a symptom of mental illness is probably her most strongest point.

[@MathGPT]

It’s not unlike drug addiction, but we pretend it isnt

[@sonja4164]

Exactly ​@@MathGPT

[@annaku_wantsyouuuuuuuu]

it is most likely severe depression. - eating tasty food gives a short happiness boost, and so they constantly eat to avoid the sadness in their hearts.

[@oolala53]

I disagree. Some bodies have been obese for thousands of years. It was when I stopped believing I overate only for emotional reasons that I made progress. Besides, eating for emotional reasons is not a mental illness. Everyone does it to some degree. Some people's susceptibility may be higher.

[@oolala53]

@@MathGPT drug addiction is not a mental illness. For most, it is a hijacking of natural brain tendencies and a misguided choice to alter conditions. Most people who stop drugs do it by deeply realizing that their addicted lifestyle does not fit with how they really want to live. See work of Gene M. Heyman and Jeffrey A. Schaler, and the more effective strategy of harm reduction therapy.

[@juliamonteiro7466]

Great episode! Interesting to hear her perspective and what her thought process was during the show. Been wanting to hear from her for ages since watching the biggest loser when I was younger and now being a qualified nutritionist. It’s so important to be willing to listening without judgement. It’s a shame a lot of people don’t step outside their judgement to do the same.

[@jaywellington6504]

Sometimes telling someone they are fat will inspire them to lose weight. However, more often than not it will only drive them to go eat something AND on top of it make them feel worse about themselves, doing more harm than good and negating any positive results. *Think about what you want to say before you decide to share your opinion.

[@XmeimeisworldX]

Right okay and that’s still the person killing themselves with food instead of seeing the fact that they need another outlet

[@jaywellington6504]

@@XmeimeisworldX You're so full of fecal matter.. You didn't know her. You're an expert. lol GO away Karen.

[@stephE80]

​@@XmeimeisworldXyes, they need another outlet....but the bottom line is name calling and bullying isn't going to help someone in the moment of their addiction (whether they are killing themselves with food, alcohol, drugs or any other substance). Humans are social creatures and often live by habit, people want and deserve to be heard and respected no matter their size or their poison.

[@JayeWeighsIn]

This is a FANTASTIC episode and interview! Weight loss is a trial and error process for EVERYONE. And EVERYONE makes mistakes! She has learned a lot, and people need to be as compassionate and open as you have been in this episode. Mad respect to you and new respect for Jillian! 💖

[@eldenjr]

My wife and I watched the show for years. Although I understood it was a game, I always disliked the fact that someone would be sent home every week. I believe Jillian's heart was in the correct place. I commend her on speaking out about the flaws of the show and what she was part of in it. Always enjoyed her as a trainer.

[@MsJustice4ever]

She was and is a nasty hostile woman who just played a role for clout. There was never any need for her hostile behaviour and no it didn’t benefit the contestants.

[@stephE80]

​@@MsJustice4everalthough, as someone who grew up in the 80s and 90s, things have changed a lot since then. There was no anti bullying, even childhood best friends would tell it straight up and honest and also clown each other so much. It was a different time, and one of the reasons The Biggest Loser blew up back then was because of her no nonsense honest shit talk and work hard as f*ck mentality. I'm not saying it was right, it was just different.

[@lisanyminute6613]

@@MsJustice4everin your opinion. If you actually read interviews with her former contestants , their opinions are quite the opposite. She was playing a character on the show. They had her be the mean one and Bob the nice one. I met her and she was anything but mean. Her former contestants were there who many have stayed close to her.

[@jimmyhenson2167]

Life’s no fair buddy. Get it on. Bueno. Texas. United.

[@jimmyhenson2167]

@@MsJustice4evergo back to California Karen Ms. Kravitz !!

[@meredithstandridge6503]

I personally really like the Jillian interviews. I find her to be very motivational. She's right about her years of experience and is giving us legit advice on how to manage weight that cuts through the noise of so many other diet and fitness influencers. I think she gets a lot of hate because no one wants to hear the reality of what it takes.

[@lisanyminute6613]

She is a strong well spoken woman and unfortunately other women don’t like that

[@msgtwarmonger3603]

To people (like me) watching the show who knew nothing about losing weight, knew right away she didn’t know what she was talking about at the time. I truly hope she has learned correct methods that no longer harm her clients

[@jaywellington6504]

She is so strong-willed, I kind of doubt if she takes much time to research ideas against her beliefs.

[@JayeWeighsIn]

The interview proves that she did learn!

[@jaywellington6504]

@@JayeWeighsIn hahaha.... for how long THIS time.

[@msgtwarmonger3603]

@@JayeWeighsIn no, the video proves she knows what to “say” to make people think she’s learned. Only different behaviors and actions “prove” her beliefs have changed

[@frankdestra6576]

She must have known something .I think her team won every year

[@stephenh.4476]

It's all exercise? Keto with no exercise has entered the weight loss chat...

[@klein8777]

That is so dumb. Weight loss is like 80% diet and 20% exercise. You can easily out eat a bad diet and exercise just makes you hungrier. If you don’t fix your food choices first you will not lose weight effectively. All that does is promote exercise bulimia

[@2dat115]

A man better be getting it in weekly

[@sandrabassett9923]

I think it's 90% diet personally especially with women, sure exercise is important to build lean mass

[@mitsim]

Right? Then how did I lose half of my `130 pound loss without exercising and with only keto. I was too big to exercise then. Once I started exercising it didn't speed up my weight loss either. Oh, and I never counted calories. Not once. The type of calories you are eating is just as important.

[@LISA75_]

@@mitsim same here I lost 80lbs on Atkins diet in under a year never exercised as I have back and ankle issues , I went low-carb after that lost another 26lbs kept the weight of for 9 years , and then covid hit , and I needed another ankle operation and was a little depressed so put on 20lbs ,and now have been stuck at this weight, would like to get the 20lbs I put on though covid off , just cant find the motivation .

[@saramcroberts]

Saying exercise is more important than diet? Highly debatable

[@edmundlucido528]

The exercise will help you grow muscle (weight resistance) and speed up metabolism (combine it with cardio). Yet you will still need a calorie deficit and good macros. 😊

[@martindesjardins4282]

It depends on your objective. Research demonstrate that people who exercise frequently but have a bad diet do outlive people that eat well but do not exercise at all. For sure the best is to exercise daily and eat well :)

[@oolala53]

For weight loss, i'd say it's hardly a debate. Diet is much more important, but exercise is important for body composition and for general health. I lost 40 lbs and maintained the weight without exercise but have shifted t higher body fat without exercise in the last 12 years. Whittle away from both sides!

[@bolts59422]

she also said she had guys burning 8,500cal a day. They say you can't out run a bad diet, but I think I would have trouble eating enough to not lose weight.

[@stephE80]

But she's not talking about having a crap diet and exercising like crazy. Of course u can't outrun a bad diet and diet is at least 80% but exercise is incredibly important for muscle gains and maintenance. Jillian here is saying the importance of optimal nutrition (she stressed lots of whole grains and veggies, "whole" foods) but instead of cutting calories then use exercise to bring on the calorie deficit (with a good diet but not hungry!)

[@Christina-yu3gu]

I was never overweight, but I did all those things the mass trainers said low cal, exercise a ton, workout till you drop. It wasn’t just her, there were so many trainers I knew in LA same deal. Now there’s a ton of fitness influencers wit ideas to Fast 72 hours, cold plunge, sauna, no meat, all meat, veggies are killing you! Lol 😂

[@jimmyhenson2167]

Good.

[@sherridevries9144]

Used to love that show back in the day 🎉😂 I'd make my snacks and watch 😂

[@MindYourOwn777]

😂

[@livingheroesfoundation4551]

😀

[@djwang06]

And that's all it was popcorn entertainment 😂

[@laurensargent9471]

“I know everything” attitude is the problem.

[@CreamyJalapeno]

Exactly. She runs her mouth about things she knows nothing about. People with obesity should get advice from obesity specialist physicians. Her opinions are trash.

[@stephE80]

Right. She does have a ton of experience and knowledge but we don't all know everything, no matter what there's always new technology and science. I believe people seek advice and listen more to professionals who are open minded and continue their education, being humble goes further than a big ego (imho)

[@gojakeog]

Anyone who says I know everything down to singular calories is stupid counting calories works but it's not possible to be that accurate down to a single calorie in real life

[@StephieFaith]

@@CreamyJalapenoI stopped watching when she said exercise is more important than diet. You can exercise all day but if your diet is crap your health will be too. Also the fact that she was 17 when she lost weight doesn’t make her a weight loss expert. Hell a growth spurt can foster that! yeah I did too and it was a hell of a lot easier than when I was in my 20s or 30s.

[@thebeautystarlet]

I started watching this show at 15 with my family. We were all overweight and obsessed with the transformations. 20 years later I’m still trying to untangle what I learned from that show. Over the years, I replicated so many of the unhealthy things that happened on that show. The over exercising, the undereating, all of it. And I used to spiral when I didn’t lose 10 pounds in my first week and quit and then would go back and try again. We didn’t know anything about health and that was my first impression of weight loss. Lots of harm here.

[@ronburgandy7571]

It was the worst weight loss show in history for sustainability of weight loss. I wish more people realized that.

[@sunnygirl9691]

This makes no sense. There are tens of thousands of resources for healthy weight loss. Why blame one ridiculously executed tv show for your fixation on unhealthy methods??

[@missiris1234]

I think the show was really meant for entertainment purposes only. Unfortunately many took it seriously

[@jennybelle09]

​@@missiris1234there was a biggest loser weight loss book and plan. It was branded to be something that viewers could replicate at home, and that just wasn't healthy or effective.

[@stephE80]

​@@sunnygirl9691in the 90s internet was just coming out as dial up, it was slow and Google didn't exist. Information was not so widely accessible back then, and even with Internet the beginning years were mainly chatrooms (if people could even afford to get a computer and dial up)

[@JeraHenderson12]

She said so much after that first question... What was the question again?

[@MissySymone]

I had to go back to the beginning of the video to remind myself of what the question was.

[@virginias98]

She was asked what she has learned about obesity since BL

[@pauls1ngh]

The fact that no one died on that show is WILD. Hopefully Jillian can recognise that & be a bit more grateful & humble. She can make amends & complete her own redemption arc. Either way, I admire her fire & knowledge and wish her all the best. I love the grace you showed towards her Thomas. You may not have like it, but you did it. And I will always admire you for it ❤👏👏👏

[@isabeaumiller3]

One of her former contestants here. There were injuries. So. Many. Injuries. There were so many injustices done against our bodies and spirits. This made me shudder, even 17 years later, and these quarter-truths pale in comparison to what we all lived through.

[@renee2009]

Thank you for speaking up. It appalls me that she just gets to reinvent herself while the people she hurt and victim blamed and left in her wake have to suffer in silence.

[@stefaniesavoie]

I remember you. I thought you loved her. I’m interested to know more about your experience with her.

[@KODoc482]

The fact is she did all she could publicly to slam the keto diet as unhealthy. I believe it was probably because the effect it could potentially have on her own income sources. So how many people did she persuade that believed her and never even tried it?

[@AmbiCahira]

I stopped watching because there were so many injuries. It was obvious that they made it the hook of the episode when there was an injury and I couldn't stand it.

[@amys.6673]

@isabeaumiller3 I also remember you! I hope you are doing well now.

[@donnapeterson1945]

This was a great interview. I see some comments on how hard it was to listen to Jillian. She's always been a tough cookie, this is nothing new. She says it like it is and sometimes it comes off as being obnoxious or narcissistic. But I'm so glad you listened and didn't interrupt her. She was explaining how hard it was working on the show and trying to help the contestants and how it wasn't the right environment for them. It did not give them the right tools during or after they left the show, not at all. She and Bob didn't know what they were doing at the time and she admitted this. She and everyone else are still learning. She even tried keto and that didn't work for her either. For some, if it works, great but it's not for everyone. She stated Whole Foods - this is what works for me. Nothing fancy. I don't exercise like crazy. I walk a lot, drink a lot of water. Limit dairy and carbs - only good carbs like oatmeal, brown rice, things like this. Once a week my husband and I treat ourselves to something junkie but that's it. Meaning one thing small, like a small ice cream cone. Or a small portion of chinese, not a whole day of eating!! We are back to our wedding weight and it's been awesome - we're in our late 50's. We also do dumbbell work outs 3-4 times a week, nothing crazy, a 30 minute work out from KZbin. I've never been severely obese - but at once point I did need to lose about 45 pounds. To me that's a lot of weight. I will never get to that point again. Jillian, keep talking blunt. People need to hear it like it is.

[@katdesantis8867]

She is too smart and successful for some who aren't okay with themselves.😊 I like her wholistic approach to lifestyle changes

[@jameslester6785]

Thomas you did the interview perfectly but in all honesty, I found her very hard to listen to. She's obnoxious and arrogant. I will also say that if a person says they know it all, I walk away. If there is anything I've learned in the last 6 years of doing Keto it's that you can spend a lifetime studying nutrition and still not know everything.

[@sunnievictoria9917]

I felt the same way...she is beyond obnoxious and narcissistic.

[@lorrainestokes336]

she's being training for years. I would listen to her everyday at any time Knowledge is power

[@jameslester6785]

@@lorrainestokes336 Well, good for you.

[@jimmyhenson2167]

Ms. Karen Kravitz !! Huh 🤔. You’re from California ?? Go home.

[@jasonhurst8599]

Great interview! Love how she sums it up by saying, Yes you've had various issues, and circumstances, and whatever that were beyond your control, or not your fault that may or may not have contributed to you ORIGINALLY getting into the shape/position you were/are in; but you CANNOT use that as an excuse as to why You're STILL in that shape or position; or why you're not currently trying to make changes, or why you quit. Take responsibility for your actions and yourself. 👍👍.

[@raybearden9594]

Wow! Great interview. I never really watched the show, but it is legendary. Jillian Michaels, I love the way you own it, both positive and negative. That experience has helped you help so many people. How many lives have you saved?

[@stephaniemarkham6872]

This podcast episode is everything to me!! The Biggest Loser was my favorite reality show of all time and I watched every single season. It's so interesting to see how much everything has changed and what we know now about sustainable weight loss.

[@alejandroleyva8606]

Same here. I really loved this show and tried not to miss an episode. When it was taken off the air I was real sad about that. I loved watching the weight loss transformations and I liked that they were strict and blunt with the contestants. Looking back I can see now where there were issues with the show. But still have good memories of watching

[@jmo33]

Thomas, you are so respectful and kind. I love they interviews content. Jillian, I find her to be very performative and loves to hear herself talk and you were kind enough to give her that space.

[@Vventure23]

Awww I've loved Jillian ever since Season 1 of the biggest loser. I love that she owns the good and the bad, and that she grows in knowledge but stays consistent in her message. We need more honest people like her in this world!!!!

[@colleenag1]

As someone who has overcome (sometimes still overcoming) obesity and morphed relationship with food..I agree with everything she says. Being ‘comfortably numb’, the points of diminishing returns, the power of food addiction and its ability to catch you when you’re down, the coffee runs, everything.. I’ve been thru it all! And like she said, the success is finding that right balance, the right mix of everything (including electrolytes, you won’t believe how big a role that plays) that will keep your body and mind happy.

[@renee2009]

She is not a weight loss “coach”, she is a weight loss bully. She has browbeaten her followers with wrong information and assured her followers that everyone else was wrong and she was right. She continually said that her way was the right way, and everyone else was wrong. Now the tide of information and her methods are now wildly unpopular she magically changes her mind and goes on a “changed my mind” tour. Not buying it. She’s just blowing with the wind, and she will come up with a new way where she is right, and everyone else is wrong, and she will again browbeat her followers with it. She has zero credibility.

[@djwang06]

Kind of typical for a for a fitness influencer no?

[@taylorlib]

Great show!! Fantastic, passionate, knowledgeable, and empathetic Jillian Michaels. Learning and teaching with someone else's platform is incredibly difficult and she saw that ppl were setup to fail...that is real life. Trying to overcome so many barriers is difficult. Jillian identified key issues to unpack for sustainable success. Thomas many Thanks for a great interview! 💖

[@Malthizar]

If we're going to be completely honest, Jillian Michaels is the reason 'Biggest Loser' became the sensation that it was. She was (at the time) seen as a hot tomboy that was holding fat people accountable. After she came out as LGBT, interest in the show immediately died. The big issue with the show was that it was effectively crash dieting with early 2000s obstacle courses. There was no actual education on the importance of protein and how that's the #1 food you should be eating. Quite the opposite. People were eating Subway (ie. Yoga bread & sugar meat) which has virtually no protein and is pretty much all carbs and sugar

[@hannahcurlee9497]

Actually all we ate was protein and Whole Foods. Subway was a sponsor to show the importance of finding lower calorie options while eating out at home. We had it one time for a commercial. We ate literally 100% clean, organic and Whole Foods the entire 8 months. There was no sugar or processed food with the exception of unsweetened Greek Yogurt and sometimes hummus…Besides a lot of movement, that was the healthiest I had ever eaten and we worked with a nutritionist in the beginning to set up our macros/foods. We also ate 100% organic and GMO free.

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

Jillian Michaels also had another show where she visited morbidly obese people at home to help them lose weight, which showed a completely different side of her. The loud, "tough love" Tomboy was not present in this show and she was far more sensitive and compassionate, often trying to find root causes rather than the "faint puke or die" version of her we knew from the biggest loser. So here I have to agree that much of it was sensationalism, even for her.

[@jujutrini8412]

@@dannyllerenatv8635 That was the show I watched. I liked her in that show. I thought she was very effective.

[@yvettebennett6170]

Enjoyed this video. I appreciate Jillian Michaels much more now than before. The episode she talked about of the Biggest Loser regarding Rachael.....I stopped watching the show. The show did not promote good health. It was about lozing weight to win money. Money should not be the goal. Your health should be the goal, whatever that looks like to each person. Trauma is a huge part of it. I still stress eat to this day at times because life is so stressful now. It's learning to see your toxic patterns and behaviors and working through them, accepting them, and doing your best.

[@fayejordan175]

@@yvettebennett6170I thought Rachel looked great at the end!

[@rjg2394]

I have mixed feelings about this woman but Thomas thanks for airing this on your show.

[@KS-yp1jl]

Me too: I can't stand her and I dislike her at the same time 😂

[@Irislaurel]

She actually made a lot of sense by psychoanalyzing why someone becomes obese (trauma, abuse). Very compassionate of her. We are judging her too harshly here. Anyhow, great job interviewing her Thomas!

[@maryssaann]

As a personal trainer myself what she says is so true. I play with my macros and I’m my own experiment all of the time just for fun while I weight train for my main source of exercise. The macros don’t matter, I only dip in body fat when I intermittent fast to cut calories. It’s easy - but it’s hard to execute. Unless you’re disciplined enough, it’s the follow through that gets people every time. And sticking to the lifestyle change.

[@unowen7416]

Great interview, Thomas! Love, LOVE Jillian!

[@TheNunududu]

Completely unrelated but I can't seem to let it go... why does she have a place mat?

[@timthorne3721]

I read your comment; i agree, it is totally bizarre. Not able to concentrate on the video, as I fixate on the bloody place Matt!😂

[@Ketobbey]

Because she needed something to stop her hand impacting the wood directly. I think it was for safety

[@garage_geekz]

to protect the table from her constant banging lol

[@jjameslove8383]

Thank you for letting me know that I wasn't the only one irritatingly concerned with this.

[@annaa5549]

She has jewelry on her wrist and likes to bang on the table. The mat protects the wood table and silences the jewelry banging.

[@sebsun]

You mean she only now realizes how exploitative that show was, after she cashed their cheques? How brave of her

[@SomeGuy-xf9bc]

How could they have know that making 500 lb people do box jumps till failure was exploitive. ;)

[@sebsun]

@@SomeGuy-xf9bc Exactly! I'm a little disappointed that people like her have credibility in this space.

[@curtisalex456]

@@SomeGuy-xf9bc 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@dixztube]

Right

[@cindybraddock1222]

Yes he does. Money talks.

[@staffagirl]

Hannah, season 11 was exceptional especially your team. You all had each others backs. Yours and season 4 were my favourite seasons.

[@cristycodered]

Say what you want about JM, but this was an excellent interview. She was authentic, raw, real and honest. That’s refreshing in today’s world. You’re an excellent host, Thomas.

[@tonyokrongly3235]

This is the greatest discussion on REAL weight loss ever! I took notes. Thank you.

[@SDBR]

this is not a discussion. i'm 30 mins in and he's literally only asked 2 questions. this is a speech.

[@ashhopteach2939]

Thomas, you are an excellent listener and interviewer! Very empathetic and kind!

[@DonnaClements-l4m]

THAT WAS AWESOME. I have been 'following' Jillian since BEFORE "Biggest Loser" and I watched that show every single week. I love that gal. And I am SO glad that I just sat still and listened. That girl is a Encyclopedia Brittannica of information regarding weight loss and fitness and ..... Kudos to you for having her on your show. I am ALWAYS well rewarded for watching your channel. Thank you for all you do -- I LOVE when you go over the latest research papers, btw --- manifold blessings to you.

[@egl3369]

Ozempic users say its like a switch is flipped, and the "food noise" stops. How do you explain that?

[@LilCraftyNook]

It delays gastric emptying.

[@jennymccormick7346]

This was my favorite interview in a LONG TIME ❤

[@dennisb7930]

Great video thanks to you both eating starts in the mind get motivated people where ever your at YOU CAN DO IT!

[@cindykurneck]

The way she's explaining this, I'm surprised that more people didn't just outright die. This is CRAZY, and her arrogance is unbelievable And she still seems to think it's funny.

[@renee2009]

Arrogant is an accurate descriptor.

[@jenv6846]

The fact that she kept citing 800 calories plus greens, and still believes that’s adequate for women to lose weight. That’s not adequate, that’s anorexia!

[@sunnievictoria9917]

@@jenv6846 anorexia is indicated by an extremely low BMI.

[@philu3]

“I wouldn’t change a thing…” Great introspection right there 🙄

[@katiefinnegan4649]

Wow what an incredible interview. I was a Jill fan first. But I enjoyed this immensely thank you

[@titaniummaster1532]

Good stuff, I like her was researching and doing everything I could to be super fit. I started working out in a gym in 6th grade, started wrestling in 7th and had already been in gymnastics since 2nd grade….. For the last 40 plus years I’ve worked an extremely physically hard job and then gym after work religiously. I quit working out almost two years ago, worst thing I ever did😢 I’m moving in a month and I will train at the nicest gym I’ve ever seen at an Air Force base , life will be good again….

[@ltlwlwl5057]

I would like to see Jillian do the "Fit to Fat to Fit".

[@cindykurneck]

She is and was just a mean person. No amount of excuses makes that okay.

[@Mindfully.Alex.]

where is the CONFRONTATION??? 🤔

[@RavonRavon]

She is being honest and sharing her experience. I love it.

[@melodiephoenix]

I completely understand all the ethical issues about the show. The show and Jillian changed my life. I was never morbidly obese but I lost 90lbs many years ago. My weight has fluctuated but my life is better for it. I have maintained a more or less healthy weight after doing body revolution. I was lucky enough to than Jillian in person and she was so humble and kind. Jillian is the real deal.

[@sammynae1]

It’s amazing to me that she still hasn’t learned much! Why would she? She knows everything! Why would anyone who knows everything be motivated to learn? “You can’t starve the weight off.” I’m assuming she’s talking about fasting. Starving begins when there is no fat. “Calories in, calories out.” All calories are NOT created equal. I ate a low fat, high carb 1800 calorie diet and lost nothing. Also, I was always hungry. Insulin plays a huge role. Switched to a low-carb diet and began steadily losing. I’ve heard some of Thomas’ other videos. I know he doesn’t agree with her! But he was very disciplined in the face of arrogance. Bravo sir!

[@jessicar.8333]

Yeah, the carbohydrate-insulin model of obesity makes a lot more sense than "calories in, calories out." Not all calories affect your body the same way. Anyone who knows any smidgen of biochemistry knows insulin is the fat storage hormone.

[@brucepahl]

Absolutely

[@chriskozak7356]

Eat 1800 calories of lean meat, green veg and fresh fruit, Vs 1800 calories of ultra processed grain, dairy and flour, and the former will lose weight, the latter will keep it

[@QueenofArgyle2525]

She’s Right. Ultimately, there are NO shortcuts.

[@Ranshin077]

Fasting is the best shortcut 😊

[@AS-gz8oe]

A lil crack addiction and u will wonder how u ever managed to even swallow food. Plus you'll have motivation to get up and out the house like you wouldn't believe!😃

[@maryshi_]

I love Jillian Michaels, this is so cool to see you interviewing her!

[@sunnievictoria9917]

why? she is obnoxious

[@3cardmonty602]

She’s 100% incorrect. Every person is different. What worked for me might not work for others. What worked for me in losing 150lbs was taking my dogs for a short walk everyday, and eventually transitioning to Intermittent Fasting. I am 6 years into low carb/keto/carnivore. I switch between the 3 depending on what I want to eat on a daily basis. I went from 320lbs at 58 years of age - 5’11” - to 170lbs. It took 2 years. I’ve maintained it for another 4 years. And Jillian is wrong on a lot of things. I can’t believe people pay her. She is about not cheating. You can’t cheat. My cheat day is when I eat a baked sweet potato. That’s it. Eating whole foods is a HUGE part of it. Stop eating out. Stop trying to find the Keto Equivalent of some indulgent junk.

[@billmonday3532]

You are correct in your thinking. My remark has been 'We are the same in our differences'. The differences in ourselves requires different solutions. The same comes to each of us though the tools of a better life. You used the tools that worked for you. I used the tools that worked for me. My basic problem with Jillian Micheals is she pretents to have it all figured out. Yet admits she doesn't know the whole of it when it comes to the psychological part of a healthy life. She forces those she attends to accept her toolbox instead of teaching about the tool's in the box that can help the individual.

[@Turtleface869]

It used to confuse me when I cut calories I’ll lose weight fast. 10 pounds in 2 weeks. Then After 10 in a calorie deficit. I suddenly put on 3 to 8 pounds. You immediately feel defeated and often times you will give up here and say I’ll try another time until I had the realization. My body will pack on more water weight to prepare itself to burn off more body fat. So this time I rode it out and the burn kept going. My metabolism is burning hot. I had to break my calorie reduction yesterday and eat 2 cheesecakes an icecream bar etc etc still felt drained now 1000 calories over and I woke up and the weight was still burning off. It’s strange because when your metabolism starts speeding up your emotions start getting more intense. This is the drug of weight loss. Sometimes I wonder if I unconsciously destroy the better new normal so I can feel the ecstasy of the surge of emotions and intelligence and passion all over again.

[@JADELAC]

Cico is bullshit. Research fat cell count, termogenesis adaptation, neat decrease, etc…

[@FastJen39]

I love her!!! This is something I had to grow into and she really tries to get in your head for you cause the mind fucking lies!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@luisaalvarado9791]

HOW THE HELL ARE YOU A TRAINER AND NOT KNOW ABOUT ELECTROLYTE BALANCE?!

[@dawandagoodwin7393]

I preferred Jillian’s in your face method to the other coach soft method at the time knowing I would never let anyone talk to me like that. You can’t sugar coat the reality of what being overweight and unhealthy has done to our society. The most important thing is getting healthy because being thin does not equal healthy. Reality TV sucks

[@christinaortiz0531]

She only takes some responsibility, but it was the contestants choice to participate at the end of the day

[@SDBR]

they chose to participate under the false pretenses that they were working with experts. she admits herself that she didn't know what she was doing (before going on to say that she knows everything)

[@syedam.graham5735]

I hated Biggest Loser from the moment I saw it. It looked like a quick route to disordered eating & a high potential for injuries. The mental anguish of public weight in, I can't. I'm glad to hear there is a contestant who learned from the experience & feels they are living a healthier life. I'm truly happy for them.

[@bford3977]

What bothers me is that calories in/calories burned is not the formula for many. Your HAVE to take gut health and hormones into account.

[@graceforalways6445]

At 12:50. She still doesn't get it🤦🏾‍♀️

[@betterlivingonabudget]

Love both of you guys - so much inspiration from all that you share with us. I miss the BL show, and all of those contestants were beyond blessed for that opportunity. Rachel Fredrickson emaciating herself to win the $250k prize was an inevitable outcome because why would she not? I'd rather have seen her not get that last ten pounds off, but she really, really wanted the money. 💰💸💰 What would have been a smarter approach for the show's finale would have been assessing each contestants overall health at the beginning - biomarkers, BMI, yada, setting ultimate end-game goals for each of them (achievable within the timeframe), and offering a big prize to each of them for hitting all of those goals. I get the contest/elimination aspect that the producers plugged in, but in reality, often some of my favorite contestants got eliminated, it would have been more fun to have had 30-day culls - if the contestants didn't reach specific personal goals, they would get sent home. I liked the physical challenges - those were a fun part of the show. The temptations were counter-productive and should have been rethought.

[@hannahw2697]

Jillian changed my body. She is the trainer I trust the most.

[@OlgaBesedina]

I always loved Jillian and did her workouts! She’s amazing

[@MV-nn4yo]

love Jillian's passion and realness!

[@jennam2449]

After all this time she still doesn’t know what she is talking about. So many developments have been made towards health and weight loss since then and she doesn’t seem to have educated herself on them. It’s not calories in calories out. And it’s not mainly exercise. All the doctors say exercise is only 10% of it. It’s diet. And it’s about changing your lifestyle to eating healthy not counting calories. That’s how you keep the weight off. And it’s certainly not about shaming people.

[@chriskozak7356]

Correct. Excess carbs and sugar keep weight on. Eat meat, veg and little fruit and you'll be very healthy

[@0U812FU]

This is a great video Thomas.. I think she harbors some guilt but she did take the paycheck And no doubt it put her on the map even more..... 10 seasons no less.. She took that check.. I did see her expression regarding that girl. Rachel and you can tell though she was very shocked... I respect the fact that you're the type of person that just sits back and listen as you're not confrontational or call someone on the carpet as she definitely could have been here. would have liked to seen a few things asked of her ... Like has she stayed in contact with previous contestants as one?

[@thenoseplays2488]

This was one of the best conversations I have listened to in a long time. Thanks Thomas.

[@Tracykish517]

Dang, that was the Jillian show. She’s interesting but I prefer more of a back and forth conversation.

[@Donje1979]

It’s funny how her account. Doesn’t match any of the testimonies of the contestants she says she was advocating for.

[@kimberlyfaithmerker861]

Jillian if you read this... Respect your honesty here... Yoga meltdown dvd still in my laptop

[@robertthompson5501]

JM trying to stay relevant . What is her Schick now?

[@mitsim]

Thomas, I, like so many who have commented, commend you on your patience and listening to Jillian. However, I can't help but think that you were internally cringing at some of the things she was saying. Thank you for your kindness.

[@beninbryant455]

Jillian isn’t taking any responsibility for promoting an unhealthy approach to fitness. When she says “they ate 800 calories and didn’t lose any muscle” is a terribly lame justification for providing a lack of nutrition. If they didn’t lose any muscle mass it was because of their extreme obesity. They didn’t merely gain it back because of not solving their underlying mental health issues. Jillian and the other trainers failed to instill in them a healthy and sustainable relationship with fitness. Consistency is the most important above all else. DeLauer provided nearly no push back…

[@mjgrant1515]

i think his silence said a lot.

[@zalanahara270]

Great interview

[@agelessgains]

This is easily one of the best interviews when it comes to food and the Psychological part of habits caused by food.

[@toplaycool21]

My family and I use to watch The Biggest Loser and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. We had the 2000s naïveté when watching these programs obviously. But looking back, the methods on the biggest loser were not always the best. While I understand that Subway was a sponsor, why couldn’t Whole Foods sponsor? That store was already gaining momentum during that time. Most people knew Subway’s meats were fake.

[@MathGPT]

I strongly believe that the biggest loser could’ve been just fasting and getting massages all day, eating one meal every 24 hours, perhaps getting psychological counseling, they would have lost even more weight.

[@tanyalewis1393]

I love this interview

[@Joy80JJ]

Ugh..cannot stomach this person...such a phoney.

[@IcHamza]

This whole thing sounds like an indictment! she was a trainer who had no idea what she was doing? what in the bloody hell? They were toying with people.

[@petermurphy2106]

She did 10 years on the show. Didn’t she think to pull out before 10 years?? 💰💵💰

[@edenferriss768]

She profited from the damage done to those sick people.

[@chrismoser5586]

This lady has never had to lose 150lbs, Keto saved my life and it’s sustainable

[@d.wilbur5164]

I won't watch another video with her in it. She's offensive in so many ways and has harmed many people. Don't give her a platform.

[@AS-gz8oe]

She is abrasive. Honestly though, as someone whose watched his mum baloon year on year despite making all the right noises about wanting to lose weight, I think the seriousness of the message requires shock to permeate the pathology of the apathetic and addicted

[@mariamihaylova2645]

Can't stand her!

[@Misrising]

@d.wilbur5164 Great point, she's been unnecessarily combative as a trainer. Especially given the hormonal challenges that women face with their weight.

[@moonstrukk126]

​@@AS-gz8oe Naaah that just doesn't work long term. I think she's a narcissist who uses brutal honesty as an excuse to be mean. Thomas's body language and micro expressions say it all.

[@andrewfunston8271]

She admits that she made a mistake. She has taken ownership of what she did. More than I can say about others. Please tell me you walk on water. We as humans have learned from the mistakes on the show.

[@tiptapkey]

I think exercise is so important in weight loss both because it helps fight depression, and it keeps you motivated in that if you're going through all that physically, you don't want to ruin it with food. The pure science is behind calories in calories out, but personally I cannot lose weight without an exercise component because I lose motivation so much more easily when I'm not in the habit of moving each day. I think we underestimate the mental component behind these things sometimes (or overestimate in the case where doctors just assume no one will stick to a diet/exercise so they don't recommend it--I hate that too).

[@412foto]

kind of arrogant to say something like "I know how many calories is 1 calorie too much or 1 rep is too much". actually kind of laughable comment.

[@sandrabassett9923]

That's her for sure

[@TeamYouphoric]

You can attach every fitness device known to man to your body, and the greatest supercomputer in the world wouldn't be able to be accurate within a single calorie. Also, to calculate the calorie expenditure of a single step/rep, you would need to know the exact weight, stride length/distance moved, walking cadence/speed, and terrain of each individual step/rep. It's literally impossible for anyone to be that accurate.

[@KODoc482]

The fact is, it's not about calories (which is merely a unit of measurement); It's about hormones: The foods and the hormonal effect each food triggers, NOT the amount of calories in a particular food substance. A ribeye and a grape's calories cannot be compared ... They both can be measured, but the hormonal effect is completely different resulting in different effects on the body and accompanying health ... and yes, weight.

[@paintedpony2935]

Too little. Too late. She's proud to be a sadistic jerk! Thomas, you are way too kind and tolerant. There is no excuse for her abusive behavior.

[@justinwinn544]

I completely agree with you. I watched an episode of the biggest loser. It reminded me of being physically abused as a child. These people get off to hurting other people and get a paycheck for it!! Sick

[@AndreaAltgayer]

Your lighting is so lovely!So is your set!