Jillian Michaels: Webchat, Thursday 15 January, 1-2pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Jillian Michaels is joining us at Mumsnet HQ for a webchat on Thursday 15 January from 1-2pm. For those who are unfamiliar with Jillian, she’s one of the world's most successful health and fitness personalities; star of Channel 4's The Biggest Loser and 15 fitness DVDs (including MN fave 30 Day Shred), as well as several best-selling books. Her Jillian Michaels Show podcast has garnered millions of listeners since its debut in 2011.

With such a die-hard crew of shredders, rippers and JM devotees here, Jillian has long been on our hit-list of webchat guests and we're delighted we're finally able to offer the opportunity to chat with her. Join us on Thursday at 1pm or post a question for Jillian on this thread in advance and we'll put your questions to her on Thursday.

Jillian is over in the UK with her critically acclaimed Maximize Your Life motivational tour, which has already taken the US by storm. The nine-city live event begins on 18 January in Glasgow and ends on 28 January in London. Find out more and buy tickets here.

Oh wow!! Love her! But I'll miss it as I'm working

However, Gillian! Hello and welcome. I'd like to ask if there's any advice for us older ladies getting into fitness later in life, and as we approach the menopause (I'm 46, lost 5 stone and now running lots and into all fitness)at this time of life we often have more time and money on our hands as our children are growing into adults themselves.... The 'industry' is missing a trick by missing us out!

Anything we should specially pay attention to diet and exercise wise? Fitness DVD/magazines Etc all seem to feature 20 something's!

What's the best way to flatten a 'mum tum'? I'm left with a layer of fat and I can feel muscles underneath but still have a sticky out stomach. Anything I can do to stick it all back together or am I stuck with it?
Ps you rock!

Love Jillian - started shedding about 5 years ago and even got dh on the wagon.

I now have me/cfs so would be interested to hear of any recommendations for low impact exercises that can help me maintain my core strength whilst I have limited capacity (current activity levels are maintained at approx 2000 steps a day to give you an idea of current physical capacity).

God I love her. That is all.

Wow, brilliant!

Jillian, as a big fan of shredding/ripping I have now moved on to your Power Yoga DVD which is fantastic. Part of the reason for the move is that, post children, my back and knees are a bit of a mess and can't cope with the 'tougher' DVD's any more! Have you got any suggestions for other DVD's or general tips on how to protect lower back and knees?!

Fantastic. I love your workouts, which I can fit around work and small children, or sometines do with aforesaid small children!

I workout 4 times a week, am slim (BMI) 19, and started exercising primarily to gain fitness and tone rather than lose weight. But I cannot shift ny belly, which although becoming toned, is toned under a layer of fat. Three children and a cs, is it feasible, or do I just enjoy exercise for exercise sake.

Not a question but you're great

Wow I love Jillian! Just wanted to say hi, I haven't really got anything to ask.

Actually, if you wouldn't mind giving me a kick up the proverbial that would be nice. I did so well with the Shred a couple of years ago, and have spectacularly fallen off the wagon since!

She's transformed my jelly belly 7 month food baby, into a toned flat tummy, I can see my abs

Hi Jillian, find you very inspirational!

Any advice for keeping teenagers active when the playstation calls and it's rainy and cold outside?

Thank you.

Hi Jillian, I've just started your 30 day shred, and I love it- it's the only DVD that's ever made my muscles ache!

As a two time mum, I just wanted to ask whether the crunches and ab exersizes are ok to do if you still have any abdominal separation? If not, can you suggest a good exersize regime to help knit them back together?

Also, can you suggest an alternative to star jumps for those of us with a battered less than perfect pelvic floor

Jillian, I love and hate you! Your workouts are the ones I always come back to. They have made me fitter and stronger, but weight loss eludes me. Would you bring out less U.S.-centric versions of your eating plans, so those of us elsewhere in the world can try and follow them for best results?

Hi Jillian! I love your DVDs and use them all the time - you have even got me into yoga! The DVDs are incredibly convenient when you have children. I have more definition in my muscles now in my late 30s than I did when I was a teenager, thanks to you! Are there any plans to release a DVD for people who are now used to the higher levels?

Thank you.

ahem The far more active and current Jillian thread is here.

I have a question - going to the gym and keeping fit is your job. But with your two small children, is your partner able to maintain regular exercise? I have a baby and a toddler, neither of whom are good sleepers, and I really struggle to find the time and energy to get exercise in.

Hi Jillian! I think you are breath of no bullshit fresh air as far as exercise goes. I loved doing the shred, but it really, really hurt my knees, so only lasted about 10 days, do you have any tips?

I started 30 Day Shred a couple of days ago! It's great but I am still very sore 24h later. Should I keep doing it the every day or do I need to let my muscles rest? Professional opinion seems to be split on this.

Thank you Jillian. I love your DVDs and podcasts.

My question would be how do you find the motivation to stay disciplined with your eating when you're surrounded by diet sabotagers?

I work somewhere where we are gifted lots of chocolates, biscuits etc and although I can stay strong most of the time when they're just there on the side I find it difficult when some people almost pressurize me into eating (I think because it makes them feel better about indulging themselves). When this happens I feel bad about myself and lack of will power and am then more likely to comfort eat in secret.

Hi Jillian.

I love your videos and hate them in equal measure.

How do you stay motivated? I do shred then plan to move onto the next one but don't. Can you kick me up the arse / give some tips

I have a question - Many women people love doing Jillian's workouts, as well as similar exercise programmes online, but obviously can't continue these programmes when pregnant. Even in early pregnancy many abdominal moves are advised against. Many of the pregnancy specific workout videos are about as challenging as staring at a wall.

Does Jillian have any advice of how these women can maintain their fitness during their pregnancy, without risking their pregnancy?

Everyone always recommends swimming, but there are many good reasons why people started fitness DVD's rather than going to the pool in the first place, so some alternatives would be welcome. Would Jillian, for example, consider flagging abdominal moves in her video not suitable for pregnancy?

Hi Jillian! Have watched you on the biggest loser since season 1 and think you're great!

I am asking this on behalf of my sister as she isn't a MNetter.

She would like to lose 10 stone but is very unfit with bad knees and is pre-diabetic. What would be the best option for her exercise and diet wise to start off? Would swimming be good? If so, how long should she swim for and how many times a week?

Another question, if I may: I'm currently shredding while doing th 5:2 diet and notice that my workout is a lot harder the morning after a fast day. Any advice?

I love your dvds! The only thing to have changed my body shape and flattened my tummy - not bad after 3 DDs.

I do your work outs 4-5 times per week. However, I'm really keen to start running again. Have you any tips for incorporating runs into your regimen? Do you recommend interval training and how do you stay motivated on a treadmill?
Thanks

I love love love your DVDs, particularly Ripped in 30. Please do another 3-2-1 DVD!

Can I ask if I can do any of your workouts whilst pregnant? Is there any chance you could produce a pregnancy/post pregnancy DVD?

Thanks. You are awesome!

I love your dvds. Do you enjoy exercise every time you do it ? Do you exercise with your partner and children or is it you time??

I have two things to say
A) I started a thread in November alerting MNHQ to the fact that JM was coming to the UK in January and they should track her down, so I am totally taking the credit for this webchat personally.
B) OMG OMG OMG JILLIAN IS DOING A WEBCHAT!!!

I will return with a coherent question once I've stopped hyperventilating.