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.

Hi Jillian, I am such a fan! I nave about 2 stone to lose and have gone on various diets over the years, but although i am unhappy being the size i am, i just dont seem to find the motivation to lose the weight and keep it off. How do you find the strength within yourself to stay motivated and goal orientated on a longterm basis?

May I try and sneak in another one?

My pelvis is destroyed from severe SPD during pregnancy, so one of the hardest things I find about a Jillian workout is if the cooldown involves sitting on the floor with my legs in front of me. Jillian, you often mention in your workouts that you struggle with flexibility - how do you work on that? Any recommendations?

Also, are the people you use in your DVDs (Anita, Natalie, Omar etc) all hardcore gym bunnies, or fellow trainers/instructors? They make it look so effortless while I am lying on the floor in a sweaty, sweary heap.

Hiya Jillian,
I started my fitness journey 4 years ago at the age of 38, my goal to be as fit and as healthy as possible to be of support to my children when they are grown.
I do cardio and weights 5 days a week and feel amazing.
Do you realistically think a woman post menopause and into old age can retain a high level of fitness, Ernestine Shepherd aside?
PS See you on the 20th in Birmingham!

MNHQ - wow. Best guest EVER.

Jillian you were fab at pushing me up hills when I lived in a hilly area and used to walk my dogs. I would imagine you behind me shouting at me.

I am another with zero willpower. A wine habit. A lack of motivation to exercise.

But my main problem is dodgy knees, ankles and back. I'm slightly hypermoblle. Knees are the worst - not helped by being far too heavy of course.

So suggestions for things that won't put pressure on knees would be fab.

She's here! I'm utterly star struck

Apols - we're having a few wifi ishoos here... Jillian will be with you v shortly.

The suspense is killing me!

Can confirm Jillian is here, and v nice to boot!

@26Point2Miles

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!

Hi 26point2miles,

People often make the mistake of thinking their fitness needs are ‘unique’ . For example: I need to lose baby weight, I’m in menopause, I’m a man, and don’t want to do my wife’s workouts, etc. Weight loss fitness and overall health follow the same science for all human beings despite their age, gender, ethnicity, circumstance and so on. Please don’t feel left out due to your age!

With that said, identifying a category for your current level of fitness and fitness goal is essential for all. So if you’re a beginner, engage in beginner classes, buy beginner fitness DVDs etc. If you’re a more advanced athlete, you’ll choose more intense workout regimens. But by no means has the fitness industry counted you out, quite the contrary. We expect you to join in!

Hi Jillian how do you stay motivated to exercise? I have put on over a stone since having a baby (she is nearly 2 now!) And I'm unhappy with my belly fat. I've always been active and went to the gym but between work and looking after the little one i can't seem to find the energy anymore. What foods would you recommend to boost energy levels and what exercise is best if you're just starting out. Thanks Jillian.

Hi Jillian, just need to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your honesty, your enthusiasm and for keeping it real. I love your directness and wish I could be as brave!

Jillian, your 30 day shred & regular 5km runs has me in the shape I want. Just wanted to say thanks- I am my slimmest (58kg), fastest and strongest thanks to that combo and the DVD is so easy to fit it.

@SingSongSlummy

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?!

Hi SingSongSlummy,

With any injury or issue, I highly recommend a consult with a physical therapist. It's difficult to provide specific information on exercise modification without knowing what's going on with your back and knees. Have your PT write up a list of stretching and strengthening exercises to help you rehab any existing injuries or issues. As a general rule, all issues can be worked around and most exercise DVDs offer modifications. Mine do, follow the modifier without shame and get your exercise in safely.

Hi Jillian I've started running after a long break, but I need to sort out my diet. I crave sweet food how do I break this habit?

@ilovethewinter

Hi just to let you know you are fabulous and I would like some help with my problem legs! I'm about 5ft 4 and around 8.5stone,my legs (mainly thighs) looking heavier than the rest of me. I have a gap between my thighs but its the way I am made not because I'm underweight! But it seems to be a rather pronounced curved gap, making my thighs look heavy and wide rather like rugby players legs! I'm wondering if I do too much leg work, squats, lunges, dips etc and its bulking them up but if I don't, my inner thighs go flabby. I would like to know what exercises I can do to slim my thighs down. Many, many thanks.

By my estimation with the information provided you seem to be at a perfectly healthy weight. Before I even address exercises for lower body I think you need a reality check. What you may perceive as an imperfection or 'thighs that look heavy' are simply the beauty of your body at a healthy weight. It's really important that you appreciate and accept yourself where you're at now because this is clearly an issue you're suffering with in regard to your body image. I can promise you that squats, lunges etc will firm up your lower body and not make you look bigger, but I think you really need to work on what's internally skewing your perception/body image. There's a great quote by Ann Lemott about wasting your beauty and health with insecurity about body image. I suggest you read it.

Hi Jillian, do you have any advice for someone with congenital cardiac problems? I do kickboxing 2-3 times a week and really enjoy it but I have just had an operation on my heart so am not allowed kickboxing for a few weeks and wanted to be able to try and keep my fitness up for when I go back. Other than walking, of which I do a fair amount, is there any type of mild training you can recommend for someone in my situation until I can return to kickboxing.
Thank you.

@Happypiglet

Hi Jillian... Love your DVDs I have toned up & lost the 5 lbs I needed to. My question is The cardio never gets any easier... I think I am fitter now than ever and I am still completely destroyed by such things as squat thrusts and mountain climbers....it is a breath thing... I literally cannot carry on without stopping to catch my breath. I am ok in the kick boxing type moves but anything with jumping is just destroying (plyometrics ?) Is it possible to just be someone who is 'short winded' ie gets out of breath very easily? Or am I doing something wrong. BFBM is a serious form of torture this end!

Hi Happypiglet,

What you're describing is actually not traditional cardio as in 'aerobic exercise', but rather 'anaerobic exercise'. I commend you for the intensity you are incorporating into your training, don't feel bad! I struggle with the same exact issue.

We have different fitness strengths and weaknesses as unique individuals. It seems for you endurance is your weakest fitness modality as it is mine. The good news is that you will experience gradual improvements over time with patience and fortitude. I recommend tabata training twice a week and two sessions of distance/endurance cardio to help accelerate your results.

I am struggling with motivation!! Tips/advice please on getting started and staying focused please!

wasting your beauty and health with insecurity about body image

that just made me cry. so true.

Hi Jillian! First of all I would like ti say thank you! Your DVD's workouts are great! Love them.
Unfortunately I don't have time to exercise for 20-30 minutes at once.my 4 month old is
Demanding baby and 5 years old need quality time with mum too.I am doing school runs.it takes us 30 minutes one way.what exercise I can do through day when I got spare 5 minutes? Are there any exercises which I can do together with my baby?

Hi Jillian, I love your 6 week six pack DVD. Can you tell me what foods I should be cutting out and what I should be eating more of to help me lose my tummy fat?

Hi Jillian

My main problem area is cellulite on the thighs. I'm 5'7 and approx 9 stone 9lbs, so not vastly overweight, my thigh area is really ugly though.

Will toning this area REALLY make a difference, I know there's no magic cure for cellulite, just unlucky genes

@soulrebel

Hi Jillian I've started running after a long break, but I need to sort out my diet. I crave sweet food how do I break this habit?

Hi soulrebel,

You don't! I never have been able to. With that said, the key is learning how to incorporate 'sweet food' into a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet is common sense, ie a management of food quantity and food quality. The key is to count calories so as not to overeat and store excess fuel as fat. Avoid fake foods: fake sugar, fake flavors, fake fats, fake colors, etc. Allow 20% of your daily calorie intake to be 'sweet foods', made with real ingredients. This balanced approach will keep you from feeling deprived and will also prevent weight gain.