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.

@ZingTheGreat

one quick question if you wanted to loose weight and had to choose between focusing on a better diet or focusing on exercising which one would you choose? thanks

Hi ZingTheGreat,

For weight loss, both are critical. Let's use this analogy; if your body was a car, and forward was weight loss and reverse was weight gain, when you eat right but don't work out, or work out but don't eat right, the car is in neutral. You're not gaining, but you're also not losing. When you don't do either, the car is in reverse - actively gaining weight - but to lose at any reasonable pace, say 1-2lb per week, you must be doing both.

Any plans to release a jogging/running podcast? I'm doing the C25K - it would be great to find a version with added Jillian Michaels motivational shouting speaking.

Thanks, that's what I suspected - I shall stick with running until my arms and abs are protesting a bit less! (My legs are a bit more resilient...)

@AmazonGrace

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

Hi AmazonGrace,

I hate the word 'ugly'. Please take it out of your vocabulary permanently! I myself have been blessed with many dimples on my backside, believe it or not! And such is life.

I have tried many different things over the years, I even ironed my ass with a laser! Seriously! Nothing has worked. I finally began to realize, in my 30s, that nobody is perfect. Perfect is boring. It's critical we embrace ourselves as a whole, dimples and all.

I do the Shred, but is your yoga dvd suitable for a complete beginner or should I have a rough knowledge of yoga positions before starting?

Thanks

@enw

Hi Jillian. Another huge fan here - your DVDs got my body and mind into shape after the birth of my DS and you continue to inspire me to want to be strong inside and out. Respect!

My fitness goal for 2015 is to complete a half marathon. I am following a running plan three times a week ( which I am loving!). Which of your DVDs would complement a running plan and how and when should they fit into the running plan for best results?

I have tickets to see you in Cardiff on 26th Jan and am looking forward to an inspirational evening!

Hi enw,

I'm thrilled you'll be coming to my show, look forward to meeting you! Cross-training is a popular way of improving performance and preventing injury. I highly recommend Killer Buns and Thighs to help strengthen your legs for that long run.

Love that answer Jillian!

Hi Jillian

My 6yo son is in love with you! He can do Level 3 of the Shred, but I wonder if it is advisable. He's is very into fitness and exercise even though I am not. (His Dad is a bit, but not to such a great extent). Should I be trying to calm down this obsession a bit?

Thanks Jillian

that's what I thought.

@TheOnlyOliviaMumsnet

Hello Jillian and THANKS for coming on Mumsnet

Gutted I can't be at MNHQ to meet you in person, so I'm posting from the sticks Mumsnet Country Outpost.
I loved the shred following the birth of DS2
But I had twins a year ago and utterly TRASHED my tummy muscles - I have a self-diagnosed diastasis recti - my bump was positively pointy. So I am guessing all the sit ups are OUT.

I am much slimmer than I have been for years, but what can I do to smoothe the tummy?
TIA

Hello TheOnlyOliviaMumsnet,

So disappointed I didn't get to meet you in person! But it's a long life and hopefully we'll have an opportunity to connect in person in the future.

Congratulations on the birth of your twins! With regard to flattening the tummy, diet is critical. We want to burn any subcutaneous fat that could be hiding lean muscle underneath. Simultaneously, you'll want to be doing core strengthening workouts to condition these muscles. I will send you Killer Abs, a DVD of mine! That will help.

Hi Jillian,

Should I be exercising every day with the 30 Day Shred? Or is it important to have rest days?

Thanks

Hi Jillian. I did the shred for a while and I did see some improvement but to be honest I think I gave up because I thought I'd never achieve the results you and the women who join you in the dvd have. I'll never have. Great body so what's the point? Any tips on how to get over this?

Thanks Jillian

@Whocansay

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.

Hi Whocansay,

You're a glutton for punishment! Love it.

Hard Body and Extreme Shed and Shred are really intense stand-alone workouts of mine. However, I'm about to release a good to great program called 'Bodyshred', it's 60 days, 6 workouts a day, 30 minutes a day. Try it, I dare you!

Thanks for replying Jillian and point taken, I will banish the word 'ugly' forever!

6 workouts a day?

I have followed the whole 30 Day Shred the whole way through (over the 30+ days) twice and it was fabulous. I then did Killer Buns & Thighs and also did 6 Week 6 Pack. Then I had a break for a week or two in April last year and for some reason I haven't been able to start again. It's like I'm too scared of it. Any ideas?

@WinifredBanks

Hi Jillian,

Should I be exercising every day with the 30 Day Shred? Or is it important to have rest days?

Thanks

Hi WinifredBanks,

Great question. I like to tell people no more than 5 workouts a week for up to 60 minutes, or 6 workouts a week, but no more than 30 minutes. One rest day at least, 2 rest days for beginner to intermediate exercisers is also recommended. I also recommend muscle split training to help avoid overtraining. This is very difficult if you are doing stand-alone fitness DVDs or group classes. But if you have the knowledge to design your own workouts, I have found training chest, shoulders, triceps, quads and obliques on Monday and Thursday, with back, biceps, gluts, hamstrings, and upper and lower abs on Tuesday and Friday, a great way to build recovery into your workout regimen. And you can always add cardio in on Wednesday or Saturday.

@iwantgin

Hi Jillian

Another fan of your workout DVDs here. I particularly love 30 Day Shred and Ripped in 30. They are just the right level for me - and I still am not bored of them.

My question is : Do you ever take a break from fitness? On a summer trip somewhere with the family - do you take a few days off from exercising, and tuck into all the local food and drink and let it all hang out ?

Or is that where I am going wrong ? says me, with the 5lb gain just in a few days over Christmas

Hi iwantgin,

I incorporate treat foods, on the regular and I have been known to slack off for even weeks at a time with regard to fitness. But never at the same time!

I find that if I 'let it all hang out', it's bad for my state of mind. a balanced approach, in my opinion, is always the best one. So if I'm not working out, I'm eating better, and if I'm eating richer/higher calorie foods, I'm working out harder.

Thank you so much for chatting with me! It's been an honor and a pleasure. I sincerely hope Mumsnet will have me back in the future (hint hint).

xoxo

Awwww. What a good egg.

Thanks for the reply to my question Jillian.

Keep it reined in. That's the key I suppose

Yes, please come again next time you are in the neighbourhood.

I'm feeling inspired reading this. we're having much needed pj day this weekend but I will get my shred dvd out and work out for 25 mind.

Wow. Jillian is awesome. I love her attitude :-)