Monday, November 30, 2009

Jillian Michaels: Women's Top 7 Diet and Exercise Excuses

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I've been training people since I was 17 years old--and have been coaching contestants on The Biggest Loser for six seasons now. Believe me, I've heard absolutely every excuse for not being able to work out or lose weight that there is. And I've got an answer for every one of 'em. Here are some of the excuses I hear most often. Get ready for a little tough love, OK?

Excuse: "I don't have time to work out."
That is total crap--make the time. I am sure you found the time to watch your favorite television show, right?! You're busy, and I get it, but you have to find a way to make your health a priority. Start scheduling workouts like you do appointments. You can get up a little earlier and do a fitness DVD. You can squeeze it in on the weekends. You can get a piece of cardio equipment and do 30 minutes while unwinding and watching The Office. The reality is that you must make the time. You will have more energy, better overall health, and better self-esteem--it's worth it.

Portion Control: How Much Are You Really Eating?

Excuse: "I have to keep junk food around for my kids and/or boyfriend."
Trash it! They shouldn't be eating that crap either!

Excuse: "I've tried to lose weight before, but I just can't do it."
Ridiculous. Of course you can. You can do anything when armed with the proper information. Take some time to educate yourself about how to work out properly. (All that is free with Body by Glamour, by the way!) Learn about calories--how many are in the foods you are eating and how many your body burns naturally each day. When you are informed you are empowered to make choices that create life changes. The next time you are about to say "I can't," stop and ask yourself, "How can I not?"

Excuse: "I have too many business dinners and social gatherings. I can't lose weight in that environment!"
Seriously. Is anyone really going to notice if you pass up the fatty appetizers? Or the open bar? I go to business dinners all the time and I find they go better when I am not drinking. For dinner parties offer to bring something, that way you'll know there is at least one healthy thing to eat. And if you're worried about offending people, remember you don't be preachy about your eating habits, just say "no thank you" to the unhealthy fare.

Jillian Michaels: How to Break a Bad Diet Habit, Forever!

Excuse: "I travel a lot and can't get into a routine."
Listen, I travel constantly and I can still eat healthy and work out! Yes, fitness is my business, but anyone can do what I do: Bring your own snacks at all times. Stay at with hotels with gyms. Bring fitness DVDs and do them before bed in your hotel room. Be high maintenance with your ordering when eating out: Get foods grilled or baked, get all dressings and sauces on the side, sub out starchy sides for steamed veggies. If I can do it so can you.

Excuse: "My friends eat poorly and it makes it hard for me to eat healthy."
Communication is critical. You must tell your family and friends what your health and wellness goals are and then teach them exactly how to support you. The only way they are going to know what you need and how to give it to you is if you tell them. So ask them to eat healthy with you and if they can't do it, then ask them not to push food on you or ask you if you want bites.

Excuse: "My loved ones nag me about my weight and it makes me want to rebel."
This is sort of similar to the friends who push bad habits on you --communicate your needs and desires. With that said, if your family still nags at you then you must set boundaries. Tell them that your weight and fitness habits are simply not up for discussion and don't discuss events or things in your life that trigger them to start in on you.

What's your biggest workout excuse? And be sure to check out Karina's progress on the Shape Up! blog today. You'll never believe how much weight she's lost already!

--Jillian Michaels is the author of the new book Master Your Metabolism and the motivation coach for the free Body by Glamour shape-up program. She's helped dozens of people get slim and healthy as a trainer on The Biggest Loser--and has helped thousands of others through her DVDs and books! Look for her unique brand of motivation advice every Thursday right here!

Related: 3 Reasons You Should Write Down Your Weight-Loss Goals

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Comments 1-10 of 10
  • Anne's Avatar
    Posted by Anne Wed May 6, 2009 1:16pm PDT

    no one ever seems to address senior citizens and exercise - I mean those of us over 65 who want to remain active, however can't exercise like a 20 or 30 yr old. The same with trying to lose weight. Would love to hear some ideas on both..................

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  • Peachy1's Avatar
    Posted by Peachy1 Wed May 6, 2009 9:04pm PDT

    What about those of us with medical issues? I never see anything out there that I can apply to my situation: Mid-40's, multiple abdominal surgeries (C-sections, etc), spinal arthritis, sciatica, fasciaitis and two trashd knees, courtesy of an auto wreck in 1995. BUT, with all of this, I still managed to lose almost 40lbs in the last year. My secret? Lose your car and have to take public transportation and/or walk everywhere. Am trying to locate a physical therapy provider in my area, since my doc has determined that I need to develop a home exercise plan that addresses my issues. Wish me luck. I know I'll need it. LOL

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  • FalonLouise's Avatar
    Posted by FalonLouise Thu May 7, 2009 7:17am PDT

    acschade - swimming and water aerobics are wonderful exercises for the elderly due to the low impact on the joints.

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  • S's Avatar
    Posted by S Thu May 7, 2009 4:03pm PDT

    Another good column.

    It *can* be done, if you follow some guidelines and well, actually do it. May be a bit hard, but that's just because people are creatures of habit.

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  • sharon's Avatar
    Posted by sharon Sat May 9, 2009 8:04am PDT

    I haven't been watching the Biggest Loser for all 6 seasons, but I have watched the last two. Well, I can say I watched last years and exercised through this years. I have Lupus, and I was told over and over again be careful of your joints, watch falls and on and on. Well, after a knee injury last year, and 8 months of physical therapy which taught me the RIGHT way to exercise, since January I have lost 48 lbs and counting. Having the right mindset was the key for me and I took baby steps to get where I am today and let me tell you it wasn't easy. But it is OH SO REWARDING. I still have a long long way to go, 9 years on prednisone did a number on my body chemistry and added over 150 pounds to my frame. So, I have a long trip ahead, but I am 1/3 of the way there and so happy to be exercising and losing weight people cannot believe it. If I can do it, you can do it, but you have to do it for yourself, not for your family, not for a husband or a boyfriend, but for yourself. The feeling is amazing!

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  • Tisha's Avatar
    Posted by Tisha Sat May 9, 2009 12:32pm PDT

    I heart Jillian. I'm going out today to buy two of her new books. One is for my friend who is complaining about her metabolism. I've used just about every excuse Jillian mentions here. They're all bull s---. And I know it, but I'd use them anyway to see who would buy into my bull s---. Not any more. This past season of Biggest Loser is THE BEST so far. Incredibly motivational. Thanks Jillian.

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  • annoyed's Avatar
    Posted by annoyed Sat May 9, 2009 9:08pm PDT

    Jillian is hot.

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  • __A_YAHOO_USER__'s Avatar
    Posted by __A_YAHOO_USER__ Sun May 10, 2009 6:41pm PDT

    Yeah right. Easier said than done. I have alot of medical issues and I can't just go out there and work out on any machine known to man. I have to be careful. Some of us who live in the REAL world know how hard it is to lose weight, and let's face it, only 2% of the population is thin. Most of us don't have this body type, and genetics in my family are NOT GOOD. It's easy for her to say when she doesn't have all the medical crap I do, and many other people for that matter.

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  • Kimberly's Avatar
    Posted by Kimberly Mon May 11, 2009 5:15am PDT

    NO but on the show they work in conjunction with physicians. Saying you have medical issues is another excuse -- I have a friend who has rejected two kidneys, needs both hips replaced, and has a who slew of issues including diabetes and narcolepsy. He's decided not to let that be his excuse -- he has aligned himself with people who are active, don't dwell on their illness(es) and is ready to make the most of life. Genetics are one thing, but most of genetics has to do with bellying up to the same table. On the Biggest Loser they've had been able to help people stop the progression of their diabetes and helped them with other major health issues. I'm a big person ( I love the term big boned -- makes me feel like my weight issues have nothing to do with me, that I can't help it ) and at one point I thought about starting to ride one of those motorized carts. A week later I saw a picture of my butt -- I immediately started parking at the far end of the parking lot, and walking up and down the aisles at the grocery store -- ALL of them instead of just the ones I needed things in. And I started making a grocery list that could contain nothing high-fat nor high-sodium. The weight is coming off slowly -- 20 pounds over 5 months -- but each day I try to squeeze in SOMETHING that pushes me a little further, at a walk. Imagine if I set out purposefully ON a walk... One thing I've learned from Biggest Loser is that it isn't a diet. Its a way of life. And I'm not as much concerned about my weight, but my heart, my lungs, my overall health...

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  • BeverlyHillBilly's Avatar
    Posted by BeverlyHillBilly Thu May 14, 2009 4:13pm PDT

    1) I really don't have time to work out. I have two kids and a full time job. I don't watch t.v.. I don't even get to relax. I get up exhausted just in time to be late for work, then I sit on my butt all day at my desk job, come home to play with my kids for all of a couple hours, sometimes cook dinner, then crash at 10 (time my eldest goes to bed). If you can tell me where to fit in time for a workout...I'd probaly shave my legs or wash my clothes instead.

    2)I don't keep junk food around for them....They are the ones doing the grocery shopping so they are buying the crap for the house. I do my best to stay away. But i cant convince them to stop buying it.

    3)"Take some time to educate yourself about how to work out properly." Key words: take some time. I guess i could have done that instead of reading and posting to this article on my break. Otherwise...there's so much conflicting b.s. on working out properly, i'd probably hurt myself.

    That's all that applies to me from this list. I just want to point out how unrealistic this article is. Tough love=pure b.s. This lady doesn't have to sit at a desk all day to make a living to scrape by, feed herself low-budget food like pastas and ground beef, and take care of her household as well. She probably has a nanny! I would love it if these things could work for me and fit into my lifestyle.

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