Jillian Michaels Tilts the Scale
31 08 2009Man, this blog is bleak without pictures. I could have put up a picture of Jillian, but I would have had to switch computers, and then you all would have had to look at the picture, and I don’t want to do that to you guys. So, you’re welcome.
I’ll get a new camera soon, I promise.
But, if you really need some eye candy, you can watch this before you read my rant:
awww.
ok, end tangent. Begin rant.
Jillian Michaels bugs me. Then sometimes I like her. Then it bugs me that I like her. I think this time she officially bothered me enough to tilt the scale to the side of loathing. I have lost the tiny amount of respect I had for her.
Jillian Micheals has released a line of diet pills.
Miss Michaels is a savvy business woman- shes manages to give the worst, most awkward interviews in the history of television and treat everyone like crap, yet is still the leading woman in the fitness industry. There is no denying it- she knows how to market herself. Except this time.
Perhaps the one thing that kept me guessing about my feelings for Jillian was her balanced approach to fitness: no excuses, eat right, move more. No gimmicks, no tricks, just hard work.
Well no more! Just take this magic pill to increase your metabolism, burn fat and get rapid weight loss!
Apparently, Jillian’s life work was for nothing because she has found a way for us to lose weight with a pill.
Good news, right, future Biggest Loser contestants? You don’t need her screaming in your face anymore- you can just take her tiny pill and it will replace the need for all that hard work!
I’m writing a piece on her new diet pill line for www.twirlit.com but wanted to get some input to see if I am over reacting (not that it will change anything if you tell me I am).
Are you disappointed in Jillian? Do you stand behind her product? Or do you feel its just the natural progression for her product pimping ways?
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lame lame lame
you are right to be peeved.
This definitely tilts the scale for me too. I feel like she had done a good job of riding the fine line between celebrity and legitimate fitness instructor, but diet pills? Boo!
I’m with you on being upset about this. I actually have always loved Jillians and had good results with her programs – this is one of her items I won’t try. Until now I’ve respected that she’s made money off of being herself and holding fast to her message. I guess not so much now?
I also have a love-hate relationship with Jillian Michaels. When I bought her 30-Day Shred DVD I enjoyed that she didn’t pussyfoot around that exercise isn’t always fun. And if you want results you need to work for them. No pain, no gain. I appreciate that. However, I know that you’re not supposed to do strength training every day, let alone for 30 days straight. So, I find that she sometimes gives mixed messages.
I recently saw her on the front of a magazine (I’m sorry that I can’t remember which one) promoting that you could lose up to 19 lbs in the first week if you follow her eating plan. Added to the diet pill nonsense, I think I will have to add her to the gimmick pile, regardless of her showing little rays of hope occasionally.
DISAPPOINTED!! i actually liked her because of her straightforward message. i have to look into it before forming a gigantic opinion, but i am initially really disappointed.
I’m SO disappointed in Jillian. Especially when she works for a show that is all about losing weight through hard work, and not just popping a pill. Not cool.
What a freaking sell out she is!! She has this rockin’ body that she has CLEARLY worked incredibly hard for, and then she cops out to sell diet pills to put some extra cash inher pocket. Are you kidding me?!?! Her clients on the ranch should be laughing in her face… all the way to the gym.
I’m really disappointed to hear this. I really liked her take on fitness and weight loss and now this is just selling out. Something similar that I really hate is how so many (if not all) of the fitness magazines have pages of ads at the back for “magic” weight loss pills. It bothers me so much!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Seriously?
I’m crushed.
I’m disappointed too.
I generally like Jillian and the fact that she pushes people to WORK for weight loss, and she encourages people to get to the root of what has been causing them to overeat. These supplements just seem to go against all of that.
I looked at the fat burner pill label and it’s just extracts of things not proven (like grapefruit extract). Same story, unregulated diet pills. People will try to sell anything. Personally, I don’t think she has a “rockin body”. The picture she has on her diet pills looks like my worse time-of-the-month bloats–just too thick in the waist for me, and a bit mannish. Diet pills, no thanks. Rip her a new one in your piece-she deserves it. No you are not overreacting!
i totally agree with you.
I was browsing GNC online the other day and saw that and my jaw dropped. At first I thought “these must just be vitamins… right?” because you know, her whole ” there is no shortcut” motto. When I read the descriptions I was like… huh… whoa.. what… the… fuck…
So yea, you are not alone!
Completely shocked and disappointed. Makes everything she has said about the hard work and eating right seem fake. Ugh. Thanks for sharing. I had no idea.
urgh you are so right to be annoyed. I hate when people become hypocrites as greed takes over. I used to respect her because, despite being apart of a reality show that I dont really like all that much – her bottom line was a message that everyone needed to hear. She, herself, was based in some kind of reality (an angry one, but a reality all the same). But it seems thats just not the case anymore and she has learned that people are more willing to spend money on magic pills then they are on actually being proactive.
A lot of PT’s are becoming this way inclined though, my brother had a PT who fed him lines about taking mass amounts of protein shakes and testosterone to bulk up while working him out in ways that, even after 6 months, still leaves my brother with a layer of fat. I know of a few PT’s who work for a few of these kind of companies on the side, and get commissions for selling that kind of junk to their clients. Though I suppose if doctors do it, then it was only a matter of time before it would filter through the system.
The all mighty Dollar wins again.
Nope, not overreacting. I actually groaned when I saw this. (And I’m sitting here sweaty from a 30 Day Shred Workout.) Very disappointing. Too many people are looking for a shortcut and to use your clout to give them that when you know better and have said better for years? Shame on you, Jillian.
Not surprised. Check out her podcasts on KFI-640 (you can get them on iTunes). More than once she mentioned that she uses Stacker diet pills and has suggested them to callers. The first time I heard it, I was SHOCKED. Then she mentioned it again and again, that they give her energy through workouts, ect. I wouldn’t be surprised if she gave them to contestants. That really saddened me, as it seemed to go 100% against the attitude she took on the show of hard work being the only real answer. She used to be one of my fitness icons, but after hearing those podcasts, I had to knock her off the pedestal. Now, hearing that she’s going to make money off the fact that people adore her and idolize her and will definitely buy them just b/c she has her face on them – I’m disgusted.
I’ve always been kind of on the fence with Jillian… I don’t really watch The Biggest Loser so I can’t say much about her on there, but from what I’ve heard she always sounded like a great role model and trainer, just a bit mean. I have a love/hate relationship with the dvds of hers that I’ve tried because sometimes her attitude just irks me…
This is the first I’ve heard about her starting a diet pill line, and IMO, you’re not overreacting. I think it’s BS as well. We all know a pill isn’t going to make you lose weight and as a trainer & with her background and celeb status I think it a very poor decision on her part.
That really bums me out. I’m neither a Jillian lover or hater, but I do enjoy a good butt kicking from her DVD’s once in awhile and get a kick out of her “persona” on Biggest Loser. In everything that she has done up to this point, she has encouraged everyone to just get out there and do it. And by do it I mean get up off their bottoms and get to work!!
A pill seems like a cop out and it’s quite disappointing that she would put her name on that kind of product.
WOW!! I have never really likes or dislikes Jillian although I like to watcht he biggest loser!! I had no heard this before reading it on you blog but I can’t believe it.. She has worked her entire life at letting people know there is no magic diet pill yet she created one herself.
Wow….this is SO disappointing.
I really like Jillian, despite her drill sargeant ways. But, really, as a huge role model in the fitness industry, what effect is this going to have on people who have looked to her to lose weight the RIGHT way?
I kiiiiind of even thought she was going out on a limb with her eating books – does she have a nutrition background? I don’t know….but I wish she would stick with what she knows. She is amazingly talented at fitness and exercise. This makes me sad, like she’s becoming a sell-out.
jillian michaels is no longer real anymore. she has sold herself out for money, just like rachel ray. and the saddest part? she sold herself out for bad money; anything you can gets your hands on and sell money, that’s what makes me hate her even more. I mean stay a bit real, and don’t sell just anything you know?
You know what? I can’t be disappointed when I didn’t expect that much to begin with…yeah, I did appreciate some of her “no fuss, no muss” approaches, especially via Biggest Loser. But I didn’t completely trust her and this just verifies it. It’s a shame, though, because she genuinely seemed to care and have the right approach. It is a bummer, too, when we *expect* people to sell out…
wow, really? i really just ca’nt pin her down. i think she gets way to emotionally-crappy-mushy on the biggest loser, it feels forced or something. i mean she’s got a slamming body and is a pretty good role model, but i guess i don’t really know what to expect from her!
boooo. I really like(d) Jillian! This to me is the ultimate fitness sell out.
booo.
ok, good. I’m glad I’m not the only one.
Lani- stop dragging out more topics for me to yell about. the trainer/supplement relationship makes me ill. Sounds like a later rant, probably tonight.
I am really disappointed! Just what we need, another “magic pill” that people are going to flock to because this one is put out by Jillian Michaels so it must work. Arg – enought with trying quick fixes that don’t work. It takes hard work and a healthy diet. I thought she knew that and was preaching it. I’m sure the instructions will also tell you to do her video everyday. I guess she is really more in it for the money than honestly helping people. What a sell out…
wow, hadn’t heard that. and from someone who got there through no-nonsense hard work, i’m very surprised. hmmm… don’t know if i can judge, it’s society that’s gone wrong…
You know what I like about YOU? You don’t like Jillian Michaels.
ugh i hadn’t seen this…I don’t like it!! what a hypocrite!!
I am disappointed in her too
I’m really surprised.
That’s ridiculous. I thought she was above this kind of cheap crap. Boo.
I agree that this is totally ridiculous. However, it made me feel a TINY bit better when I read her explanation on her facebook fan page. Something along the lines of, they are all ntural and mainly a mixture of green tea/caffeine, and that she has always been consistent in the message that there are natural supplements out there that can help weight loss. I don’t know how I feel about that as a fact, but I did take some comfort that they’re not freaky, ’90′s style weight loss pills.
Maybe I’m just letting my girl crush on her cloud my judgement!
I hate Jillian. I think she has a potty mouth and cannot control her anger. It’s like she’s on steroids. If she ever talked to me the way she talks to the people on Biggest Loser I’d taze her.
I was curious if there were any comments online about her supplement program. Maybe greed takes over at some point when you make it big…I don’t know. I was shocked that she jumped on the bandwagon, and I’ve lost respect for her as well. As a trainer, instructor and someone who cares about retraining people to eat properly, this is a huge blow. NO pill can take the place of eating right and hard work, and what a disappointment it will be to people when they have the jitters from the caffeine in her products and then don’t get thin from it? Disgusted and no longer a biggest loser fan!
Yes check out her Facebook. I posted earlier but for some reason it was deleted. Maybe because I’m not anti Jillian? I urge you to do your research on her side of things before making judgments. Here is her Facebook response:
Hi guys, I am addressing your questions about why I created a line of weight loss supplements!
First off, this isn’t an endorsement deal. It’s MY line. It was my idea and I created the products with the top bariatrics doctors in the world. And I do mean the world. These are some of the same doctors I have been working with for years to help me with my Biggest Loser contestants and my books — especially Master Your Metabolism. I have ALWAYS been an advocate of supplementation. Not as a total solution, but as a means to accelerate weight loss, and enhance your performance in every aspect of your life be it metabolic, immunity, antiaging and so on. For reference, you can take a look at Making the Cut (pp. 251-262), where I talked about which supplements work and which don’t. In my latest book, Master Your Metabolism, I talked about natural ingredients that can boost metabolic function, like caffeine, vitamin C, and zinc. For years I have advocated the use of caffeine and white willow bark to increase performance in the gym and speed metabolism. I have recommended fiber blends to help curb appetite. I have referred people to different multivitamins, fat burners, protein powders, bars, drinks, etc.
The problem for me was that every line out there has stuff in it I don’t like. There are artificial colorings in the gel caps, or artificial sweeteners in the protein powders. There is soy in all the protein bars. Often the ingredients in the supplements aren’t combined properly so they are not effective and so on. There is NOTHING, and I do mean NOTHING, harmful in these products. They are all natural. Have a look at the ingredients: Calorie Control: Yerba Mate leaf, Coffee (bean) Extract (Coffea arabica) – standardized to 70% natural caffeine ,Guarana (seed) Extract (Paullinia Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) ** Fat Burner: White Willow (bark) Powder (Salix alba), Grapefruit (fruit) Extract, Bitter Orange (fruit) Extract , Blood Orange (fruit) Extract, Sweet Orange (fruit) Extract, Coleus forskohlii (leaf) Extract, Forskohlin , Tribulus terrestris (root) Extract – standardized to 20% steroidal saponins ) – caffeine Cocoa (seed) Extract
All Natural stuff, no drugs, no chemicals. They even have the perfect amount of caffeine. No more than 200 mg so you won’t release stress hormone. Caffeine when supplemented properly has MANY health benefits. It improves cognitive function, fights Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, helps insulin resistance, reduces risk of liver cancer, and speeds metabolism by up to 6%. If you don’t believe me check out this link and see what Dr. Oz has to say:http://www.coffeesage.com/archives/2008/02/good-news-on-coffee-from-oprahs-dr-oz/
kp- your comment wasnt deleted- it went into moderation queue because it you havent commented on my site before. I encourage you to find out whats going on before passing judgements on me, like you ask of me to do with Jillian.
and i have already addressed your comment on Twirlit.com. Of course she is going to say they are safe- they are her product. that doesnt change the ingredient list, which contains stimulants, hence the dangerous side effects that are listed on the labels. they arent safe and refuse to support them.
I too am disappointed, but not by the supplements. ECA stacks and willow bark or whatever have you have been part of training for a long time. I’ve got absolutely zero problem with her coming up with a great burner stack for workouts. What I do have is a massive, MASSIVE problem with the advertising! Why are they called “diet pills?” They shouldn’t do anything unless you actually do the work, too–and that should be part of the advertising.
Instead there are phrases like “automatically reduces your calorie intake” or “makes it easy to lose weight.” Of course they’re ads, but they’re very CHEAP ads, operating on the brain-stem level. I just can’t believe she allowed her stuff to be marketed in that way. That’s the big disappointment for me, because I’m pretty sure the supplements actually *are* effective if used properly–that is, in conjunction with working out and good nutrition–but the way they’re sold is just disgusting.
Regardless if they are safe or not, my argument is that she has always been an advocate for supplements.
There is no doubt she is trying to make money or these pills may be dangerous, however she has always suggested and supported supplements- bottom line.
I HATE Jillian Michaels. This bitch is one of the most annoying human beings on the planet. She is so stuck on herself, but she certainly does not need to be. Every time she is on T.V., is becomes about HER, no one else. What a show-off. Plus, her products SUCK. They make me sick…literally. Fuck her.