Jillian Michaels' Top Weight-Loss Tips

Getty Images

The Biggest Loser trainer shares easy everyday strategies that will keep the pounds permanently away.

1 of 19

Keep the weight off

Jim Wright

After two seasons away from The Biggest Loser—during which time she became mom to a girl, Lukensia, and boy, Phoenix—Jillian Michaels is back. She's not exactly a kinder, gentler Jillian, but motherhood has made it easier for her to relate to women's slim-down woes.

"The only time I put on weight recently was with the kids," she says. Her trick for losing it? Real-life, simple tactics: "I've become the master of shortcuts! It's still about eating less and moving more, but there's a way to do it so you don't feel miserable." This way, the weight stays off. Here are her top tips.

Check out this video of our cover shoot with Jillian Michaels!

2 of 19

Swear off fad diets

Getty Images

You know the kind, says Jillian: "Everyone's like: 'Give up carbs!' 'Give up fat!' 'Wait, no, now I'm taking pills!' None of them are manageable long-term—and they wreak havoc with your metabolism! Because you're either starving yourself or you're cutting out a major food group. Then you go back into weight-gain mode, but it's even worse, because your body has adjusted to all that crazy fad crap."

3 of 19

Be an 80/20 eater

Getty Images

"Make 80 percent of the food you eat healthy and take 20 percent of your daily calories and make them fun." Otherwise, Jillian says, you'll feel deprived—and more tempted to go off the deep end.

4 of 19

Speak in positives

Getty Images

"When you tell yourself what you 'have to' do or what you 'can't' do, the deprivation language makes you rebel. But if you say, 'I'm not going to have that—I won't' it's a choice and you're in control."

5 of 19

Get your sleep

Getty Images

"Sleep is a cornerstone of weight management because of the impact it has on your hormones that control how you burn fat, how you store fat, and how you're maintaining muscle. The better your hormone balance, the better your weight management. I work my butt off to get eight hours a night, but right now I'm at six—the show is murdering me! Even if I go to bed early my son wakes up."

6 of 19

Diversify your workout

Getty Images

"When you work multiple muscles at the same time, you're getting your cardiovascular exercise in while you strength-train. You're not only saving time, but you're burning more calories while you're doing it."

7 of 19

Order wisely at restaurants

Getty Images

"Order without looking at the menu. Almost every restaurant has the basics—veggies, grains, and protein. If you go in knowing what you want, I guarantee you'll be able to make a meal. If you're too uncomfortable to ask for what you need, tell a white lie: Say you're allergic. I know it's controversial to suggest this, but women in particular can really have trouble standing up for their own needs. So if you want the broccoli soup puréed without cream, tell the waiter you're lactose intolerant."

8 of 19

Scout out lunch spots near the office

Getty Images

"Make a 'slim lunch options' book of all the takeout places in your area where you know there'll be healthy things to eat. When I used to have an office job I'd think, OK, there's the Italian place, but I can get the antipasto salad with light cheese, no salami, dressing on the side."

9 of 19

Travel with snacks

Corbis

"Pack small meals you can make in a hotel room. I bring oatmeal packets like Nature's Path Hemp Plus, because you can make it with a coffeemaker, and snacks like a bag of almonds, a 22 Days vegan hemp protein bar, or Justin's peanut butter or almond butter in packets."

10 of 19

Fill up before parties

Getty Images

"Eat a filling, healthy snack before you leave home. And take a healthy dish so it's like you're contributing, but you've also covered your ass with something you can eat!"

11 of 19

Eat citrus every day

Getty Images

"Vitamin C inhibits the production of cortisol, a hormone that essentially tells your body, 'Store fat.' Eat grapefruit slices with breakfast."

12 of 19

Eat more turkey

Getty Images

"Lean protein helps you stay fuller for longer; it has the amino acids that are the building blocks for muscle. Chicken and fish are good, too."

13 of 19

Drink plenty of water

Getty Images

"Hydration can curb hunger and boost your metabolism by up to 3 percent! Drink water until your pee looks like lemonade."

14 of 19

Say yes to dark chocolate

Getty Images

"It's got antioxidants. I can get away with calling it a health food, in moderation, because, honestly, I'd rather be dead than live without sweets."

15 of 19

Stand up!

Getty Images

"Stand whenever you can. Standing burns 1.5 times more calories than sitting. Stand when you're at the doctor's office, when you watch TV, even when you work at your computer—I put mine on the kitchen counter. Just stand."

16 of 19

Clean out your pantry

Getty Images

"Dump everything you have that contains trans fats, artificial sweeteners, and high-fructose corn syrup."

17 of 19

Spotlight healthy food

Getty Images

"Put the healthiest things on display: fruits on the countertop, the healthiest things in the fridge at eye level, and the best snacks at the front of your cupboard so you'll see those first."

18 of 19

Ration your junk food

Getty Images

"Don't buy more treat food than you're going to eat in one day. Get just one calorie-controlled allotment, like a small bag of chips, so you can't continue to go back for more."

19 of 19

Don't freak out on 'fat' days

Getty Images

"I put it in perspective. I think, 'OK, I feel squishy. And it's because I haven't worked out.' So I think of something fun to incentivize myself. Like Bob's [her Loser co-trainer Bob Harper's] spin class, I love."

Replay gallery

Account

More

Jillian Michaels: Weight-Loss Tips That Work

1 of 19

Keep the weight off

1 of 19

2 of 19

Swear off fad diets

2 of 19

3 of 19

Be an 80/20 eater

3 of 19

4 of 19

Speak in positives

4 of 19

5 of 19

Get your sleep

5 of 19

6 of 19

Diversify your workout

6 of 19

7 of 19

Order wisely at restaurants

7 of 19

8 of 19

Scout out lunch spots near the office

8 of 19

9 of 19

Travel with snacks

9 of 19

10 of 19

Fill up before parties

10 of 19

11 of 19

Eat citrus every day

11 of 19

12 of 19

Eat more turkey

12 of 19

13 of 19

Drink plenty of water

13 of 19

14 of 19

Say yes to dark chocolate

14 of 19

15 of 19

Stand up!

15 of 19

16 of 19

Clean out your pantry

16 of 19

17 of 19

Spotlight healthy food

17 of 19

18 of 19

Ration your junk food

18 of 19

19 of 19

Don't freak out on 'fat' days

19 of 19

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery