As some of you know, I am busy these days trying to lose the last 10 pounds of baby weight. Every last one of these suckers is stubborn and refuses to budge. But I’m trying to work through it.
I use a variety of workouts, but mostly Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred. She’s super motivating and her belief that ANYONE can lose the weight, is very empowering.
So when I read the following quote from Ms. Michaels in the May issue of Women’s Health, I was surprised:
“I’m going to adopt. I can’t handle doing that to my body.”
Um, what was that now?
Part of the problem is that it’s an incomplete thought. I don’t know what the rest of the interview says, but I will run to Borders today to find out.
But my problem is this. You, Jillian Michaels, have helped me get over my fear that pregnancy permanently “damaged” my body and you told me that I can be toned and lean and sexy if I just get off the couch and pop in a few of your DVDs each week. But then you say that YOU will not be getting pregnant because you don’t want to do THAT to your body. I rarely swear on this blog, but WTF?
I think planning to adopt is awesome, but your quote is a smack in the face of countless moms who have gotten up the courage and the determination to do something about the extra weight that came with the little ones we love. We did not think it would be easy and trust me, it’s not.
Jillian posted an update on her Facebook page saying that the quote was taken out of context and that she had horrible body images issues as a child and thus, adoption is a better choice for her.
Still, even with her explanation, I’m disappointed because honestly, Jillian’s DVDs have been the ONLY thing that has worked for me thus far. It was her difficult moves and uncanny ability to say exactly the right thing at the right time that would keep me going through a 40-minute workout when I really just wanted to shut the TV off and go lie down. But now it seems like she’s saying, “Don’t even try.”
What do you think? Is it that big a deal? Or should Jillian think more carefully before she speaks?
That doesn’t put her in a good light to me. Seems a little vain to me!
I don’t buy her explanation. Who hasn’t struggled with body image issues, as a child or otherwise.
Sounds like a very superficial reason to forego childbirth, but to each her own, so whatev. *shrug* I say toss the Jillian Michael’s dvd’s and go with Shaun T. (Hip Hop Abs!!) Now THAT workout I love!!!!
Talk about a guy who can get you pumped!
I agree with Yakini. What a selfish way to look at pregnancy and what a slap in the face to her Mama clients!
I think that is horrible. if you want to adopt you should want to for other reasons. If not wanting to loose your figure is the only reason you want to adopt than that person does not need to have children. To think of the self image issues that child would have!!
I don’t know. Depending on the context, I feel as if she is at least bold enough to know what she can and cannot tolerate. If she doesn’t want to have kids of her own, that’s her loss (no, there is nothing wrong with adoption, but pregnancy is so beautiful…to me at least!) I respect her for her honesty and I will continue to do the 30 day shred as I saw results immediately!
@Ebonee – I like Jillian for her honesty, but I would have respected her more if she had said, “Look, I am a personal trainer. If I can’t sport an official tight as-a-rock six pack on the cover of my DVDs, my career is over.” That is more understandable. Sad, but understandable…
Hmmm is all I have to say. I also agree with Yakini (to each it own) but hmmmm (eye’s roll).
I read that too and had the same reaction. It made me feel like she was basically saying there’s no coming back from having these babies. Honestly, I know I probably won’t get back to the low rise jeans/bare midriff abs that I used to show off at 18 without a tummy tuck. But her quote kind of made me feel like us moms are just damaged beyond repair.
I dont think shes wrong in the light if this… 1. So she does care about her weight what american women doesnt? Plus it doesn’t necessarily mean shes all about looks! Today weight gain is about health so many things are linked to weight! 2. Shes adopting! More ppl should do it! There are so many children out there who need a home!
BUT….. For someone like her saying its “damaging” the body then I guess Michele Douger is Destroyed! Child birth is 100% natural! And for someone who’s an Expert at weightloss is either 1. Lying and Knows her prouduct really doesnt work and shes selling women around the the world a bunch of BS or 2. She is selfish and really does care about her “look”! So im not to sure!?
@Megan – It’s just who she is that’s making this hard for me. An expert at weight loss would rather not endure the battle that is postpartum weight loss? Oh, my.
I JUST posted about this earlier this morning, after I saw a few blogs that were absolutely bashing her for her remarks. It made me a little angry, lol.
I don’t think theres anything wrong with her knowing her limit and sticking to it. I mean, really who WANTS to put in the work to lose weight and get your body back into shape after a baby? I think that it’s crazy that on one hand, there are those of us who say that she is wrong for not wanting to put in the work, but then when we see the celebrities who DO bounce back, and do it quickly, we say that it’s unrealistic, and that it puts too much pressure on women about their bodies, etc, etc.
I don’t see it as a slap in the face at all. I love my daughter with all my heart, but I hate what pregnancy did to my body. It will never be the same, and no amount of working out is going to take back the stretch marks, put my boobs back where they were, or give back the hair that I lost from the hormone fluctuations. Her body is what makes her money, and I don’t see anything wrong with her wanting to preserve it, as is.
I would toss her DVD’s and go with Billy Blanks, or Pilates.
I think that statement was rude, and I am also thinking WTF?
This is our 3rd baby, and with each one I’ve worked through losing the weight. I’m prepared to do it again this summer.
oh boy! im tardy to the party as usual…BUT i must chime in here and i am not feeling ms. michael’s comment. if she were just an actress or a postal worker, it wouldnt matter. but because she peddles this exercise program like its the end all to be all of weight loss/body rejuvenation, im like…ok, is her target market now meant for only women who havent been pregnant? i get what you’re saying youngmommy…that comment left by itself levaes too many questions that need clarifying. is she meaning to say she doesnt want to get preggers because she doesnt want to work hard to get it “back right?” or is she saying that pregnancy will forever doom her body into an irrevocably shaped that cannot be undone EVEN with her magical dvd’s?
me no likey…
I agree with Mrs W that in her line of profession, it was a REALLY poor statement to make. When you are a public figure, you don’t have the same ability to be completely frank about everything. One of the downfalls in a career that has many perks.
I go to a female obstetrician for this same reason. When my first ob was giving me advice on something he’d obviously NEVER experienced? It felt artificial. To accept marital advice from a therapist who’s never been married only is only a newlywed? Wouldn’t go there, either. So why would I take advice on how to lose post-partum weight from someone who has never experienced pregnancy nor never WANTS to?
I will take a stab at this topic (cheryl-come-lately as it is)…
I think her comment is a slap in the face for those of us that are trying to get back to sexy. She does seem to be saying that there is no real hope to getting a good body post pregnancy.
AND I don’t think she should adopt either. Her “horrible body issues” are surely going to be on display for any adopted child just as surely as a bioligical one.
I’m with Christina on this issue. I wasn’t offended at all. I liken it to mothers who choose not to breastfeed for reasons of vanity. It’s her body and her choice. I’m still popping my 30 Day Shred video in tonight and I’ll be cursing her under my breath with the same vigor as normal.
@MrsTDJ – Moms who choose not to breastfeed for reasons of vanity…? Hmmm, I’ll leave that one alone. LOL. I do not mind her choice. It is fine if she’d rather not be pregnant and instead adopt a child. That’s cool. And she does not have to explain her choice. Except that she’s “America’s toughest trainer” – built on the premise of NO EXCUSES. I don’t care about Ms. Michaels personally – it’s what the quote represents. It was a poor choice of words, especially coming from a personal trainer, especially coming from someone who gave me intense motivation. I don’t know what her “physical limitations” are (from her comment on her FB wall) but I just wished she had smiled sweetly and said, “I’m going to adopt,” when the subject of motherhood came up. Nothing more, nothing less. But alas, I’m done talking about it. On to the next thing!
I think what Ms. Michaels should have said is “it’s just not that easy to get back into pre-pregnancy shape” and it would’ve made her seen more human in her fans’ eyes.
Ms. Michaels’ celebrity status and line of work put her in a difficult situation. Her body is a big part of her career. For many of us, the equivalent trade-off would be losing a diploma or two during pregnancy or leaving the high-paying job to spend more time with child.
I’m currently expecting my first baby and it hasn’t been easy going through the physical changes especially because I’ve had to fight the fat for most of my adult life. However, I’ve come to the conclusion that no matter how reversible/irreversible the physical changes my body will go through and the career changes I’ve had to make due to this pregnancy, I wouldn’t trade my unborn child for the world. He’s already that important to me.
It depends upon your decision. Nobody knows what you feel about yourself. Try to focus on your kids after all, you find the right choice on having a workout. I got pregnant of 21 years of age but I don’t have any problem with my body figure. No scars and fat belly too.