Tips On Dining Out

Jillian Michaels talks a big game when it come to fitness and eating plans, so Rachael decides to challenge The Biggest Loser trainer to go to a burger restaurant and prove she can stick to her regimen when tempted by rich dishes. "I was put to the test!" Jillian jokes, while remaining confident. "There is no menu that I can not tackle." She admits she has some "big decisions" to make when she notices chicken pot pie on the list, but manages to stick to her goals by having a salad with dressing on the side, and salmon,d steamed spinach and roasted asparagus. How did she avoid the more fattening options? Get all of Jillian's tips below!

Avoid artificial sweeteners in your tea.

"Honey is a better option," Jillian says. "It has anti-bacterial properties; when used in moderation it can be good for you."

Order salad dressing on the side.

"You will easily save well over half the calories, and it's not worth it to spend 200 calories on dressing," she says. "You know what else you can do? Get balsamic vinegar on the side. There's no calories in that and it's great for you."

Avoid foods that are fried or sauteed.
Don't be afraid to ask the wait staff questions about healthy alternatives, such as requesting that a dish is steamed or grilled instead of fried.

Order veggies.

"I always tell the contestants on The Biggest Loser that green vegetables are free," Jillian says. "Go bananas!"

Choose your calories carefully.

Before heading to a restaurant, arm yourself with a pocket-sized calorie book or use your cell phone to track the calories in your meals. When you get the menu, Jillian suggests asking yourself a series of questions about the choices. "Stop and think it through," Jillian says. "Do I really want this? How will I feel after I eat it? Is it going to put me in a tailspin, am I going to regret my decision? Is it getting me closer to my ultimate goal?"

When it's time for dessert, even this fitness guru enjoys the occasional bite of cake. "I'm busted!" Jillian jokes, while noting it's fine to enjoy all things "in moderation."

Credit: www.rachaelrayshow.com

Staying Fit & Healthy During Holidays

She's known for her tough love on The Biggest Loser, but fitness expert Jillian Michaels tells Rachael that she has the best intentions when it comes to her no-nonsense attitude toward the contestants. "They come to the campus," she says, "and they really have no concept of how strong they are or what they're capable of, and on certain occasions I have to intimidate them into healthy behaviors. But once they realize that they can do it, then they'll hopefully take off from there."

Jillian can empathize with the contestants, having struggled herself with weight issues as a child and then a teenager. "My mother, God bless her, had the foresight to get me into martial arts," she says. "Not because I was a fat kid, but more because I was troubled, going through hard times and struggling with many different things, and she thought that it would be a great outlet for me. And that's really where I developed my philosophy about fitness, not only as a means to get healthy, but as a way to change your life. Your health is the platform your entire life sits on top of, and when your health is good and you feel strong, it transcends into every facet of your life."

As the holiday season kicks into high gear, the temptation of delicious foods is unavoidable, so Jillian shares her tips for staying fit and healthy during the holidays:

• Revamp your meals.
"White meat, not dark meat. Have salad and steamed vegetables instead of fattening casseroles. Go with baked sweet potatoes instead of candied yams. Fruit salad instead of fruit pie, and whole grain roles instead of biscuits."

• Communicate with your family.
"So many people have a lot of stress if they're on a diet or trying to stay healthy," Jillian says. "There's food pushing going on, or grandparents who want to be validated and that's how they show you love. Tell them what you need, and how to support you -- say, 'Grandma, I would love it if you could come up with a low-calorie cheesecake recipe for me.'"

• Stay in control.
If you're trying to watch what you eat, bring your own dishes when going to a party, or eat a healthy meal beforehand so you don't arrive hungry and are susceptible to temptation.

• Get minty fresh!
Chew on gum to avoid grazing while cooking -- it makes it less conducive to overeating. And brush your teeth when you're done eating so you don't go back for seconds.
Squeeze in fitness whenever possible. If you're traveling during the holidays, try to stay at a hotel that has a gym, or bring workout tapes with you.

By: Jillian Micheals
Credit: www.rachaelrayshow.com

Weight-Loss Advice from Jillian Michaels: Yes, You Can Do This!

Most of us don’t have trouble getting excited about a new diet or exercise plan. The idea of having a sexier, healthier body makes us feel exhilarated, hopeful, pumped! It’s when the gloss starts to wear off after a week or two or three that things get harder (“But I don’t want to get out of bed and jog!”). Here’s how to keep going:

1. Work Your Willpower Muscle.
There are parts of your brain related to impulsive acts—like automatically reaching into a coworker’s candy jar—and parts connected with reasoning. The way you develop willpower is to pause before you act and tap into that logical side by asking yourself: “Why do I want this cupcake?” or “Will this action help me reach my bigger fitness goal?” Every time you make the right decision, it literally reinforces a new, healthier pattern in your brain.

2. Ditch the Guilt.
All of the above said, don’t let a little stumble like skipping workouts for a week or, you know, accidentally polishing off two pieces of cake at a birthday party derail you. I’ve seen too many women throw their hands up in the air and say, “To hell with it!” We all slip up. So what? Get over it. Use this setback as a learning opportunity, and try to figure out why it happened. Be honest with yourself about why, for example, you attacked the fridge at 10 P.M. Were you bored? Lonely? Did you skip meals earlier in the day? Then think of ways to solve the underlying problem. Bringing snacks with you to work, scheduling workouts into your day, having a list of nonfood ways to comfort yourself when stress hits—all smart moves. Believe me, a formerly overweight and unhealthy girl: Your health and your happiness are worth all of this broccoli and gym time.

By: Jillian Michales

Credit: www.glamour.com