So I went to BlogHer, and had a kickass time. I’ll post more about it, I’m sure, but one of the highlights was when I joined the loverly Ms. Ashley at a lunch with Jillian Michaels, trainer from the show, The Biggest Loser. I, um, have never watched the show, only cuz I never ever get to watch TV anymore, what with all this bloggin’ and swearin’ and leotardin’ I do. But Jillian was very, very great, being candid about the show and fitness and even bringing some people to tears (really) with her straight-up, funny, and badass style. I snuggled her from my chair and then some, I swear. Now me and Jess will have to arm wrestle over her. I’m doing bicep curls and shoulder work, Jess, so watch out.
By the way, did you, uh, notice how damn hot she is? Oh. My. Lord. Now the words “snuggle” and “Jillian” make me all dizzy. Grrrr.
Anyhow, during the discussion she said a few things I just loved:
-Moderation is crap. Balance is where it’s at. She said it better, but I second that emotion. You gotta have time for everything you love, and even if you go all out in something it’s fine as long as you have that overall balance. For an obsessive like me, that was magic. See: cake.
-She said she hates when trainers say, “It’s an inside job for an outside job.” Yeah, right! Cuz the truth is that you build all that self-esteem through experiences, like getting to buy jeans that fit your new ass or a bigger shirt (to accommodate your huge guns, natch) or soaking in compliments. I like to think of it as (here I paraphrase others) you build self-esteem through esteemable acts (which we’ll think of acts of athleticism, not curing cancer, cuz we are shallow as hell and nowhere near discovering that cure yet, not with this crappy microscope and our limited funding). Sitting at home and trying to pump yourself up is kind of a big ol’ waste. Do it first, then you’ll feel better. Put a cherry on that one and eat it with a spoon.
-It’s pretty individual what works. Some folks need carbs in the morning for energy, while others pass out in 15 minutes if they do that (hello!). But for all of us, it comes down to calories in, calories out. That’s for weight loss, by the way, in case you thought we only do push ups here.
-She also really got to the heart of it with people, asking them why they wanna lose weight, moving past the bogus reasons and into the painful stuff. Even anti-feelings me got behind it. She also made it clear: if your intimates can’t support you even with direct requests and some real truthiness, it might be time to let them go. Sure ’nuff.
Anyhow, she’s my new lovebunny, and now I’ll be trying to convince her to have some cake with me or train or whatever fuckers like me do when we aren’t blogging.
And by the way, I missed y’all. Next time hide in my suitcase and come too.
-
I’ve never seen the show either (I watch about as much TV as you do), but she sounds as though she has her head on straight.
And you don’t have a dose of carbs in the morning? Life without cereal just wouldn’t be the same
Scott
August 1st, 2007
My late step-father (adrenaline junkie, Everest climber and flight/trauma surgeon) gave me some of the best advice:
Everything in moderation…
including moderation.
Can I hear an amen?
girlscientist
August 1st, 2007
Hello! I met you briefly at the Jillian Michaels Lurve Fest… I was admiring your tattoos
Had to come check you out coz I loved your business card.
And holy crap, my kingdom for JM’s arms! I really loved what she had to say too, and was gobsmacked by the heartfelt advice she was dealing out. Not to mention the marriage counselling
shauna/dietgirl
August 1st, 2007
Amen girl.
Tracy
August 1st, 2007
In the interest in being upfront, I want to lose a little more fat so that I can have abs like Tracy. Or Jillian. Or just ripped enough to make it into the IC Hall of Fame
Shari
August 1st, 2007
who knew? I mean it is all new to me. All this blog culture. I think it is all sooo fascinating and well, addicting. All those clever and sneaky links to other blogs and hers and hers…ok, moderation is crap. I am getting addicted to fitness and well, hell, it is better than some of the crap I have and am addicted to. Glad you had fun in Chicago, Kelly.
mary
August 1st, 2007
Jillian was a lot of fun to watch (I love TV)! We’d be honored to have her train with us.
MG
August 2nd, 2007
I remember seeing you in the small group session last week. I linked to this post from BlogHer (soon to be cross-posted from my blog tomorrow morning). I really like your site…I’ll be back!
http://blogher.org/get-inspired-its-good-you
Zandria
August 5th, 2007
“Sitting at home and trying to pump yourself up is kind of a big ol’ waste.”
Ain’t that the truth. My wife finally got up the courage to go to the gym and participate in some classes. She’s now having a blast. She’s met new friends and they all encourage each other. She’s never had the success in getting fit as she has now buy getting out of the house.
Chris
August 15th, 2007