Jillian Michaels has made a name for herself in physical fitness. She is the tough as nail trainer on the NBC hit Biggest Loser. She has diet plans, exercise DVDs, and even video games. Michaels will also start hosting her own daytime talk show called Losing it with Jillian.
In a controversial interview in the May issue of Women’s Health magazine, Michaels admitted she isn’t willing to trade her body to be pregnant. She wants to adopt. She stated “I’m going to adopt. I can’t handle doing that to my body….When you rescue something, it’s like rescuing a part of yourself.”
Her comments are received mixed reviews among the public. Some are hostile towards her comments. One poster on iVillage stated that she “needs mental help if that is how she feels.” Others add that having a child is more about your body or vanity. Some name other celebrities who have been lucky enough to look virtually the same after pregnancy. Negative comments are not just limited to her stance on pregnancy, but also how she refers to adoption. Some posters think that it sounds as if she was referring to a shelter animal instead of a human being.
Others support her decision and choice not to judge her for it. Many say it is her right to choose to get pregnant or not. While many women have children without stretch marks, wider hips, and sagging breast, not all are so lucky. There is no way to know be sure until after a pregnancy. Jillian’s career and livelihood is based upon her physique and physical abilities. Many mothers admit that they no longer have their pre-pregnancy bodies. What would the possible changes do to her career? Why risk it when adoption is an option?
Some fans don’t care one way or another she thinks about pregnancy or adoption. They care about the results they see on Biggest Loser. These loyal fans tune into Jillian because of her expertise in weight loss. They are anxiously awaiting her new show and new daily motivation to lose the weight.
As a mother of three, I can see that Jillian has valid fears about her body changing after pregnancy. Jillian has an extremely small frame and the rapid weight gain may be harder on her body than a taller person. Some lose all the baby weight and still don’t look the same afterwards. Luckily most of us don’t have to wear a sports bra on television or have or bodies closely examined after giving birth to see how fast the weight comes off. We have the luxury of taking the time our bodies need and disguising and flaws we might have. Jillian doesn’t. I am willing to give her a break on this one. However, I am less likely to listen to her pregnancy advice, like she gives in her diet column “4 Pregnancy Tips from Jillian Michaels.”
