The fall season and all of its holiday festivities are right around the corner, and fitness expert Jillian Michaels says this is the time when many people backtrack on their summer health goals.
The 50-year-old has made a career in personal training and is known for her tough workout approach, but in recent years she’s altered the way she trains by adapting to a more simplified diet and exercise routine.
“Back in the day, and I mean in the day, probably 15 years ago, if you had a conversation with me about walking and pedometers and just taking the stairs, I probably would have screamed bloody murder at you,” Michaels said. “However, we’re at a period in time—I’ve come to appreciate you need to meet people where they’re at.”
Michaels, who created “The Fitness App,” explained the best way to stay on track with fitness is to avoid overeating and to remain active throughout the day.
“There are so many different things working against us environmentally—food is addictive, all of these different elements that make it harder and harder to do the right thing when it comes to your health,” she said.
She said there are simple things people can do that will also make it easier to stay on track.
“Don’t overeat, use common sense with your food choices, and move your body,” she said. “And then add sleep and stress management if you can. And if you can do a little more than that, try to be social.”
Michaels broke down her “common sense” approach further, elaborating that simple changes like omitting sugar-filled beverages or fried foods can go a long way and are easy to incorporate in everyday life.
“If you don’t overeat your calories and you use common sense with food choices, like, how about a grilled chicken sandwich at McDonald’s instead of the chicken McNuggets? And don’t get the soda on the side. Have a water. These common sense things go a really long way,” she said.
Michaels said she understands that for some people, especially those who work from home, it can be difficult to move throughout the day, especially as it becomes less appealing to go outside as the weather changes.
Incorporating devices such as a walking pad can help prevent a sedentary lifestyle. “Instead of being on my butt all day long, I can get in my 10,000 steps, and this has a massive impact in helping people take off weight, improve all their biomarkers,” she said.
Holiday Season
Deviating from health goals is also common during the holidays, leading to what Michaels says is a snowball effect. If people fall off the wagon during that time period, it’s easy to justify getting back on track as a New Year’s Resolution rather than maintaining their goal.“While you aren’t packing on a million pounds over the holidays, what I think happens to people psychologically is, they go to the party, they go to the holiday get-together—and once they fall off that wagon in their mind. They’re like, ‘Well, it’s over. ... I’m just going to get to January. I’m just going to let it all ride. In January, I’ll make a change,'” Michaels said.
She said it’s important to remember that making a healthier lifestyle choice is not about moving “heaven and earth,” but rather focusing on simplicity, and while it’s normal to be intimidated or overwhelmed, change is attainable.
