How Motherhood Softened Jillian Michaels - Literally

Does motherhood have Jillian Michaels eating crow? Michaels is infamous for being the toughest trainer on The Biggest Loser, despite her tiny frame, but as she prepares to make her big comeback to the show, Michaels admits she’s a bit heavier this time and feels differently about priorities – including working out – now that she’s a mom.

When asked about new moms gaining weight, Michaels responded, “I definitely did. I went to interview Suze Orman for The Insider, and her wife said, ‘You’re chubby!’ And Suze said, ‘You look like a mommy now.’ I look at my body and I go, ‘five pounds heavier,’ but part of me really likes it.”

Although Michaels didn’t personally give birth, her partner, Heidi Rhodes, did this past March to a little boy named Phoenix Michaels Rhodes. The same week the happy couple brought Phoenix home, Michaels’ pending adoption went through, and she got to bring home her two-year-old Haitian-born daughter, Lukensia.

It’s no wonder Michaels let her rock hard body go just a tad – she was pretty busy adjusting to a family that doubled overnight!

“You can’t have it all, and you have to make some tough decisions. I used to think you could, but you can’t,” Michaels said about balancing a busy life of family, work, and personal time. Then, referring to her pre-motherhood days Michael admits, “I didn’t understand that something has to give. Now friends will go to Vegas for the weekend and we’re like, ‘Take pictures.’  When Lu looks at me and goes, ‘Mama, I love you!’ I go, ‘Fft. Who needs Vegas?’”

Michaels also recently told Shape magazine, “I used to tell moms that for the sake of their well-being they had to put themselves first, but I know now that's not always possible … I don't watch Mad Men or True Blood anymore; I watch Barney! You know, I have play dates now instead of happy hour. It's a whole new world.”

Although motherhood has softened Michaels ever so slightly in more ways than one, she still strongly advocates for physical fitness and overall health. It was the Biggest Loser’s new focus on battling childhood obesity that actually got her wanting to come back to the show.

Michaels is determined to “walk the walk” and do exactly what she is asking parents across the U.S. to do – be a healthy example for their children.

“'I take [Lukensia and Phoenix] for jogs with my jogging stroller, and we love to play on the beach. Sometimes I even paddle board with my toddler in tow. It is important to get them involved and teach them to lead a healthy lifestyle early on. Now is the time to teach them habits that will last their entire lives,” Michaels said.

Personally, I’m loving the new Jillian Michaels, who is open about her personal life and putting her new family first. Michaels no longer seems guarded, and has only grown more beautiful since motherhood.