
There is no doubt that “The Biggest Loser” trainer Jillian Michaels has one of the best bodies in America, and given her childhood history of being overweight, it’s something the 36-year-old has worked ultra-hard to achieve. So hard in fact, that she’s not willing to let it slide even to become a biological mother.
“I’m going to adopt. I can’t handle doing that to my body,” Michaels told the new issue of Women’s Health magazine. “Also, when you rescue something, it’s like rescuing a part of yourself.”
Michaels’ words surrounding pregnancy and her figure have been met with criticism from several experts (who have not worked with her) in the health industry.
“She is teaching people about body image and self-esteem. Women who have children all the time and get right back in shape [sic] particularly if they exercise,” Dr. Leslie Seppinni, a Los Angeles-based Family Therapist & Clinical Psychologist told Pop Tarts. “If this is how she truly feels, she should seek counsel before coaching others on issues of body image.”
And Dr. Mike Bishop, Executive Director at Wellspring health/weight loss camps pointed out that Michaels’s own self-esteem may have too much emphasis on aesthetic.
“Jillian’s self-worth seems to be tied to her appealing appearance, and her appearance isn’t necessarily reflective of overall health and happiness,” Bishop said. “There is certainly nothing unhealthy about pregnancy itself, although many women would argue after childbirth it is challenging to get their pre-pregnancy body back, these are the beliefs Jillian is reflecting.”
TV’s toughest trainer also admitted that she weighed 175lbs when she was just 12 years old, and felt “abandoned” after her parents separated, which could have a bearing on her current feelings toward birth and adoption.
“When individuals have dealt with weight issues in their life, they tend to focus on how they feel in their own skin and their level of comfort. In the case of pregnancy, some of these women desire the experience of being a parent, but do not want to risk the possibility of gaining back previously lost weight/losing the ‘new’ body they worked so hard to achieve,” explained Sloane Veshinski, Doctoral Candidate in Counseling, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist & Certified Addictions Professional. “Adoption gives these women the ability to be a parent and to provide a loving home to a child.”
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What do you guys think of what she said? Do you agree with her? Does it bother you?
Posted Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 at 10:10am
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