***Q & A with JILLIAN MICHAELS (Biggest Loser, 30 Day Shred)***

Hey ladies!

PW has arranged for fitness guru Jillian Michaels (of the Biggest Loser and 30 Day Shred fame!) to answer some of YOUR fitness and weight loss questions!

Please post them here!

Best,

-Lori

Photo taken by Trae Patton, provided courtesy of NBC

WHAT!!!!??? Holy crap.  I LOVE her.  Okay, let me see...

When trying to lose weight (like 2-3 lbs per week):

• How many calories per day should you EAT if you are working out 5-6 days a week and burning an average of 400-500 calories per workout per day?  I've heard that when trying to lose weight that you don't want to have too big a caloric deficit.
• If you are working out (as in the scenario above) should you be watching your carbs?
• How many days of weight training should you do if you are trying to tone up (in addition to the 5-6 days of heavy cardio (i.e. running & spinning).

Are you kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm obsessed with her!! She has the best body ever!

Questions for Jillian:

- What exercises do you do to get those abs?

- I'm trying to maintain my weight, but my wedding is a year away.. Any tips of advice?

<3 her!

What are the best exercises for toning the outer side of thighs?

OMG, what a fabulous opportunity.  Even though I curse at her everytime I work-out using the 30 Day Shred or Boost Your Metabolism, I am still one of her biggest fans.

My event is a year away, how do I stay motivated to continue working out and eating right?

Any tips on what to do when you hit a plateau during weight loss?

What are the best foods (including snacks) for fending off hunger and food lust while on a diet?

What can I do to jump start my weight loss? it just doesn't seem to want to come off!

Any tips?

I have been working out 30-90 mins 5-6 days a week for 6 weeks now, and have only lost about 6 pounds (I'm not too upset, however I'd like it to be a bit more)...

I am a firm believer in consistency:  for being fit and healthy, is consistency a necessary evil like it is for all other parts of life?  (obviously mixing it up through out that, so you don't become too used to the same thing)  ie- stick to the hard work, and it will pay off??

I can't afford a personal trainer-- but how can I make sure that I'm pushing myself without hurting myself in the gym?  When do you know it's time to step it up for either more weight or more time?

OOOOooo huge fan!

My questions are:

1. I feel certain parts of my body won't shed inches....upper inner thigh and obliques. What can I do? A trainer once told me if I do side crunches it will only make me look larger and manly.

2. Sometimes I feel bored with just running (I am a marathon runner) and feel my body has hit a plateau as far as calorie burning. What are some workouts I can do that can help me train yet keep my body suprised at what I am making it do?

3. Any suggestions for pregnant woman and running? My husband and I are talking about starting a family yet I don't want to give up running when I get pregnant!

Thanks PW for doing this!

I love Jillian.

How can I get nice toned calves mine seem so huge.