Jillian Michaels’ Losing It : The Jones Family

Jillian Michaels' new show on NBC, Losing It, was on last night, the Jones family.  Apparently, I missed the first episode which aired on 6/1, the Mastropietros -- I totally thought it just started last night. I'll need to catch up.  In all honesty, when I saw she had a new show, my first thought was, "Oh, good, another show where Jillian can scream at people, then whisper uncomfortably and encroach on their personal space!"  And yeah, that happened, but overall, it was a pretty inspiring show.  It made me want to clean my house, anyway.

In a nutshell, Jillian moves into a family's house for a week and not only is their personal trainer, but their nutritionist, therapist and housekeeper.  Good gravy, this woman's poor house. It was like watching an episode of Hoarders, only without the cats.

The daughter, Isabella, was absolutely beautiful -- really, a brave and beautiful girl. It was hard to believe she was only twelve. And the son, Jordan, was quite mature and witty, as well, for a ten-year-old. They lost their dad very young to obesity, their mom was falling apart at the seams and they were clearly carrying the world on their shoulders. They didn't deserve that, for sure. I can relate to those feelings.

Admittedly, when the show began, I found myself yelling at the TV.  "Lady, shut up! Just do it and quit whining! You're humiliating yourself in front of your kids!"  I realize that's probably not fair of me -- who am I to judge?  It's not like I've never struggled -- I struggle every time I go to the gym -- but I think I've got too much pride to let myself "go there" on national televsiion, especially in front of my kids (were I to have some).  Am I an asshole for that? That's just my opinion. It's one minute on the treadmill.  Yes, it's hard. Yes, even 30 seconds can feel like an eternity.  Yes, you think your lungs will explode, but it is physically possible or she wouldn't be asking you to do it. It's one minute of your life, right?  But I guess that's the point of the show, to demonstrate rock bottom... and you have to start somewhere, even if it requires that you embarrass yourself a little.

I've been in workout situations where I thought I was going to die. I took a workout class at a boxing club once and I seriously thought I was going to vomit.  I wanted to stop.  Whenever I tried to take a breather, the trainer gave me crap about it -- in a good way.  And like Jillian, whenever I even considered, "I don't think I can" or "I can't", she called me on it and pushed me even harder.  Did I hate her right then?  Did I wish her a bout of food poisoning laced with jalapenos?  Oh yes, yes I did. But I'll be damned if I'm going to let a gym full of people see me cry and whine or fall off a treadmill...   I wonder sometimes if they encourage that behavior because it makes good TV. I know it's hard, but certainly there's some sense of pride left, right?  But maybe not... maybe that's why there's a show like this. I often think I can't, but the difference is I don't want anyone to know it.  "Suck it up" is my motto.  Perhaps that's not the healthiest option, either, mentally or emotionally. I'm not a therapist, just a broad with an opinion.  But... I digress.

The show was good -- I'll watch it again definitely. I liked how it moved at a brisk pace, none of the taxing lead-ins and coming-ups so prevelent on Biggest Loser.  Wham, bam, hot-ass ma'am!  I think Debra truly rocked it once she got over fear and I hope she succeeds in reaching her goal. It was nice to see her embrace her own abilities, to get angry, to be determined. It's inspiring and way more attractive than whinging about how she can't.  It made me look at myself this morning and acknowledge that while I may not show my fears at the gym, I do show them other ways... even if just to myself and those close to me.  My fears are just as unfounded as Debra's fear of running on the treadmill. Despite my doubts, the show inspired me far more than I thought. I truly thought it was just going to be another Biggest Loser.  Color me surprised.

What did you think?