Losing It with Jillian!: Season Finale: "Jillian who?"

Could it be? Only eight episodes a season makes nowadays, and Jillian wraps up Losing It with the Alvarez family of Miami Lakes, FL. We have Big David, wife Carmen, daughter Melissa, and son Little David. Little David is not so little: He is about to celebrate his ten years on earth with prediabetes and being made fun of by his class mates for being overweight. Big David doesn't take his health very seriously, and Carmen is tired of nagging for change.

Plus the family goes on late night donut runs. Oy.

At the initial meeting with Dr. Van Herle, we find that Carmen should weigh 109 and is actually 170, while Big David should be 180 and weighs in at 328. To add insult to injury, Big David suffers from sleep apnea but threw out his machine for sleeping because he "didn't want to see himself that way". Dr. Van Herle asks the kids to leave the room so she can show the parents the age progressed photo of Little David. If they don't act now, he will look like Koli from Biggest Loser season nine by the time he gets to high school. NO! I can't think of a worse fate!

Jillian arrives at the Alvarez home and calls Carmen from the front yard.

Jillian: Who am I speaking to?

Carmen: It's Carmen.

Jillian: Hi Carmen! It's Jillian!

Carmen: Jillian who?

Jillian: What do you mean 'Jillian who?' I'm in your front yard.

I thought the cameras would have tipped them off.

Carmen welcomes Jillian inside and she meets the family, but they are unable to go to the gym like the usual program format because Big David has not been cleared for working out due to his severe sleep apnea. Instead, she sits down with the family to figure out why Little David isn't so little. Carmen says it's the food that he eats, and Jillian zings her by asking "Is he buying that food himself?" After a lethargic game of "chase ball" aka tennis, it is clear to Jillian that the culprits here are the parents. Big David treats his health as a joke and Carmen doesn't like to be called a nag so she doesn't.

Also, the family goes on late night donut runs. Did I mention that already?

Jillian drives Big David to the sleep apnea center, and she curls up in the RV she will call her home for the next week to get some sleep. The next day Big David gets a rude awakening: He thought he only stopped breathing 4 to 5 times a night. Turns out it is over 64 times a night. One time he stopped breathing for 32 seconds! He has to immediately go back to using a sleep apnea mask and to make matters worse for Jillian, he can't work out at a heart rate greater than 140 bpm.

At the gym, Big David is closely monitored on the treadmill at a zero incline while Carmen gets all the punishment heaped on top of her. Everyone is taking the workout pretty well, no one is freaking out, and no one is talking. They are seemingly impervious to her mind bullets and something has to change.

At a family dinner that night, the family shows Jillian their DISGUSTING looking Cuban feast of fatty pork and *gasp* fry bread. They tell her that "family means everything to us", making Jillian drop the bomb "How would you feel if you had to bury your son?" Nothing stops a party like death talk. They decide to cleanse the house for Little David's birthday that weekend, filling up seven trash bags worth of junk food.

Jillian also changes her approach with Carmen at the gym, giving her an "aggressive" workout. She wants to hear her voice so she tries to get her to drag her across the floor. It works because Jillian has her screaming like a champ and in tears. She takes Carmen and Big David out on a boat so they cannot escape and makes them talk about the issues at hand. We learn that Big David does care and he does want to change, he just didn't want to talk about it. He admits he feels worthless with the sleep mask on and decides he wants to change.

The most touching moment was when Big David talks to Little David about having to wear the sleep mask. He puts the mask on his son and you can see his heart breaking that this may be his son's fate if things don't change for the better. It was really hard to watch.

Jillian then takes Little David to the dojo to learn some martial arts and he LOVES it. She even decks him out for his birthday party with all the sparring gear that he needs to continue with karate after she is gone. After a quick jaunt in the SS Metaphor where the family has to pull Big David through the sand, it is time for Jillian to catch the wind and fly away, promising to return six weeks later.

At the reveal, everyone looks wonderful. Carmen has lost 25 pounds, Little David has lost 25 pounds (and looks like a future cast member for Jersey Shore), and Big David has lost 54 pounds. And Melissa wears a dress. They had a daughter? Little David tells Jillian he wants to start an after school work out program for his school and JillianMichaels.com donates the money to fund it.

"The future for my family is brighter!" says Big David.

Now that the season is over, I wonder what happens next? Will we ever get to see what happened to these families later? I am hoping the format for next season will change- I would love to see half the amount of families and a little more focus on HOW they get where they are. I can't imagine anyone making truly lasting habits in 5 days or six weeks. Once the cameras are gone how do these families thrive? It is an interesting show but there is a lot of room for improvements.

Losing It with Jillian!: Episode 7- "We're not going to get along."

There are a lot of families out there that submitted themselves to be on Losing It. They put in their videos and pictures, prayed every night to be chosen, and unfortunately, were not chosen. Maybe they weren't television friendly enough, maybe they didn't have enough issues that would make for an interesting show. Not true with the Franklin family of Detroit, MI. Dad Todd has severe sleep apnea (he stops breathing over 8,000 times a night), Mom Amy had gastric bypass surgery and is gaining the weight back and is a smoker, and daughters Chloe and Lily are worried about their parents living healthy long lives. And they are ridiculously adorable. When Jillian came a knockin', this family started rockin'. And not in a good way.

Problem one: Jillian decided to "surprise" the family by sitting in their living room while the family thought they were filming a casting video. They didn't know they were already ON the show. Amy walks into the living room hiding a pack of cigarettes behind her back. And Jillian already found the big jars of candy all over the house. Amy starts crying and says she doesn't want to do this.

Problem two: Todd. Todd is a drama queen. He loves when people feel sorry for him, especially his friends who are in good shape and would LOVE for Todd to be healthy. Todd doesn't quit just once on Jillian, but twice. And he says can't a lot.

Problem three: Todd is a late night binge eater. Jillian totally busts him.

Problem four: Amy smokes in front of Jillian. Jillian totally busts her.

Problem five: Youngest daughter Chloe already has an attachment to food- she cries when Jillian goes to throw out her white bread, "That's my favorite kind of bread!" Jillian's explanation as to why whole grain bread is better is brilliant.

Problem six: Amy and Todd have a not so great relationship. Amy gives Todd the ULTIMATE ultimatum: Get better or I'm leaving you.

Problem seven: The most uncomfortable dinner party ever. Jillian invites the family and friends over to tell Todd to stop being such a wiener and to take control of his health. This is the tipping point, the AHA moment, but it felt alot more like an episode of Intervention. Pass the hummus, and by the way, I don't want you to die.

Somehow, Jillian works her magic on this tough cookie family and they actually listen to her. When she returns six weeks later for cutie pie Lily's tenth birthday, Todd has lost 33 pounds and is no longer on his sleep machine, and Amy has lost 17 pounds and has quit smoking. Their relationship is stronger. Amy puts it well: "It was all right here. This is my life and I love it."

Next week: A nine-year-old boy with a solid B cup. This should be interesting.

Losing It with Jillian!: Episode 6- "I'm going to have a meltdown."

This week's journey takes Jillian to the Yavapai Apache Tribe in Camp Verde, Arizona to meet the Plunkett Marquez family: mom Cora-Lei, dad Brian, grandma Delores, sister Delight (wow), and son Brandon. Cora-Lei is a tribal leader and wants to get her ailing nation in shape: Type 2 diabetes is a huge epidemic, the tribe is no longer hunting and gathering, and obesity affects almost every member.

Jillian pulls up and Cora-Lei welcomes her with a "all of our prayers have been answered!" She tells Jillian that they have lost connection with who they are as a people and are hoping that Jillian can get them back on track. Cora-Lei has no idea what she is in for.

The family visits Dr. Van Herle and finds out what they thought to be true: They are all overweight and either pre-diabetic or diabetic. Delores has already had two heart attacks and a stroke! What is at the root of this problem?

First issue: No physical fitness. Dad Brian and son Brandon hold up alright, but Delight quits after 12 minutes on the treadmill going 3.7 mph. She is only 21-years-old. After much screaming 2 inches from Cora-Lei's face, Jillian tells her "it starts right here with you". How can she lead her people if she can't lead her own family?

Second Issue: Fry Bread. I love a good Indian Taco- I mean I am Oklahoman. But I know that there aren't any good for you and can't remember the last time I ate one. This tribe makes fry bread apart of their every day diet, and it is made with white bleached flour and lard. When Jillian questions this practice, Cora-Lei tries to defend it by saying it is apart of their culture. With a little more probing, Jillian discovers it was something Indian tribes started after receiving government staples after being dislodged from their land. Jillian points out that "fry bread is a representation of everything bad that has happened to their people."

It is starting to open Cora-Lei's eyes, but it all comes to a head at the meet Jillian party the tribe throws for her. She notices about 90% of the attendees are overweight. And everyone is eating fry bread. In her usual Jillian fashion, she grabs a box of fry bread and throws it out. There is an uproar- tribal tradition states that it is sinful to throw out food. Then Jillian gets pelted with an Indian Taco. The kid who did it is very lucky the cameras were on him, because he may of gotten a lot worse than an Indian Taco.

Back at home, Cora-Lei has to tell Jillian about the offense against the tribe, and although Jillian is no stranger to controversy, she seems like she is at her wits end. The news of the great fry bread incident have spread throughout the community, resulting in a abysmal turn out for the diabetes conference she holds the next day. Out of 2,000 members, only about 20 showed. Jillian realizes she needs to work on Cora-Lei first before she can change the entire nation, and takes Cora-Lei out one on one for a workout. After wrapping a heavy chain around her shoulders, Cora-Lei realizes that the chain represents her life up until this point. She is beginning to feel empowered. Jillian reminds her that "a smart leader isn't afraid to ask for help."

After Jillian focuses her mind bullets on Delight, who didn't know how to workout and was afraid to ask how, the two of them pass out flyers for a group fun walk the next day. A quick trip to apologize to the elders, and then it is time to walk. Will anyone show?

Happily, the fry bread incident caused a buzz in the community. They realized they didn't want fry bread to represent who they were as a people, and they showed up in droves for the walk. Jillian offers a free membership to her website for the community, and promises to come back 6 weeks later to check in.

What a difference 6 weeks makes! Delight lost 30 pounds, Brandon lost 52 pounds, Delores lost 18 pounds, and Cora-Lei lost 33 pounds. Not only do they look better, but they feel better and more in control. Jillian reminds the tribe that "your future is whatever you make it", and with that nugget of advice, she heads back to LA.

Next week- another family that hates to workout. I feel a trend.

Losing It with Jillian!: Episode 5- "I'm killing them and they are taking it all!"

This week's episode of Losing It may be the best one by far. I feel like Jillian shines when she is dealing with kids, and she shows her softer side when dealing with Elijah Vivio, a 14-year-old and youngest son of the Vivio family.




The Vivio's are ENORMOUS. Not fat, but a million feet tall. Most of their problems stem from the patriarch of the family, Mark, a proud southern man who loves football and thinks crying is for ladies. Elijah is the heaviest member of the family at 330 lbs, and he constantly degrades himself with negative comments. He is picked on at school for being heavy and walks with a slouch: He has zero confidence.

Jillian picks up on this family rift right away, and focuses her mind bullets on Mark to try and get him to open up and be more emotionally available. She also works with Elijah one on one to build his confidence. Mom Laverne also talks herself down all the time, and Jillian has to work with her, too. Which ends up with a MASSIVE face plant on the treadmill. OUCH.

There is more psychoanalysis and less physical analysis this episode. It proves what I am always saying: The mental component of weight loss is JUST as important as the physical. Watching Mark and Laverne open up as parents and realize that Elijah might not be a football star but he is very special and worthy of their love was one of the most rewarding transformations yet.

Also, it was nice to see Jillian comes to Elijah's school and talks to his leadership class about bullying. Turns out every kid, every shape and size, has been the victim of negative thoughts from others or themselves. It's important for kids to empower themselves and realize that hurtful words don't have to hurt and they can get past that to grow into strong, compassionate people.

When Jillian comes back eight weeks later, the physical and emotional transformations are stunning. Elijah has lost 50 pounds, Mark has lost 56 pounds, and Laverne has lost 31 pounds. You can feel that the family bond has gotten so much stronger and Elijah now walks with confidence and enthusiasm. The check for $50k was also pretty sweet.

Just another week in the life of Jillian Michaels.

Next week, Jillian goes on the reservation and gets rid of Indian tacos. NO! Not the fry bread!

Losing It with Jillian!: Episode 4: "Mama, quit quittin'!"

Jillian's Losing It journey this week takes her to the cutely named town of Goodlettsville, TN to meet with the Northern Family. There is dad Patrick, mom Kim, and twin son and daughter Amir and Ameera. They are an all American family with some big American problems: Patrick lost his job, Kim is trying to be the bread winner and take care of the family, and the family has very poor eating habits.

When Jillian first sees the family, they are "cooking up a heart attack", making themselves a lunch consisting of deep fried chicken wings, mac and cheese, over 14,290 calories worth of food! Jillian is PISSED and calls the family, telling them to put the wings down and head to the doctor. The doctor has the usual disturbing news: Patrick should weigh 192 pounds and weighs 329 pounds, and Kim should weigh 139 pounds and weighs 283 pounds. She is 53% body fat! The kids start to cry because they want healthy parents that will be around for a long time.

Then it's time to meet Jillian in person for their beating. She is FIRED UP, and puts the family through planks, lifting logs, and karaokes- not the singing variety. Patrick gives up half way through the workout, and Ameera begins crying again. Jillian knows she needs to get out the mind bullet gun and do some investigating on why this family is in such dire straits.

Patrick keeps promising that tomorrow and someday things will get better and Kim is tired of shouldering the burden of the family herself. Jillian asks, "There is no tomorrow, why not now?" Patrick begins to realize that he can give the family many things, but unless he is giving them the gift of his health they have nothing.

The Northern family heads home with Jillian in tow and she heads right to the deep fried mess that is in the kitchen. She moans at the five gallon jug of cooking oil and gasps at Patrick's secret creme pie stashes all over the house. This family knows full well that their eating habits are bad, but they are not willing to change it.

At least the house is clean.

Later on when Jillian is speaking with Kim, Kim reveals a huge Ziplock bag (no plug here) of candy that she eats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the weekends because she is trying to escape from all the responsibility she has during the week. She and Patrick aren't talking about their issues. Jillian has her work cut out for her.

The next day at the gym, Jillian pushes Kim and Patrick as hard as she can- Patrick manages to fall off the treadmill (I see Ashley from Biggest Loser every time) and Jillian yells at him for quitting. He finally breaks down, admitting he is afraid to fail. Jillian retorts, "The only way to fail is to give up." Sound advice.

We learn more about the family when Kim's sister stops by and tells Jillian that Kim cancelled her 40th birthday party because she wasn't thin enough. Patrick doesn't compete in his step dancing competitions because he doesn't feel good about how he looks. When Jillian accompanies the family to a step dancing event, Patrick walks out when she pushes a little too hard for him to participate. Jillian is tired of this family living on the sidelines, and she realizes that Patrick is the key to turning the family around.

The plan: to unravel Kim in front of Patrick. While walking on the treadmills, Jillian asks a couple of questions and Kim's flood gates open. Patrick doesn't want to see his wife sad, and he begins to truly listen to her concerns. The next day, Patrick wakes up with purpose. He does all the things on Kim's "honey do" list to make her smile and to let her know that he is apart of the family. Then Jillian has Patrick work Kim out at the gym- he has a light in his eyes and you can tell that he is truly motivated to change.

Then it is family activity time! Jillian goes with the family to a local skating rink, where Patrick does a little more falling then skating. The family is laughing and having a great time, which is really the reason for being together. After a quick trip to the capital to have the family take a literal trip up stairs to show the journey they have in store, it is time for the group hugs and Jillian to say goodbye.

Eight weeks later, Jillian comes back for a surprise belated 40th birthday party for Kim. Patrick reveals his new 61 pound lighter frame and Kim shows off that she has lost 41 pounds. And no surprise, Patrick does a little step dancing. Jillian gives them all $50,000 and heads off into the sunset to help another family in need of her special brand of tough love.

Next week: a 14-year-old boy who is over 300 pounds. A tear jerker- bring your tissues!

Losing It with Jillian!: Episode 3- "Which women do you want to be?"

Boo, NBC. BOO! You know that people watch your show. You have the balls to move the program around from 8 pm to 10 pm to 8pm. . .and we follow you. Then after the President's very important BP speech, you decide to show your loyal viewers "Losing It with Jillian" already in progress. We lost the first 20 minutes of the show.

THE BEST PART OF THE SHOW WAS IN THE FIRST 20 MINUTES!!!!

And then to show a repeat of Last Comic Standing at 10 pm? Good Lord people.

Of course, I had to wait until the show came On Demand. I felt like all the live tweeting would have really benefited from the first 20 minutes because the matriarch of the May family is NUTS! I have never seen Jillian afraid of someone sneaking into her room and killing her at night.

It was SO amazingly weird and nutty and I was totally bummed I didn't get to share that with my live twitterers. It would have made up for the luke warm reception that Losing it has sort of had.

Don't get me wrong- I love Jillian and I like the show and I am impressed with the changes the families are making. My complaints are that the show is too short, I don't really get to see HOW the family is making the changes, and I don't know if there is lasting power.

Also, is Jillian really cleaning the houses or does she have a team? And how clever are the editors to erase any helping hands?

Sigh. This third episode was the best in the bunch. The May family consists of Mom, two daughters, and a son. The dad is MIA, divorced from the family because I can only assume he left the mom for another person. Mom is eating her problems, is a RAGEAHOLIC, and her poor daughters are following in her footsteps. The son seems to be doing a little better, but he is the only guy in a house full of chicks.

Jillian not only has to deal with the healthy eating and exercising, but also the overflowing May's garage of stuff. She decides to help the family let go of some of their baggage, but LORD. You must watch the mom freak out. When she yells "SELL IT ALL!" it makes your blood chill.

The reveal of the family when Jillian returns in 8 weeks is also a mind blower. The mom lost 74 pounds. THOSE ARE AMAZING NUMBERS! And the daughters both look like television stars. I still don't QUITE know how it happens or how quickly, but it is impressive.




Listen to my plea, NBC. Don't keep jacking me around! Or I'm going to Lose It.

Losing It with Jillian!: Episode 2- "Don't Say Can't to Me."

This week Jillian is still in Massachusetts, but now she has moved to Cambridge to visit the Jones family. There is mom Deb and her two children, 12-year-old Isabella and 10-year-old Jordan. The story starts out pretty rough: Deb's husband died of a heart attack 6 years ago at the marriage counselor's office. She had dragged him there because his health was taking a toll on their marriage. Now Deb is afraid to work out because she doesn't want to die and leave her children without a parent.

HEAVY. If that isn't the ultimate excuse, I don't know what is.

Undeterred, Jillian calls the family and tells them to meet her at the sports center. "Which sports center?" Isabella asks. "I don't know!" says Deb. They find it, because they are still on camera when Jillian enters the gym.

The introductory exercises that Jillian uses to asses the Jones' level of fitness look pretty rough (jumping jacks on a gym mat? JUMP ROPE?) and she soon finds the main problem in the family is Deb. Deb's favorite word is CAN'T and she says it often. Jillian is itching for a thorough ass kicking, but restrains herself because of the children. There are a lot of muffled threats through clenched teeth and she looks like she may kill Deb. She is just waiting for the kids to have their backs turned.

After an emotion-filled workout, they head back home, and the show takes a little road trip to Hoarders land. Each room in the Jones' home is FILLED with dirty clothes, dirty dishes, papers and trash and Jillian quickly decides she will be staying in a motel. Deb's room is so bad that she doesn't even have a bed to sleep on. "This is unacceptable," Jillian says.

After her night in the motel, Jillian returns to take the mom to the gym and leaves the kids to start cleaning their very messy rooms. At the gym, Deb is subjected to a litany of Jillian classics like "You're not going to die!" and "FIGHT BACK DEB!" Deb finally breaks down in a pile of tears and gasps, "I'm so tired of doing everything by myself." She is lonely and broken and unable to move forward. But after admitting that she needs some help, there is already some life in her eyes.

Deb and Jillian head back to the house for a day of cleaning. Jillian realizes that Isabella has been in the co-parent role since her dad passed, and takes her aside for a little heart to heart where she urges the girl to "go be 12". Deb needs some help, but it shouldn't be at the expense of her daughter's childhood.

Deb takes her Jillian to work, and Jillian finds out that Deb's coworkers get together and run three times a week and compete in 5ks on the weekends. It is her chance to be social, have adult interaction, and also get healthy. Jillian informs Deb she also will be competing in a 5k in 6 weeks- just in time for her to return to check in on the family!

Later at the gym, Jillian is inflicting some serious mind bullet action on Deb when Isabella wigs out on Jillian- something that most people never live to do. Deb tells Isabella that she doesn't have to protect her, that she can defend herself, and Jillian decides to make a point with a weighted vest. She puts the weight on the daughter, and the light bulb finally goes on in Deb's head that she should carry the burden because she is the mom. Jillian does some crazy Jedi reverse psychology- she is not just a trainer. She is a MACHINE.

Now that the literal and figurative burden has been lifted, Deb and Isabella are free to engage in some healthy mother/daughter activities like African Dance. Jillian is good at many things, but dancing is not one of them. IT WAS FUNNY. (You can watch the episode at nbc.com) She also takes the family out on a canoe ride and the canoe tips over. Make that two things.

It's the final day, and Jillian packs up her carpet bag in the newly clean Jones family home and promises to return in six weeks. After a quick montage of Deb's trials and tribulations while training for the 5k, it is race day. Jillian shows up with Team Deb t-shirts and runs alongside Deb and her coworkers to the finish line.

Deb looks incredible! She ended up losing 32 pounds, she is healthier and happier, and the family bond is stronger. The kids look great too. It's all in a week's work.

Next week, Jillian doles out more tough love and does more house cleaning. . .

Losing It with Jillian!: Episode 1- Thoughts. . .

Losing It is a very different concept from The Biggest Loser. Some pros, some cons, but overall I enjoyed the show and thought Jillian Michaels held her own without Bob and Ali by her side.

The first and biggest difference? The show is ONLY one hour in length. By the time I had gotten the old live tweeting engine in full throttle the show was over. I like that it's a breeze to watch and easy to blog about, leaving me some more time to do other things with my day. I am sure that Jillian would want that! I did find it hard to connect with the family and their journey when there are so many characters and issues and only one hour to solve them.

This first episode focused on a "larger than life" Italian family in Wilminton, MA. There is a neck pillow wearing dad, a sausage and peppers cooking mom, a Marilyn pierced daughter, tattooed son, and an even more tattooed daughter's fiancee. The dad and daughter both had gone through gastric bypass surgery but it hasn't fixed them on the inside. The mom has lost and gained weight many times. The son is heavy as a side effect. The family suffers from lack of communication due to a death that occurred at the beginning of the couple's marriage: They lost their son one month after he was born and hadn't ever tried to grieve together. As a result, the family ate their feelings and their family bond and waistlines spiraled out of control.

Heavy, right? Add to that the daughter's pending nuptials in six weeks and you get why I feel we may need a little more time. The Biggest Loser almost spends too much time crafting the characters. Maybe since Losing It is not a show based on votes and game play we can skim over the particulars.

Jillian comes to the family in her usual style with a not so great catch phrase: "You asked and I came!" I think it should be "I am here to kick your ass!", but maybe that isn't so family friendly.

Side note on the family friendly: NBC, why put the show on at 10? Who wants to wait that late? I know the show goes back to 8 pm next week, but why not start there? Oy, Conan was right. . . Don't even get me started.

Anyhoo, Jillian meets them at the gym and the family manages to quit within 5 minutes and get into a shouting match. After Jillian "leaves", the family decides they really DO want the change, and decide to stick it out. So, workout section complete.

Now to diet. The family eats fried chicken, instant mashed potatoes with ADDED butter, and no veggies. The dad even states that if there is anything green in the fridge it is because it's moldy. Didn't the surgeon that performed the gastric bypass give them ANY recommendations for after care? The surgery didn't stick for the dad, and the daughter is just a matter of time. Jillian wakes up early and takes the daughter to shop and to educate her on standing up to her family and forcing them to make the right decisions.

Now to the insides. Jillian takes the mom for a walk and she spills about the loss of her son and how her husband never would deal with it.

Then there is another workout. The mom has turned into a mini Jillian, pushing her husband to the limit.

Then the insides. Family meeting is called and Jillian gets the mom to open up to the family about the loss of their son. Pictures are shown of the child and everyone cries. IT WAS A TOUGH MOMENT. Jillian is not playing with her fully loaded and cocked mind bullet gun.

Then the outsides. The family goes shopping for the daughter's wedding and is unhappy that their outfits don't fit and vow that by the wedding day they will be in better shape. Over dinner Jillian blasts the daughter for turning her parent's compliments about her in her wedding dress to something negative. Which leads to. . .

The insides. And a workout. At the final workout, Jillian gets the daughter to open up about still feeling like a fat kid and urges her to let it go while performing crunches. Then she makes the family talk about their goals for the future. Then there is a group hug.

And it is time for Jillian to go. Much like Mary Poppins, she packs her carpet bag and flies on the wind with her magical umbrella to the next family who needs her.

6 weeks later. . .the daughter is getting married and everyone looks like they are on the road to recovery. Dad has lost 48 pounds, mom has lost 34 pounds, son has lost 25 pounds, and daughter finally feels beautiful.

Mission accomplished.

My questions are what happened in those six weeks? How long did Jillian work them out while she was there? Did she sleep in the house? Who taught them how to cook? I feel like I am watching Lost.

Next week: Hoarding. And weight loss. And grief. And family issues. Looks like a doozie. Get 'em, Jillian!

Apartment Fitness: Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones

In honor of Jillian's new show "Losing It with Jillian" starting tonight, I wanted to do a Jillian themed workout and review. Not all of us can have Jillian move into our homes, and living in an apartment in New York City makes that reality even less so! Enter the workout DVD "Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones": A tough, no nonsense workout that gets you as close to a one on one workout with the famed trained as you can get. And you don't have to have a guest room for her to stay over!

"No More Trouble Zones" focuses on those areas that we all want toned: Our arms, butts, abs, legs, and hips. Everywhere! Using light resistance (the women on the video use 3 pounds, I used 5), Jillian leads you through a series of circuits. Each circuit has 5 exercises that are performed twice through, so you will want to have a lighter weight to make it through both sets! She keeps the intensity up so you are getting a cardio benefit as well as a strength benefit. All that in a little over 40 minutes so you can get on with your day!

The best part of the video is that the workout doesn't take up a lot of space and you don't need a lot of equipment. I was still sweating like crazy and hoping that my shaking arms could support the weights! Jillian keeps it lively without too much yelling or punishment: You will not feel like you are on The Biggest Loser Ranch! This is a "softer" Jillian. The workout is still challenging! There are plenty of modifications to make the workout easier or harder, depending on your skill level.

Inviting Jillian into your home just got a lot easier- no television show required!

Equipment Required: Light Dumbbells (Jillian recommends 3 pounds), mat

Fitness Level: Beginner to Advanced

SUMMER TV PREVIEW!

Can you believe that Memorial Day is this weekend? My GOD. I feel like we just celebrated the new year! With the change in seasons and the major finales of many of our favorite television programs, it is time to say HOLA to the new shows I will be blogging about this summer!

LOSING IT WITH JILLIAN: Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels doesn't take many vacations. The BL just wrapped up on Tuesday, and this Tuesday (June 1st) Jillian goes out on her own to travel America and move in with one "lucky" family so she can transform them. It isn't just about working out, either. It looks like she tackles everything from family relationships to hoarding. It sounds like all my favorite reality programs wrapped up into a neat, six-pack abs package. NBC: Tuesdays at 10/9 c.





DANCE YOUR ASS OFF: Controversial but incredibly entertaining, Dance Your Ass Off kicks it into high gear Monday, June 7th at 9/8c on the Oxygen Network. I LOVED THIS SHOW! Last season I watched as some overweight guys and gals put it all out there and left it on the dance floor. It was really inspirational to see people working out, doing something that they LOVE to do. Dancing is a calorie scorcher, and the results for some of the contestants was jaw dropping. New for the season: Mel B (aka Scary Spice) will now be hosting instead of Marissa Jaret Winokur, the chubby little star of Hairspray on Broadway.

HUGE: ABC Family, which in my mind makes some of the most questionable family programming out there (Tell me why Pretty Little Liars exists), has a new show about fat kids at fat camp called Huge. I don't know how I feel about this, but I won't know until I watch it. I'm assuming it's about kids coming to terms with themselves and others. I'm okay, you're okay. ABC Family: Mondays starting June 28th at 9/8 c.

BRIDAL BOOT CAMP: Leave it to super reality television vehicle VH1 to put on a show that combines all the cattiness of Rock of Love with the intensity of Harvey Walden IV on Celebrity Fit Club. Two teams of ladies compete to lose weight and win their dream wedding. The show may be hosted by a transsexual. Tell me if I am wrong, but shim sounds manly. VH1: Premieres Wednesday, June 9th 10/9 c.

VH1 TV Shows Music Videos Celebrity Photos News & Gossip

Watch with me, tweet with me, read my blog. This summer is going to be hot and sweaty, with a 45% chance of some chaffing.