Jillian Michaels On Leaving The Biggest Loser

Posted on Apr 8th 2011 11:00AM by Ilyssa Panitz

Jillian Michaels Getty Images

If you're one of the millions of people that loves watching Jillian Michaels on "The Biggest Loser," set your DVR because her time on the NBC series is running out.

At the end of this season, the tough talking personal trainer, who has helped dozens of people shed thousands of unwanted pounds on national TV, is saying farewell.

"While I am incredibly grateful for the platform the program has given me, I knew back in season 10 it was time to leave. I am at a point where I want to grow, evolve and spread my wings," Michaels told That's Fit.

Michaels is setting her sights on doing charity work, motivational speaking, a talk show and promoting her new book, "Unlimited," but the main reason for leaving is because the 37-year-old wants to start a family.

In fact, Michaels is so serious about becoming a mom she is currently knee deep in the process of adopting a child from Africa.

"I am not going to kid you, I am scared, very scared," Michaels told That's Fit. "It is a tremendous responsibility taking care of another human being and it's also intimidating. But I also know my kid is going to force me to unplug and prioritize my life and to be quite honest I am really excited and look forward to it."

Yet despite the hard-hitting persona Michael portrays on the hit series, off-screen she's a big softy who confesses, "When I see the end of my life I see family around me and that is where my heart is right now."

So much so, that while Michaels is busy preparing to enter the sorority of motherhood, she is already thinking about adopting a second child from the United States.

Now, if you watch Michaels on The Biggest Loser than you know she is super strict in terms of what the participants are allowed to eat.

However, when it comes to feeding her own kids Michaels tells That's Fit, "My kid will have coconut organic ice-cream. They will eat nothing with hormones and antibiotics. I am not going to let my kid eat poison, but yeah, they can have high-calorie snacks too."

Although Michaels is focusing a lot of her attention on becoming a parent, she expresses great sadness in her voice when she thinks about her big departure from the show.

"Bob Harper is one of my closest friends," Michaels told That's Fit, "We are like husband and wife. I come to work every day and see his little face. Not seeing him all of the time is something I will miss dearly.

Even though Michaels was hired to be a teacher and educate the show's contestants how to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle, Michaels admits The Biggest Loser helped her learn an invaluable lesson too.

"The show has taught be so much about the fabric of resilience within humanity. We have so much strength and so much unlimited potential that we aren't aware of and that has helped me guide people into realizing their potential."

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Daddy Lizard 4-08-2011 @ 12:03PM

Hey Jillian, have you ever thought about adopting AMERICAN children? Why do you feel you need adopt a "foreign" child; when there are so very many AMERICAN orphans that need a loving home here in the states!? Think about it.

Sally 4-15-2011 @ 12:41PM

She said she was going to adopt from the US also. People can adopt where ever they choose. Maybe in the 2010's American's could figure out how not to get pregnant 8 or 10 times. DUH I learned that in junior high school.

Diane 4-08-2011 @ 5:59PM

It's obvious that many of you don't know much about adoption. It is very rare to have an "orphan" in the US and the adoption process is ridiculous. Our first was adopted here but by the time we tried for our second, we went through two years of a living nightmare, losing children the day after they were born to teenage moms who decided against adoption. When we started the process in Korea, we had a child within 7 months. By her own words, Jillian said she will try to adopt her second from the US. As long as there are children who need homes, what difference does it make where they were born? I don't get all the negative comments.

doaner 4-08-2011 @ 7:42PM

Becuse it is easier to adopt overseas when you are gay.

Molly 4-09-2011 @ 9:37AM

Hey, Daddy Lizard, how many US kids have you adopted?

Gretchen 4-09-2011 @ 1:35PM

Well, I guess you have never tried adopting here in the US! The process is VERY long and by the time you can adopt, the 'birth' parents can ALWAYS come back and get their baby back! If you adopt from elsewhere, once it finalized, and you get the baby, it's done. No worries. We tried twice and both times got shot down. I would NEVER adopt from the US cause the laws here are geared to the 'birth' family. And as far as orphans in the US,,,,,where? There may be foster kids galore, but even those poor children are stuck in our system and the screwed up 'birth' parents STILL have rights, even after sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse, etc... One boy we tried to adopt (4 years old!) could not be adopted by us cause we didn't share his 'indian' heritage! He had like 1/16th Apache in him! So don't moan about the people whom want to adopt and want to do it before they become senior citizens, adopting from other countries!

Tammy 5-26-2011 @ 2:12AM

I agree! I don't understand why all of these "stars" with money need to look outside the USA to adopt. It's so irritating to hear. What do they have against our USA babies up for adoption?

Connie 4-08-2011 @ 11:53AM

Aren't there enought children right here in the US that need to be adopted! I like Jillian and she has helped so many people, but really!

carey 4-08-2011 @ 4:09PM

Adoption in the US can be a lengthy, time consuming nightmare. It is often easier to adopt from other countries. Those children need love too. So before we all judge, because it is easy to do in this anonymous forum, give her some credit for choosing to adopt at all. Good Luck Jillian.

Michael 4-08-2011 @ 11:41AM

Good take the show off the air. I have been obese all my life, and I don't appreciate that blonde host belittling the contestants when it's clear she has never been fat a day in her life. I stopped watching 3 years ago and would love NBC to actually put some real entertainment into the timeslot, watching fat people diet is not entertaining. I initially only watched it cause it was the only thing on, and thinking this will be the last year, never did I think NBC would bring this dud back every single year, then you wonder why NBC is always dead last in ratings Duh. No More!! Cancel the fat show PERIOD.

Sally 4-08-2011 @ 12:16PM

HA HA HA YOU ARE THE BIGGEST LOSER HA HA HA

ALLEN SINCLAIR 4-08-2011 @ 2:15PM

hey michael get your fat but from your puter and walk or something.that show is one the best on tv just because you want to stay big dont mean others do.

James 4-22-2011 @ 1:04AM

Just watching the show makes you hungry, huh Mikey?

Julian Eubanks 4-08-2011 @ 4:52PM

HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE!!! You go Micheal! You sit there and hate on Jillian. One time in her life she was obese, but she did something about it. Hmmm... Instead of being a "Hater". Why don't you do the same.

sherry 4-08-2011 @ 5:34PM

you must not Alison Sweeney very well then?she was huge and lost alot of weight.so before you say something about someone get your facts right there.

l 4-08-2011 @ 6:30PM

I will pray for you Michael. I love the show and I will miss Jullian.

JULIE 3-29-2012 @ 8:00AM

I do feel for people who have a genetic disposition to be heavy, but whiners like Mike(ive been obese all my life),should not look down on people or shows that have people actually trying to do something about their weight. Mike maybe if you got of you fat asse,put down the remote, and the doughnuts, and took a walk, you wouldnt be so miserable.