Jillian Michaels appeared on her website wearing a top emblazoned with the word “BULLY”.
She states “I’m not here to offer you false promises and all that crap that sells. I’m here to offer you a real weight-loss solution.”Jillian Michaels is best known for her role as personal trainer and coach on TV show The Biggest Loser.
Now she offers her own weight loss solution that is:
1 Part Diet
1 Part Exercise
1 Part Attitude
The site promises a “free” weight loss plan by way of a comprehensive questionnaire that asks everything from your resting heart rate to your body shape.
After entering my details – the site came up with some interesting customizations (note that the website appeared to lock up when using the Firefox browser):
- Because I have an “apple” body shape (store fat around the stomach and chest) – a particular workout plan that targeted visceral fat was suggested.
- Because I am a fast “oxidizer” – a lower carb approach was suggested (50% protein, 20% carb, 30% fat).
- For the behavioral aspect of the program – Jillian tells me “Well, I say screw willpower”. She recommends getting a hobby, curbing mindless eating, and avoiding dangerous situations (like walking by the donut shop).
Not Quite Free?
After that the site wanted my billing details. So much for a free weight loss plan. The costs are $4 per week, billed in 13 week amounts.
You can cancel at anytime and will receive a refund for unused days. If you cancel before 4 weeks you will be charged a minimum of $20.
She has also teamed up with Freshology as a way to offer her members a diet food delivery option.
No Bull
Jillian Michaels champions a “no bull / no hype” approach to weight loss that is much more than a simple diet. Michaels has also authored a book “Winning by Losing : Drop the Weight, Change Your Life” which maintains a consistent 4.5 star review status at Amazon. That alone is indicative of the popularity of her approach.
Like many websites – I wonder how well the presence of a personal trainer translates into an online tool. It’s great to read about motivation – it’s another thing altogether to have a coach beside you pushing you onward.
She does offer a mobile app which may help when you’re out and about.
I think that the shed and shred workout is great, but I would not spend money on the diet plan! why do that when I work at a hospital and I can ask other healthcare professionals what kind of diet I should be on? It is so silly to pay all this money for a diet plan when all I have to do is ask my personal doctor what I should do to lose the weight or ask a personal trainer at the gym what I should do to be healthy and lose the weight! I love the workouts, but she is just out to make a profit just like everyone else.
wow, after reading the problems you guys all had and how you were mislead about this free trail with Jillian Michaels program. I am glad you all posted this. I will certainly just navigate away from this page and anything else to do with Jillian’s programs. I never thought she would be like that..just all about the money. I should have known. Has she ever even tried to answer any of these issues or say I am sorry for the misunderstandings…It is so sad when you look up to someone and you find out they are not who you think they are. Thanks for the info:
Do they refund your money if you cancel?
Hi jillian im 28yrs old 5’6 weigh 274lbs my goal is to lose 100+lbs by the end of the year im getting married feb 9, 2013 ive always been overweight and its time to get in shape for myself and my health..its been very hard im counting calories and have cut out all sodas and been going to the gym atleast 3x’s a day. jillian if you can read this could you PLEASE email me i dont have much money but i would be very dedicated to all your workouts and eating properly. im in desperate need of HELP.
I JUS BOUGHT THE 30 DAY SHRED BY JULLIAN MICHAELS GONE TO START TOMARROW GOOD LUCK TO ME
I EXERCISE WITH BIGGERS LOSER DVD DIDNT READ THE BOOK YET
wamnt to renew membership
I used Jillian Micheals free online membership, but I forgot to cancel it. It has been a week and a half. I called this morning and they said their was no way for a refund. How do you get money back for unused days?
I signed up for Jillian’s free 2 week plan. I initially knew that after the 2 weeks I would have to call customer service to cancel my subscription but at the end of the two weeks, I went to log into my Jillian Michaels account and realized that it had already been cancelled (it told me it was up and asked for all of my credit card information again to start it, i denied it, so I thought I was done). Little did I know, the account wasn’t truly cancelled. I looked at my bank account today and just saw that $52 has been taken out. I am LIVID. I plan on calling in and having them refund my money. I know everyone will say that I should’ve expected this, but I did at first. I expected to have to call in but they made it look like the account was cancelled and I was free to go. I better get my money back. I adore Jillian Michaels and loved the website but I hate the way that it is set up. Let’s hope it goes well. In the end, Jillian is still amazing but I am still ticked. Definitely NOT free.
I’m tired of all the “free” stuff advertised – it’s not free, so please tell it like it is!
Misleading offer, and very poor customer service.
I had a 2-week free trial membership for JillianMichaels.com. I went through the enrollment and provided a form of payment for the automatic renewal if I didn’t cancel within the 2 weeks. I enrolled on Oct. 5 at 12:30 pm (ET). Over the weekend I logged on to cancel my membership and discovered that the only way to cancel is to call customer service during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm ET). No worries, technically, I’m still within my free 2 week trial until 12:30 Monday, right?
Well, first thing this morning I discover that my account has already been charged the $52 quarterly fee. I had to wait until 9am to call them though. Right at 9:00 I called and was told that since I didn’t call by 8pm last Friday, the fee was non refundable. The rep pointed out that the confirmation email sent to me on 10/5 spelled out their hours and I should have known to cancel by Friday. After going back and forth and being put on hold for a while they agreed to refund $48 and only charge me the $4 for this week. I’m not happy but it’s better than $52.
OK, so this is a totally online service so why do I have to CALL customer service to cancel? Why not offer that option online? That way I could have cancelled on Sunday night. I just think that a reputable company would not make it so difficult to cancel a membership and would provide better customer service.
What a bunch of crap! Buyer beware!
Carla, I just wanted to thank you for the information about canceling JillianMichaels.com accounts. It took me about 10 minutes to get a person on the line, but it was worth the wait to get this thing canceled!
Thanks for the info!
Ok….So I have been wondering about this myself because in my opinion I have a FANTASTIC DR, however he has put me on Orlistat otherwise known as Alli and I must say I have lost roughly 8lbs running and cutting my calories down to around 1200-1400/day and to be perfectly honest I think I have hypothyroidism which will also hamper any weight loss I am trying to establish and have been told by my dr that the phentermine diet pills I had been hooked on for the past 3 years could have been masking the thyroid problem and to come in 3 months later and he would evaluate it then. So at this point I am very frustrated that I have to eat SO FEW calories to see any weight loss and run my rear off 5x/week for 30 mins and that I still weigh roughly 160lbs!!!! I am 5’6″ and feel that with as much as I run and with as few calories I eat I should be as lean as the leanest marathon runner. I love the fact that I carry so much muscle but hate thtat I have been covering up a previously identified thyroid problem with my drug addiction and will now have to wait another 2 months to get the medication I need which will help me to drop 15lbs out of no where might I add! ugh, I also agree with 99.9% of you guys on here about the healthy fats and in moderation. I think the Alli was in an attempt to help me cut out more calories ON TOP of the running to help me drop more weight. I am rambling so I will shut up now lol but I am just at a point in my life at 30 years old I should not have so many problems with diet exercise and weight loss with the kind of body I have! I thought muscle was suppose to burn more calores not become incredibly effiecient at burning calories to the point I have to stick as close to 1200/day as possible in order to lose an ounce a week ugh wondering if it will always be this way~
i canceled the day after i joined. i was under the impression that i would not be billed. i rec a bill on my last credit card for 3months. cancel me please
ALSO I’M EATING BREAKFAST,(MOSTLY LOW SUGAR AND LOW CARB WITH ALMOND OR FAT FREE MILK) HAVE A SNACK 2 HOURS LATER (SUCH AS A PLAIN YOGURT AND STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE WITH 2 PACKS OF SPLENDA)THEN LUCH 2 HOURS LATER (A HAM AND FAT FREE CHEESE SANDWHICH ON WHOLE GRAIN BREAD W/ FRUIT AND VEGGIES AS MUCH AS YOU WANT OF VEGGIES) THEN A SNACK 2 HOURS LATER (LIKE LOW FAT POP CORN MINI BAG SPRAYED WITH BUTTER FLAVORED COOKING SPRAY TASTE AWESOME AND A COUPLE HAND FULLS OF NUTS LIKE ALMONDS, PEANUTS OR, PECANS) THEN HAVE DINNER 2 HOURS LATER (LIKE A LEAN STEAK WITH AS MUCH GREEN-BEANS AS YOU WANT AND A WHEAT ROLL) THEN A SNACK 2 HOURS BEFORE BED (LIKE ANGEL FOOD CAKE YUM! CAN ADD SUGAR FREE SYRUP LIKE CARMEL TO IT OR FRUIT) IT WORKS FOR ME! I’M ONLY EXERCISING 30 MINUTES A DAY AND LOSING AND I DO TAKE A CHEAT BITE HERE AND THERE! IM ABOUT TO START A FULL BODY CLEANSE WHICH I KNOW WOULD HELP ANYONE!
WELL SO HAVE I AND AFTER THREE KIDS IM DONE WISHING TO LOSE….I JUST CUT MY PORTIONS DOWN AND AM NOT EATING MORE THAN 19 CARBS PER MEAL (LOOK AT THE LABELS AND IF THERE IS 22 CARBS AND 4 FIBER THEN SUBTRACT THE CARBS WITH THE FIBER SO IT WOULD THEN BE ONLY 18 CARBS) ALSO IM STAYING AWAY FROM AS MUCH SATURATED AND TRANS FATS AS POSSIBLE…MONO SATURATED AND POLY SATURATED FATS ARE FINE…IM STAYING AWAY FROM HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP…REAL SUGAR IS BETTER AND SPLENDA IS BEST! I’M ALSO DOING A DVD FITNESS ROUTINE IN MY LIVING ROOM EVERYDAY! SEEING AND FEELING GREAT RESULTS!
YEA WELL I READ THINGS CLEARLY AND IT SAID FREE 7 DAY MEMBERSHIP WHEN YOU PURCHASE A JUMP-START KIT, LIKE I PURCHASED BUT WHEN I ENTERED MY INFO THEY ASKED FOR A CREDIT CARD NUMBER ALSO. JUST IN CASE I DON’T WANNA CANCEL…LIKE IT WOULD BE SO HARD TO ENTER THAT INFO LATER IF I DECIDE TO CONTINUE! I SAY FORGET IT, IM A BUSY MOM OF THREE AND I KNOW I’LL FORGET T CANCEL AND WON’T GET MY MONEY BACK!
SUCH B.S! I signed up for the 7 day “free” trial, my credit card got charged $52 in the first hour. I couldn’t find anywhere on my profile page to cancel my membership so I had to search the internet to find the phone number for Waterfront Media Customer Service (which is 888-795-4719) for them to tell me I signed up for 13 weeks when I didn’t even know I had the option. DON’T SIGN UP FOR THIS! Join a gym instead! At least then you’ll know where your money is going!
this kind of sounds like the Body For Life approach by Bill Phillips-it does work i need to get back on it.