“It’s important for women to have overall strength,” trainer tells the July 2014 issue

Jun 20, 2014 16:59 GMT  ·  By
Jillian Michaels poses for Shape photospread like you’ve never seen her before
2 photos
   Jillian Michaels poses for Shape photospread like you’ve never seen her before

Personal trainer Jillian Michaels, whom you probably know best from her appearances on The Biggest Loser, is featured in the July 2014 issue of Shape magazine, whose cover she also graces. While excerpts from the interview have been out for a couple of days now, fans will be pleasantly shocked to hear that the actual issue also includes a full spread with Jillian – as Mother Nature left her on this planet.

Indeed, Michaels has agreed to take it all off for the magazine but before you go thinking here is another celebrity itching to strip for attention, don’t. The spread, as the two photos in the gallery below can confirm, is artistic and almost unspeakably beautiful, meant as a celebration of beauty and strength.

There is nothing sleazy about them and nothing meant to inspire in viewers other feelings than a sudden urge to hit the gym and make up for lost time. Michaels has a very toned and muscular figure, and she’s showing it off for the camera hoping other women will find her body an inspiration to get healthier by taking better care of themselves.

“When I think back on my 20s and 30s, I look better now than I ever have. Yes, I’m older but I’m also wiser and that’s a more intrinsic type of beauty,” she tells the mag.

“It's important for women to have overall strength, because when you feel physically powerful, it transcends into every facet of your life,” Michaels continues.

For her, staying healthy is the most important thing: she works out a lot and she eats right but, even so, Jillian doesn’t have a perfect body, meaning, a body that would correspond with her idea of what her “ideal” body should look like.

In the interview, she admits that her problem area is her backside because this is where she always carries the extra weight. No matter how much she works out or diets, this part of her body always seems to be in need of a bit more work.

It’s not all that bad, though, if you learn to have realistic expectations from yourself, she says. “Do I want to have a better [backside]? Sure, but I’m healthy and can wear my skinny jeans, and that’s good enough!”

Despite having the reputation of being one of the meanest (strictest) trainers on the show, Michaels has always said that the only person she’s tough on is herself. She understands when the people she works with don’t have the energy to work out, because she knows that this is so from experience.

Sticking to a regular workout routine is not always easy, she once said. But if you want what’s best for you, you push yourself to do it – especially if you want to have a body as spectacular as hers.

Jillian Michaels Shape Magazine (2 Images)

Jillian Michaels poses for Shape photospread like you’ve never seen her before
“It's important for women to have overall strength,” trainer says
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