Jillian Michaels Does Ladies' Home Journal

The Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels discusses her struggles with weight, reality TV and love in the January issue of Ladies' Home Journal. Check out some excerpts from the interview:

On being a part of The Biggest Loser:

The Biggest Loser is like a funhouse mirror. I've loved the show and the platform it has given me, but still, it is the nature of reality TV to manipulate. You never see what's going on in its entirety. For every 10 minutes we're on the show, acting like insane people, there are a hundred hours of training you don't see. The stretching, the icing. Nobody wants to watch that.

On her own battle with food when she was a teenager:

I lived on junk food. I had no direction. Once I punched a hole in our wall. Another time I stole a car..[My father and I] sort of bonded over food. When he was alone with me and we had nothing to say to each other, it would be like, 'Let's eat a pizza!'

On her passion about fitness and helping people:

For me it's never been about fitness. Getting in shape is just a means to an end. It's like if you said to a contractor, 'How much do you love your toolbox?' He'd be like, 'Um, well I'm passionate about building beautiful houses, and to do that I need these tools.' Well, I'm passionate about helping people rebuild their lives. When someone feels strong physically they feel strong in every aspect of their existence. If they have endurance and achieve in the gym, then I can redefine their entire self image. I can wipe away years of negativity.

On love:

Let's just say I believe in healthy love. If I fall in love with a woman, that's awesome. If I fall in love with a man, that's awesome. As long as you fall in love.it's like organic food. I only eat healthy food, and I only want healthy love!