Getting Back in Shape with The Biggest Loser's Jillian Michaels

Being a TV fanatic, my derriere is often on the couch and the only exercise I get is pressing the buttons on my remote control. That’s why I love The Biggest Loser, it guilts me into hitting the gym for a few weeks. The show returns for its biggest season yet on Sept. 11, which heralds the return Jillian Michaels, the ranch’s toughest trainer in my book. I caught up with the workout diva and as she told me, she’s recharged and ready to kick some flab.

Where you been? People thought you had gotten the boot!

As much as I love the show and I do, it’s 100 percent time-consuming, every day, all day for months, and I really didn’t just want to be known as that girl from The Biggest Loser. So I left and launched my website, wrote my second book Making the Cut and started a radio show. Now I’m ready to be back and I’m very happy.

Are your training tactics as grueling as the first two seasons?

I’m actually little bit meaner. I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so mean. Some of the contestants now were telling one of guys I trained in Season Two what I did to them day one, and he said, “Oh my God, she’s worse!”

You’re sweating it out with a secret black team. Who picked the color? And did Bob know about your stealth return?

I actually said, “I will not do this unless we’re the black team!” Black is an avenging color, and they are my workout ninjas. Bob didn’t know beforehand. I literally had to lie to his face, and it was really hard.

Is there any celebrity you’d like to get your hands on?

Oprah. Obviously, home girl is doing something wrong cause she just can’t seem to keep the weight off. I’d like to bring her into the 21st century in regards of health and fitness.

Do you ever cheat on your diet like the rest of us?

Yep, with Reese’s Peanut Butter cups and good red wine!

Find out who stayed in shape on The Biggest Loser: Did They Keep The Weight Off, airing tonight at 8 p.m. on NBC.