Jillian Michaels: Nose Job And Weight Loss At 16 Changed Her From Bullied 175-Pound Teen To Fitness Pro

Jillian Michaels had a nose job at age 16. But The Biggest Loser coach, although she says it was a turning point in her life, doesn’t want to imply that she approves of endless rounds of plastic surgery. Instead, Jillian emphasizes that just as with diet, moderation is essential, she told People.

“I think that anything in life is about the middle ground,” said the 41-year-old celebrity fitness trainer and motivational speaker.

As for her decision to have a nose job, Jillian was bulled and hoped that the procedure would boost her self-confidence. But while it did, she is adamant in recommending caution about transforming the body through surgery.

“[Becoming addicted to plastic surgery] is dangerous territory,” warns Michaels.

However, Jillian admits that the nose job and weight loss transformed the once chubby, bullied teenager. Just how much did she weigh? At her highest, 5-feet, 2-and-a-half-inches-tall Michaels weighed 175 pounds, reported Us Weekly.

“Being big as a kid was pure hell,” she said.

When Jillian was 12-years-old, her parents planned a divorce. That news caused her to gradually gain weight which, coupled with the teasing about her then-large nose, made her miserably unhappy with her appearance, she now admits.

“I spent all of eighth grade in my classroom because God forbid I ever left. I was terrorized.”

Jillian now admits that she was depressed as well as struggling with obesity. And then, desperate to find a solution, she tried martial arts.

“Karate saved my life. It all stopped the day I broke two boards with a kick,” she grins.

Life changed. Jillian earned her certification as a fitness trainer before auditioning for the show that catapulted her career, The Biggest Loser, when she was 30.

Since that turning point, Michaels has become an author, fitness DVD superstar, and spokeswoman for various products.

“I learned a lot being on my own. I grew up. I had to make money. I learned how to make decisions that are right for me.”

As for what lies ahead now that she’s left The Biggest Loser, Jillian is busy looking forward after having some tense times on the show, as the Inquisitr reported.

A scandal that erupted after she gave her team of participants weight loss supplements, coupled by the anorexic appearance of the winning contestant on the show, resulted in Michaels’ exit.

But Jillian remains angry about how she was portrayed on the show as the tough-as-nails, cruel trainer.

“You saw none of the relationships, none of the bonds that I build with my clients,” Michaels declared.

[Photo by Rachel Murray / Getty Images for Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption]