Jillian Michaels

• New ones pop up all the time, but Jillian Michaels endures as one of our most recognizable fitness gurus on TV (hosting "The Biggest Loser" for its first 11 seasons), in magazines, and online. This is from her website.

"When you're trying to lose weight, alcohol is the No. 1 enemy. ... Simply, alcohol can sabotage your weight-loss efforts. It releases estrogen into your bloodstream, promotes fat storage, and decreases muscle growth. As soon as you have a drink, your body eats up all the glycogen (stored glucose) in your liver, makes you hungry, and reduces your inhibitions, so you're more likely to grab that chicken wing or stuffed potato skin at happy hour.

"Plus, alcoholic drinks contain many more calories than most people think — for example, a 20-ounce serving of beer can pack 250 calories, a six-ounce glass of wine contains 120, and a 1.5-ounce shot of liquor contains about 100. And, that's without any sugary mixers. If you're serious about losing weight, it's best to put alcohol aside until you're in maintenance mode."

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