Summary
Jillian Michaels interviews celebrity trainer Andrea Orbeck about post-birth fitness, covering how to safely lose baby weight after both vaginal and C-section deliveries. The conversation includes practical advice on the fourth trimester, when to start exercising, belly compression wraps, and managing postpartum challenges. Near the end of the episode, Jillian brings up oil pulling as a trending health practice. She explains the basics — swishing a tablespoon of coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil for 10-20 minutes — and notes it reduces plaque, gingivitis, and bacteria by dissolving the biofilm on teeth. Andrea admits she tried it but only lasted four minutes. Both hosts acknowledge the practice is rooted in Ayurvedic tradition but find the 10-20 minute commitment to be the main practical barrier.
Key Points
- Post-birth fitness should start gently with walking; give yourself 5-6 weeks before serious exercise
- Belly compression wraps (like Belly Bandit) help cinch the body back after birth using postpartum hormones
- C-section recovery requires at least 6 weeks before returning to exercise
- Oil pulling involves swishing a tablespoon of oil for 10-20 minutes to reduce plaque and bacteria
- The practice dissolves the biofilm (plaque) on teeth and absorbs it for removal
- Oil pulling is an old Ayurvedic folk remedy, not a new trend
- Not as effective as chlorhexidine mouthwash, but cheaper and natural
- The 10-20 minute swishing commitment is the main practical barrier for most people
Key Moments
Jillian Michaels explains oil pulling — an old Ayurvedic practice that dissolves plaque biofilm
Jillian explains oil pulling as an old Ayurvedic folk remedy where you swish a tablespoon of coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil for 10-20 minutes. The oil dissolves the plaque biofilm on teeth, absorbs bacteria, and is then spit out. She notes it reduces plaque, gingivitis, and bacteria but is not as effective as chlorhexidine mouthwash.
"It's called oil pulling, and it's apparently this very old folk remedy. And it doesn't necessarily have to be coconut oil. It can be sesame or sunflower oil. And you take a tablespoon of this stuff, you put it in your mouth, and you swish it around for 10 to 20 minutes. And then you spit it out and you brush your teeth."
Oil pulling removes bacteria and helps heart health, but the time commitment is the main barrier
Jillian summarizes that oil pulling removes strep bacteria, plaque, and helps with gingivitis, and that removing plaque is also good for heart health. Both hosts agree the 10-20 minute swishing requirement is what stops most people from sticking with the practice.
"Anyway, so the thing with the oil is supposed to be. I don't understand the purpose of it for your tea. Is it healthy? Yeah, tea removes bacteria. So it removes like strep bacteria. It removes plaque. It helps with gingivitis. And you know, when you remove plaque, it's also good for heart health. It's this health practice. It's supposed to pull the toxins out of your mouth."
