Celebrities Look Amazingly Confident After Their Weight-Loss Transformation Journeys
Weight is a fickle thing, as it tends to fluctuate with age, stress, baby weight, and for various other underlying reasons. There are some inspiring celebrities who kicked their weight gain straight in the rear end, coming out looking like completely new and improved people after shedding a few extra pounds.
From Rebel Wilson making 2020 her "year of health" to Kelly Osbourne losing 70 pounds thanks to her Dancing with the Stars partner, here are some amazing celebrity weight loss transformations.
Before: Jessica Simpson Still Had Her Mama Body
After three kids, it might come as no surprise that Jessica Simpson's weight is all over the place. Known for fluctuating like crazy, Simpson is pretty much a professional when it comes to easing herself back into physical activity.
And when she does, her results are astounding. Seriously, the singer looks younger, more motivated, and definitely not like she just gave birth to her third child. The best part is, her personal trainer put her on a super low-impact workout that's easy for anyone to do at home.
After: Jessica Simpson Got Serious About Health
After giving birth to her third child, Jessica Simpson had to get back into workout out. To start, her personal trainer, Harley Pasternak, opted to put the singer on a low-impact routine of 6,000 steps per day. Slowly, she built the program up to 14,000 steps.
The low-impact walking on top of a revamped diet of lean protein and vegetables had Simpson lose a whopping 100 pounds in a year. Now, she looks incredible and has taken her exercise to the next level and incorporated some yoga. According to Pasternak, it was all about forming a wellness plan that would be a continuous motivator.
Before: Nothing Worked For Ariel Winter
Actress Ariel Winter has been in the spotlight since she was a kid, landing the role of the middle Dunphy child, Alex, on the award-winning series Modern Family. Between being a teen sensation, family drama, and surgery, Winter's has led a pretty stressful life.
It doesn't help that the medication she was on didn't allow her to lose weight as she wanted. And there is nothing worse than going to the gym on a regular basis and not seeing results, especially when you're working hard and doing everything right. That's why Winter finally took matters into her own hands.
After: Ariel Winter Found Something That Worked
After dropping a few extra pounds, Ariel Winter looks drop-dead gorgeous. And, interestingly, it all had to do with her listening to her body and getting on a medication that was right for her. During an interview with Women's Health, the actress explained her reasoning for switching up her medicine.
"I didn't change my [medication] because I wanted to lose weight, I’d just accepted it, and it was fine. I got inspired to actually find a medication that helped me as a person and did all the things I wanted it to do.” That is one healthy way to go about looking at things.
Before: Kate Hudson's Post-Baby Body
Actress Kate Hudson is typically one of those celebrities who is in decent, if not excellent, shape. But her hardcore workouts and diets were kind of put on the backburner when baby number three was on the way.
Once that happened, Hudson put on some much-needed pounds to keep her baby happy and healthy. So, it begs the question, how was she able to lose the baby weight? Well, it helps to be the ambassador and designer of more than one health-related venture.
After: Kate Hudson Went Head-First Into Fitness
It didn't take long for Kate Hudson to shed her baby weight, as the face of JustFab and Fabletics. In an interview, the actress even admitted to spending more time on the workout clothing brand more than films! But that's really nothing compared to being a global ambassador for WW (formally known as Weight Watchers).
During an interview with Women's Health, Hudson explained why she endorses the program, saying it's more about education than actual dieting. "It was a smarter way to take weight off, because it stays off...It teaches you about food."
Before: Jennifer Hudson Never Took The Time To Exercise
Powerhouse singer Jennifer Hudson is constantly moving, whether it's on tour, working on a film, or in the studio recording a new hit single. Because of that, health and wellness were never really at the forefront of her mind. That all changed after having her child.
After her pregnancy, Hudson realized it was time for a significant lifestyle change. But whatever she wound up doing had to be something that worked with her hectic schedule. So, she got in touch with celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak.
After: Jennifer Hudson Is All About Weight Watchers
Harley Pasternak helped Jennifer Hudson make realistic weight-loss goals. And because Hudson's career has her constantly on the move, the trainer stuck with a dietary plan rather than a hard-core workout routine. Insert WW (Weight Watchers). The program helped Hudson drop a whopping 80 pounds, something she's been able to keep off.
During an interview with Good Housekeeping, Hudson spoke of her health, saying, "I don't really have time to do much [working out], so I really just watch what I eat...so I just try to pace those meals throughout the day. I'm very conscious of what I put in my body."
Before: Chrissy Metz Tied Food To Memories
Like many of us, This Is Us star Chrissy Metz took comfort in delicious (and unhealthy) foods that reminded her of happy times. As she continued to indulge, the numbers on the scale went up. Chrissy admits she started attending Weight Watchers meetings when she was just 11-years-old.
She struggled with her weight for years before finally realizing that she needed to make a change. And once she decided, there was no looking back.
After: Chrissy Metz Lost 100 Pounds In Five Months
In 2010, on the day of her 30th birthday party, Chrissy had a panic attack that changed everything. She told People, "I'm like, what is this? Am I dying? What's happening? It was really scary-- really, really, really scary."
That's when Chrissy fully committed to improving her health. The actress lost more than 100 pounds in less than five months-- absolutely incredible. She's kept off the weight since then and is looking forward to working with This Is Us in losing even more weight to go along with her character's own health journey. Stay tuned for that!
Before: Rebel Wilson Was "Fat Amy"
Rebel Wilson was never one to take what other people said about her to heart, especially when it came to her weight. Her character in Pitch Perfect was even nicknamed "Fat Amy," after all. It takes a very confident and self-aware person to be alright with that bit of screenwriting.
Even so, that doesn't mean she didn't notice her declining health. And, in 2020, she decided it was time for a lifestyle change, amazing fans with her perseverance, stride, and overall ambition to get healthy.
After: Just Call Rebel Wilson "Skinny Amy!"
Say hello to the new and improved Rebel Wilson. During her self-proclaimed "year of health" in 2020, the actress worked out a solid seven days a week with personal trainer Jono Castano and adopted a new diet of high-intensity interval training and no junk food.
In an Instagram post, Wilson wrote, "So I put on the athleisure and went out for a walk, deliberately hydrating on the couch right now and trying to avoid the sugar and junk food which is going to be hard after the holidays I've just had but I’m going to do it!" And, boy, did she do it alright!
Before: Adele When She First Came On The Scene In 2008
When powerhouse singer Adele first came onto the music scene in 2008, she wowed people with her voice. Despite that, her confidence when she wasn't on stage seemed to waver.
Fast-forward a few years, and the multi-Grammy-winning artist loos like a changed woman, dropping over 100 pounds! What's her secret? According to Adele's personal trainer, Camila Goodis, the singer completely changed her lifestyle, including her exercise routine and overall diet. And, wow! Her change was incredible.
After: Adele Minus 100 Pounds
In 2020, fans were stunned when Adele posted this birthday picture of herself on Instagram. At the time, she was down 100 pounds and looking beyond happy and confident in her little black birthday dress (and super cute too!). She looks like a new woman.
During an interview with The Sun, the singer's trainer, Camila Goodis, spoke of her lifestyle change, saying, "Giving up processed food, sugar, soda and get[ting] into an exercise routine, like cardio and strength training, will change people's body." It most certainly changed Adele's.
Before: Gabourey Sidibe Needed Help Managing Her Weight
In 2016, Academy Award-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe revealed that she was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes and was going to undergo laparoscopic bariatric surgery to help manage her weight. For her, the surgery wasn't an "easy way out," but the first step to improving her overall health and lifestyle.
And, boy, she is kicking the health game right in the rear end! Just a few years later and it's clear how hard Sidibe has been working to become the very best version of herself.
After: Gabourey Sidibe Is Boxing Her Way To The Top
In 2020, Gabourey Sidibe is clearly still going strong in her health and weight-loss journey. According to the actress, she has a solid schedule that keeps her motivated, and she thanks her weight-loss surgery for giving her the initial push. During an interview with Life & Style, Sidibe said, "I wouldn't have been able to lose as much as I’ve lost without it, [the surgery]."
"I work out with my trainer three to four days a week. If I'm not working out with a trainer, I get up, and I go swim." Clearly, whatever Sidibe is doing, is working!
Before: Shonda Rhimes Struggled With Her Weight
Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes went on an incredible weight loss journey quite a while back. Whether it was because she was constantly writing a medical drama or something else altogether, Rhimes has gone on record saying she didn't do it for Hollywood but rather as a personal journey that she had to do.
A mentally and physically tough few years later, and the award-winning television producer looks like an entirely new, confident, and ridiculously beautiful woman who can't help but smile at her success.
After: Shonda Rhimes Minus 115 Pounds!
It's hard to believe, but this stunning lady is Shonda Rhimes. Well, it's Rhimes, but minus a total of 115 pounds. That's a lot of extra weight she was once carrying around. And, according to the writer, those extra pounds didn't go unnoticed.
During an interview with Health, Rhimes spoke of her journey and what made her committed to weight loss. She said, "I did it because I could not walk up a short flight up stairs without stopping to take a break and wiping sweat from my brow. I did it because my body was physically rebelling against the brain that had been ignoring it for so long."
Before: Ricki Lake Was Bullied For Her Weight
Actress Ricki Lake has publicly struggled with her weight, saying more than once during an interview that being bullied as a child led her to become a very heavy and unhealthy eater. By the time she was cast as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, the young actress was a total of 260 pounds.
That's a lot of weight for a tiny five-foot three-inch frame to carry. Once the '90s rolled around, Lake decided to make a lifestyle change, starting with diet and exercise to maintain her health and wellness.
After: Ricki Lake Dropped Over 130 Pounds
Ricki Lake's dropped over 130 pounds during her weight-loss journey, bringing her down to a tiny size six. According to Lake, she's no Wonder Woman, just someone who realized it was time to make a lifestyle change. Her secret: don't be an enemy to yourself.
During an interview with ABC News, the actress said, "...you don't have to do something extreme. You don't have to have surgery; you don't have to, you know, be in a gym all day long. You just have to be consistent. And, you know, be a friend to yourself, not be an enemy."
Before: Mariah Carey
Known as one of the best-selling music artists of all time, Mariah Carey's weight has gone up and down and back up again over the years. But that will happen when life is on the road!
The "We Belong Together" singer has also gone through two pregnancies, which kept her weight a bit higher in the early 2010s. Carey has also said that her eating habits were doing her body zero favors, neither were the fad diets she tried.
After: Mariah Carey
Fast forward, and Mariah Carey looks absolutely stunning. Her weight loss journey has kept her glowing like the star she is! According to the singer, her transformation into a healthy human being is all thanks to her switch in diet and exercise.
According to a source, "Mariah loves smoked salmon and capers, so she eats a lot of that lean protein, but the secret to her success has been the one thing that she cut out almost completely, and that is processed sugar."
Before: Kelly Osbourne Didn't Care About Wellness
Kelly Osbourne was first brought into the entertainment world on the reality show The Osbournes. There, she was really nothing more than Ozzy and Sharon's quirky teenage daughter, who liked to color her hair strange colors and wear punk-inspired outfits.
So, when she posted pictures of herself after losing a lot of weight, people were doing double-takes. Not one for healthy eating and exercise, Osbourne quickly changed her thoughts on wellness after joining the cast of Dancing with the Stars.
After: DWTS Whipped Kelly Osbourne Into Shape
After joining the cast of Dancing with the Stars, Kelly Osbourne quickly realized there was something to be said about a good diet and exercise. During an interview with Shape, Osbourne discussed her DWTS partner, saying, "[My partner, Louis van Amstel] made me eat turkey burgers and salads and explained to me that a high-protein low-carb diet would keep me energized."
"Then I started losing weight and realized, 'Oh, it's true what they say: Diet and exercise really work!'" Osbourne has since lost over 70 pounds and looks absolutely fantastic!
Before: America Ferrera Was "Big Boned"
Primetime Emmy Award-winning actress America Ferrera has always been thrown into that category of celebrities whose weight just seems to fluctuate. Obviously, she isn't obese, but over the years, her weight sometimes got the best of her.
From a child star to a leading force in television, Ferrera has finally come to a good place with her body, saying in an interview that it was baby number two that made her realize she needed to start a new and improved relationship with her body.
After: America Ferrera Changed Her Relationship With Health
Gorgeous, glowing, and absolutely killing it in the weight-loss game, Ugly Betty actress America Ferrera is anything but ugly. But when it came to her weight-loss plan, she went above and beyond a typical diet and exercise. Instead, she trained for a triathlon!
During an interview with Health, Ferrera explained her journey, saying, "I had to change my relationship to my body, and I think the most drastic thing I did was train for a triathlon. I didn't do it to punish myself. I didn’t do it to lose weight."
Before: Sherri Shepherd Needed A Serious Health Change
Traveling for work, eating out, and a lack of dietary restrictions and exercise led Sherri Shepherd to rethink her health. After a doctor's visit that led her to a positive type-2 diabetes test result, and a son who called her out when she was eating something she wasn't supposed to, Shepherd realized it was time to make a change.
Now, the actress and former talk show host looks amazing and a bit unrecognizable! Apparently, it's all thanks to a few little things.
After: Sherri Shepherd Changed Her Relationship With Food
After her diagnosis, Sherri Shepard's weight-loss journey resulted in her rethinking her relationship with food. During an interview with People, she said, "I learned how to get rid of the white foods — the pasta, pancakes, cereal, anything loaded with sugar...learned how to eat." Well, learning how to eat helped her drop 30 pounds!
Thanks to the ketogenic diet and cutting out sugar and white foods, Shepard went from 189 to about 159 pounds. On an Instagram post, she said, "Small changes every day (more water… more sleep… exercise… meditation… prayer… forgiveness… less sugar… less carbs…) yield big #results in one year."
Before: Sara Rue Struggled With Her Weight
Actress Sara Rue is one of those people whose weight doesn't enjoy settling; it fluctuates. That's why when she went full-throttle into a dietary plan and exercise schedule, she wanted help. Not entirely sure where to start, Rue reached out to a specific company, someone who would guide her on her journey and help her accountable.
Like a lot of people, Rue didn't really know where to start. But once she did, it was game over for the actress -- she was hooked on the program and now looks amazing!
After: Sara Rue Found Happiness With Jenny Craig
Sara Rue might not have known where to start, but it's clear once she hopped on the Jenny Craig-wagon, the pounds started falling off. According to Rue, she never knew how to lose weight on her own and needed help starting, well, on pretty much everything.
"Clearly, it was something I struggled with, so I wanted a program that provides extra support. Jenny Craig does that. In terms of fitness, I'm going to rely on a professional for that as well. I really don't know anything about [working out], so I'm like 'just tell me what to do!'"
Before: Mo'Nique Didn't Worry About Exercise
Coming into the entertainment industry as one of The Queens of Comedy, Mo'Nique went from mainstream comedian to Academy Award-winning actress. The thing is, the Phat Girlz actress has come a long way from looking tired and weary in her own skin.
After dropping more than 80 pounds, Mo'Nique looks ready to take on the world. And for a lady who was boosting with confidence before, that's really saying something! Who does she have to thank for giving her the initial kickstart? Her family.
After: Mo'Nique Found Love In The Journey
Looking like a million bucks, Mo'Nique has her family to thank for giving her increased motivation to stay on her wellness journey. During an interview with Hello Beautiful, Mo'Nique said, "The journey's been amazing because it truly lets you know what you’re made of."
"People always say, 'Mo'Nique, what motivates you?’ I had to do it for my husband and my children. And I had to get out of my own way." Well, getting out of her own head resulted in this confident and lovely-looking lady!
Before: June Shannon Was Morbidly Obese
Maybe better known for her full-time occupation as Honey Boo Boo's mother, Mama June Shannon was a force to be reckoned with on Toddler in Tiaras and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. Unfortunately, Shannon struggled with morbid obesity for most of her adult life, weighing a startling 460 pounds at her peak weight.
Eventually, Mama June took her wellness into her own hands, deciding to undergo surgery to jump-start her much-needed weight-loss journey. The results are actually shocking.
After: June Shannon Cut Out Soda, Chips, And Sugars
After undergoing bariatric surgery to shrink her stomach, June Shannon was ready to take her health to the next level. Ditching sugary sodas and salt-heavy chips, Shannon began to workout with a personal trainer who made a specialized program for the television personality to help her meet her goal weight.
In the end, Shannon reportedly lost a whopping 300 pounds. Her incredible journey actually inspired the series Mama June: From Not to Hot. Apparently, TV can't get enough of the Shannon family.
