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9 Weight-Loss Tips From Celebs That Actually Work

Many celebrities passed along advice—including diet and exercise—that helped them drop the pounds.
FACT CHECKED BY Alexa Mellardo

Losing weight can feel impossible at times, and progress can be slow at first. To complicate the process, what works for one person isn't necessarily effective for someone else. Still, there are tried-and-true weight-loss methods that have helped countless individuals improve their overall health. With this in mind, many celebrities passed along advice—including diet and exercise—that helped them drop the pounds. Let's take a closer look at the best weight-loss tips from celebrities that actually work.

1. Jennifer Hudson Avoids Eating Super Early and Late

Jennifer Hudson opened up about losing 80 pounds in recent years—and it wasn't based on exercise.

"I don't have time to do much [exercise]. I just watch what I eat," the singer said during an appearance on the U.K. TV show Lorraine, per ET Online. "I'm very conscious of what I eat. I'll be out and think, 'No, it's too early to eat right now.'"

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2. Al Roker Doesn't Scroll While Eating

Today co-host Al Roker, 70, had bariatric surgery in 2002, lost 100 pounds, and has maintained a healthy lifestyle to keep off the weight. One thing he believes makes it "more difficult" for folks to have a good relationship with food is social media.

"When it comes to food, it's very hard to multitask," he told Daily Mail. "So, you could finish a plate of food reading and not realize that you ate … Everybody's on their phones and doom scrolling and eating or having snacks and so I think the trick is to try to be more present."

3. Melissa McCarthy Got "Boring"

Melissa McCarthy, 54, has dropped 75 pounds in recent years—and she did it in an unexciting way.

"No trick, nothing to tell, just super boring life," she told ExtraTV. "You bring it real down, you don't do anything fun, and you go to bed at 7:30—that's the trick."

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4. Rebel Wilson Shifted to a High-Protein Diet

In 2021, Rebel Wilson revealed that she lost 80 pounds. The Pitch Perfect actress, 45, opened up with PEOPLE about a key change in her diet that helped her drop the weight.

"Before I was probably eating 3,000 calories most days, and because they were normally carbs, I would still be hungry," she explained. "So, I've really changed to eating a high-protein diet, which is challenging because I didn't used to eat a lot of meat. I eat fish, salmon, and chicken breast."

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5. Jessica Simpson Walked It Off

Jessica Simpson's trainer, Harley Pasternak, previously told E! News the singer dropped 100 pounds, in part, by walking 14,000 steps per day.

"It's not easy at all, but I am determined to feel good," Simpson, 44, told PEOPLE. "I have been doing a lot of walking—getting my steps in not only burns calories but it also helps me clear my head and get focused."

6. Khloé Kardashian Ditched Her Mindless Eating Habit

When Khloé Kardashian, 40, lost weight, she not only started hitting the gym more but she also fixed her habit of mindless eating.

"I was a mindless eater. I ate for comfort. I also ate out of boredom and habit. I ate when I was unhappy (which I'm sure many of you can relate to)," she wrote in her book Strong Looks Better Naked, per Today. She continued, "I even ate chips because I love the crunchy sound they make. And I didn't give much thought to what I was eating, or what I was putting inside my body, except hummus, of course, which is one of my weaknesses."

The reality star explained she became more aware of her mindless eating after revamping her workout regimen, penning, "When I became more mindful about exercise, I became more mindful about eating."

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7. Adele Still Indulges in Her Favorite Fast-Food Restaurant Once a Week

During an interview with British Vogue, the "Set Fire to the Rain" singer said that although she lost 100 pounds, she still allows room in her diet for McDonald's once weekly—instead of swearing it off completely.

"My ideal meal, my death row meal, my last meal, would be a McChicken Nugget with a Big Mac and then fries," Adele, 36, told the publication. "That's my three-course. I eat it at least once a week."

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8. America Ferrera Schedules Her Workouts Like Important Appointments

America Ferrera's favorite workout is Zumba. To prioritize exercise as a busy mom and actress, the 41-year-old treats sweat sessions like can't-miss appointments.

"I schedule my workouts into my day and I treat them like important meetings with myself," she told Parade.

RELATED: 10 Celebs Who Prove Lifting Weights Changed Their Bodies Forever

9. Carrie Underwood Counts Macros Not Calories

"I love rules," Carrie Underwood, 42, told Women's Health about her diet, per PEOPLE. "This is how I feel good about myself, and this is how I operate."

"I would 'fall off the wagon,' then feel terrible and repeat the cycle," she told the publication of struggling to maintain a slim figure during her younger years while severely restricting her calorie intake. "Your body is screaming 'I need more calories. I need more carbs!'"

Michelle Stein
Michelle is a Midwest mom of four who loves all things entertainment news and running. Read more