Here's Exactly How Jennifer Hudson Lost 80 Pounds
Jennifer Hudson isn't just a Grammy-winning singer and Oscar-winning actress—she's a weight-loss inspiration for anyone looking to make lasting, sustainable health changes. After shedding a whopping 80 pounds, Jennifer has become a beacon of hope for people who want to feel good and look good without resorting to extreme dieting.
Here's how the EGOT winner managed to drop the pounds and keep them off (and why her approach is anything but a quick-fix fad diet).
She Learned That Portion Control Is Key
When Jennifer decided to lose weight, she knew she had to make healthy long-term changes and not crash-diet her way to success. So instead of completely removing her favorite foods like pizza and pasta from her diet, the 43-year-old actress practiced portion control.
Nicole Davis, CPT, a certified personal trainer at Garage Gym Reviews, tells Celebwell, "Portion control helps prevent overeating while still allowing you to enjoy the foods you love. It's not about strict measuring forever, but rather learning what appropriate portions look like so you can maintain a healthy balance." This is exactly the mindset that helped Jennifer melt away the extra pounds, and it's one that anyone can adopt.
One of the first steps the celeb took to shed those 80 pounds was to change her relationship with food. As a former WeightWatchers spokesperson, Jennifer credits a mindful approach to eating and portion control as the keys to her success.
Instead of starving herself or eliminating the foods she loved (hello, pizza and pasta!), the American Idol alum realized that portion control was the answer.
"I had to break my diet mentality. I used to deprive myself, thinking that was healthy. I didn't eat pasta, fried food, red meat. I hadn't had pizza in 10 years," the actress shared with Self in 2011, per Good Housekeeping. "If you're on a strict diet that says you shouldn't have any carbs or this or that, your body won't function the way it should. I know now that I can eat anything I want and still lose or maintain my weight. It's about portions and balance."
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She Squeezed in Exercise Time When She Could
Let's face it: Life gets busy for everyone, and many of us don't have time to spend hours in the gym. This is especially true for stars like Jennifer Hudson, who has to juggle her career with family life. But that didn't stop her from staying active and making time for exercise.
"I just get up and walk. Do something. Something is better than nothing," she told Self. While Jennifer's busy schedule might not allow for time-consuming workouts, the small bursts of movement she fit in made a huge difference.
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She Made Healthy Eating A Priority
We all know the saying, "You can't out-exercise a bad diet." And Jennifer certainly put that into practice. Though her workouts were essential, she realized that healthy meals were the true foundation of her weight loss.
Jennifer made time for nutritious meals even during her busiest days, and made sure her plate was always balanced with lean protein, veggies, and healthy carbs. According to Self, her go-to meals included scrambled eggs or a breakfast burrito, a healthy lunch no matter her schedule, and for dinner, options like shrimp stir-fry or tacos.
"You can eat all the healthy foods in the world, but if portions are too large, weight loss will be difficult," explains Stephen Sheehan, CPT, a certified personal trainer at BarBend. "Learning portion control teaches you how to eat the right amount without having to track calories forever."
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Consistency is the Secret Sauce to Weight Loss Success
No matter what your health and fitness goals are, research shows that the ultimate secret to long-term success is consistency. If you make time for strength training, maintain a balanced diet centered around whole foods while allowing for the occasional indulgence, and stay on track with your habits, you're bound to shed pounds and feel your best.
"Focus on small, realistic goals rather than perfection," Davis advises. "Even short workouts or daily walks add up over time."
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Jennifer Hudson's Weight Loss Journey: You Can Do It, Too!
Jennifer Hudson's transformation is an encouraging reminder that weight loss is a journey, not a sprint. She was able to shed 80 pounds and reclaim her health and confidence by practicing mindful eating and portion control, exercising regularly, and being flexible with her diet.
Whether you're looking to lose a few pounds or make a complete lifestyle overhaul, adopting a similar approach to weight loss as Jennifer Hudson can help you achieve lasting results.
