Lauren Manzo, known for her appearances on "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" (RHONJ) and "Manzo'd With Children," has openly shared her struggles with weight and her journey toward a healthier lifestyle. Her story is not just about shedding pounds; it's about gaining confidence, reclaiming self-worth, and navigating the complexities of weight loss with emotional depth and resilience.
Early Struggles and Public Scrutiny
Lauren Manzo's struggle with her weight was well-documented on "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" during her mother Caroline Manzo's tenure on the show. Like many people, she battled with weight for much of her life. As a reality TV star, her life was often in the public eye, and being scrutinized for her appearance was a constant pressure. Lauren, the middle child of the Manzo family, often compared herself with her two brothers, Albie and Chris, who didn't have to worry about their weight as she did.
In early years, Lauren had tried various methods to lose weight, from strict diets to intense exercise routines, but nothing seemed to work in the long term. “I was tired of not seeing results and feeling defeated,” Lauren said in an Instagram post, highlighting her frustration.
The Lap Band Surgery and Initial Success
Recently, RHONJ star Caroline Manzo’s daughter Lauren Manzo revealed the real reason she lost weight was because she got a surgery called Lap Band. Turns out Lauren Manzo wasn’t even going to tell anyone that she had the surgery until someone in the office leaked to the tabloids! Sources close to the situation tells AllAboutTRH exclusively that the doctor she went to is the same one Caroline and her father Albert used! Yep, that means Caroline had Lap Band surgery too and Lauren was never going to come clean but someone else in the office leaked to tabloids about Lauren so she fessed up and posed for US weekly! Obviously a bad doctor office if the receptionist are breaching confidentiality and HIPPA laws! The source adds, “Dr. Perrnicone, her nutritionist, is mad because she was supposed to pretend all of the loss was from his program. Even though she is doing his program its not the main source of her weight loss. Going to him (on camera no less) was an elaborate ruse to cover her upcoming lapband which was much harder to conceal from the press now than Caroline’s following season!” Well well well! It all makes sense now!
Following the surgery, Lauren lost 30 pounds by following a strict diet and exercise regimen. "Getting the lap band was the best thing I've done in my life," she told Us Weekly a year after. On why she went public with her surgery, Lauren explained, "So many fans related to my struggle. I didn't want to feel like I was letting them down."
Read also: How Caroline Stanbury Lost Weight
A few months later, Lauren revealed that she had gone under the knife again for breast reduction surgery.
Engagement and Wedding Preparations
In November 2013, Lauren Manzo got engaged to her boyfriend of four years, Vito Scalia. The "Manzo'd With Children" star shared, "I'm so incredibly happy! I'm in shock. I'm so excited to spend the rest of my life with my best friend," per Us Weekly.
In order to prepare for her nuptials, Manzo remained dedicated to her workouts and eating healthily. "I'm exercising five times per week, including free weight training and I squat a lot. I actually work to complete 100 additional squats per day on top of the other activities I do in the gym. I put a butt workout into every workout I do," she shared with Radar Online.
Manzo and Scalia got married on July 18, 2015 at her parents' family restaurant, The Brownstone. While she didn't reveal if she made her goal weight, Manzo looked absolutely elated in her wedding dress and shared on Instagram the next day, "Last night was unreal and absolutely perfect. I had my fairytale wedding, fairytale dress but most importantly the best Prince Charming by my side to enjoy it with…."
Pregnancy and Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
Five years after her dream wedding, Lauren Manzo became pregnant with her and Vito Scalia's first child. The pregnancy motivated the reality star to keep eating healthy foods and exercising. "When I got pregnant, I promised myself I would do what was necessary in order to gain weight at a healthy pace and not use my pregnancy as an excuse to eat whatever I want," she told People.
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Removing the Lap Band and a Three-Year Transformation
Years after welcoming her daughter Markie, Lauren told fans that she had removed her lap band and shared a picture of a three-year transformation on Instagram. "It's no secret I've struggled with my weight my entire life. Not long after that photo to the left I decided I needed to get healthy not just physically but mentally as well," she wrote.
As part of her journey, she shared that she began therapy and saw a doctor to get to the root of what was going on internally with her body. Manzo added, "I have been gluten and dairy free for over a year … and it has changed my life majorly."
Turning to Functional Medicine and Lifestyle Changes
It wasn’t until she reached out to a functional medicine doctor that she began to see real change. “I had to dig deeper than just weight loss. She started with lifestyle changes-adjusting her eating habits, cutting out gluten and dairy, and listening more closely to her body’s needs.
After years of trying and failing with different diets, Lauren finally found a way of eating that worked for her body. “I gave up gluten and dairy, which was hard at first, but it made such a difference,” Lauren shared.
In addition to her diet, Lauren found a new appreciation for exercise. While she used to dread working out, she now enjoys it. “I found what worked for me. I started with walking and then progressed to light strength training and cardio,” she explained. “The key was consistency, not intensity. For Lauren, exercise wasn’t about losing weight-it was about feeling good and strong in her body.
Read also: Wellness and Longevity
The Role of Mounjaro
Mounjaro, a medication originally designed to treat Type 2 diabetes, became a pivotal factor in Lauren’s weight loss. “After years of trying everything, Mounjaro was a game-changer for me,” Lauren shared in a candid post. Mounjaro is part of a class of medications known as GLP-1 agonists, which work by regulating blood sugar and controlling hunger. For Lauren, it wasn’t just about the physical effects of the drug-it was about how it helped to curb her cravings and emotional eating. However, the weight loss didn’t happen overnight.
Mental Health and Self-Acceptance
One of the most important aspects of Lauren’s weight loss journey was her mental health. Throughout her transformation, Lauren dealt with anxiety, self-doubt, and the emotional weight of being in the public eye. “I wasn’t just battling the number on the scale, I was battling my mind,” Lauren shared.
Lauren credits therapy, meditation, and practicing mindfulness for helping her combat the anxiety she often felt when it came to her body image. She focused on learning to love herself throughout the process, rather than waiting to feel good once she reached a specific weight. “I had to embrace who I was at every stage,” she said. This mental shift was one of the most significant parts of her transformation. It wasn’t just about losing weight-it was about feeling empowered to take control of her life, not letting her fears or insecurities define her.
Navigating Criticism and Body-Shaming
As Lauren’s weight began to drop, she was met with both praise and criticism. Despite the obvious transformation, she was still subject to online body-shaming. In a viral post, Lauren responded to critics, expressing how frustrating it was to be judged for her body. “I didn’t lose 100 pounds for anyone but myself,” she wrote. “It’s my body, and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. Lauren’s post resonated with many people who had experienced similar body-shaming or judgment. It was a powerful reminder that weight loss is a personal journey, and everyone’s path looks different.
The Importance of Family Support
Lauren’s mother, Caroline Manzo, has always been a strong support system throughout her weight loss journey. As a prominent figure in the RHONJ franchise, Caroline has seen her daughter’s struggles firsthand and has always been there to offer guidance and love. “My mom has been so supportive,” Lauren shared.
Family support played a crucial role in Lauren’s journey. Having people who believed in her, especially her mother, helped her stay motivated and focused on her goals. “It’s about having people who love you unconditionally, regardless of what you look like,” Lauren said.