Melissa McCarthy, a celebrated actress known for her comedic talent and body-positive attitude, has been in the public eye for many years. Over the past decade, the 53-year-old has openly discussed her journey toward self-acceptance and has shared valuable insights into maintaining a healthy lifestyle on her own terms. Her experiences offer a refreshing perspective on weight loss, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being and sustainable habits over quick fixes and societal pressures.
Ditching the Dieting Rollercoaster
McCarthy's approach to weight loss is rooted in rejecting extreme dieting. She learned firsthand the dangers and unsustainability of such practices. In 2011, she recounted her experience with an all-liquid diet in 2003, when she was cast in "Gilmore Girls." Consuming only 500 calories a day, she lost 70 pounds in four months. However, she admitted, "I’d never do that again. I felt starved and crazy half the time." This experience taught her that extreme measures are not conducive to long-term health or happiness.
Gradual Change and Patience
In a world of quick fixes, McCarthy took a different approach, opting for a gradual weight loss over five years. In 2018, she explained her reasoning, asking, "What's the hurry?" She emphasized the importance of de-stressing and making changes slowly rather than constantly trying to adhere to restrictive diets. She compared extreme diets to holding your breath all day, stating, "Fourteen hours in, you go bat s--- crazy, so I was like, 'I'm just gonna mellow out (and) give myself a break.'"
Realism and Self-Compassion
As a working mom, McCarthy recognized the need for a realistic approach to weight loss. "After I had kids, I was just like, 'I have to be realistic. It's not gonna go fast.' But I mean, I feel great," she said. This acknowledgment of her limitations and the demands of her lifestyle allowed her to set achievable goals and avoid unnecessary pressure.
Embracing Fluctuations
McCarthy understands that weight is not static and that fluctuations are a normal part of life. When asked about her weight loss in 2016, she told Refinery29 that she was hardly as fixated on her body transformation as the media was. “I have (lost weight), but I’ll be back again. I’ll be up, I’ll be down, probably for the rest of my life. The thing is, if that is the most interesting thing about me, I need to go have a lavender farm in Minnesota and give this up. There has to be something more," she said.
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The Importance of Balance and Indulgence
McCarthy believes in treating herself occasionally, recognizing that a balanced lifestyle includes room for enjoyment. “I could eat healthier, I could drink less,” McCarthy told Rolling Stone in 2017. “I’m sounding like a lush, but, you know, I do what I can. I should be learning another language and working out more, but I’m just always saying, ‘Ah, I could get hit by a bus tomorrow.’” She also teaches her daughters the importance of moderation, allowing them to enjoy treats in moderation.
Finding Joy in Movement
McCarthy isn't afraid of trying new workouts and finding activities she enjoys. In 2011, she mentioned her fondness for Piloxing (a blend of Pilates and boxing) and tennis. “I’m trying to do things that are fun,” she said. This approach makes exercise more sustainable and enjoyable, rather than a chore.
Shifting Focus from Weight to Well-being
McCarthy has learned to prioritize self-acceptance over obsessing about the number on the scale. “I thought I battled weight throughout high school, but I look back at pictures of me as a cheerleader, doing sprints, lifting weights, doing gymnastics, playing tennis, and while I wasn’t reed-thin like some girls - we’re so f----- up in this country that somehow equates that with better - I was a size six the entire time. So what on Earth was I freaking out about?” she told Rolling Stone. She now focuses on feeling comfortable and confident in her own skin.
Embracing Body Type and Encouraging Self-Love
McCarthy is passionate about promoting body positivity and encouraging her daughters to embrace their own body types. “Give me your best punch in the face, and I’ll take that punch, rather than have my kid feel bad about herself … There’s an epidemic in our country of girls and women feeling bad about themselves based on what .5% of the human race looks like. It starts very young. My message is that as long as everybody’s healthy, enjoy and embrace whatever body type you have,” she told Redbook in 2016.
Avoiding Comparison
McCarthy actively avoids comparing herself to other women, recognizing the detrimental effects of such comparisons. “With women, there’s this constant weird cultural thing where we’re always supposed to be comparing ourselves with one another. Who wore it best? Whose butt’s better? Instead, how about if everyone wins? How intensely boring would it be if we were all the same?” she told Redbook in 2016.
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A "Work in Progress"
McCarthy acknowledges that she is a "work in progress" and is open about her ups and downs. She admitted that she "stopped walking (when I moved to Los Angeles) and ate shitty food." Despite her past struggles, she has made a conscious decision to prioritize self-love over stressing about the scale.
The Simple Secret: Stop Worrying
McCarthy revealed her surprisingly simple weight loss secret: “I finally said [to myself], ‘Oh for God sakes, stop worrying about it, and it may be the best thing I’ve ever done.” She recognized that stress can be a significant factor in weight gain and that relieving that stress can be transformative.
Feeling Beautiful and Redefining Standards
McCarthy's selection as a cover girl for People's 2023 Beautiful Issue was a significant moment. “I thought the younger version of myself or everybody out there who isn’t the youngest or whatever, I kind of felt like it was saying something really lovely to my younger self, to my 20-year-old self,” she said. She believes in redefining beauty standards and helping others love themselves as they are.
Challenging Industry Standards
McCarthy has also been vocal about the challenges she has faced in the entertainment industry due to her size. She has spoken out about the limited fashion choices available for plus-size women and the pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.
Designing for Inclusivity
In response to these challenges, McCarthy launched her own clothing line, Melissa McCarthy Seven7, in 2015. “Women come in all sizes. Seventy percent of women in the United States are a size 14 or above, and that’s technically ‘plus-size,’ so you’re taking your biggest category of people and telling them, ‘You’re not really worthy.’ I find that very strange,” she told Refinery29. Her goal was to create fashionable and accessible clothing for women of all sizes.
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Addressing Double Standards
McCarthy has also pointed out the double standards that exist in the treatment of men and women in Hollywood. She recalled an interview where she was repeatedly questioned about her weight, while male actors of similar size were not subjected to the same scrutiny.
The Importance of Healthy Habits for Her Daughters
It is important for Melissa to model good behaviors around food for her children. “I want to show them how to be healthy,” she told People in 2011. “My husband and I always make a pot of vegetable soup that we puree and keep in the fridge. They don’t eat processed foods. But if my oldest daughter wants a cupcake, once in a while I’ll let her have it.”Melissa never wants her daughters to feel bad about their bodies. “Give me your best punch in the face, and I’ll take that punch, rather than have my kid feel bad about herself,” she told Redbook. “There’s an epidemic in our country of girls and women feeling bad about themselves based on what .5% of the human race looks like. It starts very young. My message is that as long as everybody’s healthy, enjoy and embrace whatever body type you have.”
Rejecting Categorization
Melissa has felt ‘categorized’ by her weight. She talked with AARP in April 2018 about feeling "put in a box" because of her weight.“I just find it dumb and boring. I really do,” she shared. “No one’s asking a man, how do you keep your legs in shape? Which I’ve been asked. I think every time we categorize people-by weight, by race, by gender-we put them in boxes and it’s not a good thing for the world.”
Reevaluating Exercise
As soon as she got word she was going to star in Spy, alongside Jude Law, she started kicking up her exercise routine. "The second I knew I was doing the movie, I started training with an amazing martial arts instructor," Melissa told Life & Style.Melissa is also into Piloxing, a.k.a. a mix of Pilates and boxing. “I’ve lost 30 pounds [doing the exercise] over the last year,” she told ET in 2011.