Gabby Sidibe Flaunted Slimmer Figure in Mickey Mouse Sweatshirt & Fitting Pants

Gabourey Sidibe's recent selfie is proof that the actress has come a long way in her weight loss journey. The task was hard but the actress reveals it was a conscious decision to live a better life.

Gabourey Sidibe is reaping the benefits of her weight loss efforts. Just take a look at her recent photo to see her transformation.

WAKE-UP CALL

It was a while back when fans of the “Empire” star slammed her for her weight after she appeared in a sex scene on the show. The 36-year-old took offense and clapped back believing she “felt sexy and beautiful” filming the scene.

However, a year later, the actress was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. It became a wake-up call to pay closer attention to her health. She decided to shed off pounds after that. But her decision to lose weight wasn’t about looking beautiful to the eyes of others, it was a stand to give herself a better life.

"My lifelong relationship with food had to change."

"I just didn't want to worry. I truly didn't want to worry about all the effects that go along with diabetes. I genuinely (would) worry all the time about losing my toes," she tells People.

THE FIRST STEP

In 2016, Gabby took the first step by undergoing a laparoscopic bariatric surgery that would significantly help her reduce her weight. The “Precious” star revealed what made her agree to do the procedure.

“My surgeon said they’d cut my stomach in half. This would limit my hunger and capacity to eat. My brain chemistry would change and I’d want to eat healthier. I’ll take it! My lifelong relationship with food had to change."

“I did it so I can walk around comfortably in heels. I want to do a cartwheel. I want not to be in pain every time I walk up a flight of stairs.”

The conscious decision was also about living a better life.

“I did it so I can walk around comfortably in heels. I want to do a cartwheel. I want not to be in pain every time I walk up a flight of stairs.”

Many frowned upon the surgery saying she was losing weight the easy route. But Gabby was realistic enough to admit she wouldn’t lose much of the weight she intended to shed without the procedure.

“I still obsess about eating, and I obsess about weight, and I obsess about my body just as much as I did before. I just trust more."

THE HARD PART

However, her journey didn’t end there. Contrary to what fans accused her of, she worked hard to lose more weight after. She stuck to a strict healthy diet and worked out with a personal trainer. She would swim and even ride a tricycle while on the set of “Empire.”

For Gabby, it wasn’t easy to persevere in her task to be healthy. Her obsession with food still made it a struggle but she was also more obsessed with her weight this time. Plus, she admits, she trusts herself more today.

“I still obsess about eating, and I obsess about weight, and I obsess about my body just as much as I did before. I just trust more. Even though I obsess about everything, and I’m scared, and I’m nervous I’m talking about it — it terrifies me."

REAPING THE BENEFITS

Today, Gabby’s photos are proof that she’s overcome the odds. Her full-body selfie last month projects that. She’s wearing a Mickey Mouse long-sleeved top tucked into her tight fitting pants, and you can definitely see a major transformation. In more photos after, Gabby continues to impress with her shapely figure.

“I said [to myself] you’ll suffer through this and you’ll be fine. But it turns out I love it, and I’m pretty good at it."

A NEW PASSION

Gabby's transformation seemed to instill in her a confidence that's extended to her career. A recent headline revealed the actress has taken interest in directing and took the reigns in an episode of "Empire" for the first time. Gabby's first attempt at directing was the short film, "The Tale of Four" for Refinery 29 in 2017. It became her ticket to a chance to direct "Empire."

Gabby admits she didn't know she wanted to be a director until it was offered to her. Initially hesitant, she later realized she was good at the craft.

“I said [to myself] you’ll suffer through this and you’ll be fine. But it turns out I love it, and I’m pretty good at it. There’s something in directing that I can’t deny," she told Forbes.

Gabby's television directorial debut, "Hot Blood, Hot Thoughts, Hot Deeds" took a month of preparation and eight days of filming, not to mention a few weeks of post-production. Though the actress was limited to the directorial standards of the show, she manages to incorporate her own style.

“My thing is reflection and mirrors. I did it several times in this episode. That is my calling cards. You direct in a number of ways and as long as we pay the rent – as long as I get what this show needs and I make sure it looks like other episodes – I can do something."

Indeed, Gabbyhas proven more than once what she's capable of doing. We salute her for being as dedicated to her health as she is to her craft.