Melissa McCarthy Weight Loss Journey: She Lost over 50 Pounds

Actress Melissa McCarthy has struggled with her weight for most of her life, with the media putting a lot of focus on her size rather than her exceptional talent. Therefore, it is no surprise that Melissa McCarthy's smaller physique got even more attention after she lost over 50 pounds.

"God's Favorite Idiot" star Melissa McCarthy's resilience over the years is to be admired. Despite the relentless scrutiny because of her weight, the comedian, writer, producer, and fashion designer has continued to thrive in her career.

In 2015, McCarthy made a drastic move and lost more than 50 pounds. Here's what we learned about the actress's weight loss journey.

MELISSA MCCARTHY'S WEIGHT LOSS SECRET

McCarthy is quite flexible when it comes to her eating and says she's not really into fad diets. When asked about dieting during an interview with Rolling Stone, she hilariously responded:

"I could eat healthier, I could drink less. 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.'"

McCarthy also supports the body positivity movement. She took to Instagram in 2016 and posted a powerful message. Her post was a photo that had a sign which was a reminder that the way people see themselves is mainly influenced by society's concept of beauty.

In the caption, the actress said:

"We have to stop categorizing and judging women based on their bodies. We are teaching young girls to strive for unattainable perfection instead of feeling healthy and happy in their own skin."

Many may be surprised to discover that it wasn't a restrictive diet that triggered Melissa McCarthy's weight loss. In fact, it was as simple as her no longer focusing so much on her weight. She also worked out a schedule where she gets enough hours of sleep.

Thanks to a simple, highly effective change in mentality and lifestyle, the star lost over 50 pounds. The 51-year-old revealed to Life & Style:

"I truly stopped worrying about it. I think there's something to kinda loosening up and not being so nervous and rigid about it that, bizarrely, has worked."

The mother-of-two confessed that one of her routines to get her moving is to walk her dogs every morning. Plus, thanks to the fight scenes for her role in the movie "Spy," she also started martial arts training.

MELISSA MCCARTHY'S WEIGHT LOSS AND CHALLENGES

McCarthy's weight has made headlines more times than it should have. In fact, the star has been called "a hippo" and other cruel names just because of her size.

In 2013, she revealed that she had worried about her weight since high school and in her 20s. The actress said she's "been every size in the world" and was in good shape for most of her 20s but never appreciated it. However, she reached a point where the extra pounds were not an issue. She said:

"Now I feel like I have two great kids and the dreamiest husband...everything else is just a work in progress."

Despite being a big star, finding designers willing to dress her was another challenge McCarthy had to deal with. In 2014 she told Redbook how disappointed she would get whenever she went shopping. The comedian revealed some designers refused to dress her for one of the Oscars, admitting:

"Two Oscars ago, I couldn't find anybody to do a dress for me. I asked five or six designers and they all said no."

What happened to her turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the star decided to start her own clothing line. Melissa McCarthy Seven7 was launched in 2015, and the actress designed clothes for well-known brands such as Lane Bryant, a women's brand that specializes in plus-size clothing.

Speaking about her clothing line to Refinery29, she stated:

"Women come in all sizes...I just think, if you're going to make women's clothing, make women's clothing."

In 2019 McCarthy spoke about her experience in Hollywood as someone who was overweight. She said she was often asked uncomfortable questions during interviews. McCarthy said about one interviewer, "He kept asking, 'Are you shocked that you actually work in this business at your tremendous size?'"

She went on to point out that men don't get asked such questions about their weight or get the same treatment.

After landing her role in "Gilmore Girls," McCarthy shed 70 pounds in the space of four months by going on an all-liquid diet. She considered it a bad experience and would not repeat it. "I'd never do that again. I felt starved and crazy half the time," she confessed.

Clearly, nothing can get this woman down; she is a true inspiration. After making headlines for years just because of how she looked, she chose to start her own clothing line and loved herself more.

McCarthy is someone that other women in similar situations can look up to. She promotes self-love, which is crucial in today's society. Way to go, Melissa, way to go!