Kelsea Ballerini's Weight Loss: She Once Struggled with an Eating Disorder & Has Embraced Wellness

Kelsea Ballerini's relationship with her body has positively evolved since she struggled with her body image and an eating disorder. The country singer learned to be deeply in tune with its needs and has re-examined how she sees beauty.

In November 2021, Kelsea Ballerini published the tell-all poetry book, "Feel Your Way Through," where she gets candid about her battle with Bulimia, an eating disorder. The medical condition took hold shortly after her parents divorced.

The young country pop singer and songwriter began taking diet pills and exercising excessively. These extreme measures gave her a sense of control, but they eventually took a heavy toll on her body when she was 18, and she sought help.

It's been a long time coming for the country star, and she admitted that her relationship with her body is "a journey, and it's never-ending." She has learned to be gentler when talking about herself and the vessel that keeps her alive.

Still, it can be challenging, as living under the spotlight subjects her to frequent scrutiny in the media. Ballerini sometimes finds herself reverting to "that 12-year-old version" of herself on such occasions, but changing her outlook on what health looks and feels like has helped solidify her self-image.

Kelsea Ballerini's Weight Loss: The Singer No Longer Works Out to Be Skinny

While promoting her book, Ballerini shared that remaining in shape was no longer about aesthetics for her. Instead, she focused on a more long-term goal: staying healthy.

"I don't work out to get skinny, I work out to be healthy. I don't eat a salad to be skinny, I eat a salad to be healthy. I've re-calibrated what it means to me to just look in the mirror and just be like, 'Man, I'm healthy. I'm strong,'" she declared.

Although she often presented herself as a "very happy-go-lucky, glittery person," it took some time for her to share her battle with Bulimia. More recently, she spoke about her emotional growth and feeling at rest.

"[...] I think having your soul, and your heart, and your mind, and your body feel at rest in your life is so beautiful, and I feel that right now," Ballerini shared. She has other ways of feeling beautiful; she loves glam and style and enjoys applying makeup for less formal occasions. "It’s like my meditation time," she said.

Kelsea Ballerini Listens to Her Body

In 2022, Ballerini entered her "Season of Rest" following an intense tour with the Jonas Brothers the previous year. Instead of a strenuous workout regime, she opted for long walks and returning to ballet by enrolling in private classes in Nashville.

She planned to return to strength training once this season ended. Her longtime coach is Erin Oprea, with whom she has appeared in workout videos in recent years. Oprea has also trained country singer Carrie Underwood among many others.

Kelsea Ballerini Once Clapped Back at a Troll Who Attacked Her Weight

In 2018, Ballerini fired back at a troll who told her to "lose some weight" following her performance at the New York City Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. She described herself as a "normal healthy chick," expressing pride in her appearance and declaring that "'skinny' is not always the goal."

"And for you to think it's okay to comment on my weight or size is disgusting. I'm going to get a burger now. Bye," the star concluded in a now-deleted video. Many lauded Ballerini for defending herself, including celebrities like Lucy Hale, Kane Brown, and Reese Witherspoon, who recently announced her divorce.