Gabourey Sidibe’s Weight Loss Secrets, Revealed!

Gabourey Sidibe of the award-winning movie, Precious (2009) has dropped 150 pounds! And we cannot wait to spill Gabourey Sidibe’s weight loss secrets. She weighed 300 pounds and had type 2 diabetes. Her weight loss is more than just a physical transformation. Losing weight has helped her lower the adverse effects of type 2 diabetes, bulimiaⁱ  A life-threatening eating disorder in which an individual overeats and then purges through vomiting. , anxiety, and depression.

Gabourey Sidibe was just like you and me before she landed her iconic role in Precious. She was born on 6th May 1983 in Brooklyn, New York. Her mother, Alice Tan Ridley, is a gospel and American R&B singer, and her father, Ibnou Sidibe, is a cab driver. Gaby grew up with her aunt and attended City College of New York and Mercy College. Before joining the entertainment industry, she worked as a receptionist at the Fresh Air Fund. So, how did everything fall into place? Let’s find out!

How Did Gabourey Land Her Role In Precious?

While attending City College of New York, Gabby Sidibe started pursuing her passion – acting. Fortunately, she landed an audition for Precious in 2007. It was previously named Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire, a story about a young woman struggling with poverty and physical and sexual abuse. The movie received many accolades at the Cannes Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival. At the time, the movie did not have a distributor, but Oprah Winfrey helped with the promotion of the movie, and it was released through Lionsgate Entertainment. The name was changed to prevent confusion with the action drama, Push. And the rest is history – People’s Choice Award, Oscar nominations and wins, and tremendous success and recognition. And with success came the pressure of being “presentable” to the world. But did Precious actress Gaby decide to lose weight just to look pretty? Find out what prompted her to lose so much weight in the next section.

Why Did Gabourey Sidibe Decide To Lose Weight?

Every woman dreads the words “ugly” and “fat.” When a woman is not a typical size and shape, especially in the entertainment industry, she is quickly outcast and discriminated against at various levels. This can take a toll on their self-confidence and the mind-body connection. With the modern positive body image ideology, things are changing now, but at a snail’s pace. Gabourey Sidibe was once told by a renowned actor that she should quit the industry as it is so image-conscious! Brushing off comments like this is tough for anyone. But what really got her attention and made her finally take her health seriously was when she learned that she had type 2 diabetes. She was alarmed to know that her life was at risk, and it was then that she decided to lose weight. She adopted essential methods such as dietary changes and exercise routines and even consulted medical professionals for help. In the next section, we have highlighted some prominent Gabourey Sidibe’s weight loss secrets. Keep reading!

How Did Gabourey Sidibe Lose About 150 Pounds So Quickly?

Soon after Gabourey learned that she had type 2 diabetes, she consulted with her doctor, Dr. Bradley Schwack, a bariatric surgeon, and decided to undergo weight loss surgery. In this surgery, the doctor removed 80% of her stomach to reduce its capacity. As a result, she would not be able to eat too much food at a time and soon feel full. Gabourey confirmed that she did go under the knife and stated, “The surgery wasn’t the easy way out. I wasn’t cheating by getting it done. I wouldn’t have been able to lose as much as I’ve lost without it.” She also had to take some effort to help this expensive surgery be successful. Scroll down to find out the fitness tips Gaby followed to keep the weight off.

Trivia

It has been shown that sleeve gastrectomyⁱ  A surgical procedure in which about 15% of the stomach is removed for weight loss, giving it into a tube-like shape. (Gabourey’s surgery) can reduce mortality by 59% and 30%, respectively, in obese adults with and without type 2 diabetes (1).

Gabourey Sidibe Weight Loss Diet Secrets

Here are the best and most practical tips behind Gabourey Sidibe’s weight loss secrets.

• She Avoids Soda

While growing up, Gabourey Sidibe would drink soda frequently and have burger and fries. These unhealthy and poor eating choices were the initial reasons for weight gain. When she decided to lose weight for her health, the first thing she did was to cut out soda from her diet completely. This approach helped her reduce sugar and calorie intake, minimizing the risk of blood sugar spikes and resultant weight gain chances. Instead, she started drinking ice-cold water with a few lemon slices. It kept her hydrated and flushed out all the toxins from her body.

Quick Tip

You may also drink coconut water, green tea, kombucha, or fresh fruit juice instead of soda.

• Practices Mindful Eating

Gaby pays full attention to what she is eating and savors every bite. She avoids any form of distractions while eating such as Smartphones or TV. She eats slowly to appreciate the texture, smell, and taste of the food. This approach helps her to build a connection with her food and stops her from eating more than required. It also helps her to gain satisfaction after eating a full meal and prevents her from eating out of boredom. Eating slowly and savoring the flavors allows the body to understand when it is full. This practice has helped boost her health.

• No More Junk Food

The next step that Gaby took was to remove all the junk food from her diet and follow healthy eating. Her childhood was filled with junk food, and she would eat Oreos and fries. Cutting down on burgers, pizza, fries, and all other processed foods helped lower the salt, sodium, and trans fat intake. She started snacking on vegetable chips, hummus, and saltine crackers. These provide fewer calories but more nutrients, improving her satiety and reducing her tendency to overeat. Cutting down on junk food promotes a balanced diet that improves metabolism and helps with weight loss.

• Eats At The Right Time

Apart from making healthier food choices, consuming food at the right time is also highly important. She started consuming 6-7 meals per day with a heavy breakfast, a mid-sized lunch, and a light dinner. This eating practice helps maintain a steady metabolism and reduces the chances of energy dips. Drinking water 20 minutes before every meal also prevented her from overeating and kept her hydrated. It also promoted quick fat breakdown, gradually reducing her weight.

• Maintains Portion Size

Maintaining portion size and mindful eating is crucial when it comes to losing weight. Because no matter how healthy you eat, if you overeat, you will still gain weight. So, Gabourey Sidibe talked to a nutritionist and her personal trainer and started consuming the right amounts of good carbs (veggies, fruits, and grains), protein, and healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, seeds, and nuts) for optimal nutrition. This balanced approach helps provide the body with adequate nutrients and reduces the intake of excessive calories, which is significant for effective weight loss.

• Uses A Smaller Plate

The best way to control portion is to eat in a smaller plate. When you consume food in a smaller plate, your brain tricks you into assuming the small quantity of food to be a large quantity of food. As a result, you’d feel like you have eaten a lot when clearly, you have not. This easy tactic promotes healthy and mindful eating, allowing you to enjoy balanced meals and feel satisfied with the consumed food.

• Reduced Her Salt And Sugar Consumption

Gabourey loved Oreos and cupcakes and binged on them. However, since her diagnosis, she made a firm decision to give up on them too. The sugar content in these foods is very high, and when you are diabetic, you have to control the amount of sugar you consume. So, she gave up on her favorites to improve her body composition and help treat type 2 diabetes. Cutting down on sugary treats helps control blood sugar levels and minimizes the risk of storing fat near the abdomen, leading to a flabby belly. This approach is practical as it not only improves overall body composition but also aids in weight loss significantly.

So, is only eating the right kind of nutrition enough to lose weight? Of course not! Here’s what Gaby did after one month of following healthy eating for her physical wellness.

Gabourey Sidibe’s Exercise Plan

After she started eating healthily, she started feeling more active and energetic. But she knew that to speed up the process of weight loss, she had to get a professional trainer who would help her slowly get back in shape. This is one of Gabourey Sidibe’s key weight loss secrets. Here’s her fitness routine.

• She started with low-impact exercises, like slow walks on the treadmill, stair stepper, and Versaclimber, to put minimal pressure on her joints. This cardio helped her burn calories effectively without straining her joints, which is useful for continued training and gradual weight loss.
• She moved on to other exercises for 30 minutes three days per week. They included leg presses, lunges, squats, lat pull-downs, and barbell curls. These strength training exercises help build her muscle mass, allowing for weight loss even when resting.
• She also posted an impressive photo of her doing aerial yoga in June 2017.

She appeared fit and all her hard work showed in her improved physical appearance. The best thing about Gabourey is her consistency. She committed herself to improving her health through regular workouts, building muscle strength, and increasing her endurance.

Her commitment and consistency are not just inspiring but also thought-provoking. In fact, she herself has commented on her experience with the same. We have complied some of her quotes below. Scroll on.

Inspirational Quotes From Gabourey Sidibe

Gabourey’s weight loss journey is inspirational. She has endured a lot of fat-shaming comments that impacted her mental health. However, she faced the challenges bravely and embraced her body, deciding to change it for the better. Today, she is known for her remarkable transformation. She stands as an inspiration for many. Gabourey advocates for self-love and body positivity and has even broken many conventional stereotypes. Some of her iconic quotes that encapsulate the strength of her character include:

• “People always ask me, ‘You have so much confidence. Where did that come from?’ It came from me. One day I decided that I was beautiful, and so I carried out my life as if I was a beautiful girl … It doesn’t have anything to do with how the world perceives you. What matters is what you see. Your body is your temple, it’s your home, and you must decorate it.”
• “My beauty doesn’t come from a mirror. Never has and never will.”
• “The best thing to do with those opinions is to ignore them and listen to my own. I could lose weight. That is a fact. But I am dope at any and every size. I am smart. I am funny. I am talented. I am gorgeous. I am black. I am fat. Sometimes I’m a bitch. At all times, I am a bad bitch. (The word bitch is pretty confusing, right?)”

The weight loss journey of Gabourey Sidibe is nothing less than remarkable. Anyone reading about her lifestyle and dietary choices will feel motivated to embrace healthy change. Below, we have delved into the key takeaways from her journey. Read on.

Lessons To Learn From Gabourey Sidibe’s Weight Loss Journey

Gabourey Sidibe’s incredible weight loss journey is inspirational. It offers a variety of practical learnings to those who want to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Here are some essential lessons from her journey.

• Gabourey’s type 2 diabetes diagnosis led her to prioritize her health and do what was necessary to improve its condition. Her weight loss routine was a part of the treatment process, and it was not because she wanted to conform to society’s beauty standard. She taught us to embrace positive body transformation to improve overall health rather than wanting external validation and appreciation. 
• Gabourey Sidibe sought professional help and medical consultation as soon as her health deteriorated. This shows that she values expert guidance and trusts customized treatments. Expert advice is always useful and safe when health is concerned, and her journey inspires many to consider medical intervention as and when needed.  
• She underwent surgery and boosted its effects with a disciplined lifestyle that included healthy eating habits and daily exercise sessions. She showed how medical treatments can spark a significant change, but lasting improvements come from consistent lifestyle adjustments. 
• Gabourey’s weight loss journey is marked with small but effective changes that helped her to bring impactful effects on her health. She gave up on soda, practiced mindful eating, and switched to smaller plates to take portion control seriously. These adjustments were sustainable ways to keep up with her diet plan. Her approach can serve as motivation for people who fail to continue their weight loss plan and leave it mid-way. 
• Gabourey’s weight loss journey includes aspects of both physical and mental well-being. She endured a lot of fat-shaming and incessant hate attacks on her body despite being a recognized celebrity. She defended the negative talks by embracing self-love and body positivity. She stands as an inspiration for many who struggle with daily hate and want to develop resilience. 
• Her weight loss journey is incomplete without her active exercise routine. She started with low-impact cardio training and later adopted strength-enhancing exercises. She demonstrated that consistency and dedication are keys to successful goal achievements. 
• Lastly, Gobourey collaborated with a recognized fitness expert to design a tailored fitness plan that suited her needs and best complimented her lifestyle. Her realistic, achievable goals pushed her to embrace long-term success. Her routine is a wake-up call for many with unrealistic fitness goals that become difficult to achieve.

Infographic: A Peek Into Gabourey Sidibe’s Weight Loss Journey

Losing those extra pounds helped Gabourey Sidibe significantly improve her physical and mental health. If you need some inspiration stories for personal growth and fitness, don’t look any further. We have rounded up a few simple tips that helped Gabourey Sidibe on her weight loss journey. Check out the infographic below for some motivation.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What supplements or vitamins did Gabourey Sidibe take to aid in her weight loss?

Gabourey Sidibe has not publicly specified any supplements or vitamins she may have taken to help her lose weight.

What strategies did Gabourey Sidibe use to overcome cravings and emotional eating?

Gabourey Sidibe practiced mindfulness, stayed active, and made healthy food choices to overcome cravings and emotional eating.

How did Gabourey Sidibe stay motivated to reach her weight loss goals?

Gabourey Sidibe’s medical condition of type 2 diabetes encouraged her to lose weight and motivated her to reach her weight loss goals by following a strict diet routine and engaging in healthy activities.

How did Gabourey Sidibe overcome any emotional or mental barriers related to weight loss?

Gabourey Sidibe overcame the emotional or mental barriers related to weight loss by being hyperactive towards her fitness journey and focusing on healthy and positive aspects of life.

How did Gabourey Sidibe balance her weight loss goals with her personal and professional life?

Gabourey Sidibe never let her physical appearance be a barrier in her career in the glamor world. Now with her new workout regime, she is more energetic and enthusiastic than ever and channelizes this positivity in her work.

Illustration: Revealed! ‘Precious’ Star Gabourey Sidibe’s Stunning Weight Loss Secrets

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Do you remember Gabourey Sidibe? See how she looks now! Her amazing transformation will leave you speechless. Don’t miss out – watch the video now!

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Author Editor Fact Checker

Charushila BiswasHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and fitness equipment. She strives to inform, educate, and motivate her readers via authentic, straightforward, and fact-checked information

Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Aparna MallampalliHealth & Wellness Writer

Aparna is a professor-turned-content writer with over 5 years of experience in life sciences. Her passion for writing and interest in the healthcare and wellness industry pushed her toward a career in content writing. She has a master’s degree in microbiology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

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