In the media and press, celebrities are either getting praised or scrutinized for their weight. Celebrities who are too skinny or too fat face media backlash. Marissa Jaret Winokur has always embraced her curves and has said she is happy with being a “chubby girl.” But, because of her 60 pound weight loss Marissa will need to find a healthier descriptor.
Marissa is known for her role in the movie edition of Broadway’s hit Hairspray, and she hosted Oxygen’s Dance Your Ass Off back in 2024. She made her weight loss debut at the premiere of Wreck-It Ralph earlier this week. She looked at 60 pounds lighter. Before losing weight Marissa mentioned that she was happy and content with being a size 14, saying “When I was a size 14, I was super happy… I felt confident in my body. I don’t think a size really should define who you are, and how you feel about yourself.”
The moment Marissa knew she had to lose weight was when she went in for her yearly check up at the doctor’s office. After her blood results, the doctor told her that her cholesterol level was too high, and he didn’t know if it was from her weight or genetics. “The doctor saying I’m not healthy.. so I need to change my way of life. But interestingly enough, there are moments in my life I felt more comfortable in that body than in this body.”
Not only did the doctor give Marissa her ‘ah ha’ moment, she also felt a responsibility to set an example for her son on how to live a healthy life. Marissa told PEOPLE, “I started working out like a mad woman and eating healthy.” One of her workouts included hiking in the morning. A good hike burns calories easily because the body is working against the steeps of the trail. And, if Marissa was hiking for about an hour, she burned more than 500 calories each time!
Another way she kept on track with her weight loss journey was having a support system. Josh McDermitt, co-star on the show Retired at 35 with Marissa, helped her lose weight by making sure unhealthy food did not enter her body. “Being on set is really hard because there’s craft service. Josh and I have literally been like, ‘We can’t go to craft serve without each other’. We’re like, ‘I’m your sponsor. Come on, let’s go.’ We can’t mess around. Craft service is a disaster.” Social support like Marissa had actually helps in a weight loss journey because it requires accountability and the positive people around you try to keep you on track toward a healthier life.
Marissa still keeps her old clothes in her closet, saying, “I still have ’em because I’m sure I’ll gain it all back. I know it’s horrible, but here’s the thing. My fear is, what do you do? I have jeans that fit me great and what If I gain it back? I need those jeans.” Marissa is confident that she is going to gain her weight back, but hopefully that doesn’t happen and her support system will continue to help her through maintenance.
Her weight obviously holds no power over her outlook, though. Right now the actress is happy with life. “I’ve had a great career. I’m happily married. I have a beautiful son. I’ve never felt like my weight defines me.”
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image via Huffington Post