How Did Gabourey Sidibe Achieve Her Precious Weight Loss?

Gabourey Sidibe’s weight loss is no accident. The popular actress made a conscious decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery back in 2017. Since then, she has been dropping weight and keeping it off. The initial trigger for her decision to have surgery was a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis but, like everything else in her life, she owned it and is taking responsibility. This is the story of Gabby Sidibe’s weight loss.

Background to Gabourey Sidibe’s Weight Loss

Gabourey Sidibe was born on May 6, 1983, to parents Alice Tan Ridley and Ibnou Sidibe. She was born in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, and raised in Harlem. She has one sibling. She spent much of her childhood being raised by her Feminist Icon Aunt, Dorothy Pitman Hughes. Gabourey admits to trying her first diet around the age of six. Although she was constantly active during her youth, she told Oprah she was ‘never a small girl’ and had always struggled with her weight and body image.  Over the years, Gabourey Sidibe piled on weight and eventually gave up her job in New York to move to LA and pursue her dreams of acting. Being a plus-sized woman, roles were few and far between in an industry that favors stick-thin actresses. In her memoir, she revealed that a fellow actress told her to quit the business and go home. This was based on the fact that LA was ‘so image conscious.’ Luckily, Gabourey dismissed the insulting advice and kept following her passion.

Before auditioning for the role in Precious, Gabourey Sidibe was known for her essay writing skills. These days, the star has her own app to help others make a living from writing essays for other people. It’s apparent that Sidibe’s education back in New York and the Associate’s Degree she earned have made her a good business woman, in addition to her skills as an actress.

How Did Gabourey Sidibe Lose Weight?

Gabourey Sidibe’s weight loss was as a result of gastric bypass surgery. She went under the knife in 2017 after she and her brother received Type 2 Diabetes diagnoses from their family doctor. Gabourey Sidibe now weighs almost half of what she did at her heaviest back in 2009. The American Horror Story regular admits she was scared by the potential side effects that came with her Diabetes. She researched her options and made the decision to go under the knife after losing 60 pounds only to put it all back on. Because gastric surgery removed part of her stomach – her surgeon informed her he would cut half of it out – it immediately meant that she was unable to eat the same as she did before. It also meant she would feel full far quicker than usual. The combination of both resulted in Gabby Sidibe’s weight loss.

These days, Sidibe still manages her weight by watching what she eats. This also helps her to control her Diabetes. She has spoken out against faddy diets and slimming pills in the past. As far as she’s concerned, it’s all about how many calories you consume each day. The star admits to trying to lose weight naturally for many years, but never quite managed to achieve the weight she wanted.

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Why did Gabourey Sidibe have weight loss surgery?

Gabourey Sidibe’s weight loss surgery was down to the fact that she and her brother were diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. The actress openly admitted that she constantly worried about losing her toes. She didn’t want to live with constant concern about all the side effects that go along with the disease. Obviously, losing weight was also key to her Diabetes management.

How much weight has Gabourey Sidibe lost?

It’s rumored that Gabourey Sidibe’s weight loss could be around 150 pounds. However, there are also rumors this figure is anything up to 179 pounds. When she starred in Precious in 2009, Gabourey Sidibe topped the scales at 300 pounds. In 2019, she now sits around 150. This is an estimate as the actress has never publicly revealed her weight. Regardless of where she started and where she is now, there’s no doubting the fact that Precious’ weight loss has been impressive. It’s not known if the actress has plans to continue her weight loss, but we love her regardless.

What type of diet did Gabourey Sidibe use to lose weight?

The actress stated, ‘when you’re trying to lose weight, forget all the gimmicks and fads. After Gabourey Sidibe’s weight loss surgery, she swore not to get involved with diet pills. Sidibe preaches that the best way to lose weight is a simple factor of calories in versus calories out. However, she does admit that she’d never have lost as much weight if it hadn’t been for her surgery.

Conclusion

The difference between Gabourey Sidibe 2009 and Gabourey Sidibe 2019 is stark. The popular Empire star has lost a reported 150 pounds, shedding almost half of her body weight. The difference in her confidence, dress, and overall appearance is incredible. However, the Precious actress’ weight loss isn’t something she thinks is such a big deal. She has been quoted as saying that if you congratulate her on her weight loss, you would be as well congratulating her every time she goes to the bathroom. It looks like her confidence and attitude hasn’t diminished with her waistline, and she’s just as amazing as ever.  We can’t wait to see what the New York native gets up to next, and we’re desperate for another red-carpet sighting of the newly-slim star. Her recent Instagram posts have been an inspiration to many women struggling with weight issues. She’s a body positivity role model for women around the world.

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