15 Shocking Celebrity Slim Downs

Reverend Al Sharpton was featured in a New York Daily News article October 28, but not for the usual reasons. He was touting his 175-pound weight loss since he rock bottom by topping out at 305 pounds back in 2000.

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Aside from his signature, permed hair, it’s hard to recognize Sharpton. He credits family and health for motivating him, but other stars have shed weight for vanity’s sake or as part of emotional healing. Take a look at those who turned back the scale with these 15 shocking celebrity slim downs.

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Jennifer Hudson is another Weight Watchers alum. In March of 2014 she waved goodbye to a total of 80 excess pounds as well as her sponsorship with the well-known diet company.

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Christina Aguiliera surpassed the “thick” description after becoming a mother. But she told Extra her key to shedding 40 pounds was, “Laughter, happiness, breathing, and I did some yoga.”

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Instead of focusing on a smaller dress size, Jordin Sparks told the Today Show her motivation for dropping 50 pounds was health-related. She says getting sick on her birthday was all it took to begin a program that ultimately led her to a slimmer figure.

“I went to a nutritionist, and then I start physically running instead of emotionally running,” Jonah Hill explained during a 2011 appearance on Kidd Kraddick In The Morning when asked about his dramatic weight loss.

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Don’t ask Janet Jackson how much weight she’s lost. She told People magazine she avoided the scale and signed up for NutriSystem after slimming down in 2012.

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Hyperthyroidism, too much work and depression all contributed to Oprah Winfrey’s yo-yo dieting over the years. She confronted the psychological issues, found a doctor to properly treat the hyperthyroidism, and enlisted the help of trainer Bob Greene.

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Jessica Simpson reportedly dropped 60 to 70 pounds (or roughly the equivalent of an elementary school kid) with a combination of diet, personal training and allegedly, Weight Watchers.

Star Jones was over 300 pounds by 2003. After fearing for her health, Jones opted for a gastric bypass surgery. After suffering early signs of heart disease in 2010, she teamed up with the American Heart Association to help spread the word about early prevention.

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Al Roker underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2002 and lost 100 pounds in addition to incorporating healthy activities into his marriage.

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Carnie Wilson dropped 150 pounds in 2000 thanks to gastric bypass surgery, and she showed her new figure off by posing in Playboy. By 2012 she reached 300 pounds again and underwent lap band surgery.

The life of a teen star took its toll on actress/singer Raven Symone. Smaller, healthier meals and getting familiar with the elliptical machine helped her lose 70 pounds in 2011.

An invitation to appear on VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club motivated rapper Paul Wall to take his weight issues seriously. He opted for gastric sleeve surgery and lost 100 pounds to flash a slimmer figure as well as his signature grill.

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Jennifer Hudson isn’t the only American Idol alum to shed serious weight. Season 2 contestant Kimberly Locke credited a healthy outlook, dieting, and Jenny Craig for helping her drop 40 pounds in 2011.

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Singer Marsha Ambrosius credits making more sensible dietary choices and health not image concerns with helping her lose 80 pounds since 2006.

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Blogger-turned-actor Perez Hilton credits his 80-pound weight loss to doing things “the old fashioned way.” He encouraged exercise and healthy eating instead of drugs and surgery for his massive transformation.

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