Mindy Kaling reveals real reason behind her weight loss journey
Washington DC, May 20
Mindy Kaling has opened up about the real reason behind her weight loss journey.
According to PEOPLE, in an interview with a U.S.-based digital media publication, the actress-producer said her focus is no longer on looking a certain way. Instead, she said her main goal is to stay healthy for the long run and be there for her children.
Talking about how she feels today, Kaling said, "Do I wake up every day being like, 'I look amazing and I'm so gorgeous?' No, unsurprisingly, but I truly feel so healthy."
Over the past few years, Kaling's physical change has drawn a lot of attention online. The actress said she understands why people talk about it, but she has also set clear rules about what she wants to share in public, especially when it comes to her body and her children.
Kaling, who had earlier written about weight struggles and dieting in her essays, said her thinking has changed with time. She shared that her health is now her biggest reason behind the change.
"When I was younger, I would want to lose weight because of vanity reasons. Now I want to lose weight or have lost weight because I want to stave off things like diabetes," Kaling said. "I had it on both sides of my family, and trying to avoid those kinds of things will, I think, help longevity for me, and that's my goal."
The actress also spoke about how fans may feel when someone they relate to changes over time. She said she understands that feeling because she also follows pop culture.
"It's sometimes no fun when one of your favorite actors loses weight. You have an idea of what they were like when you grew attached to them, and it made them endear themselves to you," she told Bustle. "Of course, it's never a joy to be scrutinized, but also I truly understand it, as someone who consumes pop culture."
Kaling has earlier said that she feels more confident in her body after focusing on healthier habits. In 2023, she told PEOPLE, "I'm feeling really confident in my body these days, which is not something that I've been able to say for my whole life, unfortunately. I feel great."
The Never Have I Ever creator has also shared that she runs or hikes around 20 miles a week, does weight training and follows moderation with food.
"The truth is that I spend so much time and energy trying to be healthy," she told PEOPLE in 2023.
She also said in 2022 that she has tried to move away from thinking about weight loss only for looks.
"I've tried really hard to let go of this idea of losing weight for vanity reasons and really trying to think of how I can be healthy," she told PEOPLE. "And for me, healthy is working out, moving my body a lot, [and] keeping hydrated."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting perspective from Mindy. She always comes across as so thoughtful and self-aware. Making health the priority over appearance is the kind of mindset shift more people need, especially in Hollywood where looks are everything.
Love how she acknowledges fans might feel weird when stars change their appearance. Back home, remember how everyone had opinions when Kareena or Aishwarya gained/lost weight? It's the same everywhere. But Mindy handles it with such grace - "I truly understand it as someone who consumes pop culture" - brilliant! 😄
Respect her honesty about diabetes prevention. But I wish she'd also talk about how unrealistic it is for most working parents to run 20 miles a week. Her privilege is showing - not everyone has time for such intense workouts with kids and jobs. Still, good for her for finding what works.
As someone who grew up watching The Office, I've always admired how Mindy owns her narrative. She's never apologized for her body at any size. Now she's setting an example about healthy aging and disease prevention. That's real body positivity - not just accepting your body, but taking care of it for the right reasons.
Ek baat toh sahi hai bhai - she's inspiring many women to focus on health not just looks. My wife started her fitness journey after reading about Mindy's approach. Desi moms especially need to hear this message about preventing diabetes and staying healthy for kids. Good job, Mindy! 🇮🇳
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