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"How Jennifer Hudson Lost 80 Pounds\\nThe award-winning actress and singer shares her secrets to losing the weight and keeping it off!\\n\\\"It really started when I was [pregnant](/fitness/workouts/2010/06/pregnancy-workout-slideshow) with David, who's 2 now, and I thought, Hold on\u2014why doesn't anybody know I'm pregnant? And I wanted to set a good example for my son. Right after I had him, I began trying to change things.\\\"\\n\\n  \\n__On Jennifer:__Catherine Malandrino dress, $395; [shop.catherinemalandrino.com](http://shop.catherinemalandrino.com/). Leslie Green earrings, $5,555; London Jewelers, 516-627-7475. Renee Lewis necklace, $17,600; Barneys New York. Meredith Wendell belt, $265; Poole Shop, 704-553-8868. Lorraine Schwartz multicolored bangle and Ofira black gold bangles, prices upon request; Bergdorf Goodman, 212-753-7300. Jimmy Choo shoes, [JimmyChoo.com](http://www.jimmychoo.com/us/page/home?notify=yes) for similar style.\\n\\\"No, never. I remember one of my first times on a red carpet, an interviewer asked, 'How does it feel to be plus-sized in Hollywood?' I looked around, like, Who is she talking to? Oh, me? I'm plus-sized? In the neighborhood I'm from in Chicago, a 16 is normal. But in [Hollywood](/healthystars), everyone looks exactly the same, so I stood out.\\\"\\n\\\"I find the positive in everything. I like my [curves](/fitness/workouts/2009/11/sexiest-curves-slideshow), so it didn't bother me. My fianc\u00E9, David's father [also named David], and I both knew we didn't learn to [eat right](/fooddiet) and be healthy as kids, so we wanted to for him.\\\"\\n\\\"I've had three different [weight losses](/goal). Before *American Idol* in '04, I lost 60 pounds. Then I lost the 20 pounds I had to gain for my role in *Dreamgirls*, which came out in '06. This is the third time I've lost a lot.\\\"\\n\\\"Oh, my God, by far. That first time, I was a [workout](http://www.selfworkoutfinder.com/) fanatic. I'd go to the gym at 5 in the morning and run for an hour, go home, sleep and be back at the gym at 1 p.m. for another full workout. Then I'd come home and do Tae-Bo. That was my whole day. Plus, all I'd eat was skinless [chicken](/fooddiet/2011/05/new-chicken-recipes-slideshow) breast, brown rice and vegetables. What are you going to do once you lose weight? Eat everything you gave up!\\\"\\n\\\"Four days after my cesarean section, I began [walking](/fitness/workouts/2008/04/slimming-walking-slideshow) 30 minutes every day. It was my therapy, my moment to myself, and it was all I could do. I figured, me walking is better than me sitting on the couch. Even if I can't climb a mountain or do 100,000 push-ups, these steps matter, and they're leading somewhere.\\\"\\n\\n\\\"I started with walking, but before long, I built up to other things. When I didn't want to be cooped up in the gym, I'd come up with other options. I'd ask myself, What do I love? I love being outside and feeling free, so I would jog or [ride my bike](/fitness/2011/05/bike-gear-essentials-we-love-slideshow). Some days, I'd play basketball and tennis.\\\"\\n\\\"He bought me a basketball hoop for Christmas, so we play in our backyard. We also get in the [pool](/fitness/workouts/2010/08/get-toned-in-the-pool-slideshow) and do squat contests. One time, I got up to 1,000, and he was, like, 'Wow, impressed!'\\\"\\n\\\"On days when I'm short on time, I do this workout called trilogy, which is [cardio](/fitness/2011/01/jillian-michaels-calorie-burning-cardio-plans) and strength combined: I do 25 squats, 25 push-ups and 25 [ab moves](/fitness/workouts/2011/08/flat-abs-in-5-minutes-slideshow), then rest a minute. Then I do them in reverse and rest another minute. Fifteen minutes and I'm done! And I create moments of exercise. When I lived on the 26th floor, I'd walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator.\\\"\\n\\n  \\n__[Try Jennifer's Sexy Arm &amp; Back Workout](/fitness/workouts/2011/07/rock-star-body-slideshow)__\\n\\\"I had to break [my diet](/healthystars/2011/09/jennifer-hudson-stay-slim-diet-slideshow) mentality. I used to deprive myself, thinking that was healthy. I didn't eat [pasta](/fooddiet/2011/07/q-and-a-best-pasta-slideshow), fried food, red meat. I hadn't had pizza in 10 years! Then, about two months after my son was born, I joined [Weight Watchers](/magazine/sweeps/0811_weight_watchers/entry) and learned about balance. If you're on a strict diet that says you shouldn't have any carbs or this or that, your body won't function the way it should. I know now that I can eat anything I want and still lose or maintain my weight. It's about [portions and balance](http://nutritiondata.self.com/).\\\"\\n\\\"Yes! You never know you're being discriminated against until you see what you've been deprived of. Everybody wants you to wear this or put you on the cover of that. Before, my career was great, but since [losing weight](/health/2011/07/nice-girls-weight-loss-plan-slideshow), I haven't stopped. I have worked every single day of this year.\\\"\\n\\n  \\n__On Jennifer:__Gucci dress, $1,495; 212-826-2600. Renee Lewis earrings, $11,000; Barneys New York. India Hicks Fine Jewelry necklace, $749; [SugarMillByIndiaHicks.com](http://www.sugarmillbyindiahicks.com/). H.Stern bracelet, $19,800; 800-747-8376.\\n\\\"Some love it and say they're inspired, and others don't. Some have even questioned whether I can still sing. My voice has gotten stronger! I can't care about whether I'm too big for some or too small for others. It goes back to how you feel about yourself. I like me the way I am. For anyone who wants to lose: Dude, if I can do it, you can do it. And for those who want to stay the same, I hope I can be an example to you, too; I was proud of being a big girl.\\\"\\n\\n  \\n__On Jennifer:__Neil Lane Jewelry earrings, $7,200; 310-275-5015. Ofira bangles, price upon request; Bergdorf Goodman, 212-753-7300.\\n\\\"It's like my mother said: 'Well, honey, when there is a will, there is a way.' You have to want it, but don't rush yourself. When you're ready, you'll set goals for yourself. Once you do, it's good to have support, but you don't *need* it, because everything you need is in you.\\\"\\n\\n\\\"I'm prouder of my [weight loss](/goal) than my Oscar! I hope it has inspired people.\\\"\\n\\n  \\n__[Weight Watchers Giveaway!](/magazine/sweeps/0811_weight_watchers/entry)__  \\n  \\n__[Jennifer Hudson's Stay-Slim Diet](/healthystars/2011/09/jennifer-hudson-stay-slim-diet-slideshow)__  \\n  \\n__[Try Jennifer's Sexy Arm &amp; Back Workout](/fitness/workouts/2011/07/rock-star-body-slideshow)__  \\n  \\n__[How Jennifer and Other Stars Give Back](/healthystars/2010/09/celebrities-charity-work-slideshow)__"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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