One topic that comes up too often when talking about women is weight. From family reunions to social media, people seem to always find an opportunity to bring it up—especially if you've gained or lost some. These unsolicited comments are so prevalent that people can't help becoming insecure of their bodies. Even public figures are pushed to address such a personal matter.
That said, it's refreshing to know that many celebrities opt to use their platforms to spread awareness and empower others while sharing their stories. Weight gain is normal after all, and can happen for a multitude of reasons. Gaining a few pounds also shouldn't change that our bodies are beautiful and worth appreciating.
Here are four celebrities who have opened up about gaining weight:
1. Nadine Lustre
Last January 2021, Nadine Lustre casually tweeted that her oversized jeans are now "fitted," implying that she’s gained a few pounds. But instead of taking this as a sign to go on a diet, the actress clearly stated that she has no intentions of losing weight. In her words, "I need a new set of clothes cuz I'm keeping this bod."
Nadine also talked about weight gain in Saab Magalona and Jim Bacarro's podcast, saying she doesn't mind it and loves her body regardless. She also explained why she can't forgive body-shamers, and why she goes out of her way to respond to them.
​"You know what, I am gaining weight because food in Siargao is just so good, I'm not going to lie," said the actress. "It's not that I'm insecure about gaining weight or it's not that I think that I look bad because I'm gaining weight. I like my body now. It's just that, if a girl who's younger than me, who's not really confident, and who's still figuring out herself reads that comment, how do you think she would feel?"
2. Janella Salvador
After giving birth to her first son with partner Markus Paterson, Janella Salvador confessed that self-care became very difficult to do. She opened up about how she was over-eating in the middle of the night, and had countless sleepless nights. Eventually, she grew 40 pounds over her "ideal weight."
Janella wrote on a post, "I'm not gonna lie, I enjoyed every moment [with Jude] and I still do. But in those first few months, I physically did not feel like myself. I hid behind big coats, robes and loose clothing...I did not like what I saw in the mirror but paid no attention to that."
To ease into getting back to work, the actress knew she needed a change. "Of course, gaining weight is totally normal after giving birth… but there comes a time where you want to be healthy and regain your strength," she said.
Dr. Vicki Belo also introduced her to liposuction, which she was hesitant about at first, but it later proved to be “the best decision” she has made. It kickstarted her weight loss journey, and apparently, even helped her bag the role of Valentina for the upcoming Darna series!
3. Kylie Padilla
Kylie Padilla may be in her most confident form now, but the actress also struggled with her body image when she was younger. "When I was a little girl, my idea of beauty was blonde, blue eyes, tall, skinny. That was not me. Ngayon ko lang nakikita na napaka-unhealthy for a young, developing mind, for a young, developing girl, to see that," she explained in a vlog.
In the same video, Kylie confessed that it soon led her to develop an eating disorder. "I’m recovered now. For 10 years, I was hungry," she reflected. That time, the actress mentioned there were instances when she would only eat gum or not eat at all for an entire day. It was only when she became pregnant in 2017 when she realized that gaining weight and eating as much as she wanted was more than okay.
She said, "During this time I grew so much respect for my body...naniwala na rin ako na my worth is more than what I look like and how thin I am. I just developed so much respect for what my body can do, more than do I look sexy enough. I'm very thankful for it because I never thought I'd get to that place." However, Kylie admits she still "hid" from the public to prevent criticism for weight gain—a decision she regrets now.
With that, Kylie encouraged her followers to be kinder to themselves instead of striving to look a certain way. She's also proof that you can unlearn the unhealthy beauty standards you grew up with and love your body regardless of its size.
4. Isabelle Daza
Actress and celebrity host Isabelle Daza was raw and honest when she spoke about her struggle with post-pregnancy weight in 2018. She talked about it in a YouTube video, where she shared that she had gestational diabetes on her last few weeks of pregnancy, and suffered from clogged ducts. These pregnancy issues resulted to her gaining over 60 pounds.
The then first-time momma admitted she was so overwhelmed by the weight gain, especially with the pressure to shed all the pounds faster to go back to work and provide for her son. "Everybody's talking about loving your body but I'm just at a stage in my life where I'm insecure of my body," she confessed in the video.
It took Isabelle six to eight months of hard work to shed 65 pounds. She shared her entire journey in a vlog, in hopes to inspire other moms who also want to start their fitness journey. "It took a lot of sacrifice and that was very difficult. There's no secret," said the actress.
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