Revealed! How Melissa McCarthy Lost 75 Pounds

Here's all the inside scoop of this actress's remarkable weight-loss journey!

Written by Charushila Biswas, MSc (Biotechnology), ISSA Certified Fitness Nutritionist
Edited by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma
Fact-checked by Moksha Gandhi, BPharm, Certified Health & Wellness Coach  • 

Love Melissa McCarthy! Curvy or not, Melissa McCarthy is uber-talented. But she has lost 75 pounds. So, what could be Melissa McCarthy’s weight loss secret? Well, this two-time Academy Award nominee is owning her new avatar and glowing with confidence in the new pictures.

Her determination, be it acting or losing weight, is commendable. And there’s nothing more inspiring than learning from Melissa McCarthy, the actress herself! Read on to know all about McCarthy’s weight loss journey and how you can shed the excess flab too. Scroll down!

The Beginning – Why Did Melissa McCarthy Gain Weight?

Unhealthy food can make you gain weight
Image: Shutterstock

Melissa McCarthy grew up in Illinois. Though she was not overly chubby as a kid, she started to gain weight when she made unhealthy food choices later in life.

In an interview with The Rolling Stones, Melissa McCarthy said, “I do think I worried about weight too soon, when it was only little-kid weight. I thought I battled weight throughout high school, but I look back at pictures of me as a cheerleader, doing sprints, lifting weights, doing gymnastics, playing tennis, and while I wasn’t reed-thin like some girls … I was a size six the entire time. So what on Earth was I freaking out about?”

“I’ve been every size in the world,” she said, “parts of my twenties, I was in great shape, but I didn’t appreciate it. If I was a 6 or an 8, I thought, ‘Why aren’t I a 2 or a 4?’”

After she moved to L.A., she started eating unhealthy and stopped exercising and gained 25 pounds.

How Did Melissa McCarthy Lose Weight?

The secret of Melissa McCarthy's weight loss
Image: Shutterstock

After bagging a role in Gilmore Girls, Melissa went on a crazy diet, which she says she will never go back to! She went on a doctor-supervised liquid diet and lost 70 pounds in four months. But she said she felt, “starved and crazy half the time.”

protip_icon Did You Know?
The recommended daily fluid intake of 3000 ml for men and 2200 ml for women is more than adequate (1).

The best diets are the ones that don’t make you feel hungry all the time. Try the fast metabolism diet if that’s what you are looking for.

Melissa McCarthy chose to go on a low-carb diet as that seemed to work well for her. Let’s read about her success story and what she ate and how the diet played a crucial role to help her shed pounds.

Melissa McCarthy’s Weight Loss Diet

Melissa McCarthy's weight loss
Image: Shutterstock
MealsWhat Melissa McCarthy Eats
BreakfastScrambled eggs with 1 oz high-quality lean protein (chicken or turkey breast) + 1 glass green smoothie made with kale/ spinach/ parsley, chia seeds, and almond milk
Snack½ cup baby carrots and hummus
Lunch1 cup green tea + 3 oz chicken or turkey breast + side of vegetable and quinoa salad
Snack1 cup (8 fluid ounces) freshly pressed juice
Dinner⅔ cup steamed veggies + ½ avocado + 3 oz chicken or turkey breast

It is clear from her diet chart that she makes sure to:

    • Consume Healthy Fats – Chia seeds, avocado, and almond milk are sources of healthy fats. Healthy fats help reduce inflammation and inflammation-induced weight gain.
    • Include Protein – Proteins are the building blocks of our body. Lean protein sources like chicken breast, turkey breast, hummus, and eggs help increase satiety, build lean muscle mass, and boost metabolism and muscle recovery.
    • Consume Good Carbs – Veggies, fruit juice, quinoa, and vegetable juice are good sources of good carbs or dietary fiber. They take longer to digest, improve bowel movement, and boost metabolism.
    • Flush Out Toxins – Green tea has antioxidants that help nullify the effect of harmful free oxygen radicals. Green tea also helps suppress appetite and rejuvenates the body and mind.
    • Avoid Sugar – Avoiding refined sugar and sugary products helps avoid piling on calories, regulates blood sugar levels, and prevents a general feeling of lethargy.
    • Stay Hydrated – Melissa McCarthy drank enough water to help flush out the toxins and maintain the internal pH levels and homeostasis – all of which are important for weight loss.
    • Take Rest – Resting and sleeping aid weight loss. The more stressed you are, the lesser you will sleep or rest, and the more prone you will be to binge eating. This will lead to weight gain. So, sleep and take rest.
  • Drink Water With Fresh Lemon – Lemon water is great for weight loss. It adds flavor, helps maintain the internal pH balance, flushes out toxins, and prevents overeating.

protip_icon Did You Know?
Adults should get at least 7 hours of sleep every night to maintain optimal health (2).than the other.

In an interview with TMZ, Melissa McCarthy opened up about her weight loss. She frankly admitted that it was a magic weight loss pill along with a few lifestyle changes like light exercise and diet routine that helped her shed the pounds.

She told TMZ, “Honestly, I couldn’t have done it if I’d even wanted to! *laughs* No, I didn’t need to exercise every day. I’ve always liked to jog every few days, but I didn’t change my routine. The only thing I did was took these pills. They’re a natural weight loss supplement called AtraFen Weight Loss Aid. They’re totally safe.” Well, are they? Let’s find out!

How Did AtraFen Weight Loss Aid Help Melissa McCarthy Lose Weight?

How did AtraFen weight loss aid help Melissa McCarthy lose weight
Image: Shutterstock

AtraFen Weight Loss Aid is a weight loss supplement. According to the website, “AtraFen is smooth, effective and perfected for quick AND maintainable results… not profit!”

It is a fat burner and appetite suppressor. It burns fat by increasing thermogenesis, boosting metabolism, and increasing energy levels and mental focus. These pills are made with a pure and balanced formula that will not create a hormonal imbalance, which may lead to binge eating and unsustainable weight loss. And here, McCarthy’s before and after pictures tell the whole story.

It is clear that AtraFen Weight Loss Aid targets the main causes of weight gain – slow metabolism, binge eating, low energy levels, etc. And the best part is, the good people at TMZ put it to test. And here’s the result.

Week 1 – One AtraFen supplement in the morning for a week. The major changes were an increase in energy and satiety levels. This prevented binge eating and helped utilize the already stored fat as the fuel source.

Weeks 2 And 3 – One AtraFen supplement in the morning throughout Weeks 2 and 3 helped lose about 16 pounds! And although most diets tend to fizz out by this time, AtraFen kept the energy levels high and hunger levels low. The best part, no extra forceful changes in diet are required.

Week 4 – By the end of Week 4, a total of 42 pounds were lost!

If you decide to use these pills, consult your doctor first because a lot of times, you may be allergic to certain ingredients or medications.

This, however, did not mean that she only depended on the pills to lose weight. She worked out regularly to keep herself fit and healthy. Here’s her workout plan.

Melissa McCarthy Workout Plan

Melissa McCarthy workout plan
Image: Instagram @roomandfashiongoals

Melissa was not big on working out. She told in an interview that she would jog every other day. But once she was on a weight loss mission, she worked closely with her trainer to shape up. She did a mixed workout that worked best for her. Here’s what she did.

Strength Training (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)

  • Farmer’s Walk – Melissa would pick up two dumbbells in each hand and do lunges and walk around the gym to burn the fat in her thighs and glutes.
  • Inverted Pull Ups – A Smith machine bar would be set at hip height, and all Melissa did was lie down, hold the bar with both hands, and try to pull her upper body close to the bar. This helped shape her arms, shoulders, and chest.
  • Dumbbell Bench Press – Doing dumbbell bench press instead of using a bar helped her get the most out of this exercise. Her upper back, arms, chest, and shoulders were the main targets of this exercise. She did 3 sets of 12 reps.
  • Dumbbell Deadlift – Using the same dumbbells, Melissa did 3 sets of 10 dumbbell deadlifts to work her lower back and glutes. She concentrated more on maintaining correct posture with exercise.
  • Smith Machine Squats – Smith Machine squats were the best for Melissa as they canceled out any chances of low back injury. First, she would warm up with just the bar and then put 20 pounds on each end of the bar and do 3 sets of 12 reps.

Cardio (Tuesday And Thursday) 

  • Treadmill
  • Bicycle
  • Plank
  • Bench Press
  • Leg Press
  • Rowing MAchine
  • Military Press
  • Tricep Extension
  • Bicep Curl

Melissa McCarthy put her energy and time to lose the pounds for good. Yes, the supplements helped her, but remember, nothing or no one can help transform your body unless you help yourself. Throughout her fitness journey, she has shown that indulging in a good workout routine, following a rich in all kinds of nutrition, and practicing self-care and wellness can give incredible results and a beautiful transformation.

Infographic: Secret Behind Melissa McCarthy’s Weight Loss

Healthy eating is at the core of Melissa McCarthy’s diet philosophy. While her dietary choices are nutritionally advantageous, she has also chosen ingredients to help her achieve her fitness goals. Her weightloss journey is a source of inspiration for millions of individuals out there who want to get in shape. The infographic below describes the most important aspects of her weight loss secrets. Check it out now!

secret behind melissa mccarthy's weight loss (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

If you are looking for information about Melissa McCarthy’s weight and height, we can only provide you with the information that she is 5 ‘2 “, and she has been of varying weights through her weight loss journey. Melissa Mccarthy’s weight loss secret is that she used a weight loss pill along with a healthy diet and light exercise to shed 75 pounds. The pill, called AtraFen Weight Loss Aid, works as a fat burner and metabolism booster, which leads to slow and steady weight loss. In addition, it helps to suppress appetite and is formulated to not cause hormonal imbalances that are often considered to trigger binge-eating episodes. Melissa Mccarthy had once tried a liquid diet to shed 70 pounds, but in her interviews, she revealed that she would not go down that road again and instead lose weight slowly to avoid rebounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Melissa McCarthy on the keto diet?

Yes, she followed the keto diet to lose weight for a new film.

How tall is Melissa McCarthy?

She is 1.57m tall.

How much weight did Melissa McCarthy lose after Mike and Molly?

She lost about 70 pounds after starring in Mike and Molly.

How do celebrities lose weight fast?

Some follow fad weight loss diets for particular cinematic roles, while others maintain their fitness with regular workout and diet routine.

Does Melissa McCarthy have kids?

Yes, she has two children.

What is body positivity?

A social movement that challenges societal standards and promotes acceptance of all body shapes and sizes. It urges individuals to accept and love their bodies the way they are.

Key Takeaways

  • American actress Melisa McCarthy is also known for her weight loss journey.
  • The two-time Academy Award nominee lost 70 pounds in four months with motivation and the right combination of diet and exercise.
  • She attributes this success to lean protein, fruits, and vegetables in her diet and cardio in her daily exercise routine.
melissa mccarthy weight loss secret

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover Melissa McCarthy’s secret to losing 75 pounds! Learn about the secret tips and tricks that made her transformation possible in this exclusive video, now!

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. How much water do we really need to drink?
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20356431/
  2. Recommended Amount of Sleep for a Healthy Adult: A Joint Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4434546/
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