Rebel Wilson left many fans close to tears when she posted a throwback photo of herself along with a heartfelt and inspiring message on Instagram.
The Australian actress shared a snapshot from before her 75lbs weight loss and her words sparked an incredible reaction from her followers.
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In the image, Rebel was posing with tennis ace, Novak Djokovic, and beaming from ear to ear.
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But her smile disguised what she was really feeling as she explained all in a lengthy caption: "Okay so I know that I normally post flattering photos of myself," she wrote.
"But found this old photo in my emails and was like: whoa! I remember this was when I was at my most unhealthiest - being overweight and indulging way too much with junk food. "Using food to numb my emotions.
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"My father had passed away of a heart attack and it was such a sad time. I didn't think highly of myself and wasn’t valuing myself how I should have.
© Photo: InstagramRebel said she was masking the agony of losing her father
Rebel continued: "It's interesting that I'm still smiling and still trying to be active - this was taken at a charity tennis tournament event (ps @djokernole is such a nice guy) - despite being in so much pain.
"I look back now at that girl and am so proud of what she's become and achieved. And just wanted to send out some encouragement to everyone out there struggling with weight or body issues or emotional eating. I feel you. I know what it’s like. But it's never too late to start improving yourself and trying to be the best version of YOU possible.
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"It's not a race and it's not a competition - it's about respecting yourself and doing what's best for YOU. So if you're out there and reading this today, I just wanted to say: keep smiling and keep trying to be active! Love you guys."
© Photo: InstagramRebel decided it was time to better her body inside and out
Her words resonated with so many of her fans who rushed to tell her what an inspiration she is to them.
"You‘re amazing! Thanks for those important words! Go on, girl!" wrote one, while many added tearful emojis and another wrote: "This is brilliant thank you for sharing this, sometimes it’s good for us to see what you have achieved so we remember we can too."
Rebel began her health overhaul a little over 18-months ago and says she has never looked or felt better and hopes she can offer support to others going through what she was. She revealed one of the best things she did before she started her weight loss journey was to learn to heal from the power of self-love through reading the book Within: A Spiritual Awakening to Love & Weight Loss, written by her doctor, Habib Sadeghi.
Within by Dr. Habib Sadeghi, from £15.99, Amazon
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