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Rebel Wilson with her daughter

Rebel Wilson poses in swimsuit as she talks 30lb 'weight gain' in heartbreaking confession

The Hollywood star got candid in a very honest post about body confidence 

Hanna Fillingham
US Managing Editor
January 15, 2024
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Rebel Wilson has opened up about her self confidence in an incredibly honest post on social media this week. 

The Hollywood star got candid as she posted several swimsuit photos on Instagram, alongside an emotional message about body confidence. 

She admitted that due to stress, she's gained 30 pounds, and that while she knows she shouldn't be feeling bad about it, she does. 

She wrote: "Working really hard has meant that, coz of all the stress, I’ve gained 14kg’s (30 pounds)! It makes me feel bad about myself…it shouldn’t…but it does. I’m really proud of the work I’ve been doing on new movies and my memoir, it’s just been a LOT and I’ve lost focus on my healthy lifestyle. Anyone else going through the same thing?" 

Rebel Wilson opened up about her weight in an emotional and honest post on social media
Rebel Wilson opened up about her weight in an emotional and honest post on social media

Fans were quick to offer their support and encouragement to the mom-of-one, with one writing: "So normal Rebel! A doctor once said to me 'we fluctuate up and down about 10kg or so our whole lives, it’s normal' and tbh just hearing that was so freeing x," while another wrote: "You got this Rebel. You have smashed it once.. you can smash it again. Just don't be too hard on yourself. You're a mumma, working, writing.. IT'S a lot. Don't forget to fill your own cup too. If your cup is empty, it's hard for you to fill up other people's cups and do everything you need to." 

Rebel Wilson attends amfAR Gala 2023 Presented by The Red Sea International Film Festival during the 76th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2023 in Cannes, France.© Getty Images
Rebel Wilson in May 2023

A third added: "Losing weight is the easy bit… keeping it off is the the biggest battle," alongside a love heart emoji. 

Rebel's honesty about her weight gain, as a result of stress, is something many people will be able to relate to, and her admission will no doubt help others too.

Lisa Lorraine Taylor, certified personal trainer at Total Shape, has opened up about the reason people tend to gain weight during stressful periods in their lives.

Talking to HELLO!, Lisa explained: "Many people experience weight gain during stressful times. It's common to initially lose appetite under stress, but chronic stress often leads to increased cravings for sugary and fatty foods. This happens because our bodies produce more cortisol, a hormone that raises appetite. Such cravings can start a cycle: we seek comfort in food, feel guilt, and then lose motivation to exercise, leading to weight gain."

She continued: "It's natural to seek comfort when stressed, and being kind to yourself is crucial. Simple strategies like setting aside time for relaxation and mindfulness, getting adequate sleep, or talking to a friend can make a difference. Most importantly, remember it's completely okay to seek professional help. It's about taking small, sustainable steps towards better health, both mentally and physically."

The actress has been open about her weight loss journey after transforming her lifestyle habits back in 2020, which she described as her "year of health".

Rebel Wilson with her daughter and partner
Rebel Wilson with her daughter and partner

The Australian actress worked hard, resulting in an incredible 80Ib weight loss, which she said was down to "moderate walking" rather than gruelling workouts. She has opened up about this on several occasions over the years, including in the video below. 

VIDEO: Rebel Wilson opens up about her weight loss

At the start of her transformation, meanwhile, the star attended an Austrian health retreat "which flushed out every toxic substance possible in all sorts of crazy ways," and it was here she learned the benefits of a brisk walk. 

Rebel Wilson in an orange swimsuit in a photo shared from her vacation in Fiji© Instagram
The actress has been incredibly open about her health transformation

"While there I learned that moderate — not even fast-paced — walking is the best way for me to lose unnecessary body fat," she previously told Shape magazine. 

"The goal was never to be skinny," she said. "It was never to fit into a certain dress size. I put in a weight because I needed some tangible thing." 

Rebel in 2019 before her journey to better health© Tommaso Boddi
Rebel in 2019 before her journey to better health

Rebel continued: "What I'm proud of myself is doing that and having a lot more balance now in my life." Speaking of why she waited until her 40s to overhaul her health and wellbeing, she explained: "It just wasn't a priority, and I didn't know how to do it right. 

"I never properly considered wellness from all angles. But I was turning 40 and thinking about freezing my eggs, and the experts told me that the healthier I am, the better the process can go."

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