Rebel Wilson Reflects On Her Health Journey, Shares Throwback Photo Of Her ‘Unhealthiest’

Back in December 2019, Rebel Wilson decided that 2020 was going to be her “year of health” for her 40th birthday. She said, "I was determined in 2020 – the year of health – to actually fully change my whole entire lifestyle. So it meant not only, like, physically but mentally as well."

Rebel described how she had used her weight as "a bit of a barrier...maybe so that people wouldn't get close to me." But she came to realize that that wasn’t a healthy attitude because she wasn’t "treating [herself] with love and respect."

"That was hard," Rebel said. "And so what I'm trying to do is change those patterns so you're more loving and you're treating yourself with more respect."

Rebel Wilson dedicated 2020 to eating healthy and exercising. She focused on mindful eating and high-protein foods. She also worked with a trainer and made sure to move her body every day.

"I’m in a lucky position,” Rebel said. “I do have access to really amazing personal trainers, but I want you guys to know that the majority of the exercise that I’ve done this year has just been me going out for a walk. That is free, you can do it, it’s safe."

“If you can do an hour – that’s what I like to do when I go walking – it is the best," she added. "Just get your body moving."

"Weirdly, I never thought I would like hiking, walking uphill," she said. "Like, who would have thought that’d be a fun activity? But frick, it’s good. To be out in nature, get that air into your lungs. I really, really love it, and so I do that now all the time."

Rebel’s “year of health” was a success. She reached her goal weight in November 2020, having lost more than 60 pounds.

Yesterday, she reflected on how far she’d come, sharing a photo of herself at her “unhealthiest.” She’s posing with tennis legend Novak Djokovic at a 2014 charity event. She wrote in the caption, “Okay so I know that I normally post flattering photos of myself…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. 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.”

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.” 

Rebel ended her post offering encouragement to those out there on their own health journeys: “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. 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.” 

Now that’s what I call real body positivity and real self-love.