Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates has been making headlines not only for her upcoming role in the CBS reboot of Matlock but also for her incredible weight loss journey. The 76-year-old actress recently revealed in an interview with Variety that she has lost an impressive 100 pounds over the past six years. Bates shared, “It’s helped me tremendously. I don’t think I’ve been this slim since I was in college.”
Kathy Bates did not disclose the specific details of how she achieved her weight loss in the Variety interview, but she has previously mentioned making dietary adjustments as part of her journey. The results have been transformative, with Bates expressing that she has never felt healthier. In a conversation with Us Weekly at WebMD’s Health Heroes event in 2019, she stated, “I just had a physical. I’m doing great. I feel like a completely different person. I can move, I can walk. I just wish I had done it years ago.”
The actress’s health journey began while she was facing health complications related to her weight during her time on the NBC drama Harry’s Law in 2011. Bates revealed to Variety, “I had to sit down every moment that I could. It was hard for me to walk.” After experiencing a health scare in 2019, where she had already lost 60 pounds, Bates realized the importance of taking control of her health to avoid the risk of diabetes. In an interview with Extra, she shared, “I was facing diabetes. It runs in my family, and I really didn’t want to live with that.” Bates expressed gratitude for her improved health, calling it a “miracle.”
One key aspect of Bates’s weight loss journey has been conscious eating. In 2019, she attributed her transformation to “mindfulness,” emphasizing the importance of recognizing when to stop eating. Bates even adopted a helpful tip from her niece, who suggested paying attention to the body’s signals after eating for a certain period. “After you eat for 20-30 minutes, you experience an involuntary sigh,” she explained. “It’s communication between the stomach and brain telling you that you’ve had enough.” By following this advice, Bates found that she could feel satisfied without overeating.
Despite achieving remarkable results, Bates emphasized the importance of patience and determination in her weight loss journey. She told Us Weekly, “It took a few years. I don’t like the word willpower, but I like the word determination.” This mindset has been crucial for Bates as she navigated the challenges of losing a significant amount of weight over an extended period.
In addition to her weight loss, Kathy Bates has faced health challenges related to her battles with cancer. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003 and breast cancer in 2012, Bates underwent a double mastectomy to treat her breast cancer. As a result of her treatment, she developed lymphedema, a chronic condition characterized by swelling due to fluid buildup in the body. Bates shared with People in 2018 that changing her diet and exercise routine had a positive impact on managing her lymphedema symptoms.
The actress reflected on her health journey with a sense of pride and newfound energy. Bates admitted feeling regret for letting herself become “out of shape,” but she expressed gratitude for the transformation she has undergone. She told Variety, “I’m ashamed I let myself get so out of shape, but now I have a tremendous amount of energy.”
In conclusion, Kathy Bates’s weight loss journey serves as an inspiring example of the power of determination and mindful eating in achieving health and wellness goals. Despite facing health challenges along the way, Bates’s commitment to her well-being has resulted in a significant transformation that has positively impacted her life. As she continues to embrace a healthier lifestyle, Bates serves as a beacon of hope for others striving to improve their health and well-being.
