When it comes to weight loss, Chrissy Metz isn’t overly concerned with the number on the scale.
Throughout her life, the “Hunting Wives” star has navigated a tricky relationship with food. But these days, she says she’s focusing on her health rather than superficial things like her dress size.
“I want to live the longest life possible,” the actor told People in a new interview.
Metz acknowledged that she exhibited signs of disordered eating in the past, but said she’s learned to no longer use food to comfort herself.
“It was my crutch, the love to fill in the holes,” she said.
As part of her health journey, the 44-year-old is prioritizing a few simple routines, including strength training and meal prepping. The end goal? An increased focus on longevity.
Metz isn’t planning to drop a massive amount of weight anytime soon, but she does want to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
“I know skinniness doesn’t equal happiness. I just want to be health-positive. I never said I wanted to be the face of body-positivity. It’s not that I condone morbid obesity or heroin chic. I condone a healthy body,” she said.
While growing up, Metz said she was “always the chubby girl” and was “also sort of the only one.” The experience sometimes made her feel “less than” and led her to compare herself to other girls.
“We’d go shopping at Wet Seal, and I wanted to wear the cute shorts and outfits, but all I could fit were the accessories,” she said. “It was really hard.”
When Metz moved to Hollywood to embark on her acting career, it was “slow going” at first.
“Every single role was for a tall, skinny blonde…Plus-size girls were either the butt of the joke or couldn’t be attractive. One director told me I was ‘too cute’ to play the side chick,” she said.
Metz’s career took off with her role as Kate in “This Is Us.” In 2017, the actor said she connected with the character and could relate to her complicated relationship with food.
“I have lost weight and I’ve gained weight back,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “I wouldn’t have this amazing role if I’d already lost all the weight. So I have to believe that everything happens for a reason and I do feel that way in life.”
Over the years, Metz has been open about her weight-loss experience. In 2023, she told Woman’s World people need to remember that their “bodies don’t define us.”
“If all you are thinking about is that you want to lose weight, but you feel like you are not going to be able to because you’re not worthy…then you won’t ever,” she said. “It is so important that you realize that just as we are, we are enough.”