Sherri Shepherd’s Weight Loss: Overcoming Struggles to Success

Sherri-Shepherd-in-red-dress-after-losing-weight
Photo: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/536913586826976851/

Sherri Shepherd might not be on the daytime show anymore, but she is still enhancing The View. Recently, the famous television personality flaunted her new body on social media, posting on Instagram after dropping 20 pounds. According to the actress, she managed to do it by following a strict high-fat and low-carb diet and intermittent fasting.

Replying to a follow, the TV personality said, “I am doing keto”, adding that she avoids sugar, dairy, beef, pork, booze, and more. So far, the Sherri Shepherd weight loss journey accounted for more than 30 shed pounds.

What do we know about it? Let’s take a look.

Get To Know Sherri

First, we have to talk about Sherri, an American actress, comedian, television host, and author. Sherri is famous for her work in the entertainment industry. Born in April 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, the TV personality grew up in a predominantly African American neighborhood on the south side of the city.

As you can assume, her early life was marked by challenges, including the death of her mother. She passed away when Sherri was only three-years-old. She grew up in poverty with her father and grandmother.

Yet, despite the challenges and struggles, she showed a talent for comedy at a young age. Shepherd would often entertain her classmates with antics, sharp wit, and a sense of humor. That wit and sense of humor are still in her repertoire.

Speaking of her education, the American actress attended Hoffman Estates High School in Illinois and later got higher education at the Chicago Academy of the Arts. There, she studied drama, dance, and voice.

Following her graduation, Sherri began her professional career journey. As with most entertainers, she began with stand-up comedy, performing in clubs. There, fans loved her unique comedic style. Soon enough, she caught the attention of producers.

Sherri got her debut television appearance on the sitcom Living Single in the 1990s and then appeared in popular TV series like Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Suddenly Susan.

In 2001, she got her first big break, joining the cast of the sketch comedy show Mad TV as a series regular. At the time, the comedian gained critical acclaim and gained a loyal fan base for her abilities.

And then in 2005, she joined the daytime talk show The View as a co-host. During her time on The View, Sherri was a prominent face, known for her witty commentary and candid personality. She remained there for seven years, commenting on topics such as politics, entertainment, and social issues.

For her work on The View, she has received numerous awards and nominations, including an Emmy Award. Nowadays, people recognize her for her philanthropic efforts as well. Sherri advocates for diabetes awareness and mental health awareness.

During her career, Sherri has had to fight challenges like weight management and health issues.

Why Did She Lose Weight?

In an Instagram post in June 2021, the former talk show host revealed her new more balanced lifestyle and how it helped her lose 20 lbs. Sherri has been on an ongoing health journey for years, but she finally got to a point where she is happy with the results.

Flaunting her new body figure in a curve-hugging blue, white, and orange dress, she explained why wellness has worked wonders for her mindset.

Sherri said, “Started this weight loss journey 8 months ago, but making other changes in my life helped me lose even more lbs”.

In the three pictures, she posed in front of her at-home studio. She continued by saying, “Getting consistent sleep, meditation, finding a great therapist to help me unpack hurt… forgiving those who’ve done me harm… more acceptance… less religion & more relationship… discovering that God loves me no matter what (yeah I am freaky and I curse😂), more water, more walking… being thankful, finding my worth… saying no”.

And then, in another Instagram video, she said, “My arms feel like rubber, my legs feel like rubber, I want to cry, but I am determined to make it through this class, cause you gotta remember your ‘why.’ Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to lose weight?”

It was the Covid-19 pandemic that prompted her to get more serious about weight loss. Speaking to People magazine, the Emmy winner said she was determined to lose weight after seeing so many people impacted, health-wise, during the pandemic.

She said, “During COVID, I put on weight and realized I needed to get back to the basics again, which was a lifestyle change”. Then, she continued and said how she challenges herself to take risks and do things that scared her.

For Sherri, that meant joining Healthy Wage and putting money on the line to make sure she reaches her weight loss goal. The initial Sherri Shepherd weight loss goal was 15 lbs, but she made it to 20 lbs since the start of the pandemic, and 35 lbs after getting serious.

Speaking of her approach, Sherri said, “I realized I was able to make changes and be physically active to get my health in a better position”.

Sherri Shepherd fit and sexy
Photo: instagram.com

How Did She Lose Weight?

Since beginning her wellness journey, Sherri managed to lose 35 pounds. And she says “peace” was instrumental in reaching that goal. There were a couple of changes she made in her daily life.

Making Exercise A Priority

In the Instagram post, Sherri also talked about the diverse mix of workouts she has been doing to lose weight and tone up. Some of those include boxing, roller skating, and even Zumba classes.

Speaking of Zumba, she said, “I was 197 pounds, sitting on my couch, eating pizza and watching infomercials…This infomercial for Zumba showed up and I couldn’t get to my credit card fast enough! I knew it was time”.

Smaller Goals

One of the big mistakes people make when they are trying to lose weight is focusing on the big goal. Instead, Sherri set smaller goals initially. Instead of a single weight loss goal, she celebrated non-scale victories.

For example, challenging herself to fit into a particular outfit for a TV appearance. She said, “It was my birthday goal to fit into this catsuit. With a ton of asparagus, grilled chicken, bone broth, and tight spanx, I did it”.

Cooking At Home

Most importantly, Sherri has been cooking healthy foods at home, which prevents her from eating out and getting a high-calorie meal. On social media, she constantly posts and shows off her culinary creations. For example, a veggie and bean-packed salad.

She said, “Do I want a #2 with fries. Yes, I do, but I love how I feel better more than that cheeseburger that would be clogging my arteries and inflaming the tissue around my heart, causing diabetes to choke the life out of me. I kind of like this feeling of feeling good. I want to encourage you to put down the salt shaker, add more veggies to your plate, and drink more water. You’ve got so much to live for”.

healthy bowl
Photo: instagram.com

Can You Lose Weight As Sherri Did?

Of course, you can. We can all make changes to our lifestyles and follow healthier habits. But exercise is quite important as well. For Sherri, that was Zumba.

Speaking of why she wanted to get in shape, she cited her son and her energy levels. Sherri said, “I have a very energetic son. And I would take him to the park and sit on the bench while he played. And I was the mom who would be yelling at him from the benches because I was just too tired to move.”

But she also had other things in mind. The TV host revealed, “You know I wanted to look good for my wedding. I have a closet full of clothes of all different sizes. And I have some that I call my ‘Oprah clothes.’ Remember when she came out onstage dragging a wagon full of fat? I have a fantasy of doing the same thing”.

Speaking of Zumba, she said, “I figured, it’s just dancing. I’ve been on Dancing with the Stars. But after a few minutes, I thought my heart was going to give out. I was 197 pounds, and I weigh 151. But besides that, I notice the loss of inches. I can wear my Oprah clothes. They fit”.

Sheri was so impressed with Zumba, she was the keynote speaker at the annual Zumba convention in Orlando.

For those of you that do not know, Zumba is a popular fitness program combining dance and aerobic exercises set to Latin and international music. Created in the 1990s by Alberto Beto Perez, a Colombian dancer, and choreographer, it has grown into a global fitness phenomenon.

It is known for its high-energy and dynamic workouts that help people lose weight. Yet, primarily, the workouts are designed to be fun, engaging, and accessible to people of all fitness levels.

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I am a mother, wife, daughter, granddaughter, writer, living in Virginia Beach. I love creativity, ideas, crafts, arts, photography, movies, food, coffee, naps, outdoors. I love to make stuff!