Melissa McCarthy Steals Style Spotlight After 75-Lb Weight Loss: Menu & 4 Steps To Low-Carb Diet Success

Melissa McCarthy has returned to the spotlight, proving that she’s succeeded in maintaining her 75-pound weight loss by flaunting her figure in her own designs. McCarthy is earning praise for her slim-down success, and despite rumors of weight loss pills and surgery, Melissa succeeded in becoming a celebrity weight loss winner the old-fashioned way, noted Life & Style.

The 47-year-old star famed for Ghostbusters has become the one that you want to call for the secrets of taking off pounds with diet and exercise. The publication noted that McCarthy has been consistent in sticking to her weight loss regime.

“[Melissa McCarthy] has shed 75 pounds after switching to a sensible diet and exercising consistently.”

Although the Gilmore Girls actress couldn’t resist joking about her weight loss, proclaiming that she lived a “super-boring life” and headed to bed at 7:30 each evening to win the battle of the bulge, there was more than an early bed-time involved.

Melissa McCarthy Boosts Protein, Cuts Carbs

Melissa cut down her portion sizes, stayed on a high protein, low carb diet, and followed an exercise regimen, according to the magazine. Leslie Bonci, a registered dietitian and author of The Active Calorie Diet, explained that McCarthy made her diet a priority.

In addition to focusing on making time in her busy schedule to figure out what to eat and then to prepare those diet meals, Melissa changed how she thought about food, pointed out Leslie. Protein and vegetables became McCarthy’s diet focus, and Melissa also ate smaller portions of high fiber foods such as quinoa.

“Protein and produce became the mainstays of her meals.”

Bonci clarified that there is no “magic” to McCarthy’s weight loss. Instead, it’s all about emphasizing portion control, cutting carbohydrates along with boosting protein, and exercising.

“What she did was prioritize her efforts in terms of thinking about what to eat and making time to prepare it,” said Leslie. “She was strategic about including smaller portions of carbs such as quinoa and fruit.”

Exercise Plus Diet Consistency Put Melissa McCarthy ‘In The Clear’

Lifesum fitness expert and celebrity trainer to the stars, Joselynne Boschen, agreed about the importance of consistency. She told Life & Style that although the first two weeks are the most challenging, the cravings soon vanish. After establishing a “consistent” diet and exercise routine, “you’re in the clear,” added the fitness trainer.

Joselynne pointed out that Melissa has made “incredible changes in appearance” in her appearance. Those changes have helped McCarthy feel better about her body image.

Melissa said that she loves all of her body, especially after having gone through pregnancy twice. She feels “sexiest” when she focuses on being herself. But McCarthy views her biggest weight loss key as not “worrying about it,” she added. Relaxing rather than being “nervous and rigid” has helped.

“It may be the best thing I’ve ever done,” she added.

McCarthy isn’t sharing a number on the scale, but she has been showing off her slimmer figure on the red carpet recently. As a result, Style Caster listed Melissa this month as among the rare stars sizzling on the red carpet without help from famous designers. Noting that “couture Oscar-worthy gowns typically run from a size 0 to a size 2,” the publication pointed out that McCarthy has succeeded in defying those designers who won’t create sizes for larger women.

Actress Defies Designers To Stars By Designing Own Style Line

Melissa’s journey to stealing the style spotlight began when she couldn’t find a designer to create an Oscars gown for her size. McCarthy responded by creating her own clothing line for women of all sizes and shapes.

But the actress still has problems when it comes to looking for clothes created by other designers.

“When I go shopping, most of the time I’m disappointed,” admitted Melissa. “Two Oscars ago, I couldn’t find anybody to do a dress for me. I asked five or six designers—very high-level ones who make lots of dresses for people—and they all said no.”

Now, however, McCarthy is flaunting her weight loss success on the red carpet in her own designs. Reflecting on how she feels about her appearance now, Melissa told Life & Style that her 75-pound weight loss has made her feel “amazing.” It also ranks at the top of her triumphs list.

“[Losing weight] may be the best thing I’ve ever done.”

As for the specifics of McCarthy’s high protein, low carb diet, Bonci offered a sample menu of the star’s food plan.

Melissa McCarthy’s Low-Carb Diet Menu Sample

Breakfast might consist of an omelet made with three eggs and vegetables, such as spinach, mushrooms, onions, and peppers. To boost the protein, Melissa might enjoy two turkey sausage links with her morning meal, according to Leslie.

Lunch could feature a salad made of lots of vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and avocado. McCarthy may eat five ounces of tuna for protein, topping her salad with balsamic vinegar. After a mid-afternoon snack such as Greek yogurt or peanut butter on celery, Melissa emphasizes protein in her evening meal, such as roasted chicken. More vegetables accompany that dinner, such as broccoli and green beans.

While those initial cravings for carbohydrates can be challenging, experts have attributed McCarthy’s low-carb diet success to her determination in staying consistent with her weight loss plan. There’s a good reason for opting for a low-carb weight loss plan like Melissa, Dr. David Ludwig, professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, told CNN.

“Processed carbs cause more insulin secretion, calorie for calorie, than any food. Insulin is the Miracle-Gro for fat cells.”

It’s the growth of fat cells that boosts levels of hunger, turning into weight gain, he explained.

Four Steps To Melissa McCarthy’s Low-Carb Diet Success

When it comes to how to get started on a low-carb diet like McCarthy’s weight loss plan, Tamara Duker Freuman, a New York City-based registered dietitian, told CNN that four steps are involved.

Step One: Just as Melissa did, the first step is to eliminate those tempting carbohydrates such as pastry and pasta. For one week, eliminate all forms of starchy carbohydrates, including “pasta, bread, rice, bagels and potatoes, as well as pizza, crackers, pretzels, chips, cookies, and cake,” said the nutrition expert.

Step Two: Think that what you drink doesn’t matter? It does. Eliminate sugary beverages such as soda and sugar-sweetened fruit punch, along with items high in sugar such as candy.

Step Three: Follow in McCarthy’s footsteps by eating foods high in healthy fat. While she enjoys avocado on her salad, other healthy fats include nuts, olive oil, and full-fat dairy, said Dr. Ludwig.

Step Four: When you do add back starchy carbohydrates, go for high quality choices and eat them at breakfast. For example, Bonci noted that Melissa occasionally eats a small portion of quinoa.

“Research in a variety of populations has shown that eating carbs at breakfast seems to dampen the blood sugar effect of eating carbs at lunch,” explained Freuman.

[Featured Image by J. Emilio Flores/Invision for FIJI/AP Images]