Secrets behind Jessica Simpson’s INCREDIBLE weight loss journey: How the star maintains her slender frame slimming down from 260lbs to 140lbs

Throughout her more than two decades in the spotlight, Jessica Simpson has been open about feeling stuck on an endless roller coaster of yo-yo dieting and over-exercising to maintain her fluctuating figure.

While reflecting on her weight loss journey, which included losing 100 pounds after reaching 260 pounds during her pregnancy with daughter Birdie Mae, the singer, 42, has talked about finding peace with her body after saying her role in the 2005 film Dukes of Hazzard created an unrealistic ‘gold standard’ for her body.

After parading her envy-inducing legs in a pair of super short shorts while portraying Daisy Duke, the mom-of-three said images from that movie have been used to as the ‘before’ picture for every ‘is she fat or is she thin’ story for’ the rest of her career.

After Jessica stunned fans all over the world with her latest transformation, DailyMail.com looks back on the star’s weight loss journey over the years…

A lot of pressure: Throughout her more than two decades in the spotlight, Jessica Simpson has been open about feeling stuck on an endless roller coaster of yo-yo dieting and over-exercising to maintain her fluctuating figure (pictured L 2022, center, 2018 and R in 2008)

2005 DUKES OF HAZZARD REMAKE AND THOSE HOTPANTS 

Simpson, who was just 24-years-old when she made her Hollywood debut in the widely-popular 2005 comedy, was reportedly inspired to tone up before shooting once she realized her ‘butt was going to be plastered on 50 ft. screens everywhere.’

‘That motivated her,’ Trainer Michael Alexander, who trained the performer at the time, told Pop Workouts, noted.

The entrepreneur, who signed with Columbia Records in 1997 as a teen, admitted that once she learned that she landed the role she ‘went straight to the gym.’

Iconic: While reflecting on her weight loss journey, which included losing 100 pounds after reaching 260 pounds during her pregnancy with daughter Birdie Mae, the singer, 42, has talked about finding peace with her body after saying her role in the 2005 film Dukes of Hazzard created an unrealistic ‘gold standard’ for her body; seen in character as Daisy Duke

‘Any character that has a pair of shorts named after her, you’ve gotta at least try to make the shorts look as good as you possibly can,’ she told People in 2005. 

She continued: ‘I didn’t have a butt, so I did a lot of squats… I can’t deprive myself of things because then I obsess about it and end up eating. I watched my diet and was in the gym to walk proud. My body is definitely an accomplishment,’ she revealed. 

To lean down, she adhered to the South Beach Diet, created in 2003 by cardiologist Arthur Agatston, which is a low carb, high-protein meal plan.

Trim: To lean down, she adhered to the South Beach Diet, created in 2003 by cardiologist Arthur Agatston, which is a low carb, high-protein meal plan; pictured in 2006

At this time, she mostly consumed grilled chicken, fish, and green vegetables. 

In addition to eating clean, with very limited cheat foods, she was hitting the gym with Alexander for two-hour workouts six days a week.

Their grueling sweat sessions began one month before the shoot, and went down to three or four times a week during filming. 

2009 ‘MOM JEANS’ ROW  

After announcing her split from Nick Lachey after nearly four years of marriage, she was criticized for her curvier figure while performing at the 2009 Chilli Cookoff in Florida.

Six months later, her apparent weight gain became a topic of conversation among fans after she performed the national anthem at the ATT Golf Tournament. 

In response, she stated that it isn’t ‘fair that women look in the mirror and feel disgust because of what society has made them believe about beauty.’

‘I’ve been through it myself and understand the pressures. We’re all facing the same struggles together, whether you’re a celebrity or not,’ she continued in a 2009 interview with Glamour.

Body shaming begins: After announcing her split from Nick Lachey after nearly four years of marriage, she was criticized for her curvier figure while performing at the 2009 Chilli Cookoff in Florida

Getting hate: Six months later, her apparent weight gain became a topic of conversation among fans after she performed the national anthem at the ATT Golf Tournament (seen in July 2009)

Supportive: At the time, her ex-husband spoke out in her defense as he told the Associated Press ‘it’s ridiculous that the media is making such a big deal about [her weight gain]’ (seen in 2005)

 Proud of her figure: In response, she stated that it isn’t ‘fair that women look in the mirror and feel disgust because of what society has made them believe about beauty’ (seen in 2011)

At the time, her ex-husband spoke out in her defense as he told the Associated Press ‘it’s ridiculous that the media is making such a big deal about [her weight gain].’

‘It’s ridiculous that it would be making headlines. But you can’t believe everything that’s written or reported in the media. I wish her nothing but happiness,’ he said, at the time.

2010 ENGAGEMENT TO ERIC JOHNSON AND FIRST BABY  IN 2012

As social media trolls body shamed her size, Simpson met her husband Eric Johnson through a mutual friend at a party in 2010. 

Within six months, the lovebirds announced they were engaged in November 2010.

A year later, the beauty proudly showed off her baby bump while pregnant with their first child on the April issue of Elle magazine.

Finding love: As social media trolls body shamed her size, Simpson met her husband Eric Johnson through a mutual friend at a party in 2010 (seen that year)

Baring all: A year later, the beauty proudly showed off her baby bump while pregnant with their first child Maxwell on the April issue of Elle magazine; seen above

She also revealed the idea to pose completely nude was her decision. 

‘They didn’t even ask me to do that,’ she told Seacrest on his radio show in 2012. ‘It was my idea. It kind of just seemed a natural thing for me to do.’ 

‘I’m like 170 pounds and I wanted to pose nude. I try to be like 110 pounds. It’s funny to be at your heaviest and feel the most confident. I just take such pride in being a mom! I just love my body more than ever now.’ 

While pregnant with Maxwell Drew, now ten, she mused on the Ellen DeGeneres Show that she was only expecting one child amid rumors that she was having twins. 

‘Believe it or not there is only one girl,’ she told the host with a laugh. ‘But I did get knocked up by a baller. A big football player. That’s what I get. He’s like 6′ 4.’ 

‘Believe it or not there is only one girl,’ she told the host with a laugh. ‘But I did get knocked up by a baller. A big football player. That’s what I get. He’s like 6′ 4,’ she insisted back in 2012 during her first pregnancy (pictured above)

Following the birth of Maxwell, Simpson became a Weight Watchers spokesperson.

She credited the points system weight loss program with helping her lose 60 pounds.

‘When I had Maxwell I gained a lot of weight. More than I thought I would,’ the actress told the MomFeeds blog. ‘And when it came time to try to take it off, it felt overwhelming. Stepping on the scale and seeing that number was really scary.’

SECOND BABY 2013  WITH A PARTIAL TUMMY TUCK IN 2015

Within a year, she was expecting her second child, a baby boy name Ace. 

‘With Maxwell, I vegged out and laid around. I knew I didn’t have to watch what I was eating for the first time in my life,’ she said during an interview with USA Today. 

For her second pregnancy, the singer-turned-business mogul told People that she ‘only gained half of what I did in my first pregnancy’ by continuing to work out three days a week.

Blessed! Within a year, she was expecting her second child, a baby boy name Ace; seen in 2013

Hot mama! Following her son’s birth, she resumed her role as a Weight Watchers spokesmodel (pictured in 2015)

‘With my first pregnancy I really let go. I felt like I deserved to eat whatever I wanted,’ she recalled. 

Following her son’s birth, she resumed her role as a Weight Watchers spokesmodel. 

After giving birth for the second time, she revealed in her memoir, Open Book, that she trimmed down to 107 pounds in 2015 before undergoing a partial tummy tuck as a 35th birthday gift to herself.  

‘The surgery wasn’t for weight loss. I weighed 107 pounds when I planned the surgery. I wanted to get rid of the stretch marks and loose skin left sagging from my back-to-back pregnancies,’ she wrote. 

Happy and healthy: After giving birth for the second time, she revealed in her memoir, Open Book, that she trimmed down to 107 pounds in 2015 before undergoing a partial tummy tuck as a 35th birthday gift to herself; seen in 2017

Later that year, Simpson continued to fire back at trolls that ‘scrutinized’ her weight while pregnant. 

 ‘I refused to let anyone steal the joy of my babies,’ she told InStyle, before gushing that her husband has ‘always loved every curve’ on her body.

Years of body shaming, however, fueled her to create a size-inclusive clothing brand that ‘looks good on a variety of body types.’ 

I have been every size there is,’ she told Women’s Health in 2016. ‘Every woman should feel like she can wear what the model is wearing down the runway.’ 

THIRD BABY IN 2019 

In 2019, Simpson became pregnant with her third child, Birdie Mae, and ‘reached 260lbs.’ 

The weight gain prompted her to throw out her scale as she joked about eating ‘a box of Milk Duds for breakfast and a chocolate donut’ on the Today Show, at the time.

‘I was much heavier than my husband who played in the NFL, so that pregnancy really did me in. I’m almost 5ft4in, 260 was real heavy for me,’ she said. 

Creating life: In 2019, Simpson became pregnant with her third child, Birdie Mae, and ‘reached 260lbs’ (seen above)

‘I was much heavier than my husband who played in the NFL, so that pregnancy really did me in. I’m almost 5ft4in, 260 was real heavy for me,’ she said, at the time

AFTER BIRTH – 120LB WEIGHT LOSS 

To lose the weight, she worked with trainer, Harley Pasternak, who created a program, which gradually had her working 14,000 per day, according to E! News. 

She also went to a nutritionist to get her ‘eating habits right’ and following Harley’s Body Reset Diet plan, which includes three meals a day to ‘keep the metabolism humming’ as well as smoothies and snacks. 

‘I always celebrate my body. The fact that it made children is unreal…but you just don’t ever think you’re going to fit back into things. It’s crazy. A woman’s body is phenomenal in what it can do,’ she told People in April. 

 Bikini body: To lose the weight, she worked with trainer, Harley Pasternak, who created a program, which gradually had her working 14,000 per day, according to E! News

She continued: ”I never thought of being in a bikini again, because I was stretched out as big as the couch.’ 

The performer went on to state that she found a new sense of confidence after donning the swimsuit and hoped that her fans would feel the same way upon reflecting on their own achievements.

‘You’re proud of yourself and you deserve it…[and you’re] understanding yourself and feeling good on the outside. When those two things click, the sky’s the limit,’ she said.

 ‘I always celebrate my body. The fact that it made children is unreal…but you just don’t ever think you’re going to fit back into things. It’s crazy. A woman’s body is phenomenal in what it can do,’ she told People in April

 A lot of hard work: Simpson revealed she once thought she would never wear a bikini again after saying she ‘stretched out as big as the couch’

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