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Melissa Peterman Weight Loss: How the 'Reba' Star Lost 60 Pounds
For her role as Barbara Jean in Reba, the actress lost about 60 pounds. Ahead, find everything you need to know about the Melissa Peterman weight loss journey.
Melissa Peterman weight loss journey was a consequence of downsizing for her character Barbara Jean in the movie Reba. The American actress and comedian caught the spotlight for her impressive transformation after losing 60 pounds. But reducing so much weight may not have been an easy feat as weight loss is a time-consuming process that requires creating a steady energy deficit (1).
So, how did Melissa Peterman lose weight? From her diet plan to her workout routine 一 here’s a fitness edit of the ultimate Melissa Peterman weight loss secrets you ought to know.
Who Is Melissa Peterman?
Melissa Peterman is a renowned American actress, television host, and comedian who has appeared in multiple movies and TV shows. Her career started with a small role in the famous 1996 crime film called Fargo. Since then she has worked in over 30 television shows such as Baby Daddy, The Singing Bee, Bet On Your Baby, The Big Bang Theory spinoff series called Young Sheldon, and more. She is best known for playing the character of Barbara Jean in the comedy series called Reba. Peterman is also popular for her work as a stand-up comic in a show called The Funny Stop. When the actress went from size sixteen to size six for her role in Reba, her transformation inspired and stunned people. 
Melissa Peterman Profile
- Real Name: Melissa Margaret Peterman
- Birthday: 1st July 1971
- Age In 2023: 51 Years
- Occupation: Actress, television host, and comedian
- Weight Before: 207 Pounds
- Weight Loss: 147 Pounds
- Reduced Weight Loss: 60 Pounds
How Did Melissa Peterman Gain Weight?
Throughout her career, the actress has lost and gained pounds, and hence her weight always fluctuated. However, since she is about six feet tall, the extra weight never showed on her. Melissa Peterman didn’t worry about her weight and always accepted her body for what it was regardless of the size. But this positive attitude changed when she gained weight due to her pregnancy. According to research conducted in 2004, pregnant women may be susceptible to gaining more weight during pregnancy (2). So, when she gave birth to her son Riley David Brady in the year 2005, there was an evident difference in her size — the way she looked had changed, and she appeared a little bulged.
This pushed the actress to change the way she looked and shed those extra pounds. Using the traditional combination of a healthy diet and exercise, she was able to lose about 60 pounds within a year. Studies suggest that weight management programs which combine diet and exercise may be effective in facilitating weight loss (3). So, when Peterman finally returned to Reba to play the role of Barbara Jean, she said in the show — “I’m here and I’m skinny.” Her body transformation raised curiosity amongst the audience and there was much wondering about how did Barbara Jean on Reba lose weight?
In 2011, the actress finally opened up about her diet plan, workout routine, and other tips for how she bounced back and lost weight post-pregnancy. Ahead, find the ultimate Melissa Peterman weight loss secrets that may push you in the right direction to lose those extra pounds.
How Did Melissa Peterman Lose Weight?
According to research, weight loss and management depends on various complex factors such as the timings of your meals, the type of food eaten, and also the amount of food eaten. The study further states that there is no single strategy for losing weight and that it must be individualized (3), (4). To lose those extra 60 pounds, Melissa Peterman combined a healthy diet and exercise which might have helped her facilitate easier and more effective weight loss in her journey.
Here’s everything you ought to know about the diet plan and workout routine that led to Melissa Peterman's weight loss on Reba.
Melissa Peterman’s Diet Plan
Maintaining a healthy diet throughout the journey has played a pivotal role in Melissa Peterman's weight loss. Since the beginning, she has grown up watching her mother cook healthy meals and years later she still follows a healthy and well-balanced diet. Studies state that an energy deficit and a low-calorie diet with fewer carbs and fat content might be effective in losing and managing weight (4). The American actress consumes a diet that is high in protein and fiber while being low on carbs, fats, and sugars. According to research, eating more protein than your recommended dietary allowance may help in reducing body weight, enhancing body composition, decreasing fat mass, preserving fat-free mass, and also increasing your satiety (5). Hence, this allowed the Peterman to shed off those extra 60 pounds easily within a year.
While she maintained a healthy diet, she made sure to not eliminate her favorite foods from her plan. The secret to Melisa Peterman Reba weight loss was that she ate everything in moderation. Along with cooking and eating healthy meals at home, she also consumed pizzas, ice creams, and cookies in limited servings. Despite her busy schedule, here’s the diet plan that the actress and comedian followed daily:
Breakfast: One organic egg white omelet with sautéed spinach, turkey bacon on the side, and a fresh fruit smoothie of her choice
Lunch: Lentil soup garnished with tomatoes and cheese, or any whole-grain meal
Snacks: Apple and peanut butter
Dinner: Any vegan meal of her choice
Melissa Peterman’s Workout Routine
Apart from maintaining a healthy and low-calorie diet, Melissa Peterman also exercised in different ways regularly. According to studies, regular physical exercise may enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of a diet by increasing the satiety of the meals eaten. Further, it might also help in maintaining diet-induced weight loss (6). An active lifestyle played an imperative part in Melissa Peterman's weight loss. The actress would go on family camping trips which included physical activity, she would walk her dogs and also run around her child daily to take care of him.
She combined this active lifestyle with cardio and strength training exercises such as barbell squats, Pilates, and more. Studies state that this combination of regular training might help in facilitating weight and fat loss, and also boost cardio-respiratory fitness (7). While she followed a strict workout routine daily, she took days off on Sundays so that her body could recover from the physical activity. During her weight loss journey, Peterman maintained a positive attitude. She focused on building her stamina, boosting her health, and strengthening her body, rather than being worried about body image and seeking validation from the shed pounds.
Melissa Peterman’s Weight Loss Tips
Now that you know about the diet plan and workout routine that led to Barbara Jean Reba weight loss, here’s more that might help. Ahead, find the ultimate Melissa Peterman weight loss tips to kickstart your weight loss journey.
- Make sure to not skip your breakfast as it is the most important meal of the day. Melissa Peterman starts her day with a hearty meal. According to research, breakfast might help in weight control, managing cardio-metabolic risk factors, and also lead to better nutrient absorption (8).
- Understand that your body requires proper rest. So, ensure that you are getting adequate sleep for about seven to eight hours. Studies state that your sleep quality and quantity might have a contribution to weight loss. Evidence suggests that people who report fewer hours of sleep are more likely to be overweight (9).
- Remember to monitor your diet closely while you’re on a weight loss journey. The key to effective weight loss is to eat everything but in moderation. You may replace junk food with healthier alternatives to expedite weight loss.
- Drinking water regularly and ensuring that you are constantly hydrated might be beneficial in facilitating weight loss. According to research, drinking excessive water may help in weight reduction, increase satiety, reduce body fat, and also suppress appetite in overweight people (10).
- Make sure that you do physical activity regularly while maintaining a healthy diet. You may walk your dogs, combine aerobic and strength training, or go for a hike. The key is to ensure that you remain active in some way.
Melissa Peterman’s Before And After Weight Loss Photos
When Melissa Peterman's weight loss journey began after her pregnancy, she was determined to lose the extra pounds and get back in shape. The American actress and comedian was able to transform from a size sixteen to a size six within a year. Wondering how she looked after losing those extra 60 pounds? Here are some before and after weight loss photos of the famed Melissa Peterman.
Before Weight Loss
After Weight Loss
Conclusion
A good diet, regular exercise, proper sleep, and constant hydration have been the ultimate secret behind Melissa Peterman weight loss. The renowned American actress and comedian gained weight due to her pregnancy and was determined to get back in shape to play the role of Barbara Jean in Reba. A combination of a healthy diet and regular physical activity helped in facilitating effective weight loss in her journey (3). The Barbara Jean weight loss journey led to a reduction of 60 pounds and made the actress downsize from a sixteen to a six! When starting on a weight loss journey, it is imperative to be mindful and have a positive attitude throughout the process.
Sources:
1. Weight-Loss and Maintenance Strategies
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK221839/
2. Changes in pre-pregnancy weight and weight gain during pregnancy: retrospective comparison between 1986 and 2004
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19169904/
3. Diet or Exercise Interventions vs Combined Behavioral Weight Management Programs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Direct Comparisons
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4180002/
4. Optimal Diet Strategies for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8017325/
5. Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms of High-Protein Diet-Induced Weight Loss
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32699189/
6. Diet and exercise in management of obesity and overweight
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24251706/
7. The effect of 12 weeks of aerobic, resistance or combination exercise training on cardiovascular risk factors in the overweight and obese in a randomized trial
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3487794/
8. Breakfast in Human Nutrition: The International Breakfast Research Initiative
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5986439/
9. Relationship between sleep quality and quantity and weight loss in women participating in a weight-loss intervention trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22402738/
10. Effect of excessive water intake on body weight, body mass index, body fat, and appetite of overweight female participants
