Weight gain is always a pressing issue in the world of celebrities, apparently — according to the eyes of speculating fans and the paparazzi. Celebrities, particularly the actresses, are always hounded with stories and comments on their figures. Selena Gomez is one of them.
‘Selena Gomez weight gain’ is a popular search term on Google for people who ‘have a say’ on her looks, particularly her body. In fact, many people have taken to social media to express their thoughts on the actress’s weight, saying that Selena Gomez should be sexy. What happened to her?
But the most important question is does Selena gaining weight have to be a big issue?
Why Did Selena Gomez Gain Weight?
Lupus is the primary reason for Gomez’s weight gain. She said so herself.
The former Disney star has always been candid about her health, both physically and emotionally. In 2014, the actress was diagnosed with lupus, which is an autoimmune disorder that involves the immune system attacking the body’s connective tissues. Lupus can also injure or, in more severe cases, destroy important organs like the heart, kidneys and joints. According to the Mayo Clinic, half of the people with lupus develop kidney inflammation, which can lead to lupus nephritis. The symptoms of this nephritis can include muscle pain, joint swelling or pain, red rashes and, in some cases, kidney failure.
Little is known about how lupus manifests or if there is a cure. Currently, people with lupus are treated with chemotherapy and drugs. Gomez decided to treat her lupus with chemotherapy, which is the reason behind her break from the spotlight. During that time, people speculated that Selena Gomez could be pregnant or in rehab. In reality, she was receiving treatment for her lupus.
Lupus heavily affected Selena Gomez’s weight gain over the years. Apart from lupus, she also dealt with high blood pressure and kidney issues, which is the reason her weight fluctuates often. Since lupus can affect the body’s organs, it’s common for lupus to trigger weight gain, as confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Generally, weight fluctuations are common, even for people who don’t have a medical condition.
On top of that, Gomez is taking long-term medications, which contributes to her fluctuating weight.
So, Selena Gomez need not be shamed for her weight gain. Sadly, the star is always receiving comments on her figure.
Selena Gomez Calls Out Body Shamers
The Only Murders in the Building star took to her TikTok account to call out the people who make comments on her figure. According to the star, she won’t tolerate critical comments concerning her weight gain, saying that she is beautiful the way she is.
In reality, Gomez doesn’t care about her weight but others “bitch about it anyway.” She adds that even if her body is the ‘ideal size,’ people still offer unsolicited comments. Simply put, she’s never the perfect size. But the singer begs to differ and says that she is perfect the way she is.
She caps it off with a “Moral of the story? Bye.”
In other interviews, Selena Gomez remains unbothered by the continuous comments on her figure. In an interview with Ryan Seacrest, she explains that it wasn’t about how she gained weight; it was always about how she embraced it.
Despite Selena’s love for her body, the actress lives a healthy lifestyle to limit lupus flares. On top of her medication, she maintains a healthy diet and routine to manage her condition. A healthy diet, regular exercise and not smoking can reduce lupus symptoms and flare-ups.
How Does Selena Gomez Stay Healthy?
The Wizards of Waverly Place actress starts with her diet. According to Gomez, one of the most important things to consider is the freshness of the ingredients. The fresher the food, the better. She adds that real food is more delicious than processed foods. She recommends buying organic fruits and vegetables and grass-fed/hormone-free meat the local grocery. If you have time to spare, why not visit your local farmers market just to be sure?
“When you know what goes into your food, you are more likely to make better choices,” declares the star.
However, Selena also reminds her fans that depriving themselves of food or going crazy with their meals isn’t always an option. The actress recommends learning some recipes and determining the ones you like. She discourages ‘obsessing’ over the food that you can or cannot eat. Instead, focus on the good food that you want to eat and how you can improve it. Make small changes. For example, swap honey for sugar as a sweetener.
The singer also encourages drinking plenty of water. Many people prefer caffeine over water, thinking that the former can fuel them for the day. On the contrary, water helps your body function properly and detoxifies it. Water is also good for your metabolism, digestion and skin.
Apart from keeping up with a healthy diet, Selena Gomez also exercises. The actress partners with fitness expert Amy Rosoff Davis to keep in shape. Instead of boring herself with the ‘same-old routine,’ Gomez mixes up her exercise routine to keep her workouts fresh and fun. She would do everything from hiking to Pilates, as well as spinning, yoga and dance cardio.
But no matter what her workout is, Selena always stretches. This keeps her muscles lean and long, helps her joints, improves her performance and maximizes her muscles. On top of that, stretching also improves your blood circulation while keeping your stress away.
The Selena Gomez Way to Staying Healthy and Happy
Selena Gomez’s weight gain, her struggle with lupus and other issues often tear the actress down. But she battles these issues with diet, exercise and a healthy mindset. We’ve discussed the diet and exercise parts of her routine. Here are the other ways that she (and you can too) stays fit physically and mentally.
Build a Positive Image of Your Body
How you look at your body impacts how you feel about yourself. When you feel good, you feel confident. But when you feel bad about your body, you’d think that you aren’t enough. Gomez admits to feeling that way but always fights off the bad thoughts by practicing positive thinking. If you believe that you are strong and healthy, you are.
Give Yourself Time
Quiet your mind by putting your phone down and relaxing. Stress and a hectic schedule can contribute to your weight gain. Instead of stressing yourself out, relax, breathe and sit down. You can also do your favorite hobbies or start a new one. The basic rule is to give yourself time and be happy.
Selena Gomez’s weight gain is a reminder that fluctuating weight is a normal occurrence for anyone. In her case, weight gain is a result of her lupus and medications — and that’s OK. As long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle, you’re fine! In the almighty words of her song Who Says, “I’m no beauty queen. I’m just beautiful me.”
