Mindy Kaling, who turned 47 on June 24, has spoken candidly about losing up to 40 pounds since 2022. The actress and creator of 'Running Point' attributes her transformation to a healthier lifestyle focused on exercise and diet, driven by a desire to be more present for her young children and to prevent health issues like diabetes.
In a 2023 interview with People, Kaling said she feels 'really confident' in her body, a feeling she hasn't always had. She maintains her fitness by running or hiking 20 miles every other day, combined with weight training and dietary changes. 'I just tell myself I have to do basically 20 miles a week of either hiking or running,' she explained.
Kaling told Bustle earlier this year that her motivation has shifted from vanity to health. 'When I was younger, I would want to lose weight because of vanity reasons. Now I want to lose weight or have lost weight because I want to stave off things like diabetes,' she said, noting a family history of the condition.
The mother of three acknowledged public interest in her body changes, calling it 'flattering' but sometimes 'a little much.' She also admitted to Bustle that losing her identity as the 'normal-slash-chubby woman' in her comedy can be 'no fun,' as fans become attached to that image.
Appearing on 'The View,' Kaling joked that she has wanted to lose weight since age 12 and has written about diet and body image for 20 years. 'When people are surprised or shocked that I wanted to lose weight, I'm like, 'Wait, how is this new?'' she quipped, adding that both health and looking good can be true.
Kaling revealed to TODAY in 2022 that she avoids weighing herself, focusing instead on how her clothes fit. She told E! News that having kids changed her perspective on fitness, moving away from rigid ideas about running times and carb intake to a more flexible approach.
