Kathy Bates is an actress who has been in some memorable roles during her career. She lent her acting prowess to movies and TV shows that linger in our minds, like Misery and American Horror Story.
Bates is a breast cancer survivor, and recently, she’s made headlines for her health — but this time, with good news.
“I’m feeling great. I’ve lost a lot of weight,” Bates said.
In fact, she lost 60 pounds, without the help of a temporary fad diet or strict nutrition plan.
The thing that has helped Bates lose weight and keep it off?
“Mindfulness,” Bates said. “Just knowing when to push my plate away. My niece told me this little secret – I guess it’s no secret, it’s a biological thing – that at some point when you’re eating, you have this involuntary sigh and that’s really your brain and your stomach communicating that you’ve had enough. The trick is to pay attention to that and push your plate away.”
The weight loss didn’t happen overnight, but the trick helped Bates pay more attention to her body.
In addition to practicing this mindfulness technique, she also quit eating junk food and stopped drinking soda.
Bates is a breast cancer survivor, and she developed lymphedema after she underwent treatment for it.
Lymphedema happens when lymph fluid isn’t able to drain properly, and causes swelling, typically in the arms or legs. It can be very painful, uncomfortable, and difficult to work around.
Bates says losing weight has helped with her lymphedema.
“I have never been in such good health,” she said. “I just had a physical. I’m doing great… I feel like a completely different person. I can move, I can walk. I just wish I had done it years ago.”
Bates is an inspiration. We’re thrilled her health is only getting better, and wish her all the best!
This story originally appeared at Goodfullness.