Rachel Frederickson’s dramatic weight loss on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” – going from a starting weight of 260 pounds to an eye-popping finishing weight of 105 pounds – sparked a debate as to whether she lost too much weight and now she’s revealed to Access Hollywood that she has gained some of the weight back since winning the show.
“I’m in maintenance mode. I have gained 15 pounds, so I’m up a little bit,” she told Access on Friday.
The 24-year-old explained that she will not be defined by the number on the scale.
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“I’m happy with me, with my feelings and my emotions and my day and it can’t be defined by a number because if you are defined by a number, where is the joy in that?” she told Kit Hoover. “I’m really happy where I’m at. I’ve been happy at every part of my journey and I know that I’ll continue on, but right now I’m happy.”
Following her dramatic weight loss – where she lost 60 percent of her body weight, the most in in the history of the show – Rachel explained that some people voiced their concerns.
“There was quite a bit of talk. ‘Did she lose too much? Is she healthy?’” she explained. “And absolutely, I’m 100 percent healthy and I’m so proud of my journey. There was a lot of chatter… it was just a whirlwind!”
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Kit asked about the critics who questioned if she had food issues or was battling anorexia.
“I’ve never been healthier in my life,” she said. “I’ll never go back to that unhealthy, unhappy girl.”
— Jesse Spero
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