Rebel Wilson's PCOS diagnosis caused her to 'gain weight rapidly'

Rebel Wilson has opened up about her ‘year of health’, revealing she was diagnosed with PCOS at a young age which caused her to ‘gain weight rapidly’.

The Pitch Perfect actress, who has lost an incredible 18kg this year, told E! now she’s turned 40, she’s become more conscious of living a healthier lifestyle.

Rebel Wilson in a green bikini in a pool
Rebel Wilson has opened up about being diagnosed with PCOS at 20. Photo: Instagram/Rebel Wilson

"I've been overweight for about 20 years. I started gaining weight when I was about 20. I had something called PCOS—polycystic ovarian syndrome—and I gained weight rapidly,” Rebel said.

“It's just a hormone imbalance and you gain a lot of weight usually and that's how it manifested in me. Sometimes, I feel sad, but then at the same time, I worked my body to my advantage. I like being all sizes. It's just now turning 40, I am more health conscious and thinking of starting a family."

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Rebel Wilson at Baeranjoey Lilghthouse in Palm Beach in blue activewear
The 40-year-old has lost an incredible 18kg so far this year. Photo: Instagram/Rebel Wilson

Rebel, who started dating Jacob Busch earlier this year, slammed social media trolls who claimed she’s only with her boyfriend because she’s lost weight.

"Some people on social media say, 'Oh, well you lost weight and then you got a hot boyfriend.' But, what I do want to say to those people is that I actually dated Jacob when I was at my heaviest as well. So, it's not like I suddenly lost weight, and then you're like, oh, you get a hot boyfriend—that's not how it works,” she said.

Appearing on Drew Barrymore's talk show earlier in the week, Rebel said turning 40 inspired her to rethink her habits.

Speaking of her weight loss journey, Rebel said: "Drew, for the last few years I've been theming my years, so I had the Year Of Fun, last year I had the Year Of Love and this year I’m like, 'It’s going to be the Year Of Health,' because I turned 40 this year in March and I never really focused on my health which was probably obvious."

She shared how becoming famous internationally was so stressful and her health took a backseat.

"I was going all around the world, jet setting everywhere and eating a ton of sugar that was kind of my vice,” she said.

Rebel Wilson in a green dress
Rebel, who started dating Jacob Busch earlier this year, slammed social media trolls who claimed she’s only with her boyfriend because she’s lost weight. Photo: Instagram/Rebel Wilson

"I have a very sweet tooth, I love desserts. I’ve tried, like so many women out there, fads and diets and things before and I’m like I need to do a really holistic approach this time.

She then focused on the emotional aspects of her eating habits. "I think what I mainly suffered from was emotional eating and dealing with the stress of becoming famous internationally,” Rebel said.

"There is a lot of stress that comes with it and I guess my way of dealing with it was just like eating donuts."

"So I was working on the mental side of things of why was I doing that and why was I not valuing myself and having better self-worth. And then, also on the nutritional side my diet was mainly all carbs, which are delicious, but for my body type I needed to eat more protein," she explained.

"So I lost Drew, I think it’s like 40 pounds this year so far and I want to lose a few more," Rebel said as the audience began to cheer for her.

With extra reporting by Marni Dixit

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