'I'm proud of who I am': Chrissy Metz talks finding happiness after years of depression and reveals the health scare that triggered 100lb weight loss

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 11:47 EST, 8 February 2017 | Updated: 14:25 EST, 8 February 2017

She's the breakout star of NBC drama This Is Us.

And in a new interview Chrissy Metz, 36, opens up about how she's finally found happiness after a lifelong struggle with depression and 'eating her feelings'.

'I'm proud of who I am as a person, but I do want to be at a healthy weight,' she told People. 'Just not for anybody but myself.'

Chrissy Metz talks about her lifelong struggle with her weight in a new interview with People and how a health scare on her 30th birthday shocked her into losing weight

Chrissy Metz talks about her lifelong struggle with her weight in a new interview with People and how a health scare on her 30th birthday shocked her into losing weight

As a child the actress said she 'wasn't aware she was chubby' but was encouraged to eat when she was sad or when she was happy.

'My family is German, Irish and Italian, so food is love' she explained.

But she first became self-conscious of her weight when her mother brought her along to a Weight Watchers meeting at age 11.

After her parents divorced Chrissy became part of a blended family with two younger and slimmer, half sisters.

'Everyone was vying for attention,' Chrissy said, 'You try not to take it personally when it seems your mom's having a better time going school shopping with your sister who is thin,' 

'My family is German, Irish and Italian, so food is love': Chrissy - who features on the new issue of People - reveals she was brought up to eat her feelings

'My family is German, Irish and Italian, so food is love': Chrissy - who features on the new issue of People - reveals she was brought up to eat her feelings

But it was when she met a model scout during her sister's 2003 casting call that she was told she should pursue acting.

'The scouts fell in love with Chrissy within five minutes. She was funny, likable and relatable,' recalls Chrissy's sister Morgana. 

Chrissy lost 50 lbs at the advice of her then-manager but it was when she moved to LA that she fell into a 'soul-crushing' 10-year spiral of weight gain and depression.

'I'd be getting maybe two auditions a year, and I'd always see the same small group of girls' she recalled to People.

Disheartened, Chrissy started to doubt whether she was cut out for the industry. 

'I'm proud of who I am as a person, but I do want to be at a healthy weight,' the 36-year-old star revealed 

'I'm proud of who I am as a person, but I do want to be at a healthy weight,' the 36-year-old star revealed 

She then took a day job as a commercial agent to make ends meet but said that finding other people work was like 'watching your boyfriend take another woman out every day'.

The actress admitted she gained 100 lbs during this time, 'I was depressed. You're eating your feelings' she told the magazine.

But a health scare on her 30th birthday spurred Chrissy into taking action.

Suffering heart palpitations hours before a party, Chrissy panicked, 'I thought "Oh my god, I'm going to die"'

It turned out to be a panic attack but Chrissy heeded her doctor's warning. 

'All I did was eat a 2,000-calorie diet and walk 20 minutes a day' she said of dropping 100 lbs in just five months.

Nowadays Chrissy has kept much of the weight off and has taken up meditation. 

'I'd be getting maybe two auditions a year, and I'd always see the same small group of girls' she recalled of moving to LA to pursue acting. Chrissy is seen posing for the new issue of Glamour 

'I'd be getting maybe two auditions a year, and I'd always see the same small group of girls' she recalled of moving to LA to pursue acting. Chrissy is seen posing for the new issue of Glamour 

'Best friend': Meanwhile Chrissy has been dating This Is Us cameraman Josh Stancil for four months and describes their relationship as 'very healthy'

'Best friend': Meanwhile Chrissy has been dating This Is Us cameraman Josh Stancil for four months and describes their relationship as 'very healthy'

'I want to have a fit healthy body and not have to be put in a box, I don't want to be limited by anything.' 

The actress is now working with a trainer but denies recent reports that she's had a secret gastric bypass. 

Meanwhile, Chrissy - who has been married before - has been dating This Is Us cameraman Josh Stancil for four months and describes their relationship as 'very healthy'. 

'He's very mature,' she said of the 40-year-old who she brought along to the the Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 28.

Chrissy can be seen playing Kate Pearson in This Is Us which has been renewed through its third season.

Hit show: Chrissy plays Kate Pearson in NBC's drama This Is Us. She is pictured with co-star Justin Hartley

Hit show: Chrissy plays Kate Pearson in NBC's drama This Is Us. She is pictured with co-star Justin Hartley

 

 

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