Well, I have a lot I want to say on this matter, but I think I’ll mainly refrain from commenting and let you esteemed readers do my dirty work! So, Lauren Manzo is getting some magazine covers of her own. This is hot on the heels of her complaining that Teresa Giudice is getting paid to talk to the ‘bloids.
Anyway, Lauren recently spoke to Us Weekly (via their print edition) about her weight loss and surprise, surprise it had little to do with drinking egg whites and lots to do with lap band surgery which allowed her to lose 30lbs. Lauren had the surgery on September 21st and says that combined with a healthier diet and exercise, she has dropped from 185lbs to 155lbs in nine months.
CLICK CONTINUE READING FOR THE REST!
“Getting the lap band was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life,” the Real Housewives of New Jersey star gushed. “When I first got it, I didn’t want to tell anybody. So many fans related to my struggle, I didn’t want to feel like I was letting them down.” Lauren has been keeping mum about how she lost the weight, claiming she was under contract. “I didn’t get paid and I am only talking about my struggles to Inspire other people,” she informed fans on twitter.
“[I] Struggled my whole life- began to effect my health- tried everything,” she also shared with fans on Twitter. And defending herself against detractors, Lauren insists she is working hard to keep losing the pounds the old-fashioned way. “I work out from 6:30 am- 8:30 am mon-Friday- I don’t need u telling me I’m lazy- I was having medical issues,” she tweeted.
Lauren says that depression was a major contributing factor to her decision to get surgery. We’ve witnessed Lauren’s lethargy and unhappiness all season on RHONJ. “Something wasn’t right with me,” she confesses to Us Weekly. ““I was depressed. I couldn’t look in the mirror.” Lauren says seeing herself on TV added to her feelings of inadequacy; citing that pressure mounted ”especially after the show came out.” She adds, “The camera doesn’t add 10 pounds — it adds 800!” “I was sobbing and saying ‘I don’t know why I am the way I am,'” she recalls. “I hated myself,” Lauren admits soberly.
Cyber bullies harassing her with comments about her weight made her feel increasingly self-conscious. “I would never do that to somebody,” Lauren shares.
One person who Lauren says encouraged her and helped her make the decision to lose weight is Mommy Dearest, Caroline Manzo. “If my mom weren’t so blunt with me, I wouldn’t be as happy as I am today,” Lauren insists. “I know she didn’t mean anything negative by it. I don’t get offended, so I don’t see why other people do. She has always told me I am beautiful — my father and my brothers, too.”
Now Lauren is happy – both with how she looks and with her boyfriend Vito Scalia. “He loves me more than I ever thought anyone could.” He “likes that I’m happy … but I could gain 80 pounds from where I am now and he would still love me.”
And because of her new body, Lauren is actually excited about summer! She is hopeful to reach her goal weight of 120lbs by the end of the season. “I work out 2 hrs every morning and eat healthy – recently loosened the band and losing the last 30 on my own,” she explained on twitter of her exercise routine. “Hopefully, by the end of the summer, I’ll be in a bikini — I’ve never worn a bikini in my life!”
Well, congratulations on your new physique Lauren – hopefully you’ll be a little less glum next season. Being a twenty-something bitter biddy isn’t flattering. Leave that to your mother.
[Photo Credits: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com & Caroline Manzo’s Facebook Page]
THOUGHTS ON LAUREN’S WEIGHT LOSS STORY?
A newly svelte Lauren with Albert Sr. [Lauren Manzo’s Twitter]
