Ariel Winter has been bombarded by questions about her weight loss over the last few months, and she shared on Tuesday that it was the result of switching her anti-depressants.
The Modern Family star, 21, decided to do a Q&A on her Instagram Stories and tackle fans’ questions, from her favorite TV shows to her least favorite type of workout (anything with jumping!). She also opened up about changes in her mental and physical health, and got real about her weight loss after a fan asked, ‘Why so thin?’
Winter said that she had gained weight initially from anti-depressants and eventually accepted her body at a heavier weight, but went off the drug a few months ago when it wasn’t working.
“For years I had been on anti-depressants that caused me to gain weight that I couldn’t lose no matter what I did,” she said. “It was always frustrating for me because I wanted to be able to get fit and feel like the work I was doing was paying off, but it never felt that way. I had accepted it and moved on. I stayed on those medications for so long because the process is really long and difficult. I wasn’t ready to go through it again so I just accepted feeling eh instead of trying to find something to actually feel better.”
Winter said that last year she decided she “was sick of feeling” stuck, and looked for alternatives.
“I started the process again and was able to find a great combination of medication that works for me,” she said. “The change in medication instantly made me drop all of the weight I couldn’t lose before by just giving me back a metabolism. That was very unexpected.”
Winter previously had to defend herself against internet trolls who accused her of using drugs to lose weight. She jokingly responded, “My psychiatrist switched me from my previous antidepressant that didn’t work and made me gain weight, to coke/meth!! Definitely not a new one that worked and then regulated my metabolism. Coke/meth was a controversial decision but she stands by it.”
Winter is in a great place now, but she does miss a few of her curves.
“While I feel better mentally with the change, and it’s nice to work out and have your body actually respond, but I want to gain a few pounds of muscle and get healthier,” she said. “Also want my butt back…”
In the Q&A, the actress also addressed a question about her overall mental health.
“Mental health is INCREDIBLY important to me,” she said. “Same amount of importance as physical health. Our mental health can influence our physical health!!! I’ve been in therapy every week for 6 years and I don’t know where I’d be without it. I’ve grown so much as a person and been able to learn how to deal with things from my past that affect my present. It’s a journey so I’m not all the way there, but I’m doing pretty good :).”
Winter added that she doesn’t want anyone to think that they need to hide their mental health problems.
“There’s nothing shameful about seeing a therapist or being on medication,” she said. “… We don’t need to hide our struggles even though I know how hard it is to share. We are doing something to better our own lives. Always take care of yourself and don’t listen to anyone telling you it doesn’t exist or it’s something to keep to yourself.”
And on a lighter note, Winter said that she is still very happy that she went through with a breast reduction.
“10/10 recommend!!!! I am so happy I did mine,” she said. “I’m so much more comfortable now. My back doesn’t hurt…my shoulders no longer have indents…it’s a really nice feeling.”
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