From 'Dead in 10 Years' to Stunning Transformation: Shonda Rhimes' Life-Changing Journey

SHONDA RHIMES SPEAKS OUT ABOUT HER DARING TRANSFORMATION: FROM "INVISIBLE WOMAN" TO RED HOT ICON

The renowned producer, director, and writer, Shonda Rhimes, 55, has been making waves in the entertainment industry for years with her hit shows like Grey's Anatomy and Scandal. But behind the scenes, she was struggling with a personal crisis that almost led to her demise. In a candid conversation at the 92NY event on Tuesday, Rhimes opened up about her shocking weight loss transformation, revealing that she had hit rock bottom and thought she would be dead in just 10 years.

The Shondaland creator's struggles began when she turned to comfort foods like sweets and fast food to cope with the emotional pain of sadness and heartbreak. "I'd been saying yes to being out of shape and uncomfortable because food works," she confessed, laughing wryly. "You can put fried chicken on your sadness, you can put cheesecake on your heartbreak." It's a harsh reality that many women face - using food as a coping mechanism for emotional pain.

But Rhimes' reliance on junk food had severe consequences. She revealed that she was so out of shape that she couldn't even walk up the stairs or lift her own children. "I thought I might be dead in 10 years," she said, shaking her head in disgust. "I couldn't put my 20-pound kid on my shoulders and run around like I should have been able to do." The sleep apnea that developed as a result of her poor health made it hard for her to even get a good night's sleep.

The turning point came when Rhimes realized she had to take control of her health. "I started to truly feel terrible," she said, "having a hard time going up the stairs, getting breathless all the time." The final straw was waking up choking in her sleep due to her sleep apnea. It was then that she made the decision to embark on a life-changing journey to transform her body and mind.

The results were nothing short of miraculous. After shedding an impressive 117 pounds, Rhimes felt like herself again. "When I could finally hold my kids on my shoulders," she said, beaming with pride, "it was such a moment of both relief and revelation for me that it's one of those memories I'll take with me forever." She also revealed the unexpected bonus of her new physique - people suddenly found her attractive! "Women I barely knew were gushing over me, men finally spoke to me," she said with a laugh.

But what Rhimes perhaps didn't anticipate was the shocking reaction from others. In an emotional blog post, she wrote about how people's behavior towards her changed dramatically after her weight loss. "Losing weight is annoying and hard and painful and no fun," she noted wryly. But it was what happened next that left her speechless - complete strangers began complimenting her on her looks! "Wow, you are so hot now" or "You look amazing!" they'd say.

The Emmy-award nominee felt like people were finally seeing her as a person, rather than an invisible woman who had suddenly materialized in front of them. "When I was fat, I wasn’t a PERSON to these people," she wrote with biting sarcasm. "Like I had been an Invisible Woman who suddenly materialized in front of them. Poof! There I am. Thin and ready for a chat."

Rhimes' transformation didn't happen overnight, but it did have a profound impact on her life. In 2015, she spoke to Ellen DeGeneres about what motivated her to make the change. "It really was about the fact that I have a three-year-old and a two-year-old and a 13-year-old," she said with conviction. "I kind of wanted to be around for them, to be healthy." She also acknowledged that as a feminist, it's hypocritical to criticize others for their weight, yet she felt compelled to prioritize her own health.

In the end, Rhimes' journey serves as a powerful reminder that our bodies are capable of amazing transformations. With determination and hard work, we can change not just our physical shape but also our mindset. As Rhimes herself said, "It's one of those memories I'll take with me forever - being able to hold my kids on my shoulders and feeling like myself again."