What Mindy Kaling Has Shared About Her Body Transformation

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For Mindy Kaling, staying healthy is a long-term project.

She told Bustle that when she was younger, her reasons for wanting to lose weight were mostly about how she looked. Now, she focuses on weight loss as a way to prevent health problems like diabetes.

As the mother of Kit, 8, Spencer, 5, and Anne, 2, quipped, she needs to “live at least 20 more years.”

The 46-year-old understands that, as a public figure, any positive changes she makes to improve her well-being will likely be noticed more than any specific health numbers, like her blood sugar.

People are very interested in my body and how it’s changed, and honestly, I find that flattering—though it can be overwhelming at times,” said the creator of Never Have I Ever in a 2023 interview with People magazine.

And she’s been on both sides of that coin, having her body scrutinized for being one way and another.

Mindy Kaling remembered a time in the mid-2000s, while working in a TV writers room, when someone suggested another character tell hers that she needed to lose fifteen pounds.

She revealed on Good Morning America in 2021 that someone had pointed out her biggest insecurity, which she described as ‘really devastating’.

People have also criticized her for losing weight, acting as if she was letting down fans who appreciated her previous appearance.

Kaling told Bustle that it can be disappointing when an actor you like loses weight. You get used to how they looked when you first started admiring them, and that appearance is part of what made you like them in the first place.

Honestly, it’s really tough when people criticize your work, and I totally get that. But she pointed out something I really connected with – as someone who loves pop culture and follows it closely, she said she genuinely understands where that kind of reaction comes from.

If others can share their wellness journeys, why not Mindy Kaling? She’s been so focused on her own progress that she hasn’t paid much attention to outside commentary. Here’s what she’s revealed about her efforts to improve her well-being, and she’s happy if she also likes her appearance as a result.

Mindy Kaling shared with TopMob News in 2022 that exercise consistently makes her feel happy and energized.

After having her first child, Katherine, in 2018, the actress – now a mom of three – realized she needed to find small pockets of time for herself. She explained that she now prioritizes making the most of those moments. For example, she’ll take a two-mile walk after dropping her child off at school and use the time to call a friend. She likes that it feels like a social catch-up rather than a workout, even though it’s good exercise.

In a 2023 interview with People magazine, she joked that she practically lives in workout clothes because it allows her to fit in extra exercise.

When I was in my 20s, I had a very specific idea of what it meant to be fit,” Mindy explained to TopMob. “I thought you had to run a mile in under seven minutes and follow a strict diet with certain amounts of carbs and protein. It took me a while to understand that there’s no single way to be healthy and in shape.

She also pointed out that people have preconceived notions about how a fitness trainer should look, even though trainers come in all shapes and sizes and specialize in various types of exercise.

Mindy Kaling remembered that when she had to start filming a movie just two months after her daughter was born in 2018, she kept her meals extremely simple. She told Entertainment Tonight in 2022 that she ate grilled salmon and sautéed spinach for three months straight.

After her son, Spencer, was born in 2020, she lost the drive to improve her diet because she wasn’t preparing to be on camera anytime soon.

I’ve never been able to stick to strict diets,” the former Office star explained. “I just try to eat smaller portions. I wish I had a more exciting story about how I lost weight, but that’s honestly how I’ve done it.

In 2024, Mindy told Prevention that she knows she should be eating more vegetables and less red meat. She also personally tries to limit her dairy intake, especially after welcoming her new baby, Anne, that year.

She explained that she really makes an effort to follow her meal plan, particularly when she’s stressed. That’s when she tends to make unhealthy choices, so sticking to the plan is especially important at those times.

I used to be totally focused on just being thin, like so many of us are when we’re younger. But I’ve realized how crucial strength training is for overall health! I’ve added weights to my routine, and honestly, I’m amazed by the difference it’s making. It’s not just about how you look, it’s about feeling strong and capable – and I’m seeing that benefit firsthand.

In a 2022 interview on Today, Mindy said she doesn’t focus on her weight. Instead, she feels good because her clothes still fit comfortably, making getting dressed easy and enjoyable.

In 2023, Mindy told People magazine that she’s been consistently hiking or running up to 20 miles each week and feels fantastic. She shared that feeling confident in her body is something new for her, as it’s been a struggle throughout her life.

In 2022, Mindy told People magazine that being healthy means staying active, drinking plenty of water, and not feeling guilty if she misses a workout. She believes exercise shouldn’t feel like a requirement to be worthy or something is missing if it doesn’t happen.

Cheers to all of it.

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2026-05-24 10:17