Issa Rae is a successful actress, producer, and writer who has recently lost a lot of weight. She has been very open about her journey and how she has achieved this success. Issa Rae’s story is an inspiring one that can help others achieve their own weight loss goals. By following her advice and tips, you can reach your own goals and start feeling better about yourself. Her story is worth reading if you want to improve your health and lose weight.
Who is Issa Rae?
Personal Life
Rae was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1985 to a doctor father and a schoolteacher mother. She has two siblings, an older brother named Lawrence and a younger sister named Hermeline. Growing up, Rae says she was “a weird kid who loved reading and spending time alone.” She attended Stanford University, where she majored in African and African-American studies. While she was in college, she first started experimenting with filmmaking.
After graduation, Rae moved back to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of working in entertainment. She started working various odd jobs–everything from being a nanny to waiting tables–while also writing scripts and shooting pilot videos for potential TV show concepts. Then, in 2011, she finally hit it big with the launch of her web series Awkward Black Girl. The series followed the main character, J, as she navigated through awkward social interactions. It was an instant hit, garnering over 20 million online views within its first year.
In 2016, Rae took her career to new heights with the debut of Insecure on HBO. The show, which she both writes and stars in, has been praised for its honest and nuanced portrayal of the lives of young black women. It’s now in its fourth season and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. When she’s not working on Insecure or other projects, Rae enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and reading books (she’s especially fond of nonfiction works).
Career
You may recognize Issa Rae from her critically acclaimed HBO show Insecure or her New York Times Bestselling book, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. But what you may not know about this American author, actress, director, producer, and YouTube sensation is that she is so much more than just a triple threat.
Issa Rae was born Jo-Issa Rae Diop on January 12th, 1985, in Los Angeles, California. Her father is a pediatrician, and her mother is a teacher. Issa has two siblings – an older brother named Lamine and a younger sister named Kihei. Rae attended private and public schools growing up and graduated from Stanford University in 2007 with a degree in African and African-American studies.
Rae’s first foray into the entertainment industry came from a web series called The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. The series followed the life of J, an awkward black girl navigating her way through awkward situations. The show was an instant hit, garnering over 20 million views on YouTube. In 2013, Issa turned her web series into a book by the same name. The book became a New York Times Bestseller.
In 2016, Issa debuted her HBO show Insecure. The show follows the lives of two black women – Issa Dee and Molly Carter – as they navigate their twenties in Los Angeles. Insecure has been praised for its accurate portrayal of black millennial life and has earned Issa several awards and nominations, including an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series.
Outside of her work on Insecure, Issa has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including Get Hard (2015), Little (2019), and A Black Lady Sketch Show (2020). Additionally, she has produced several shows, including Him &Her (2014-2018) and Sweet Life (2017-2018).
Issa Rae Weight Loss Secret
Last year, Issa Rae revealed she’d lost 20lbs. Hooray! But instead of the typical “I just ate less and exercised more” response, the Insecure creator and star gave a unique answer when asked about her weight-loss secret.
In an Instagram post from last year, Rae credits her weight loss to “eating less fried foods, sugar, and alcohol.” She also started running–which she says she hates–but the results were worth it. “I’m not gonna lie, it was tough in the beginning,” Rae said of her decision to start working out. “But once I started seeing results, it became much easier.”
Here are the things she did:
3-Day Juice Cleanse
One of the primary things that Issa did to lose weight was to go on a 3-day juice cleanse. She consumed nothing but freshly-pressed juices made from fruits and vegetables during this time. This cleanse is an excellent way to jumpstart your weight loss journey as it helps to reset your metabolism and give your digestive system a break. Not to mention, it’s a great way to Detox!
If you’re interested in trying a juice cleanse, there are plenty of recipes online that you can follow. But first, research beforehand to know what ingredients you’ll need and how to prepare them.
Cut Out Processed Foods
In addition to cleansing her system with fresh juices, Issa also consciously cut out processed foods from her diet. This means saying goodbye to foods like chips, cookies, crackers, etc., and saying hello to whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. It can be challenging to make this transition at first, but your body will thank you in the long run! Not only will you lose weight, but you’ll also have more energy and feel overall healthier.
Portion Control
One final weight loss tip from Issa is portion control. Just because you’re eating healthy doesn’t mean you can eat as much as you want! Issa could enjoy her favorite foods by paying attention to portion sizes while still losing weight. A good rule of thumb is to fill ½ of your plate with veggies, ¼ with lean protein, and ¼ with complex carbs like quinoa or sweet potatoes. Then top it off with healthy fat like avocado or olive oil. Yum!
Rae isn’t the only one who’s had success with this lifestyle change. Health and fitness expert Jillian Michaels also recently revealed that she’d lost 10lbs by adjusting her diet and exercise regime similarly. “I gave up alcohol, sugar, bread, dairy, and eating late at night,” Michaels said in an interview with Women’s Health. “That was hard for me…But I feel so much better.”
What Motivated Her to Lose Weight?
As anyone who’s followed her career knows, Issa Rae is not shy about her body. One of the things she’s most known for is her unapologetic attitude regarding her appearance. So, fans were understandably curious about her motivation when news broke that she had lost some weight.
Health Reasons?
It’s no secret that carrying extra weight can lead to various health problems. From joint pain to diabetes, being overweight comes with its own set of risks. However, in an interview with Refinery29, Rae clarified that her decision to lose weight was not motivated by health concerns. “I just wanted to see if I could do it,” she said. “That was my whole intention—to see, like, am I capable of this? It had nothing to do with my health.”
Aesthetic Reasons?
If health wasn’t the motivating factor, could it have been aesthetics? As a public figure, Issa Rae is often photographed and filmed. So maybe she wanted to look better on camera? Once again, the answer is no. “I don’t care about how I look on camera,” she told Refinery29. “I know that sounds bad, but I don’t think about that stuff.” So there you have it—it wasn’t for health or vanity reasons that Issa Rae decided to lose weight. So what was it then?
The Answer: Family History & Personal Challenge
In the same interview with Refinery29, Rae revealed that part of her motivation came from wanting to see if she could overcome a personal challenge. Her father had struggled with his weight throughout his life, and she wanted to know if she could be different. “I have a family history of obesity and type 2 diabetes,” she said, “and those are two things I don’t want in my life.” She also saw losing weight as a way to prove to herself and others that she could do something outside her comfort zone.
“I like pushing boundaries and seeing where they are,” she explained. “For me, it was just like another boundary to push.” Ultimately, what motivated Issa Rae to lose weight was a mix of personal challenges and family history— two things anyone can relate to.
What Did She Do After Her Losing Weight?
Changed her diet: After years of eating whatever she wanted, Issa Rae realized that she needed to make some changes to her diet if she ever wanted to lose weight. So she cut out processed foods and started eating more fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. She also made sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day. These changes helped her drop the pounds and maintain her new weight.
Exercised Regularly: Issa Rae also started working out regularly in addition to changing her diet. She began by doing simple exercises at home, like walking and jogging. Then, she started going to the gym and taking group fitness classes as she got in better shape. Exercise not only helped her lose weight but also gave her more energy and improved her overall mood.
Created a Support System: One of the most critical things Issa Rae did after losing weight was to develop a support system for herself. She joined a gym to have accountability partners to help keep her on track. She also started following other healthy lifestyle bloggers on social media for inspiration. And when she had setbacks, she didn’t give up—she reached out to her support system for encouragement.
Rae Persisted in Her Acting Career
Issa Rae has been a working actress for years, but her role as the lead in “Insecure” skyrocketed her career. She’s starred in four more seasons of this show and is credited with co-writing its American comedy-drama based on YouTube series she created called ‘The Misadventures Of Awkward Back Girl.’
Rae also snagged voice roles while other films like Little have come out where you can hear her adorable accent! Most recently, though, we saw plenty from Spiderwoman, who will appear alongside Miles Morales soon enough during Sony’s next reboot film featuring our favorite web crawler.
In South Los Angeles, Issa Rae Launched a Coffee Shop
She attributes her weight gain to “new money,” but when an opportunity arose in the childhood neighborhood of Inglewood, Rae took it. As co-owner of Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen’s location there and fulfilling a lifelong dream for this high-end coffee shop that caters primarily to black communities throughout LA County, she believes these places are necessary because they provide productivity through collaboration – something everyone needs nowadays.
She Works to support Destination Crenshaw
Rae’s work on this project not only revitalized the black community but also represented an act of advocacy for Crenshaw. The open-air public space is intended to celebrate art and culture within African American communities and provide opportunities that would allow them access to other parts of Los Angeles without having concerns about being exposed beyond what they’re comfortable with at home.
The new Metro Expansion will include several details celebrating black history, including parks designed specifically for these individuals who might otherwise never get involved due to shyness from feeling racial bias while traveling outside their neighborhood; commissioned artwork highlighting different aspects associated with a particular race (or ethnicity) which can then serve multiple purposes.
Google Assistant Now Features Rae as a New Voice
Google announced in 2019 that the voice of Issa Rae would be an option on their assistant app. Users can prompt it to say, “OK, Google, talk like ISSA!” The thing is- she’s not there anymore; her account was deactivated back then due to some issues with Instagram where users could access public images without permission (which isn’t allowed).
She Launched Two Businesses
Issa Rae is not just a talented writer but also an entrepreneur who has been able to parlay her success into multiple industries. In 2019 she launched Raedio Records and later partnered with Atlantic records so that their first artist could have more exposure than they would otherwise receive on their label; it was the song “Kinda Love” by TeaMarrr which landed them spots in both film soundtracks installments for 2021 theatrical releases (and will be featured prominently during one of those trailers). This year saw even more milestones when Issa formed Hoorae Productions – initially known as Issa Rae Production company- earlier in September after signing five years.
Issa Rae is Now a Wife
For many years, Rae had been searching for love. After 37 of them and a decade in show business, she finally found it with Louis Diame – a long-time partner who also happens to be from Senegal! They tied the knot this summer at an intimate ceremony that only close friends knew about beforehand (and some famous ones, too!). The wedding took place on one beautiful French beach where we saw our favorite singer/-actress spend her best day ever.
She Certainly Made Her Mark
Issa Rae has been a driven woman on this journey for ten years. From her weight-loss period to now, she’s found herself and fulfilled all of the biggest dreams that were once banned from coming true because they weren’t white enough or something like that–I don’t know what it was.
Inspired by Rae’s admission at the 69th Emmy Awards red carpet, people started wearing “I’m rooting for everybody black” t-shirts. What’s her motivation? The zeal to give back and root for every other person in this world who deserves it just as much or even more than she does–in fact, her success is something that inspires more positivity from these shirt wearers because they know what hard work looks like when you’re doing things right.
Her Advice for Others Who Want to Lose Weight?
Here are three tips from Rae on losing weight the healthy way.
Tip #1: Set Realistic Goals
The first step to successful weight loss is setting realistic goals. If you place your sights too high, you’re more likely to get discouraged and give up altogether. For example, instead of vowing to lose 20 pounds in two weeks, aim to lose two pounds per week. This may not sound like much, but it adds up over time! You’re likelier to stick with slow and steady weight loss in the long run.
Tip #2: Find an Exercise Partner
Working out can be tedious, especially if you’re doing it alone. That’s why Rae recommends finding an exercise partner to help keep you motivated. A workout buddy can be a spouse, friend, or co-worker. Just make sure it’s someone who will push you to stay on track but also be understanding if you have an off day.
Tip #3: Eat More Vegetables
This one may seem obvious, but it’s important nonetheless. Vegetables contain nutrients essential for good health, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are also low in calories, so they can help you lose weight without feeling deprived. When adding more vegetables to your diet, focus on variety to prevent boredom. Roast them, sauté them, add them to soups and stews—the options are endless!
Final Thoughts
Rae’s story is of immense talent, hard work, and dedication. Despite the many obstacles she’s faced throughout her life and career, she has persevered and become a role model for other aspiring entertainers, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to achieve their dreams. If you’re looking to lose weight and get healthy, Rae’s advice is simple: be persistent and never give up on yourself. With hard work and determination, you can achieve anything you want. Thanks for reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much weight did Issa Rae lose?
Issa Rae isn’t suffering from body insecurity these days: The funny, charming actress and writer slimmed down significantly, losing 20 pounds. She has been able to do so while maintaining her 5-foot 8-inch frame, which she credits as being due largely thanks for all those late nights writing.
Is Issa Rae the creator of Insecure?
The HBO TV series, Insecure is still going strong after five years. The show—written and produced by Issa Rae–gained mass media attention with its realistic portrayal of modern-day life events in Los Angeles that are often overlooked or misunderstood due to society’s lack of awareness.
Is Issa Rae vegetarian?
Rae was a vegetarian for 15 years, but she’s “Paleo-leaning” because of bacon. But, of course, it all depends on the type and how much you eat!
What is the paleo Diet Plan?
The paleo diet is a traditional food system based on the idea that our ancestors ate healthy, natural foods before they started farming. The classic example of this would be an Australian Aborigine who lives in what we call “the outback” – away from any major cities or towns with access only by horse/buggy because there was no other way to get around aside from walking long distances whenever something needed fixing (which wasn’t often).
