Why 'I Am Jazz' star Jazz Jennings feels 'happier and healthier' after 70-pound weight loss
She has a lot to be jazzed about. Jazz Jennings is revealing her 70-pound weight loss — and the positive transformation beyond her physical appearance.
The "I Am Jazz" star, 23, shared her progress on Instagram last week.
"Feeling happier and healthier than I've been in years," she captioned a photo on the beach in a black and white halter top and shorts. "I still have a ways to go, but I’m so proud to finally be taking the necessary steps toward bettering my mind, body, and spirit."
Fans were congratulatory in the comments.
"You look great Jazz!" one commenter wrote. "You always have, but I know what it’s like struggling with weight."
"you look amazing!!!" another fan wrote. "so happy to see you happy and doing well!"
The reality star later posted a pre-workout selfie on her Instagram story Tuesday.
Jazz Jennings reveals 'mental health struggles' led to binge eating in 'I Am Jazz' trailer
Jennings has been open about her struggles with the reasons behind her weight gain, reflecting on the personal turmoil that contributed to it on her TLC series.
"I was on my way to one of the greatest institutions in the world,” Jennings said, referring to her admission to Harvard University. "But I was actually struggling severely with mental health issues. I started binge eating, and I gained weight, and more weight, and more weigh(t), and now, almost 100 pounds heavier, here I am today."
Jazz Jennings struggled with binge eating disorder: What is it?
In 2021, Jennings revealed in an Instagram post that she suffers from binge eating disorder. Jennings said this disorder, along with "an increased appetite" caused by medications she takes, resulted in her nearly 100-pound weight gain within two years.
Binge eating disorder is characterized by rapidly eating a large amount of food in a short amount of time, often to the point of feeling uncomfortably full and accompanied by a sense of loss of control over what and how much is being eaten, according to the National Institutes of Health.
"I know I have the power in me to lose the weight, and I intend on sharing my progress with all of you," she wrote at the time. "Love you all, and thanks for understanding the battle I’m fighting to win."
If you or someone you know is struggling with body image or eating concerns, you can call The National Alliance for Eating Disorders' clinician-run helpline from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. EST at (866) 662-1235. If you are in crisis or need immediate help, please text “ALLIANCE” to 741741 for free, 24/7 support.
Contributing: Edward Segarra and Jenna Ryu
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jazz Jennings, 'I Am Jazz' star, reveals 70-pound weight loss