Missy Elliott’s weight is currently listed at 129 pounds (58 kg). The renowned rapper, singer-songwriter, and producer, used to weigh as much as 195 pounds (88 kg) until 2018 when she drastically lost 66 pounds (29 kg).
Missy Elliott has always made headlines for her exceptional talent in the music industry, but in recent years the award-winning rapper has also garnered positive attention for her impressive weight loss transformation. After losing a significant amount of weight, she now looks slimmer than ever in a transformation that has left fans amazed. Missy, who has lost approximately 70 pounds, has had the spotlight on her ever since then.
What Happened to Missy Elliott?
Missy Elliott had been battling a couple of health issues in the past decade. In 2018, the rapper decided to be a little more open about her weight issues and revealed that she had been struggling with a thyroid disease called Graves’ Disease since 2008. One of the most common symptoms of the disease is immense weight gain. In an interview with People Magazine, Missy revealed that at some point, she was barely able to hold a pen due to her illness.
The condition, which also affects the immune system, is known to cause fatigue, intolerance to heat, loss of important motor skills, enlargement of the thyroid gland, and weight gain. To make matters worse, Missy was also suffering from additional health issues like high blood pressure and hyperglycemia, the latter causing her to experience fainting spells on several occasions.
How Did Missy Elliott Lose Weight?
The “Get Ur Freak On” rapper lost all that weight through dieting and exercise. Of course, it’s important to note that Missy Elliott’s weight loss journey did not happen overnight; it took years of discipline, hard work, and dedication. She followed a well-planned dieting regimen and increased her physical activity by introducing a workout routine that consisted of cardio exercises, strength training, and high-intensity interval training.
Missy’s workout routine was specially made and tailored to her needs and body type. Her fitness instructor Shaun T. Shaun designed an exercise program for her called the Focus T25. The exercise routine was designed to be simple yet effective, and as short and unobtrusive as possible, especially since it was for a celebrity like Missy who is always on the move. The training consisted of ten 25-minute routines including Core Cardio, Rip’t Circuit, Speed 1.0, Dynamic Core, Upper Focus, Cardio, Total Body Circuit, Speed 2.0, Abs Intervals, and Lower Focus.
Missy also got on a serious weight-loss diet. The diet required her to completely cut out bread, soda, and juices and replace all her fluids with water. On an Instagram post in May 2018, Missy replied to fans who had been repeatedly asking about her weight loss routine saying she had spent four months drinking only water with no other juices or soda included.
The rapper gushed over the effects of her increased water intake on her skin and overall health when she said that she had never been much of a water drinker, “but this has helped my skin. It restores the glow & I don’t feel as sluggish. Missy also emphasized the importance of stress reduction, sleep quality, and staying hydrated, which as we know, are all factors that play a significant role in weight loss.
Missy Elliott Then and Now
Comparing Missy Elliott’s recent pictures to her old photos, it is clear that she has undergone a significant transformation. The once heavy-looking, curvy rapper now looks slimmer, which has in turn toned down her curves. The rapper and businesswoman has shed all the excess fat and has built up an impressively toned body with appropriate muscle mass. While she still retains her signature confidence, there have been some changes in her physical appearance, especially in areas such as her face and legs.
Her facial features are more defined, and her legs appear longer. Of course, her belly looks much flatter and toned. She even looks taller, which is very normal when people have lost a lot of weight. Usually, when people lose weight suddenly due to illness, they tend to look sickly and pale. In Missy’s case, however, this could not be any further from the truth. Missy Elliott looks younger, more vibrant, and even healthier at her current size than she did when she weighed more.
What Disease Does Missy Elliott Have?
Missy Elliott was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease in 2008. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that results in hyperthyroidism. This disease affects the thyroid gland. In this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid, leading to an overproduction of thyroid hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4).
Although the disease has no permanent cure yet, proper management as well as positive lifestyle changes can manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for individuals with the disease. This is exactly what Missy Elliott has managed to do. While she still has the disease, her diet and lifestyle have been modified to help her cope with the symptoms in the best possible way.
Did Missy Elliott’s Illness Make Her Lose Weight?
Missy Elliott’s illness did not make her lose weight, however, she lost the weight to better manage the illness. Missy Elliott’s weight loss journey seems to have been a direct result of her lifestyle change. If she had lost the weight because of the illness, it stands to reason that she would look sickly, but that is not the case.
Missy does not have the appearance of someone who lost weight due to illness as she looks and feels amazing. Missy most likely took her failing health into consideration and opted to lose weight in the most healthy ways possible.
Did Surgery Cause Missy Elliott’s Weight Loss?
It’s very unlikely that Missy Elliott underwent any weight loss surgery. After debuting her new and improved appearance, it wasn’t surprising, to say the least, that there were a significant number of folks who felt that surgery was responsible for Missy Elliott’s weight loss. Still, there is no solid evidence to suggest that Missy Elliott underwent any form of weight loss surgery.
Per her revelations, she took to living healthy by following the diet and fitness routine her instructor drew up to help her maintain a healthy weight.
Is Missy Elliott Still Alive?
Yes, American rapper and songwriter Missy Elliott is still alive and well. She is still actively involved in the music industry and has had some interesting collaborations in recent years. In February 2023, she made history as the first female hip-hop artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Missy is set to perform alongside artists like Elton John and Kate Bush at the show’s live performance on November 3, 2023. The Rock of Roll Hall of Fame induction is only made available to artists who have lasted 25 years or more in their music careers. Meanwhile, Missy Elliott is one of the first artists to receive the honor in their first year of eligibility.
Is Missy Elliott Still Sick?
Missy Elliott isn’t sick because she is managing her condition well. The rapper’s health has improved steadily over the years since her diagnosis in 2008. She has been able to manage the Graves’ disease she was diagnosed with, with the help of her doctors, and she continues to adopt a healthy lifestyle to keep her health under control.
Although she still struggles from time to time since the disease has no cure yet, she has been able to take control of her health and adopt healthy lifestyle changes, which have helped her both manage her illness and achieve her weight loss goals.
