Kirsten Vangsness’ Weight Loss Journey: The ‘Criminal Minds’ Star Once Shared How She Managed to Lose Weight

Kirsten Vangsness has inspired many in different ways, one of which is her weight loss journey. The actress subjected herself to discipline and sought help from a professional, which paid off in the end.

American Actress and Writer Kirsten Vangsness have much to be grateful for as she turns 50 on July 7, 2022. The star has a thriving career and quite a large number of fans, who have enjoyed every production their favorite has featured in.

"Criminal Minds" launched Vangsness into popularity. She played the role of Penelope Garcia in the hit drama series and its 2011 spin-off "Criminal Minds: Suspect Behaviour."

Surprisingly, the role was initially written for a Latino male, but Vangsness said she had to audition as a favor to a friend. Thankfully, it was worth it. Other movies the actress has appeared in include "In My Sleep," "Scream of the Bikini," "The A-list," "The Chicago 8," and many others.

Another aspect of her life is garnering much attention from the public as her career — Vangsness' weight loss journey.

KIRSTEN VANGSNESS ON HOW SHE LOST WEIGHT

In late 2013, netizens noticed a drastic change in the actress's physique and took to social media to air their thoughts.

"Wow, Kirsten Vangsness lost a lot of weight! She looks great! You go, girl," a Twitter user confessed. A few months later, another tweep noted:

"Kirsten Vangsness lost a lot of weight. She looks fabulous."

Then, on August 14, 2014, the actress confirmed the Twitter users' words. In a Twitter post, Vangsness revealed that she had lost some weight. According to her, she did so by reading a book and listening to a free podcast by Renee Stephens.

Stephens hosts a top motivational weight-loss podcast show called "Inside Out Weight Loss," where she focuses on transforming the mind, thus, helping individuals to transform their bodies. That is to say, she teaches listeners how to lose weight from the inside out.

Also, Stephens is the author of "Full-filled: The 6-Week Weight-loss Plan for Changing Your Relationship with Food-and Your Life-from the Inside Out." From her book and podcast, it appears that Stephens knows her onions for helping people lose weight.

Hence, Vangsness's decision not to share the weight loss tips she used but to encourage individuals to educate themselves using Stephens' materials.

Almost a decade after her Twitter post, Vangsness is still gorgeous. At 50, she looks very young, leading to the question of how she has maintained her age-defying looks.

In 2017, there was a rumor that the actress had a secret five-dollar anti-aging skincare routine responsible for her youthful looks. However, Vangsness denied it, noting that the news was fake.

HER SEXUALITY TO HER FIGHT AGAINST THE GENDER WAGE GAP

Besides being an incredible actress, many are unaware of other facts about Vangsness. One of them is that the "Criminal Minds" star is bisexual. She was once engaged to a woman, Melanie Goldstein, before she got engaged to a man, Keith Hanson.

Since the actress came out in 2006, she has worn her bisexuality with pride. On the 2020 Bi Visibility Day, she celebrated herself and other bisexual individuals via an Instagram post.

Vangsness is also an advocate for equal pay. She fights against the gender wage gap. In 2017, she asked the "Criminal Minds" producers to pay her more, or she would find another job.

According to the actress, there needed to be fairness, and she deserved to be paid close to what the men made. However, it is unknown whether the producers heeded her complaints.