Lifestyle Women's Empowerment

Why Lena Dunham Chooses Her Healthiest, Happiest Weight Over Her Lowest

Tehrene Firman

July 10, 2018

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Photo: Getty Images/Noam Galai

The number 24 may not seem significant to most people, but to Lena Dunham, it's the difference between her low and current weights. In a just-shared Instagram showcasing two side-by-side photos that capture her lighter and present-day weights, she dubs herself the "OG body positivity warrior" and reflects on the real difference the additional pounds have afforded her mental and physical well-being.

Over the years, the Girls star has been incredibly open about the health issues she's endured, some of which she even credits as the very impetus for her weight loss. She's often dealt with "constant nausea" from her anxiety disorder as well as pain from endometriosis.

In February, Dunham underwent a hysterectomy to remove her cervix and uterus in an effort to live pain-free for the first time in years. Months later, she she says feels good. Still, the director-writer-actress admits that she sometimes envies her 24-pounds-lighter body—until she reminds herself just how much healthier she is now, physically and mentally.

On the left: 138 pounds, complimented all day and propositioned by men and on the cover of a tabloid about diets that work. Also, sick in the tissue and in the head and subsisting only on small amounts of sugar, tons of caffeine and a purse pharmacy. On the right: 162 pounds, happy joyous & free, complimented only by people that matter for reasons that matter, subsisting on a steady flow of fun/healthy snacks and apps and entrees, strong from lifting dogs and spirits. Even this OG body positivity warrior sometimes looks at the left picture longingly, until I remember the impossible pain that brought me there and onto my proverbial knees. As I type I can feel my back fat rolling up under my shoulder blades. I lean in.

A post shared by Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) on Jul 10, 2018 at 10:34am PDT

She explains that in the photo in which she appears thinner, she was "complimented all day and propositioned by men and on the cover of a tabloid about diets that work. Also, sick in the tissue and in the head and subsisting only on small amounts of sugar, tons of caffeine, and a purse pharmacy." But, in the current photo, she describes herself as "happy, joyous, free, complimented only by people that matter for reasons that matter, subsisting on a steady flow of fun/healthy snacks and apps and entrees, strong from lifting dogs and spirits." So, it's pretty clear that healthy trumps skinny any day of the week for this champion of body-positivity.

Let's just say this: Life without the "impossible pain" she says she experienced is definitely a good look for this #girlboss.

Check out five reasons celebs like Lena Dunham and Karlie Kloss love running. Or, meet the star's crystal- and vegan-doughnut-loving yoga instructor.