Alison Sweeney is one of "Days of Our Lives" most notable stars, not only because of her long history on the soap, but also because of her many Hallmark movies and especially her hosting duties for "The Biggest Loser," which she hosted from 2006 to 2015. The show was an interesting choice for Sweeney, who herself has struggled with her weight. Many have been critical of "The Big Loser" format, its exploitation of contestants, and its promotion of unhealthy weight loss — none of which deterred Sweeney from participating.
Sweeney has described nuggets of her eating disorder, such as when she told the Los Angeles Times that she often judged herself by how well she could restrict her eating. "I was so regimented for so many years with my eating. If I was sticking to my diet, I was good; if I wasn't, I was a failure. But it was that approach that was setting me up for failure. I really had to change my mind-set," she said.
Notably, Sweeney's "Days of Our Lives" character Sami Brady also suffered from an eating disorder (bulimia) at one point. Between 1987 and the present day, Sweeney has appeared as Sami in over 3,500 episodes, and being on screen for much of her life has no doubt contributed to Sweeney's body and eating issues. "I've been on 'Days' since I was 16, and being surrounded by such thin, gorgeous actresses made me so insecure and self-conscious," she once told Daily Mail.
If you are struggling with an eating disorder, or know someone who is, help is available. Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website or contact NEDA's Live Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. You can also receive 24/7 Crisis Support via text (send NEDA to 741-741).
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