Sabrina the Teenage Witch star on how she shed 18lbs of perimenopausal weight gain

Melissa Joan Hart is stepping into her 50s feeling stronger, leaner and more energised than ever, and she’s not shying away from sharing exactly how she did it.

The Sabrina the Teenage Witch star, who celebrated her milestone birthday on Saturday, has revealed she lost around 18lbs over the past year, crediting a series of simple yet powerful lifestyle changes that transformed both her body and mindset.

For Melissa, the journey wasn’t about chasing a number on the scales. Instead, it began with a desire to simply feel better.

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“I actually feel stronger and better than I have in a really long time,” she told People. “I lost about 18 pounds last year.”

What makes her transformation particularly relatable is her honesty about midlife struggles. Like many women navigating perimenopause, Melissa admitted she initially believed weight loss might be out of reach.

“I really didn’t think I could lose weight anymore, being in midlife and perimenopause and all those things,” she said. “I was like, ‘Can I really lose weight? I don’t think I can.’”

Hormonal shifts during this phase of life are known to make weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, more likely, but Melissa found that small, consistent changes made a significant difference.

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Her approach centred on cutting out key triggers. “Fasting and cutting sugars and cutting alcohol,” she explained, proved to be game-changers.

In fact, the actress revealed she hasn’t had a drink in over a year,  not out of restriction, but because her preferences naturally shifted.

“I just don’t even enjoy drinking. So why bother?” she said. “So, I cut these things out of my life, and I started to feel better. And in doing that, I lost a lot of weight and kind of feel great.”

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Hydration has also played a role, even if it hasn’t always come easily. Melissa now swaps sugary drinks or alcohol for simple alternatives like club soda with lime or tea, favouring green tea and peppermint for their refreshing and soothing qualities.

When it comes to food, her focus is firmly on nourishment. Her daily routine typically starts with a vegetable-based protein shake blended with greens like spinach or kale, alongside fruit for flavour. Lunch often features a protein-rich meal paired with a large salad or soup, with her beloved street corn salad a regular staple.

Dinner continues the same theme, with lean proteins such as chicken or beef served alongside generous portions of vegetables. She also makes clever swaps, like replacing traditional pasta with vegetable-based alternatives.

Exercise remains a cornerstone of her routine. Melissa is an avid gym-goer and regularly shares glimpses of her workouts online. In one recent clip, she even performed push-ups using 15-pound weights, while wearing heels and jeans.

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“Fun new project I’m working on… and I asked for 15lb weights in my room to get my pump on… in my pumps,” she joked.

Beyond fitness and nutrition, Melissa has also embraced a consistent skincare routine to support her overall sense of wellbeing. She swears by sunscreen, moisturiser and vitamin C serums, while also highlighting the importance of anti-wrinkle care and even sleep position.

“Sunscreen and moisturiser always. And do not sleep on your side,” she said, candidly noting she’s now “fighting” chest wrinkles and “tech neck.”

After two years on what she describes as a “longevity journey,” Melissa’s results speak for themselves, but more importantly, so does her mindset.