As Paula Deen<\/a> turns 79, fans continue to be surprised by her weight loss transformation.<\/p>\n The former Food Network star took to Instagram<\/a> to celebrate her birthday on Monday, January 19. \u201cI\u2019ve officially taken another trip around the sun\u2014here\u2019s to being a sweet 79 years young!\u2060\u201d she captioned a sweet photo of herself holding a cupcake with a decoration of her face on it while sitting next to her husband, Michael Groover.<\/p>\n Fans flooded the post\u2019s comments with their birthday wishes. \u201cHappy Birthday Paula!<\/p>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n I hope you have the best day ever! Love you!<\/p>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ,\u201d one person wrote. Another added, \u201cAnd I hope all your wishes come true!<\/p>\n \u2665<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n love you, Paula.\u201d<\/p>\n Someone else shared, \u201cYay!! Happy Birthday Mrs. Paula<\/p>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Love you so much<\/p>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u2764<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n .\u201d A different person wrote, \u201cHappiest of birthdays to you sweet lady! Cheers!<\/p>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n .\u201d<\/p>\n Many of the comments touched upon Deen\u2019s weight loss. \u201cGod Bless & Happy Birthday, Paula. Looking fabulous! Been following and learning for many years. Thank you,\u201d one person commented. A different user wrote, \u201cHappy birthday, Paula. You look great!! Wishing you another year of happiness, health and prosperity!<\/p>\n \u2665<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n .\u201d<\/p>\n Someone else wrote that Deen is \u201cstill as beautiful as ever,\u201d while another commenter said she looked \u201cwonderful.\u201d A separate person posted, \u201cHappy birthday<\/p>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Paula<\/p>\n \ufffd\ufffd<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Deen you are looking great at 79 years old today<\/p>\n \u2764<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n .\u201d<\/p>\n Deen has been open about her weight loss over the years. During a 2015 appearance<\/a> on The Dr. Oz Show<\/em><\/a>, Deen shared that her weight held her back from joining Dancing With the Stars<\/a>,<\/em> even though she was asked several times. (Deen competed<\/a> on Season 21 of the ABC series with partner Louis van Amstel<\/a>, coming in ninth place overall.)<\/p>\n \u201cThat was before I lost the 42 pounds, and I was just afraid. I was afraid it would kill me. I didn\u2019t realize it, but I weighed 198 pounds, I weighed 198 pounds. That would\u2019ve killed me,\u201d she explained at the time. \u201cSo, when I got this invitation, and I had gotten a good bit of my weight off, I said, \u2018Well, it\u2019s now or never.\u2019 So, we did it.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked how she lost the weight, Deen said, \u201cYou have to move more and eat less. There\u2019s no magic cure.\u201d Deen added that she also changed the ingredients she cooks with and began eating in moderation.<\/p>\n In a 2016 blog post<\/a>, Deen noted that she made changes to her diet after being diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes in 2009. \u201cOver the years, I\u2019ve rearranged my plate, makin\u2019 more room for the foods that are good for me. I started to learn about how to improve my diet by watching my starches and cutting way back on sugar and fats,\u201d she shared. \u201cI still treat myself to the occasional \u2018comfort food\u2019 I grew up with, but more often than not, I enjoy a big salad or lean meats and seafood for dinner and chase it down with a leisurely walk.\u201d<\/p>\n She continued, \u201cI plan ahead and make sure my kitchen is always stocked with fresh-picked fruits and vegetables that are within reach. I\u2019m not moving mountains or partin\u2019 seas, but these moderate changes to my life have made such a positive difference on my health, my waistline, and my spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n Read the latest entertainment news on TV Insider<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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