Lena Dunham debuts slimmer look

Lisa Respers France
By Lisa Respers France, CNN
1 minute read
Published 9:13 AM EDT, Thu March 16, 2017
Filmmaker Kevin Smith in 2008, left, and in 2015. The director of "Clerks" and other movies tweeted in June 2015 that he lost 85 pounds. His secret? Walking 5 miles daily and giving up sugary drinks. In August 2018 he shared on social media that a plant based diet helped him shed 51 more pounds after he suffered a heart attack earlier in the year.
Filmmaker Kevin Smith in 2008, left, and in 2015. The director of "Clerks" and other movies tweeted in June 2015 that he lost 85 pounds. His secret? Walking 5 miles daily and giving up sugary drinks. In August 2018 he shared on social media that a plant based diet helped him shed 51 more pounds after he suffered a heart attack earlier in the year.
Michael Buckner/Joe Scarnici/Getty Images
Kelly Clarkson has always been clear she doesn't care what people have to say about her weight. In 2018 the singer/ "The Voice" coach showed off a more slender figure and joked that she had "literally hired Harry Potter and SPANX, it's all like a sausage."
Kelly Clarkson has always been clear she doesn't care what people have to say about her weight. In 2018 the singer/ "The Voice" coach showed off a more slender figure and joked that she had "literally hired Harry Potter and SPANX, it's all like a sausage."
Ethan Miller and Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Actor Craig Robinson said in October 2017 that he lost 50 lbs. by giving up alcohol, working out and going vegan.
Actor Craig Robinson said in October 2017 that he lost 50 lbs. by giving up alcohol, working out and going vegan.
Getty Images
Macaulay Culkin's new look is winning rave reviews from fans. The actor was spotted in July 2017 having gained weight and cut his hair. The child star, seen on the left in 2014, looked so gaunt in 2012 there was speculation he was on drugs - which he denied.
Macaulay Culkin's new look is winning rave reviews from fans. The actor was spotted in July 2017 having gained weight and cut his hair. The child star, seen on the left in 2014, looked so gaunt in 2012 there was speculation he was on drugs - which he denied.
Jonah Hill fans immediately noticed the actor's new summer bod for 2017 and applauded his fit overhaul as inspiring. Hill credited his recent slim down to advice from "21 Jump Street" co-star Channing Tatum.
Jonah Hill fans immediately noticed the actor's new summer bod for 2017 and applauded his fit overhaul as inspiring. Hill credited his recent slim down to advice from "21 Jump Street" co-star Channing Tatum.
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"Girls" star Lena Dunham showed off a slimmer physique in March 2017 on the red carpet for the opening of celebrity fitness trainer Tracy Anderson's new studio in New York City.
"Girls" star Lena Dunham showed off a slimmer physique in March 2017 on the red carpet for the opening of celebrity fitness trainer Tracy Anderson's new studio in New York City.
Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Sundance Film Festival/Jim Spellman/WireImage
Talk show host Wendy Williams lost 50 lbs over three years and said in February 2017 that she is keeping the weight off.
Talk show host Wendy Williams lost 50 lbs over three years and said in February 2017 that she is keeping the weight off.
Stephen Lovekin and Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images
Lil' Kim, left, at a 2003 BET event, has stirred controversy over her changing appearance in the past, but these days she's unrecognizable -- and people are talking.
Lil' Kim, left, at a 2003 BET event, has stirred controversy over her changing appearance in the past, but these days she's unrecognizable -- and people are talking.
Frederick M. Brown/Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
If you know Chris Hemsworth as the mighty Thor -- at left in 2011 -- his diminished size and scraggly face for the upcoming film "In the Heart of the Sea" might come as a shock. Hemsworth <a href="https://twitter.com/chrishemsworth/status/668417450946375680/photo/1" target="_blank" target="_blank">tweeted the photo on the right </a>in November 2015. "Just tried a new diet/training program called 'Lost At Sea.' Wouldn't recommend it," he wrote.
If you know Chris Hemsworth as the mighty Thor -- at left in 2011 -- his diminished size and scraggly face for the upcoming film "In the Heart of the Sea" might come as a shock. Hemsworth tweeted the photo on the right in November 2015. "Just tried a new diet/training program called 'Lost At Sea.' Wouldn't recommend it," he wrote.
paramount pictures/twitter
"Roseanne" star John Goodman is known for his burly frame in addition to his acting chops. Goodman has slimmed down noticeably, as was evident at a screening of "Trumbo" in October 2015. The photo on the left was snapped just a year earlier at a showing of "The Gambler."
"Roseanne" star John Goodman is known for his burly frame in addition to his acting chops. Goodman has slimmed down noticeably, as was evident at a screening of "Trumbo" in October 2015. The photo on the left was snapped just a year earlier at a showing of "The Gambler."
Valerie Macon/Dave Benett/WireImage/Getty Images
Shonda Rhimes, creator and producer of such hit shows as "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal" and "How to Get Away with Murder," has undergone quite a transformation. She credits diet and exercise for her loss of more than 100 pounds.
Shonda Rhimes, creator and producer of such hit shows as "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal" and "How to Get Away with Murder," has undergone quite a transformation. She credits diet and exercise for her loss of more than 100 pounds.
Stephen Shugerman/Mark Davis/Getty Images
Melissa McCarthy has been shedding weight, and she told Gayle King on "CBS This Morning" that she simply stopped stressing over it. "I feel amazing ... and I finally said, 'Oh, for God's sake, stop worrying about it,' and it may be the best thing I've ever done," <a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/662747/melissa-mccarthy-reveals-weight-loss-secret-after-showing-slimmer-figure-and-it-sounds-pretty-easy" target="_blank" target="_blank">she said.</a>
Melissa McCarthy has been shedding weight, and she told Gayle King on "CBS This Morning" that she simply stopped stressing over it. "I feel amazing ... and I finally said, 'Oh, for God's sake, stop worrying about it,' and it may be the best thing I've ever done," she said.
Neilson Barnard/Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Matthew Lewis, who starred as the shy and unassuming Neville Longbottom in the "Harry Potter" movies, has grown into a strapping young man. He buffed up for roles as a soldier in "Bluestone 42" and an athlete in "Me Before You."
Matthew Lewis, who starred as the shy and unassuming Neville Longbottom in the "Harry Potter" movies, has grown into a strapping young man. He buffed up for roles as a soldier in "Bluestone 42" and an athlete in "Me Before You."
Thos Robinson/Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images
Penn Jillette<a href="http://greatideas.people.com/2015/04/08/penn-jillette-weight-loss-las-vegas-home/" target="_blank" target="_blank"> told People magazine </a>there was no magic involved in his weight loss from 330 to 225 pounds. The performer, who is half of the illusionist act Penn & Teller, just changed his eating habits to shed 105 pounds and get his high blood pressure under control.
Penn Jillette told People magazine there was no magic involved in his weight loss from 330 to 225 pounds. The performer, who is half of the illusionist act Penn & Teller, just changed his eating habits to shed 105 pounds and get his high blood pressure under control.
Jason Kempin/Paul Drinkwater/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
Oh baby you! Rapper/DJ Biz Markie <a href="http://theboombox.com/happy-birthday-biz-markie/" target="_blank" target="_blank">celebrated his 51st birthday in better health</a> in 2015 after shedding 140 pounds. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a few years ago and <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/biz-markie-lost-140-pounds-wanted-live/story?id=27054146" target="_blank" target="_blank">said he changed his diet and shaped up in an attempt to get off of some of his diabetes medications. </a>
Oh baby you! Rapper/DJ Biz Markie celebrated his 51st birthday in better health in 2015 after shedding 140 pounds. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a few years ago and said he changed his diet and shaped up in an attempt to get off of some of his diabetes medications.
Erika Goldring/Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Singer Sam Smith is looking svelte these days (at left, arriving at an event in March 2015) and has credited nutritionist and author Amelia Freer with helping him change his diet and look.
Singer Sam Smith is looking svelte these days (at left, arriving at an event in March 2015) and has credited nutritionist and author Amelia Freer with helping him change his diet and look.
David M. Benett/David Livingston
Actress Uma Thurman had some doing double-takes at the premiere for "The Slap" in February 2015. The actress, 44, plays a TV writer in the U.S. update of the Australian show.
Actress Uma Thurman had some doing double-takes at the premiere for "The Slap" in February 2015. The actress, 44, plays a TV writer in the U.S. update of the Australian show.
Cindy Ord/Robin Marchant/Getty Images
The transformation of Zach Galifianakis continued at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in January 2015, where the actor was barely recognizable from years past. What a difference some pounds and some facial hair can make. He first started slimming down in 2013, <a href="http://teamcoco.com/video/zach-galifianakis-drinking" target="_blank" target="_blank">when he decided to stop drinking. </a>
The transformation of Zach Galifianakis continued at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in January 2015, where the actor was barely recognizable from years past. What a difference some pounds and some facial hair can make. He first started slimming down in 2013, when he decided to stop drinking.
Jason Merritt/Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Kirstie Alley set out to lose 30 pounds in 2014, but she went above and beyond and lost 50. Alley, a paid spokeswoman for Jenny Craig, used the weight loss program to slim down over the past year. Although her size has fluctuated in the past, <a href="http://www.today.com/health/kirstie-alley-talks-50-pound-weight-loss-time-its-different-1D80404553" target="_blank" target="_blank">Alley assured "Today's" Matt Lauer</a> then that "This time, it's different."
Kirstie Alley set out to lose 30 pounds in 2014, but she went above and beyond and lost 50. Alley, a paid spokeswoman for Jenny Craig, used the weight loss program to slim down over the past year. Although her size has fluctuated in the past, Alley assured "Today's" Matt Lauer then that "This time, it's different."
Courtesy Brian Doben
When Renee Zellweger arrived at the 2014 Elle Women in Hollywood awards, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2801157/renee-zellweger-looks-drastically-different-elle-event.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">some people said they couldn't</a> recognize her. Perhaps that's because the "Bridget Jones" star has spent less time in the public eye recently; her last film credit was in 2010. That should change soon: Zellweger's next film, "The Whole Truth," is due in 2015.
When Renee Zellweger arrived at the 2014 Elle Women in Hollywood awards, some people said they couldn't recognize her. Perhaps that's because the "Bridget Jones" star has spent less time in the public eye recently; her last film credit was in 2010. That should change soon: Zellweger's next film, "The Whole Truth," is due in 2015.
Stephen Lovekin/Jason Merritt/Getty Images/File
Hip-hop artist Missy Elliott proved she can still work it as she flaunted a slimmed-down figure in October 2014 at the launch of designer Alexander Wang's line for H&M. Apparently, <a href="http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/24/missy-elliott-graves-disease-didnt-slow-me-down/">an autoimmune disorder</a> is not slowing down the "supa dupa fly" producer, who <a href="https://twitter.com/MissyElliott/status/522950487306674177" target="_blank" target="_blank">tweeted a picture </a>of herself in a workout cap that reads "You Can't Workout With Us" after performing at the runway show.
Hip-hop artist Missy Elliott proved she can still work it as she flaunted a slimmed-down figure in October 2014 at the launch of designer Alexander Wang's line for H&M. Apparently, an autoimmune disorder is not slowing down the "supa dupa fly" producer, who tweeted a picture of herself in a workout cap that reads "You Can't Workout With Us" after performing at the runway show.
Kevin Winter/Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
Tom Arnold has lost about 90 pounds since his first child was born in 2013, and he was looking quite thin at the 2014 South by Southwest festival. He'd actually lost the same amount of weight before but regained it when he didn't maintain healthier habits. After his son was born, he knew he needed to make a lasting change. "I saw that little baby, and I thought, 'I gotta stay alive for as long as possible,' " Arnold said. "That's a lifelong commitment."
Tom Arnold has lost about 90 pounds since his first child was born in 2013, and he was looking quite thin at the 2014 South by Southwest festival. He'd actually lost the same amount of weight before but regained it when he didn't maintain healthier habits. After his son was born, he knew he needed to make a lasting change. "I saw that little baby, and I thought, 'I gotta stay alive for as long as possible,' " Arnold said. "That's a lifelong commitment."
Jason Kempin/Gary Miller/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Jessica Simpson showed off a supersvelte look in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-apbPOVGrM" target="_blank" target="_blank">a Weight Watchers ad </a>released in February 2014. "I was so insecure -- I couldn't even believe what I weighed," Simpson told "Good Morning America." The singer/fashion mogul says she is feeling better than ever since giving birth to her second child.
Jessica Simpson showed off a supersvelte look in a Weight Watchers ad released in February 2014. "I was so insecure -- I couldn't even believe what I weighed," Simpson told "Good Morning America." The singer/fashion mogul says she is feeling better than ever since giving birth to her second child.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images/Kristin Burns for Weight Watchers
Christina Aguilera turned heads on the American Music Awards' red carpet for two years in a row. At the awards ceremony in 2013, Aguilera surprised onlookers by arriving in a skin-tight white gown with revealing cutouts, displaying a much different look than her voluptuous appearance at the 2012 event.
Christina Aguilera turned heads on the American Music Awards' red carpet for two years in a row. At the awards ceremony in 2013, Aguilera surprised onlookers by arriving in a skin-tight white gown with revealing cutouts, displaying a much different look than her voluptuous appearance at the 2012 event.
Jason Merritt/Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Celebrity transformations

Story highlights

Dunham, an actress, is now into yoga

Exercise helps her deal with mental health issues, she has said

CNN  — 

Lena Dunham is looking more svelte these days.

The “Girls” star appeared Wednesday night on a red carpet in New York City with a slimmer physique.

Dunham’s weight loss was pretty noticeable as she donned a tank top and leggings for the opening of celebrity fitness expert Tracy Anderson’s new studio.

Dunham had just hours earlier posted photos of herself doing yoga with a caption that said “health is wealth.”

The actress talked in 2015 to espnW about training with Anderson and how she has come to enjoy exercise.

“When it became something that actually gave me pleasure, I was shocked,” Dunham said. ” Also, endorphins are real. You run with someone for an hour, you feel pretty good.”

Working out has also helped her deal with painful endometriosis and mental health issues, including anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder, Dunham said.

“I value my health and my happiness,” she said, “And I’ve realized exercise can give me both of those things.”