Melissa Joan Hart Shed 18lbs Before Turning 50

She revealed this year that she surprised herself by managing to lose 18lbs. 

And Melissa Joan Hart is looking and feeling better than ever, with the actress marking her 50th birthday on Saturday.

The Sabrina The Teenage Witch star shot to fame in the 1990s in the sitcom, and has been on a 'longevity journey' for the last two years.

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

The proved to be an unexpected side effect, as Melissa explained 'I just wanted to feel better. ' 

Now, as she enters a new chapter of her life, Melissa has shared the secrets behind feeling and looking her best at 50.

Melissa believed that being in perimenopause would stop her from achieving her fitness goals, confessing: 'I really didn't think I could lose weight anymore, being in midlife and perimenopause and all those things, I was like, "Can I really lose weight? I don't think I can."'

According to the Mayo Clinic, 'hormonal changes make it more likely for women to gain weight around the abdomen.'

However, the actress managed to drop the weight after discovering 'fasting and cutting sugars and cutting alcohol.' 

In fact, Melissa hasn't had an alcoholic beverage in over a year.

'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.' 

Melissa also shared that staying hydrated has been a challenge for her over the years.

Instead, the mum-of-three will opt for a club soda with lime or tea.

Her favourite tea is green tea, peppermint tea, or 'any kind of tea.'

When it comes to food, the actress focuses on a nutrient-dense diet, typically incorporating high protein, fibre, and green juices.

She often begins her morning with a vegetable-based protein shake, which is blended with spinach or kale and a mix of fruits.