Star Jones is opening up about her drive to maintain her health.
The "Jones & Jury" star, 62, shared in an interview how her health journey has shaped her life and inspired her advocacy for others to prioritize their well-being.
"The most important thing is for men and women to take care of their health," Jones told. "And I chose living over dying."
"One of my very favorite lines is from "Shawshank Redemption": ‘You either choose to live or you choose to die,’” she continued. “I chose to live and I took care of myself, and literally 20 years later, I have taken care."
Jones also highlighted that she is a “heart disease survivor” who successfully underwent “open heart surgery.” These experiences have motivated her to maintain her healthy lifestyle.
"Because of those choices, I was able to walk out of that hospital a whole, healthy survivor and thriver,” Jones explained. “And I don't take anything away from my journey.”
Her advice for those looking to improve their health is straightforward: "Eat less, move more. It works every time."
In a 2020 appearance on the "Tamron Hall Show", Jones discussed her struggles with weight, revealing that she was “morbidly obese” for much of her life, peaking at 307 lbs. "I wasn't fluffy, I wasn't plus size, I wasn't overweight — I was dying," she said.
However, during "The View’s" 25th anniversary special in 2022, Jones admitted she hadn't always been honest about her health struggles. She shared with her former co-hosts that she regretted not being truthful about her mental and physical health issues while on the show.
"I regret that I was not strong enough to admit that I was in a depression and really ill about my health," she said. "I really regret that I just wasn't there."
Jones underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2003 but did not disclose it on "The View". She eventually opened up about the procedure in a 2007 "Glamour" essay, explaining that she had chosen to keep it private out of fear of public judgment.
Reflecting on her journey during "The View’s" 25th anniversary episode, Jones noted that she now sees her experience from a place of strength. "My greatest achievement is that I'm healthier now than I have been in my whole life," she said.
"You have grown tremendously since then," co-host Joy Behar told her. "It's good that you've come this far."
The Quran - Chapter Ar-Rahman : 09
Weigh with justice, and do not give short measure.
ÙˆَØ£َÙ‚ِيمُوا الْÙˆَزْÙ†َ بِالْÙ‚ِسْØ·ِ (And observe the correct weight with fairness, ....55:9). The word Ù‚ِسط qist literally means 'justice'. The meaning is obvious: 'And observe the weight with equity'.
ÙˆَÙ„َا تُØ®ْسِرُوا الْÙ…ِيزَانَ (and do not make weighing deficient...55:9). The word Ø®ُسر khusr means 'to skimp or make deficient'.
The opening part of verse [ 9] was the positive aspect of the injunction, and the concluding part is its negative aspect, in that it is unlawful to fall short of measure or weight.
The two parts, positive and negative, put together the verse as a whole means 'Do not cheat in weights and measures, but rather observe justice and fairness'.
