Rachel Brosnahan reveals she started losing weight in 'an unhealthy way'

May 2024 · 5 minute read

Rachel Brosnahan has a very fast metabolism.

And when she began filming her hit TV series The Marvelous Mrs Maisel in 2017 - she plays Midge Maisel, a 1950s housewife who becomes a stand-up comic after her husband leaves her for his secretary - she started losing weight in an 'unhealthy way.'

But then she found a cure. 'My stay-healthy secret when I'm working 14- or 15-hour days on Mrs Maisel is bone broth,' the New York native told Shape magazine.

Her challenge: Rachel Brosnahan has a very fast metabolism. And when she began filming her hit TV series The Marvelous Mrs Maisel in 2017 she started losing weight in an 'unhealthy way' she told Shape magazine

Her challenge: Rachel Brosnahan has a very fast metabolism. And when she began filming her hit TV series The Marvelous Mrs Maisel in 2017 she started losing weight in an 'unhealthy way' she told Shape magazine

'For the first season of the show, I was feeling very tired. And because I have a fast metabolism, I felt like I was dropping weight in an unhealthy way. 

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'Bone broth has collagen and fat in it, along with all kinds of vitamins and minerals, and I really think it helped me. I was the only person on our set who didn't get sick that season. I have to credit the bone broth.' 

And she makes sure she eats right too. 

Her big role: The actress  plays Midge Maisel, a 1950s housewife who becomes a stand-up comic after her husband leaves her for his secretary

Her big role: The actress  plays Midge Maisel, a 1950s housewife who becomes a stand-up comic after her husband leaves her for his secretary

'I start a typical day with a green smoothie in my NutriBullet, or I eat a piece of gluten-free toast with a poached egg and some avocado,' said Rachel. 

'For lunch, I have a salad or a sandwich with some kind of protein—like salmon, chicken, or quinoa—and lots of vegetables, and I really like roasted root vegetables with fish for dinner.'

But it's not all about diet; she also hits the gym often. 

Better now: She found a way to keep her strength. 'My stay-healthy secret when I'm working 14- or 15-hour days on Mrs Maisel is bone broth,' the New York native said. Seen with Alex Borstein

Better now: She found a way to keep her strength. 'My stay-healthy secret when I'm working 14- or 15-hour days on Mrs Maisel is bone broth,' the New York native said. Seen with Alex Borstein

'Exercise keeps me focused and clearheaded. These days, I find it difficult to have any kind of set routine because my schedule seems to be constantly in flux,' she said.

'So I'm working out where I can and when I can. It's hard to hold on to a gym membership because I travel so much, but I've had fun finding new classes wherever I am. I like to take yoga or Pilates or Spinning.

'Classes are my preferred method because I have trouble self-motivating. If I'm left to my own devices in a hotel room or in my apartment, I probably will choose an extra hour of sleep. 

Taking after auntie K: Rachel, whose aunt Kate Spade died last year, said she wanted to keep her memory alive so that is why she posed for the line

Taking after auntie K: Rachel, whose aunt Kate Spade died last year, said she wanted to keep her memory alive so that is why she posed for the line

'It's harder to skip a class you've signed up for. In truth, my most consistent form of exercise when I'm home is taking really long walks every day with my two dogs.' 

And she knows the importance of good, old-fashioned down time. 

'I'm good at making time for self-care when I get overwhelmed. I read a book or take a bath or snuggle with my doggies and watch Survivor. I'm a Survivor superfan. Or I have coffee with friends,' said the star.

'One of my favorite things is to spend the time catching up with someone doing nothing but drinking coffee with them for hours and hours.' 

She also said she didn't ever think she would play a part like Mrs Maisel because she was told she was not funny and' that just felt true,' she told Shape.

So much inspiration: 'Katie inspired me greatly as an artist and a human being, which is why I have partnered with Frances Valentine, the fashion brand she created, to celebrate her life and legacy and the impact that she and her work had on so many people,' she said

So much inspiration: 'Katie inspired me greatly as an artist and a human being, which is why I have partnered with Frances Valentine, the fashion brand she created, to celebrate her life and legacy and the impact that she and her work had on so many people,' she said

'This job has been immensely intimidating, especially in that department. But I have learned from Midge that it's so important not to tell yourself you can't do things,' she said.

As far as her fame, she said it has not made a massive impact on her lifestyle.  

'Nothing has changed, and yet everything has changed all at the same time,' she shared.

'My life itself has stayed the same. I still live in the same apartment in New York. What has changed is that now I'm sitting in the same room with people I've long admired and been inspired by, like Steven Spielberg and Sarah Paulson.

'I have the opportunity to converse with and seek advice from them. Doors are opening for me that I never could have anticipated.'

Her husband: She has been wed to actor Jason Ralph for the past year; seen in late January

Her husband: She has been wed to actor Jason Ralph for the past year; seen in late January

Rachel, whose aunt Kate Spade died last year, said she wanted to keep her memory alive so that is why she posed for the line.

'Katie inspired me greatly as an artist and a human being, which is why I have partnered with Frances Valentine, the fashion brand she created, to celebrate her life and legacy and the impact that she and her work had on so many people,' she said. 

And she talked about working with Covenant House - which serves homeless young people in 31 cities across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America - for the last two years.

'I'm deeply inspired by the work it does,' she said. 'I got involved with them six years ago through an event called Broadway Sleep Out, in which you spend a night on the pavement in front of Covenant House to raise money and awareness about homeless young people. It was really special—I got to meet some of the residents, as well as some of the staff, who are incredible. It was one of the most moving nights I can remember.

'I was so struck that these young people were my peers. With a very small shift in circumstances, we could be sitting on opposite sides of the table.' 

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