Kathleen Turner's Rheumatoid Arthritis and Weight Loss Journey

Kathleen Turner's Battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Weight Loss

Kathleen Turner is an award-winning actress known for her husky voice and starring roles in films like Body Heat, Romancing the Stone, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. However, behind her successful career, Turner has struggled privately with rheumatoid arthritis and fluctuations in her weight.

Kathleen Turner's Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis

In the early 1990s at the height of her fame, Kathleen Turner began experiencing joint pain and swelling. She was eventually diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis - an inflammatory autoimmune disease that attacks the joints. For Turner, her RA caused severe pain and inflammation in her knees, hands, and feet.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a challenging disease that affects over 1 million Americans. It can lead to loss of joint function, bone damage, and chronic pain. Kathleen Turner has said that at times, her RA got so bad that she struggled to turn keys, walk, or stand up without assistive devices.

Over the years, Turner has tried various treatments to manage her RA pain including steroids, medications like methotrexate, and even shock therapy. She has also undergone multiple joint replacement surgeries on her knees and shoulders.

Though her RA will always be a part of her life, Turner has said one positive outcome is that the disease forced her to slow down and not take anything for granted. She has learned to pace herself and listen to her body's limits. The actress tries to walk every day for exercise and maintains a balanced diet to stay healthy.

Kathleen Turner's Weight Loss Journey

In addition to battling rheumatoid arthritis, Kathleen Turner has also faced weight fluctuations over the years. In her prime, the 5' 8" actress weighed around 140 pounds with an hourglass figure.

However, a combination of RA medications like prednisone plus the natural aging process caused Turner to gradually gain weight. By the 2000s, she had reached nearly 180 pounds and was considered obese for her height.

The extra weight put additional strain on Turner's joints and made her RA symptoms worse. She had to use a wheelchair at times due to pain and swelling. The weight gain also affected Turner's self-esteem.

So in 2011 at age 57, Kathleen Turner decided to take back control of her health. She committed to losing 50 pounds through diet and exercise. Turner cut out junk food, sugary drinks, and large portions. Her diet focused on lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.

For exercise, Turner started walking more and even worked with a personal trainer. Despite her joint pain, she pushed herself to be active and work up a sweat regularly. Some of her favorite workouts included swimming, light strength training, and recumbent bike sessions.

With dedication and consistency, Turner successfully lost close to 50 pounds over the course of 2 years. She said the weight loss reduced pressure on her joints, eased some RA pain, and boosted her confidence. However, her weight has fluctuated again in recent years due to RA medication use.

Turner's Advice for Coping with RA and Weight Issues

Now in her 60s, Kathleen Turner continues to deal with the ups and downs of living with rheumatoid arthritis. She has good days and bad days but tries to maintain a positive outlook.

Turner has shared advice for others struggling with chronic illness and weight management:

• Find an excellent rheumatologist you trust to guide treatment.
• Discover appropriate exercise you enjoy and aim for daily movement.
• Listen to your body's limits and rest as needed.
• Maintain a healthy anti-inflammatory diet.
• Stay patient and persistent in improving your health.
• Develop outlets to manage stress and feelings.
• Don't beat yourself up over setbacks.

Kathleen Turner hopes to inspire other RA patients to find balance and contentment despite the challenges of living with a chronic condition. While her health journey has had ups and downs, she's grateful for the second chance at life her weight loss provided.

Turner's story proves that small, consistent changes to improve diet and increase exercise can make a big difference - even when dealing with arthritis pain and complications. With self-care and support, better health is possible.

Kathleen Turner Continues Her Acting Career

Though rheumatoid arthritis changed Kathleen Turner's relationship with her body, she remains dedicated to her first love - acting. Turner continues to take on compelling roles in film, television and theater.

Some of her recent projects include guest appearances on hits shows like Friends and Law & Order: SVU. She also starred in the 2019 indie comedy The Kominsky Method alongside Michael Douglas.

Turner is especially proud of her stage work with her touring one-woman cabaret show called Finding My Voice. She shares songs and stories about her legendary career but also her personal struggles with RA, alcoholism, and family.

When not working, Kathleen Turner spends time with her daughter Rachel and grandson Luke. Now in her late 60s, Turner feels blessed to still pursue acting while living with rheumatoid arthritis.

By managing her RA symptoms and maintaining a healthier weight, Turner has been able to extend her prolific career. She hopes her honesty about living with chronic illness inspires others facing similar health battles.

Kathleen Turner's story proves that though RA is life-changing, people can still thrive through smart self-care and a positive attitude. Turner shows it's possible to have both a successful career and manageable chronic condition.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.