Laura Prepon Injected Herself With Hormones Because She "Was Desperate to Look a Certain Way"

Orange Is the New Black actress and author of The Stash Plan tells E! News the best and worst diet advice she ever received

By Rebecca Macatee Mar 03, 2016 9:20 PMTags
Watch: Laura Prepon Talks "Stash Plan" Book and Worst Advice

Laura Prepon is a picture of health: She exercises, she eats well, and she's even written a book (The Stash Plan) on nutrition and weight management.

But the 35-year-old Orange Is the New Black actress didn't always do what was best for her body. Actually, Prepon told E! News she once "injected herself with hormones" because she "was so desperate to look a certain way."

This ill-advised technique "ultimately just ended up backfiring," Prepon recalled with a laugh. She's since learned much healthier and less extreme methods of getting in shape, but she can vividly recall the body image pressures she experienced earlier in her career.

As Prepon told E! News, she understands what it feels like to be one of those young actresses "torturing themselves with crash diets." That said, she has some wise words for any girl currently in that situation. "Not to sound cliche," she began, "[but] truly embrace who you are. Embrace every curve, and embrace everything about yourself."

She pointed out that more and more shows, particularly OITNB, are finally embracing and celebrating diversity. "When you look at a show like Orange, all these women are so gorgeous, and we all look so vastly different," she said.

Very good point. To hear more from Prepon on this—plus the best and worst dieting advice she ever received—watch the video above. Prepon's book, The Stash Plan: Your 21-Day Guide to Shed Weight, Feel Great, and Take Charge of Your Health, is available now.