Kirstie Alley: "Those panties could weigh 30 lbs"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

When Kirstie Alley stepped on the scale for the first time in 15 months, it wasn't pretty. "I started screaming," recalls Alley, sipping homemade fruit-infused water in her Hollywood kitchen. "It said 228 lbs., which is my highest weight ever. I was so much more disgusting than I thought!"

But looking back, Alley, 58, is hardly shocked. During her three-year stint as a Jenny Craig spokeswoman, she famously trimmed down to 145 lbs. after losing and keeping off 75 lbs. But since parting ways with company in 2007, she had not worked out and banished her gym equipment to the garage. As for her diet, her small, low-calorie portions gave way to Chinese takeout and pasta drenched with butter. "I fell off the horse," says the 5'8" star.

Today, Alley says she is primed to hire a trainer, toss the butter and sign up for a triathlon in order to whittle her "schlumpy" figure back down to a bikini-ready 140 lbs. "I’m going to have to work harder than last time," she says, but "I’m way excited." In a candid interview, Alley sat down with PEOPLE’s Elizabeth Leonard to talk about how she piled on the pounds – and how she plans to get her body, confidence and – yes! –even her groove back.

Okay, how did this happen?

It started with New Year’s (2008), right after leaving Jenny Craig. When you’re a spokesperson for Jenny Craig, there’s responsibility. You have a person every week standing over you when you get on the scale, and I did it naked because those panties could weigh 30 lbs.! It was amazingly successful. But the first nail in the coffin was that I didn’t have to weigh in. I just sort of went wild.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20276768,00.html

[Shell Beau]

1. She is one of those people (like so many) that have a daily

struggle with their weight.

[LynneSin]

2. Kirstie - you look beautiful no matter the size

You used a weight lose company that is not designed to teach people how to live healthier lifes. They just give you pre-made food and a few books to read. I suspect that in a few years we'll see Valerie Bertinelli on the cover of People with the same issue.

[TZ]

3. +1

Fad diets almost never last. It has to be a complete lifestyle change. I know from personal experience. I lost 40 lbs on Atkins and managed to put it all back within a year..

[Shell Beau]

5. Exactly. She is the perfect example of diets not working long

term if you don't change your eating habits completely. It is easy when someone gives you a list of what to eat and the meals ready to go, but after that, what do you do?

[VenusRising]

4. Kirstie, honey!

You look like a real woman with curves and shape. As long as you aren't unhealthy, be happy with who you are.

I understand struggling with weight. I have NEVER been skinny. EVER! And it makes me sad and angry that there are so many people that think they are not worth enough or disgusting because of how much they weigh. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and there's no shame in being who you are.

She has it worse than a lot because of the Hollywood stigma of zomg!!! teh fat!!

[Oeditpus Rex]

7. I'd leave her every way but alone

[no name no slogan]

6. 30lb panties? What are they made out of, lead?

Series, she looks fine. I saw her on Oprah last week and even though she was heavier, she was still good looking.

And if you want to lose weight, just do what I do: find a good quack to do liposuction.

[Sultana]

8. She's nasty

I've been told to gain 5 kilos cuz it would make me look better. WTF? ok...