AceShowbiz - Kathy Bates, the celebrated actress known for her roles in "Misery" and "American Horror Story", recently shared an emotional moment while preparing for the 2024 Emmys.

At 76, Bates experienced tears of joy with a friend during a fitting at Giorgio Armani, where she found herself able to wear exquisite dresses for the first time in years. "The pictures on the red carpet were so different from any pictures I'd ever had taken on a red carpet," Bates said of her night in a deep, royal purple gown with intricate beading.

Bates' weight-loss journey began in earnest after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes around 2017, and her determination paid off. Initially inspired by advice from her niece about listening to her body's signals, she learned to recognize an "involuntary sigh" to know when she was full and push the plate away. By changing her dietary habits - eliminating burgers, Cokes, and pizza, and not eating after 8 p.m. - she shed 80 pounds.

Despite speculation, Bates stressed that her transformation was largely due to hard work although she did eventually turn to Ozempic to lose the final 20 pounds. "There's been a lot of talk that I just was able to do this because of Ozempic," she clarified. "But I have to impress upon people out there that this was hard work for me, especially during the pandemic. It's very hard to say you've had enough."

Bates' health battles didn't start with diabetes. Her decision to take control of her health also stems from surviving stage one ovarian cancer in 2003 and a double mastectomy after a breast cancer diagnosis in 2012. These experiences and a subsequent lymphedema diagnosis prompted her to find sustainable lifestyle changes, culminating in what she says is the best health she's enjoyed in years.

As her new CBS show "Matlock" concluded its first season, Bates is looking forward to her next challenge: maintaining her fitness. She plans to incorporate pilates and use her treadmill, emphasizing that she prefers to work out alone. "People always ask, 'Don't you want a trainer?' No, I really don't. I don't want anybody over my shoulder."

Despite recently indicating that "Matlock" could be her "last dance," Bates clarified her comments, explaining that she's not ready to retire. "What I meant was, how can it get any better? I would love for this to keep going," she shared.

Kathy Bates' journey is an inspiring tale of resilience and self-care, proving that with determination and effort, one can achieve remarkable transformations at any stage of life.