Nicola Coughlan has been turning heads lately, and fans have definitely noticed her fresh glow and confidence.

Best known for her roles in Bridgerton and Derry Girls, Nicola’s recent appearance has sparked interest in her body changes.

What makes Nicola stand out is her honest and positive approach to health.

She’s been open about body acceptance and has never promoted extreme diets, focusing instead on feeling good and being kind to herself.

Let’s take a closer look at Nicola’s story and the inspiring way she talks about health and self-love.

About Nicola Coughlan

For those who might be new to Nicola’s work, she’s the incredibly talented Irish actress who stole our hearts as the quirky Clare Devlin in “Derry Girls” and then made us fall in love with Penelope Featherington in Netflix’s “Bridgerton.”

Born on January 9, 1987, Nicola is currently 37 and has become known not just for her acting chops, but also for her infectious personality and strong stance on body positivity.

She’s the kind of person who lights up every room she enters, and her interviews are always filled with laughter and genuine warmth.

Beyond her talent, Nicola has become an advocate for self-acceptance and has never been afraid to speak up about important issues.

The Transition: What Changed

Over the course of 2024, fans started noticing that Nicola looked different in public appearances and during “Bridgerton” Season 3 promotions.

Reports suggest she lost approximately 28 pounds, going from around 160 pounds to 132 pounds.

But before we go any further, it’s worth noting that Nicola herself has been pretty private about the specific numbers and details.

The change was gradual, happening over several months rather than being a dramatic, overnight change.

This wasn’t about crash dieting or extreme measures, but rather what appears to be a thoughtful approach to health and wellness.

Nicola’s Weight Loss Methods

From what we can gather from various reports and interviews, Nicola took a refreshingly balanced approach to her health pathway:

Diet Changes

Nicola didn’t go for any extreme or restrictive diets. Instead, she focused on:

• Eating whole foods, lean proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats.
• Practicing mindful eating and paying attention to hunger cues.
• Not labeling foods as “good” or “bad” is a philosophy she’s mentioned in interviews.
• Allowing herself to treat without guilt.
• Reportedly experimenting briefly with keto-style eating.

Exercise Routine

Her fitness approach seemed just as sensible:

• Working with a personal trainer for strength and conditioning.
• Mixing cardio, strength training, and flexibility work.
• Finding activities she actually enjoyed rather than dreading workouts.
• Focusing on consistency rather than killing herself at the gym.

The key thing here? She made it sustainable, not miserable.

Choosing Health Over Appearance

What’s really inspiring about Nicola’s story is that it seems to have been driven by wanting to feel strong and healthy, not by trying to fit into Hollywood’s often unrealistic beauty standards.

She has talked about prioritizing her mental health alongside her physical health, which is so important.

There was reportedly a turning point during a 2023 vacation in Greece, where she had a realization about body acceptance and decided to focus on what made her feel confident and strong.

Dealing with Public Scrutiny

Here’s where Nicola really shines, in how she has handled the public’s obsession with her body.

Let’s be honest, it’s pretty gross that people feel entitled to comment on women’s bodies, especially in the entertainment industry.

1. Body Shaming Response

Nicola became internet famous for her perfect response to body shamers.

When people made inappropriate comments, she clapped back with humor and confidence, including her legendary “perfect breasts” comment that shut down the haters.

She’s also been clear that she doesn’t want fans discussing her body, and honestly, we should all listen to that.

2. Media Coverage

What’s frustrating is how many interviews focused on her appearance rather than her incredible acting work.

Nicola has rightfully called this out, saying she would rather talk about her craft than her weight.

She has used her platform to promote body positivity and remind people that actors are more than their physical appearance.

Impact on Her Bridgerton Role

• The creators of Bridgerton have confirmed that Penelope’s weight loss will not be part of the show’s storyline.
• Nicola Coughlan’s personal health choices are being kept separate from her character’s path, which the creators say is the right approach.
• Much of what fans saw as a “change” was also due to better-fitting costumes and professional styling.
• There’s always been a difference between the character descriptions in Julia Quinn’s novels and how they are portrayed on screen.

Wrapping It Up

Nicola Coughlan’s recent glow has caught everyone’s attention for a good reason.

She is showing that wellness is about confidence, balance, and being true to yourself.

Her focus on self-love and body positivity is both inspiring and relatable.

What do you think about Nicola’s take on health and confidence?

Share your thoughts in the comments!