Jennifer Hudson is opening up about her struggle to "realize" she was "plus sized" by Hollywood standards.  And how she used it a motivation to lose 80 pounds with her fiance's help.  She's covering the September 2011 issue of SELF magazine and looking fab doing so.

Pics and quotes inside....

We've heard most of her weight loss story and reasons before.  But Jennifer also speaks on what first made her realize she wasn't like all the other Hollywood chicks.  And how her weight loss is the best thing since sliced bread.  Here's a few excerpts:

On what made her decide to lose weight

"It really started when I was pregnant with David, who's 2 now, and I thought, Hold on—why doesn't anybody know I'm pregnant? And I wanted to set a good example for my son. Right after I had him, I began trying to change things."

On how she didn't know she was plus-sized until Hollywood TOLD her she was

"I wasn't unhappy with my body before. I remember one of my first times on a red carpet, an interviewer asked, 'How does it feel to be plus-sized in Hollywood?' I looked around, like, Who is she talking to? Oh, me? I'm plus-sized? In the neighborhood I'm from in Chicago, a 16 is normal. But in Hollywood, everyone looks exactly the same, so I stood out."

"I find the positive in everything. I like my curves, so it didn't bother me. My fiancé, David's father [also named David], and I both knew we didn't learn to eat right and be healthy as kids, so we wanted to for him."

On why this particular weight loss is different from her others

"I've had three different weight losses. Before American Idol in '04, I lost 60 pounds. Then I lost the 20 pounds I had to gain for my role in Dreamgirls, which came out in '06. This is the third time I've lost a lot."

"That first time, I was a workout fanatic. I'd go to the gym at 5 in the morning and run for an hour, go home, sleep and be back at the gym at 1 p.m. for another full workout. Then I'd come home and do Tae-Bo. That was my whole day. Plus, all I'd eat was skinless chicken breast, brown rice and vegetables. What are you going to do once you lose weight? Eat everything you gave up!"

On how she kicked off her workout routine solo and slowly, and her workout routine now

"Four days after my cesarean section, I began walking 30 minutes every day. It was my therapy, my moment to myself, and it was all I could do. I figured, me walking is better than me sitting on the couch. Even if I can't climb a mountain or do 100,000 push-ups, these steps matter, and they're leading somewhere."

"I started with walking, but before long, I built up to other things. When I didn't want to be cooped up in the gym, I'd come up with other options. I'd ask myself, What do I love? I love being outside and feeling free, so I would jog or ride my bike. Some days, I'd play basketball and tennis."

"Now, on days when I'm short on time, I do this workout called trilogy, which is cardio and strength combined: I do 25 squats, 25 push-ups and 25 ab moves, then rest a minute. Then I do them in reverse and rest another minute. Fifteen minutes and I'm done! And I create moments of exercise. When I lived on the 26th floor, I'd walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator."

On working out with her fiance' David

"He bought me a basketball hoop for Christmas, so we play in our backyard. We also get in the pool and do squat contests. One time, I got up to 1,000, and he was, like, 'Wow, impressed!'"

On changing up her diet mentally

"I had to break my diet mentality. I used to deprive myself, thinking that was healthy. I didn't eat pasta, fried food, red meat. I hadn't had pizza in 10 years! Then, about two months after my son was born, I joined Weight Watchers and learned about balance. If you're on a strict diet that says you shouldn't have any carbs or this or that, your body won't function the way it should. I know now that I can eat anything I want and still lose or maintain my weight. It's about portions and balance."

On getting treated differently as "skinny Jennifer" and her fans' reactions to her change

"Yes! You never know you're being discriminated against until you see what you've been deprived of. Everybody wants you to wear this or put you on the cover of that. Before, my career was great, but since losing weight, I haven't stopped. I have worked every single day of this year."

"Some fans love it and say they're inspired, and others don't. Some have even questioned whether I can still sing. My voice has gotten stronger! I can't care about whether I'm too big for some or too small for others. It goes back to how you feel about yourself. I like me the way I am. For anyone who wants to lose: Dude, if I can do it, you can do it. And for those who want to stay the same, I hope I can be an example to you, too; I was proud of being a big girl."

On the KEY to her weight loss

"It's like my mother said: 'Well, honey, when there is a will, there is a way.' You have to want it, but don't rush yourself. When you're ready, you'll set goals for yourself. Once you do, it's good to have support, but you don't need it, because everything you need is in you."

"I'm prouder of my weight loss than my Oscar! I hope it has inspired people."

Here's more outtakes of Jenny looking svelte and sexy in SELF mag:

Lookin' fab chick!

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