Jennifer Hudson’s Weight Loss: How She Did It

Once a size 16, Jennifer Hudson is now reveling in her new size 6 body, telling PEOPLE, "I’m in the best shape of my life!"

After giving birth to her son last August, Hudson, 28, had to drop her post-pregnancy pounds for her next movie role as Winnie Mandela. "Whatever it takes to morph into a character I’ll do it," says Hudson.

But the star went about her weight loss in a healthy way by working out with trainer Harley Pasternak and learning about portion control through Weight Watchers’ point system (Hudson became the official spokesperson for the weight loss plan earlier this year).