Traci Braxton has been shedding weight and working hard to become healthier and happier. In a recent interview with News One Now's Roland Martin, the singer opened up about her decision to lose weight and how her unhealthy eating habits were affecting her self-esteem.

"When it came down to eating, I basically ate anything I wanted to eat [at anytime]. And I thought, it's OK, it's fine, it's healthy. I didn't have my mind right. I was upset with myself because I was gaining the weight. I didn't really feel as sexy as I wanted to feel and I wasn't giving my family my all," Braxton said.

Braxton decided to hit the gym three times a week working out for an hour or two in each session. She also reevaluated her diet and has since lost 64 pounds over the course of two years, a plan she said is best when you want new habits to stick.

"You never should lose that much weight in one year. When you lose it quickly, you're bound to fail. Failure is not an option for me. I'm like, 'No, OK Traci, you need to show the world that you're not the underdog. That you're likeable too and that you can do it for yourself,'" she explained before advising against self-medicating with diet pills.

"You have to go to the doctor because me being borderline diabetic now and I have to take medication. I could kill myself. You can actually kill yourself taking these medications because it [diet pills] doesn't mix with your medication."

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(Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET)