Janet Jackson - Janet Jackson Risked Diabetes At The Height Of Weight Woes

The Together Again hitmaker has struggled with her figure for years, famously ballooning to her highest weight seven years ago, and Jackson admits the extra pounds really took a toll on her body and increased her risk of developing several life-threatening diseases.

She tells Prevention magazine, "Health was always a concern. When I gained weight in 2005, my nutritionist was very worried. I was close to having diabetes. Even when I lost it and then gained quite a bit back, there was always the thought of heart disease."

But now she balances a healthy diet and a fun work-out routine to stay in shape: "I don't like to work out, and I get bored easily. Tony Martinez (trainer) is great. When I'm getting ready for a tour, I'll work out with the dancers. He'll put us in teams and we'll do all sorts of drills and races."

Now a slimline spokeswoman for NutriSystem, the diet company that helped her get her perfect figure, the pop superstar tells the publication she hopes her battle with the bulge will help others.

She adds, "I think people really connect with the idea of someone who's gained and lost weight in a very public way, and also someone who's an emotional eater."