Paula Deen on 36-Pound Weight Loss: ‘It’s About Moderation’

Southern chef Paula Deen, famous for her fried chicken and yummy desserts, decided it was time to get healthy -- and lost an impressive 36 pounds!

The Food Network star, who was diagnosed last year with Type 2 diabetes, shows off her slimmer figure on the February cover of Woman's Day, talking about her diet tips.

"It's all about moderation,” said Deen. “I just needed to learn to eat a normal portion size and not overindulge."

The butter-loving cook also wanted to lose weight so she could enjoy her grandkids. "I want to be here for my grandchildren. I think about them every day. My daddy was dead at 40. My mother was dead at 44. And look -- I'm 65 and I'm still here! Go, 65!" she laughed. "Waking up every morning is very exciting for me, to see what the day is going to bring."

Deen -- once a size 18 -- still indulges in her favorite foods, refusing to eat diet foods. "In my refrigerator, there's no light mayonnaise. I'd rather eat less of the real thing and have it taste really good than have diet stuff that tastes awful."