Melissa Joan Hart shared a photo of herself in a bikini on Instagram, showing off her new slim body after losing 40 lbs. on Nutrisystem.

Melissa Joan Hart Lost 40 lbs. After Baby

Hart, best know for her years on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, 37, gained a reported 60 lbs. in 2012 when she was pregnant with her third son, Tucker, who was born in September of that year. While she slowly shed the baby weight on her own, Hart says that she waited until she had bonded with her baby son to focus on losing weight. Once she was ready, Hart signed on as a Nutrisystem spokeswoman and says she lost the 40 lbs. eating healthy and exercising regularly.

“For me it was important to bond with my child as opposed to lose the weight. So I waited until I was ready and I knew I had the time. And I made it a priority that I would eat well and then once I had some time in my schedule that opened up I would get back into working out,” Hart told Entertainment Tonight on the set of her first Nutrisystem commercial in February.

Hart said that her husband, Mark Wilkerson, is incredibly supportive and helps her remain disciplined in her diet and exercise.

“He is the guy who is disciplined…He does it for me so I had to return the favor,” Hart revealed.

Melissa Joan Hart: Confident With Bikini Body

In that first add, Hart is seen rocking a blue one-piece in the pool with her husband and their three sons. On Wednesday, April 9, Hart gave fans a sneak peek at her next Nutrisystem add on Instagram when she posted a sexy shot revealing her bikini body.

“It’s not everyday I like to show a lot of skin but these days I’m feeling confidant. Thanks Nutrisystem,” Hart wrote next to the photo.

“It’s the first time I’ve been able to wear a bikini in probably 10 years… [the first time] that I’ve been confident enough to wear a bikini,” Hart said proudly on Good Morning America.

Hart admitted that, though she is confident in a bikini, she was afraid to release the photo to the world, saying, “It was scary, but it was empowering.”

Hart currently stars on ABC Family’s comedy Melissa & Joey, which airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong

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