Jennifer Hudson quotes:

Traditional values are big in my life.

My ultimate film role would be to play the queen of soul, Aretha Franklin.

Loving yourself means caring enough to make the hard decisions in your life.

I love being nurturing and caring because I love to see other people happy.

I'm prouder of my weight loss than my Oscar!

I like to have songs with me that have substance. That's missing from a lot of today's music. You might hear a song with a catchy beat, but what's it about? It's not empowering or helping anyone.

My mother was a very wise and strong person.

Family makes a house a home.

I hope that when I'm 80 years old, people will still be talking about my wedding.

Food is meant to be used as fuel for our bodies. If you're using it for any other reasons, take a step back and ask yourself, 'What's up.'

Chocolate is what I love. I have it every day.

I once had a crush on one of my teachers. I wrote him a love letter and stuck it in a bag in his office. I didn't write my name on it, but I'm sure he figured out it was me.

My grandmother always taught me, 'If you don't have a home, family, and church, you don't have anything.'

I was brought up singing gospel, and I really enjoy getting the church up on their feet, their hips swaying, their hands clapping, it's a great feeling to evoke that energy for the Lord.

Ever since grammar school, I knew I wanted to be famous - I always wanted to be a singer.

Dreams do come true. If anyone's proof of that, it's me.

What people need to know is that if you don't eat what you want, then you'll just continue to eat, because you're not fulfilled.

Gaining control over your health and well-being is one of those times in your life that you get to be completely selfish and not feel bad about it. If you want to meet your goals, you have to make it about you. You have to make it work for you and you alone. Anything less is a setup for failure.

I have a serious love for clothes, like no other.

I try to do everything to say, 'OK, will my mother like this? Will she be pleased? Will she be proud of that? How do I know she's happy and she's smiling down at me from heaven?' And that's what I try to go by and walk by.

I used to sing in the church choir. People would say it was unusual for such a small girl to have such a big voice. They would say, 'She sounds like she's grown.'

It's one thing to lose weight, but it's another thing to eat healthy.

I cook all my meals at home.

When you hear my music and you feel the emotion, it's real. When you see me in a film and you see a tear, it's real.

I didn't even know I was considered plus-size until I was on the red carpet here in L.A. one day and a lady said, 'How do you feel about being a plus-sized girl in Hollywood?' I was like, 'What's she talking about?'

When people said Africa would change me, I didn't understand what they meant. To see the poverty in the townships, for instance, is overwhelming. I found it heart-wrenching to see young children walking barefoot and hungry in the dirt. I'm the kind of person who wants to change the world right here and now, so I got frustrated.

I want to be around for a long time, singing and making albums and movies.

I feel like I've lived about three or four different lives.

Even though I am extremely blessed to have accomplished many of my goals at such a young age, I am still reaching, still striving.

All the ladies can feel sexy and have fun in my clothing and that makes me feel like I am offering something truly unique to the people who have been gracious enough to show me such love and support over the years.

The only way you can sustain a permanent change is to create a new way of thinking, acting, and being.

I don't believe in voodoo.

My biggest thing is banana pudding, but it's the devil! So no one is allowed to bring it into my house. Because I can't control myself. So why put it in my domain?

I don't believe in overdoing myself.

Long before 'American Idol', people used to call me a diva. And I be like, 'Hold on, are you calling me something else on the sly? You gonna call me a diva, call me a good diva.'

Don't block your blessings. Don't let doubt stop you from getting where you want to be.

I actually stopped working out because I don't want to lose my jelly.

Going jogging makes me feel powerful and free - like Rocky!

I was a homebody growing up.

I've always had a love for making things my own.

I accept any challenge.

When you're shopping you forget about eating!

I'm just not a shoe girl.

I'm proud to represent the average woman.

Well, I don't really eat cereal that much because on Weight Watchers it's not worth the points.

I don't believe in doing things just to do them.

God uses people to help others. I only pray my faith is strong enough to get me through what I have to face.

We all have the power to choose how we are going to handle every situation we are faced with throughout our lives. We are in control of the decision we make whether it's about work, relationships, parenting, or our health.

You have to accept the plan and realize that if you slip, and you might, you can't use that as a reason to give up or stop.

Sometimes God makes better choices for us than we could have ever made for ourselves.

If it's meant for me, it will be.' Those words are my mantra in life, and it has never let me down.

Indeed, God is always with us even when things look hopeless.

I didn't start singing with my eyes open until I was 19 - that's how shy I was!

Love is as hard to hide as hate.

Extreme exercise doesn't save you from poor food choices. It can be difficult to exercise and erase away that chocolate cake or pizza pie. It doesn't work that way.

I try to dress a little casual before my photo-shoots. I can be comfortable before I go into my... transition.

It can be a real struggle to accept that sometimes appearance can be more important than talent or intelligence.

Ye canna give up hope when that is all ye have.

My faith in God is everything at this point. Also, my family and friends that I've had around me pretty much my whole life and my boyfriend, we've been together for eight years. I try to keep people around me who've been around me, who've seen me struggle. They know how dedicated I am and how hard I've worked. They know me - not the Jennifer from American Idol and Dreamgirls, but the real Jennifer.

There is nothing I love more than my role as a mom.

There's no heaven on earth. God would have to guide her through the problems.

There's no rule that says attraction warrents trust. If that were the case, then more wedded couple would be happier.

I was angry at God until I came to understand that it isn't God's fault when people mistreat me. I still have my doubts at times, but I try to remember that God has given them the same free will that He's given me.

I slept with my mom until I was 16 years old.

Embrace it. Especially because of the lives we live, a lot of times other people have to care for [our kids] and you have to have that mommy time, Get your sleep!

I think to each its own, if nobody is hurting anybody-who cares? Everyone should be able to do what they want and be happy. Who you love is who you love. That's the way I see it

When I'm acting I don't sing, and when I'm recording I'm not acting.

My focus has always been on talent over looks. This theme of people putting an emphasis on looks first has been a constant reminder throughout my life that most people don't see things in the same way that I do.

If you're asking yourself why I have this success and you don't, don't be angry with me-stop and ask yourself what your issues are that are holding you back.

To me, the biggest notes and the longest notes are the easiest notes.

That isn't about money, fame, or power. It's about will, dedication, commitment, and knowing your self-worth. You can be poor as dirt and have those traits. Money can't buy you values. You just need to know what is important to you and then feel secure in your pursuit to achieve that.

God always works through people.

Appearance can always be changed, but the talent stays the same.

I am completely in charge of the choices I make about what I am doing to lose weight and get healthy. And you know what? We all have this power. Don't be angry with me for something good I've done for myself. Be angry with yourself for not having the courage to do the same in your own life.

You have to want weight-loss success so badly that no mountain, river, or ocean could keep you from reaching your goals. If you have that drive, passion, and commitment, there is no way you won't get there.

You can't make a life-altering decision for someone else and expect it to stick.

You cannot just work out and then eat poorly and expect to lose weight. It doesn't work that way.

The talent should speak for itself.

There's something wonderful about entertaining people on vacation. Everyone is there to have a good time.

I don't do clubs. I don't drink. I don't smoke.

I'm really not sure what people think or expect me to be, but I am surprised when people say, 'You're not supposed to be like that ' I'm not exactly sure what 'that' is, so I choose to take it as a compliment.

The church has given me balance.

When someone wants to lose weight, they will do whatever it takes. They can't do it for anyone else but themselves. It has to be for them alone. Without that understanding, they will fail.

Permanent weight loss doesn't come with an on and off switch. It is not something you do for a little while and think it is going to change your body.

If you're not eating the right foods in the right amounts, all the exercise in the world won't combat the caloric intake.

I don't get a chance to be home much.

I'm prouder of my weight loss than my Oscar! I hope it has inspired people.

You're not living if you don't go out and try things for yourself.

Everything I see, I now see through a mother's eyes.

I am the biggest Destiny's Child - Beyonce, Kelly, Michelle, all of them - fan in the world.

'American Idol' has changed the face of television.

If you can't take responsibility for your own well-being, you will never take control over it.

Anyone can lose a few pounds, but not everyone has the tools to stick with it.

Avoidance is a great tool to get away from food in my face all day long.

Whenever I'd try to talk myself out of going for a walk, and there were a few days like that, I'd take myself through a series of simple tasks so I would get up and go. 1. Get up. 2. Find your house keys. 3. Put on some shoes. 4. Grab your iPod. 5. Walk out the front door.

The important message I heard about working out and what I want to share is that you create your own opportunities and your own limitations.

No matter how big the glam squad, or how dramatic the dress, sometimes things just don't work out.

I am in control of all decisions that have to do with my image, which means that no one will decide what's right for me except me. I'm not special. We should all feel this way about ourselves.

I always say, you never know how much your parents loved you until you have a child to love.

I love being outside and feeling free, so I jog or ride my bike. Some days I play basketball or tennis.

My son is very into music and really familiar with my voice.

When other people reject positive changes you make for yourself, there is always some nerve to get to the root of in those other people.

It's not a diet, it's a way of life that teaches you better skills. For years, I felt like I could never have ice cream, but now I can eat ice cream occasionally!

My grandmother always taught me, 'If you don't have a home, family, and church, you don't have anything.