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If you think being a celebrity is rough, try being a politician! Not only are they always judged based on their decision making, but also for their appearance.

Governor Chris Christie found this out the hard way following Hurricane Sandy, when it seemed all anyone could focus on was Christie’s weight. 

After being very vocal about the fact that he didn’t give a damn what anyone thought about his size, the Governor gave in to the pressure and underwent lap band surgery.

He’s not the first political figure to shed serious poundage, though. Check out these politicians who also underwent major transformations right before our eyes.

Mike Huckabee: 

Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has made headlines countless times for his staunch Republican views and radical law-making. In the early 2000s, Huckabee became a household name again when he not only decided to run for President, but dropped a ton of weight.

Kirsten Gillibrand

Democratic Senator from New York, Kirsten Gillibrand, who played an important role in the repeal of the U.S. Military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, dropped a ton of weight when she was appointed to the House Of Representatives. Gillibrand sought out a nutritionist and went from a size 16 to a size four.

Bill Richardson

Former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson shed 30 pounds in 2007 while campaigning for President. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to win the race and it appears he’s put the weight back on. Better luck next time, Bill!

Sarah Palin

Believe it or not, Sarah Palin wasn’t always the ultra-thin lady we know today. The Alaska native took weight loss to the extreme while campaigning for the Vice Presidency alongside John McCain. Yikes! Palin could probably stand to gain back some of that weight.

Jerry Nadler

Like Christie, New York Representative Jerry Nadler also resorted to weight loss surgery to speed up the process and hopefully prolong the results of his weight loss. We’re rooting for him!

Al Gore

Al Gore has been on a weight loss rollercoaster for as long as we can remember, dropping weight and gaining it back over and over again. In 2009, he made great strides toward a healthier life, unfortunately the ex-Vice President of the United States seems to have put the weight back on and then some!

Haley Barbour 

Ex-Governor of Mississippi Haley Barbour once said that if he lost 50 pounds he was “either sick or running for President.” The oval-office-hopeful never did clinch his presidential dreams, but he did manage to shed a few pounds.

Bill Clinton

Believe it or not, there was a time when Bill Clinton enjoyed McDonald’s a bit too much and packed on a few too many pounds. After becoming ill, he lost a lot of that weight and now has a strict vegan diet and looks great! You go, Bill.