Jennie Garth on the cover of People. For Jennie Garth, 2012 hasn't been an easy year. The former "Beverly Hills, 90210" star announced a painful divorce from husband of 11 years, "Twilight" actor Peter Facinelli, just weeks before her 40th birthday. But, the mom of three tells People magazine, the year has also "been a bit of a rebirth for me as a person by shedding that negative space and all the pain associated with that time."
In her candid interview in People's upcoming issue, out Friday, Garth reveals that she had been struggling emotionally for quite some time. "I spent a couple of years lying in bed and being depressed," she says. "Physically, I didn't look my best, and mentally I didn't feel my best. I was doing everything I could to be a good mom, but that was all I could handle."
Her recent "rebirth" has included shedding 30 pounds of what she calls "dead weight," which she packed on while wallowing in the wake of her split. "Sitting around on the couch eating Pringles all day is not going to help anybody," jokes the actress.
Garth and former husband Peter Facinelli with their three daughters. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disney via Getty Images)
Garth attributes her new, super-slim figure to a healthier diet and twice-weekly sessions with a personal trainer, but kickstarting her new life came after some introspection. "I just looked at it like there's no way I can hide out in the country and never work again, never love again, and never laugh again," says Garth, who is mom to Luca, 15, Lola, 9, and 6-year-old Fiona. "I have a strong constitution. I have a lot of inner calm about stuff right now."
One old friend has certainly noticed a change. "She looks fabulous," says her former "90210" co-star Luke Perry, who is currently appearing in an Old Navy commercial with her and another former castmate, Jason Priestly. "She has the ass of a 25-year-old!"
And when you've got Dylan McKay on your side, you know you can't go wrong …
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