Janet Jackson Weight Loss: Face of Nutrisystem Chronicles Weight Journey in Book [PHOTOS]

Janet Jackson is bringing her weight loss to the limelight as the new face of Nutrisystem and a book chronicling her shifting weight journey over the years.

In her new book, "True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself," 45-year-old Jackson explores weight loss and gain in a candid account using her own experiences.

For the three decades of her life in the spotlight, Jackson has battled with her weight with dramatic fluctuations over the years.

"Some of my battles with weight have been very public," Jackson wrote in the book. "But most of them have been internal. Even at my thinnest, when my body was being praised, I wasn't happy with what I saw in the mirror or how I felt about myself."

Jackson said growing up, her weight was a sore topic because the producers on her television debut for "Good Times" asked her to lose weight along with her brother Michael frequently teasing her about her weight, namely her rear.

"It really got to me and I took it way too seriously," Jackson said. "But the more he joked about my big behind, the more determined I was to be thin. Even as a little kid. On certain days I decided simply to starve myself - no breakfast, no lunch. Because ours was a show business family, we were pretty much on our own. Other than the extremely rare holiday dinner, we didn't have regular sit-down meals."

In 2006, she weighed about 180 pounds, evident in pictures that shocked the world, before dropping down to 120 two years later. That same year, Jackson wrote she "gained...a love and appreciation" for herself.

Jackson admitted she used food "in an unhealthy way" as her "comfort," eating to compensate for depression and stress.

While Jackson said she turns to food when in a "funk," performances and the tight schedules helped her maintain a healthy weight in those busy periods.

"At some point I learned to control my eating, especially when I had something to do - for example, a record, concert, or TV appearance," Jackson wrote in her book. "I had the ability to work out, stay on a strict regimen and make it happened. I stayed disciplined."

Jackson did not reveal her weight as the news spokeswoman for Nutrisystem (admitting she doesn't "look at the scale"), but says it will help her in her weight loss journey. The program, she said, helps her maintain a healthy weight when combined with working out six days a week, including three mile runs.

"I've come a long way. I haven't reached where I want to be. I'm a work in progress. I haven't reached my success. I know I will get there with Nutrisystem. I am happy with who I am and the person I am," she wrote.

Nutrisystem said Janet Jackson has lost about 10 pounds since she began the program last month.

View the slideshow to see photos of Janet Jackson's weight loss journey over the years.

U.S. singer Janet Jackson performs on stage during her "Number Ones - Up Close and Personal" tour at the Royal Albert Hall in London June 30, 2011.

Janet Jackson on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine dated September 16, 1993.

Singer Janet Jackson holds the Grammy Award which she won recently in the Best R&B Song category for "That's The Way Love Goes," April 7, 1994.

Singer Janet Jackson arrives at the VH1 Fashion Awards in New York, October 23, 1994.

Grammy award winning singer Janet Jackson arrives March 21 for the Vanity Fair post-Oscar Awards party at Morton's Restaurant in Beverly Hills March 22, 1999.

Singer Janet Jackson thanks her friends and the crowd during her MTV icon award show, March 10, 2001.

Singer Janet Jackson poses for photographers at the Vanity Fair Oscar party at Morton's March 24, 2002

Janet Jackson (Left) reacts after fellow singer Justin Timberlake ripped off one of her chest plates at the end of their half time performance at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, February 1, 2004.

Ryan Seacrest (L) and singer Janet Jackson are all smiles following Jackson's live performance of her second song for "On-Air with Ryan Seacrest" and to promote her new album "Damita Jo," at the Highland & Hollywood complex in Los Angeles, California April 2, 2004.

Janet Jackson arrives at the Legends Ball at the Bacara Resort Santa Barbara, California May 14, 2005.

Janet Jackson spotted in 2006 weighing 180 pounds.

Janet Jackson smiles at the 25th Anniversary Gala of Radio One in Washington August 17, 2006.

Janet Jackson waves upon her arrival at New Tokyo international airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, April 9, 2008.

Singer Janet Jackson poses as she arrives to present a Glamour Magazine Woman of the Year award in New York November 8, 2010.

Janet Jackson arrives during the opening day of Dr. Conrad Murray's trial in the death of pop star Michael Jackson in Los Angeles September 27, 2011.