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I Dropped Over 190 Pounds in 2 Years. Here’s How I Did It

John Johnson reveals his weight loss secrets exclusively to Body Network

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
John_Johnson3
Copyright John Johnson
FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback

Losing weight can feel like a daunting task. One way to make it easier is learning about how other people did it. John Johnson is a weight loss warrior who dropped over 190 pounds by making some simple lifestyle changes. In a new interview with Body Network, the August, Georgia man explains exactly how he did it.


He Always “Hoped to Be an Average Size”

John_Johnson2Copyright John Johnson

“I’ve always hoped to be an average or normal size. Admittedly, in my mind’s eye, I’ve never really been sure what that looked like – but I wanted to go on a journey where I could try and make my physical self reflect who I saw in my head,” John tells us about what motivated him to get started on his health journey.

He Has Lost Almost 200 Pounds

John_Johnson1Copyright John Johnson

John, 6’3’’ and 42 years old, “was just a little over 450 pounds” when he first started my weight journey. “But at this point, I’m sitting right at 259 pounds,” he says. “I lost nearly 200 pounds over the course of the last couple of years.”

He Focused on Training His Back and Torso

Fit people standing at barbells before exercise. Horizontal indoors shotShutterstock

As part of his exercise routine, he focused on toning his back and torso the most, “the midsection of my body, essentially – as that’s where I’ve historically carried the majority of my body weight,” he explains. “That’s not to say that I didn’t focus on toning other areas as well, but they are where I lent the lion’s share of my effort.”

He’s Also Proud of His Legs

Portrait Of Athletic Black Man Making Bulgarian Split Squat Exercise At Gym, Motivated Young African American Male Training On Leg Muscles At Modern Sport Club, Enjoying Bodybuilding, Side ViewShutterstock

“I’m proud of what I’ve done to get control of my midsection, but I’ve always been proud of my legs, too. They’re naturally strong, and I’ve often been told I have nice legs, so fine-tuning a part of my body that I already took pride in has really been a confidence booster for me!” he says.

Exercise 1: Lat Pulldowns

John_Johnson5Copyright John Johnson

His top five exercises start with lat pulldowns. “This exercise was key to strengthening my back and building definition in my neck and shoulder while pulling the fat from that area of my body. It’s an exercise that’s really forced a change in my physical appearance,” he says.

Exercise 2: Bench Press Machine

Motivated middle aged man having workout on chest press machine in gym, pushing weight while sitting on bench, building up arms and torso musclesShutterstock

Next, he did a lot of work on the bench press machine. “As I’ve mentioned, building muscle mass in my torso has been a focal point for me, and the bench press machine has been a core component in making that happen. I recently reached a new personal best with the machine, pressing 165 pounds,” she says.

RELATED: This Plan Is How to Lose 5 Percent Body Fat In 2 Weeks

Exercise 3: Chest Fly Machine

An anonymous married asian woman does a set of chest flys on a pec deck machine at the gym. Targeting the pectoralis musclesShutterstock

He also does exercises on the chest fly machine. “I’ve really enjoyed using the chest fly machine for both my torso and back muscles. Similar to the previous exercise I shared, it’s helped to tone my midsection and pull the fat from areas of my body where I typically store the majority of it,” he says.

Exercise 4: Russian Twists

,Sporty,Russian,Twists, abs exercises sit up, kettlebell, kettleball, gym, Personal, trainerShutterstock

He also does Russian twists. “These have become a staple in my core routine, working fat out of my sides and strengthening my abdominal area. I’ll often hold a weight out in front of myself while doing these to make things a little more difficult,” he says.

Planks

Man, plank and core exercise in gym, strong muscle gain and bodybuilder challenge or endurance. Male person, workout and fitness or health development, training and athlete for lifting body weightShutterstock

Planks are another go-to exercise. “For the same reason as Russian twists, planks are a primary component of my workout routine. They can be absolute hell to do, but they’re one of the most effective methods for developing your core strength,” he says.

Simple Daily Diet

Man eatsShutterstock

“My daily diet is actually very simple. I start the day out with a bottle of water and a Prime Hydration beverage, along with a Nutri-Grain or protein bar. From there, I keep to a trusted routine, enjoying ready-made meals from Clean Eatz Kitchen for both lunch and dinner. I would absolutely recommend a health food/meal prep brand like Clean Eatz Kitchen to anyone looking to get their weight under control. They make mealtime so simple, and I don’t have to worry myself thinking about nutrient intake, portion size, or the sort,” he says about his diet.

RELATED:I Hit 60 and These Daily Habits Keep Me Fit and Feeling 20 Years Younger

No Soda

Aluminum,Cans,Of,Soda,Shutterstock

“At this point, the only thing that’s been removed from my diet 100% is soda,” he says. “There are a variety of other things I’ve cut back on by probably about 80%, though. I’ve really adopted the mindset of life with moderation, that removing something from my diet entirely may cause me to become more prone to intense cravings and a possible relapse, which I say from experience. It’s important for your self-control and mental well-being that you allow yourself the occasional treat, a reward every so often, or the journey just becomes much more difficult.”

For the First Time in His Life, He Can Run

Rear view to runner in blue t-shirt and black leggings running on bridge. Outdoor exercising on smooth concrete ground on lake bridge. Sun is outlining man bodyShutterstock

His biggest achievement? “For the first time in my life, I’m able to run. I can do an entire lap around my house, and nothing has ever made me feel so powerful. At 450 pounds, it was a difficult to walk. I had to hold onto things to make sure I was taking proper steps. It’s an accomplishment that proves you never realize how intense the struggle is until you’ve left the struggle behind,” he says.

There Have Been Setbacks

John_Johnson6Copyright John Johnson

He has experienced some setbacks. “Old habits die hard, especially when you’re trying to cut them out completely. My weight loss journey hasn’t followed a linear path. I’ve worked my butt off to shed pounds, only to regain the weight in the near future by succumbing to those same bad habits I’d developed in the past,” he says. “Setbacks are almost unavoidable when you’re starting out. You have to find the people and professionals who can help you understand where you sit on the fitness continuum. You don’t just get to do like everyone else – because your health issues will almost always preclude you.”

He Takes Supplements

vitamins ,omega 3,multivitamins, Supplements, vitamins, probiotics, collagen, pills, tabletsShutterstock

He also takes supplements. “I use Clean Eatz Vanilla Protein Power to make protein shakes for myself, as well as their Superfoodz whole-body support blend every morning. I also use Sports Research Creatine Monohydrate and 5 Star Nutrition’s Anabolic Warfare to boost my performance and help supplement my muscle growth,” he tells us. “At the gym, I use CarniCuts pre-workout to help me sweat more during my exercises.”

How He Measured His Success

Female,Feet,Electronic,Scales,Weight,loss,gain,diet,Shutterstock

John measured his success in small increments. “In the beginning, I measured by 10-pound increments: every 10 pounds lost was an accomplishment. But I learned that if you focus on weight and your physical appearance, then you tend to burn out and give up because the changes you’re looking for are so slow and indiscernible. Instead, I began looking for those subtle changes – how my clothes fit, new exercises I was capable of doing, etc. I trust the process and trust my trainers to get me across the finish line I’ve set in my mind,” he says.

RELATED:I'm 50+ and These 7 Fat-Blasting Habits Keep Me in the Best Shape of My Life

A Nutrition Myth, Debunked

cheese burger with fries on a wooden plate at a restaurantShutterstock

One fitness or nutrition myth he once believed but now debunks? You have to avoid food you love. “You can still eat everything that you enjoy in this life, so long as you understand what has to be done in order to offset. Your body is an engine, and you’re fueling it through the fluids and foods you consume. If you’re putting bad things in and not trying to burn them off, then you’re going to see poor results. But you can occasionally indulge, so long as you’re willing to put in the work,” he says.

He Reminds Himself of the Small Victories

Happy,Fitness,People,couple,Beach,,Sunset,Muscles,ocean,sea,sun,celebrateShutterstock

“I’ve had a lot of hardship and pitfalls, and there were times in my life when I decided I’d just be fat and happy. But you have to be able to remind yourself of the small victories you’ve already achieved. If you fall off the wagon, you’ve got to dust yourself off and get up. Without failure, there can never be success. Having some kind of internal monologue that reminds you of all that is important for getting past the points where you feel badly about your physical appearance,” suggests John.

Believe in Yourself

John_Johnson4Copyright John Johnson

At the end of the day, believe in yourself, says John. “You have to believe, despite the struggles and the failure and the pain, that when you put your trust in the process, you can achieve anything. Believe and trust in the process, and in yourself, that you’re capable of reaching the goals you’ve set for yourself,” he explains.

Routine Is Key

Athlete,Dumbbell, Bodybuilding, weights, lifting, exercise, gym, weightsShutterstock

“The easiest way to stay motivated is to create a routine, a lifestyle that accounts for healthier practices that begin to become second nature to follow in your daily life. This helps you to avoid days where you don’t feel like doing anything, and even the most minuscule task can seem like a feat of discipline,” he says.

RELATED: We Are 55, and These 15 Fat-Blasting Habits Keep Us in the Best Shape of Our Lives

His Favorite Motivational Quote

Thomas Edison vintage historic image as young inventor in New Jersey at his Menlo New Jersey laboratory. Created 11.01Shutterstock

John ends his interview with a motivational quote from Thomas Edison. “Our greatest weakness lies in getting up. The most certain way to succeed is to try just one more time.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

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FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
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If you have a lot of weight to lose, it can seem hopeless and impossible. However, Samantha Costa, a 23-year-old influencer, lost a whopping 60 pounds in 3 months. In a viral YouTube video, she explains exactly how she did it, and a lot of it had to do with shifting her perspective and overall approach to weight loss.


Losing 60 Pounds in 6 Months with PCOS

Samantha_CostaSamantha Costa/YouTube

She starts with her backstory: In 2018 she was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), which resulted in weight gain. “I fluctuate weight a lot and it also affects my periods. With that being said, because I was diagnosed with PCOS, I put on a lot of weight very fast, and it wasn't a type of weight that was healthy,” she said. Costa, who is five-foot-one, topped the scale at around 200 pounds. “Being in a place where I knew I wasn't healthy was really scaring me.” At the time she was able to drop 50 to 60 pounds in “five to six months” by going to Orangetherory and eating right. “I think I weighed around 196 pounds and I got down to around 135,” she specified.

Related: #1 Way to Flatten Your Stomach for Women, According to a Pelvic Floor Expert

The Power of Whole Grains

Wholemeal,Fusilli,Pasta,Whole, GrainsShutterstock

Her main dietary change at the time involved swapping out white carbs with whole grain and whole wheat. “I literally had grilled chicken, pasta, grated cheese, and tomato sauce every single day because that's what made me happy,” she said. After graduating from college in May 2022, “and I honestly was a very steady weight of around probably 129 pounds to 140 throughout all of my senior year of college,” she felt like she was at a healthy weight for herself around 135 pounds. She spent the summer lifeguarding. “I was having a really fun time, and honestly everything was going very well,” she continued.

A Stressful Job Ruined Her Health and Happiness

Samantha_Costa2Samantha Costa/YouTube

However, in August she started her “big job at a big four company” and it was “the downfall of everything,” she claims. “I'm not going to talk too much about it, but the stress of that job, which I am no longer working in, was very, very hard for me.” She stopped working out and spent most of her free time isolating. Over a period of about 7 months she probably gained 60 to 70 pounds, and was “very, very sad,” she says. “I wasn't happy with how I looked and I was having a hard time with it, but it was more that I knew I wasn't healthy and I knew I needed to get healthy because of this. I would always tell myself, ‘You know what? You did it once. You can definitely do it again.’”

From 10,000 Steps to 500

Young adult woman walking up the stairs with sun sport background.Shutterstock/siam.pukkato

She couldn’t motivate herself to go to fitness studio again, “something that I used to love going to do,” she says. While she used to walk 10,000 steps a day, she “was lucky if I hit probably 500 steps a day because I was always at my computer, always doing something for work, and there was really just no time for me to do it.”

She Lost 10 Pounds in a Week and Kept Going

Woman,,Balance,Weight,Scale,health,scalesShutterstock

Every day she looked in the mirror and told herself “in three months from now, you will look so much better. You'll feel so much better, which is the most important, and you will want to do things because you started.” Eventually she started seeing progress, claiming that she lost 10 pounds in one week, which she knew was water weight. Within a few weeks she noticed a “little bit of a difference” and once she started to see that difference, “it was a lot easier to believe in myself and notice that there was real progress happening and that there was change happening, which allowed me to keep going within my journey.”

Related: 11 Shoulder-Sculpting Workouts for Impressive Definition

The Secrets to Her Success

Healthy,Eating,Food,Low,Carb,Keto,Ketogenic,Diet,Meal,Plan,salmon,avocado,egg, broccoliShutterstock

She revealed that she did keto, which is “very hard to sustain,” she admits. “It was very hard for me to eat a certain amount of carbs every single day, and it was very hard for me to cut out sugar. I'm someone who loves sugar, but I knew that in order to be in a healthy place again, and in order to get to my goal in the most efficient way, especially with summer coming up, I needed to do something that would really change and really allow my body to adapt.” She also emphasizes the importance of protein. “Eating carbs is something that obviously we all need. I am not saying don't eat carbs. Please eat your macros. Please eat carbs. Please allow yourself to have the energy that you need. I'm just saying what I did was I lowered the amount of carbs that I ate, but I was still eating enough to feel energized to be able to go to the gym and to give my body what it needs.”

She Increased Intake of Proteins and Exercised

ChickenGrill,grilled,bbq,breast,meat,proteinShutterstock

Amping up your protein intake may help you lose weight. According to clinical trials, consuming more protein than the recommended dietary allowance not only reduces body weight (BW), but also enhances body composition by decreasing fat mass while preserving fat-free mass (FFM) in both low-calorie and standard-calorie diets. She also went back to fitness studio four to five times a week, starting with gentle workouts and working her way up to more intense ones. She also recommends taking rest days.

Stay Motivated and Positive on Your Journey

Samantha_Costa5sam.costaa/Instagram

“In the beginning, you're probably going to feel like you can't do it and it's probably going to feel impossible, and if you are someone who doesn't feel like that, I give you so much credit because I've been there so many times and I felt like it was impossible every single time,” she adds. “The number one thing I want to tell you is to prove yourself wrong. Prove every single person that may have doubted you wrong. The only thing that matters is that you believe in yourself. The only thing that matters is that you have the mindset that will allow you to feel better, and every single time you question yourself, make one of those videos, take progress pictures, tell yourself that you are so much better than you were even one day ago, and if you are really having trouble starting, just try for one day.”

Related: Fitness Expert's $5 a Day Meal Plan for Fat Loss

💪🔥Body Booster: Increasing your protein intake and decreasing your carbohydrates is a scientifically backed tactic for weight loss. However, you still need a sufficient amount of carbs to stay energized.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Do you want to lose 44 pounds in three months? It may be as simple as incorporating some healthy habits into your lifestyle. Talia Fawaz is a social media influencer who boasts over 147,000 followers on Instagram, sharing about everything from her lifestyle to how she stays in shape. She recently posted a viral video about her weight loss, revealing how she lost an average of nearly 15 pounds per month. Here are ten changes she made to her lifestyle to lose weight.


I Focused on Changing My Diet

Close up cropped image of cutting board and couple cutting vegetables in the kitchen together, preparing food meal at home. Vegetarian healthy foodShutterstock

“First things first is food,” Talia says in the video. “I feel like food is actually super obvious.” She explains that if you don’t eat well and expect to lose weight, “it's not gonna happen.” She adds that she started losing weight by eating healthier.

It’s also “really important to know what you're eating, so I would definitely recommend eating at home and cutting out the outside food,” she says. “I wouldn't say cut it out completely, eat like once in a week, something you like from out, but most importantly is like eating at home because I feel like you really know what's in your food and I feel like, it's like a less likely chance that there are some ingredients there that you don't know that could be like stopping you from your weight loss goals.”

RELATED: 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week

I Implemented Volume Eating

Green,Fresh,Vegetable,Broccoli.,Fresh,Green,BroccoliShutterstock

Another one of her tricks? “I did a lot of volume eating,” says Talia. “I ate a lot of broccoli,” she continued. “I had a lot of salads, I had a lot of spinach, I had a lot of lettuce, cauliflower, and so many vegetables that will actually keep me full for a long time.”

I Amped Up My Protein Intake

Grilled sea bass fillet with salad and potatoes on stone tableShutterstock

She also amped up protein, consuming it “with each and every dish of mine,” she says. “Sea bass fish, broccoli, and a salad would be like my lunch. Like that was a truly a daily thing, and I actually enjoyed it so much.” She recommends pairing a protein with “just volume, volume fruits if that makes sense.”

RELATED: How I Lost 30 Pounds in 90 Days on the Mediterranean Diet

I Practiced Self-Discipline

Young sportive woman getting ready to start running workout - Athlete running outdoors at sunset - Attractive girl making sport to lose weight and stay fitShutterstock

“Commitment and self-discipline” are also key, she says. “A lot of people ask me, ‘How are you motivated?’” she says. “Like it's literally a war in your head.” But instead of saying that you will start tomorrow, you have to be unwilling to give up.

I Maintained a Positive Mindset

Portrait of positive inspired girl hipster lick lips spoon look copyspace feel interested about what she will eat breakfast wear white t-shirt isolated over bright shine yellow color backgroundShutterstock

You also need a “positive mindset” towards weight loss. This might involve not listening to your head, or if you do, and decide you want McDonald’s, get back on track the next day without beating yourself up.

I Had a Balanced Approach

Female leg is stepping on white scales at homeShutterstock

It’s also important to have “a balance,” says Talia. ”So it would be more like a lifestyle thing rather than a diet for a short period of time.” You can't have the mindset where you diet for a month and then eat whatever you want. “You have to make it like a lifestyle change.”

I Exercised

Attractive sports people are working out with dumbbells in gymShutterstock

She also started working out. “I did not have access to a gym like when I was trying to lose weight. So I would literally jog around my compound, jog around my area for about an hour or 30 minutes, and it was actually really fun. It wasn't like sprinting or jogging; it was usually like light jogging,” she revealed. She recommends 30 minutes of exercise a day to “slowly progress towards your goals.”

RELATED: 17 Ways Your Body Reacts When You Quit Ozempic

I Made It a Lifestyle Change

fitness, sport, people, exercising and lifestyle concept - happy man and woman doing jumping jack or star jump exercise outdoorsShutterstock

She emphasizes the importance of making it “more of a lifestyle change” and not being overly restrictive. “Just don't, don't restrict yourself and make it more of a lifestyle thing than a temporary thing because that's the only way it's gonna work.”

Finally, “Make this a fun journey,” she says. “You know, I feel like cooking is so therapeutic, so make it fun. If you want a cake, make it a healthy cake. If you want pizza, make it healthy pizza. All the recipes are all online.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Eat plenty of low-calorie, high-volume foods like broccoli, salads, spinach, lettuce, and cauliflower to feel full for longer. These vegetables are great for weight loss as they keep you satisfied without adding many calories to your diet.

John_Johnson3
Copyright John Johnson
FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Losing weight can feel like a daunting task. One way to make it easier is learning about how other people did it. John Johnson is a weight loss warrior who dropped over 190 pounds by making some simple lifestyle changes. In a new interview with Body Network, the August, Georgia man explains exactly how he did it.


He Always “Hoped to Be an Average Size”

John_Johnson2Copyright John Johnson

“I’ve always hoped to be an average or normal size. Admittedly, in my mind’s eye, I’ve never really been sure what that looked like – but I wanted to go on a journey where I could try and make my physical self reflect who I saw in my head,” John tells us about what motivated him to get started on his health journey.

He Has Lost Almost 200 Pounds

John_Johnson1Copyright John Johnson

John, 6’3’’ and 42 years old, “was just a little over 450 pounds” when he first started my weight journey. “But at this point, I’m sitting right at 259 pounds,” he says. “I lost nearly 200 pounds over the course of the last couple of years.”

He Focused on Training His Back and Torso

Fit people standing at barbells before exercise. Horizontal indoors shotShutterstock

As part of his exercise routine, he focused on toning his back and torso the most, “the midsection of my body, essentially – as that’s where I’ve historically carried the majority of my body weight,” he explains. “That’s not to say that I didn’t focus on toning other areas as well, but they are where I lent the lion’s share of my effort.”

He’s Also Proud of His Legs

Portrait Of Athletic Black Man Making Bulgarian Split Squat Exercise At Gym, Motivated Young African American Male Training On Leg Muscles At Modern Sport Club, Enjoying Bodybuilding, Side ViewShutterstock

“I’m proud of what I’ve done to get control of my midsection, but I’ve always been proud of my legs, too. They’re naturally strong, and I’ve often been told I have nice legs, so fine-tuning a part of my body that I already took pride in has really been a confidence booster for me!” he says.

Exercise 1: Lat Pulldowns

John_Johnson5Copyright John Johnson

His top five exercises start with lat pulldowns. “This exercise was key to strengthening my back and building definition in my neck and shoulder while pulling the fat from that area of my body. It’s an exercise that’s really forced a change in my physical appearance,” he says.

Exercise 2: Bench Press Machine

Motivated middle aged man having workout on chest press machine in gym, pushing weight while sitting on bench, building up arms and torso musclesShutterstock

Next, he did a lot of work on the bench press machine. “As I’ve mentioned, building muscle mass in my torso has been a focal point for me, and the bench press machine has been a core component in making that happen. I recently reached a new personal best with the machine, pressing 165 pounds,” she says.

RELATED: This Plan Is How to Lose 5 Percent Body Fat In 2 Weeks

Exercise 3: Chest Fly Machine

An anonymous married asian woman does a set of chest flys on a pec deck machine at the gym. Targeting the pectoralis musclesShutterstock

He also does exercises on the chest fly machine. “I’ve really enjoyed using the chest fly machine for both my torso and back muscles. Similar to the previous exercise I shared, it’s helped to tone my midsection and pull the fat from areas of my body where I typically store the majority of it,” he says.

Exercise 4: Russian Twists

,Sporty,Russian,Twists, abs exercises sit up, kettlebell, kettleball, gym, Personal, trainerShutterstock

He also does Russian twists. “These have become a staple in my core routine, working fat out of my sides and strengthening my abdominal area. I’ll often hold a weight out in front of myself while doing these to make things a little more difficult,” he says.

Planks

Man, plank and core exercise in gym, strong muscle gain and bodybuilder challenge or endurance. Male person, workout and fitness or health development, training and athlete for lifting body weightShutterstock

Planks are another go-to exercise. “For the same reason as Russian twists, planks are a primary component of my workout routine. They can be absolute hell to do, but they’re one of the most effective methods for developing your core strength,” he says.

Simple Daily Diet

Man eatsShutterstock

“My daily diet is actually very simple. I start the day out with a bottle of water and a Prime Hydration beverage, along with a Nutri-Grain or protein bar. From there, I keep to a trusted routine, enjoying ready-made meals from Clean Eatz Kitchen for both lunch and dinner. I would absolutely recommend a health food/meal prep brand like Clean Eatz Kitchen to anyone looking to get their weight under control. They make mealtime so simple, and I don’t have to worry myself thinking about nutrient intake, portion size, or the sort,” he says about his diet.

RELATED:I Hit 60 and These Daily Habits Keep Me Fit and Feeling 20 Years Younger

No Soda

Aluminum,Cans,Of,Soda,Shutterstock

“At this point, the only thing that’s been removed from my diet 100% is soda,” he says. “There are a variety of other things I’ve cut back on by probably about 80%, though. I’ve really adopted the mindset of life with moderation, that removing something from my diet entirely may cause me to become more prone to intense cravings and a possible relapse, which I say from experience. It’s important for your self-control and mental well-being that you allow yourself the occasional treat, a reward every so often, or the journey just becomes much more difficult.”

For the First Time in His Life, He Can Run

Rear view to runner in blue t-shirt and black leggings running on bridge. Outdoor exercising on smooth concrete ground on lake bridge. Sun is outlining man bodyShutterstock

His biggest achievement? “For the first time in my life, I’m able to run. I can do an entire lap around my house, and nothing has ever made me feel so powerful. At 450 pounds, it was a difficult to walk. I had to hold onto things to make sure I was taking proper steps. It’s an accomplishment that proves you never realize how intense the struggle is until you’ve left the struggle behind,” he says.

There Have Been Setbacks

John_Johnson6Copyright John Johnson

He has experienced some setbacks. “Old habits die hard, especially when you’re trying to cut them out completely. My weight loss journey hasn’t followed a linear path. I’ve worked my butt off to shed pounds, only to regain the weight in the near future by succumbing to those same bad habits I’d developed in the past,” he says. “Setbacks are almost unavoidable when you’re starting out. You have to find the people and professionals who can help you understand where you sit on the fitness continuum. You don’t just get to do like everyone else – because your health issues will almost always preclude you.”

He Takes Supplements

vitamins ,omega 3,multivitamins, Supplements, vitamins, probiotics, collagen, pills, tabletsShutterstock

He also takes supplements. “I use Clean Eatz Vanilla Protein Power to make protein shakes for myself, as well as their Superfoodz whole-body support blend every morning. I also use Sports Research Creatine Monohydrate and 5 Star Nutrition’s Anabolic Warfare to boost my performance and help supplement my muscle growth,” he tells us. “At the gym, I use CarniCuts pre-workout to help me sweat more during my exercises.”

How He Measured His Success

Female,Feet,Electronic,Scales,Weight,loss,gain,diet,Shutterstock

John measured his success in small increments. “In the beginning, I measured by 10-pound increments: every 10 pounds lost was an accomplishment. But I learned that if you focus on weight and your physical appearance, then you tend to burn out and give up because the changes you’re looking for are so slow and indiscernible. Instead, I began looking for those subtle changes – how my clothes fit, new exercises I was capable of doing, etc. I trust the process and trust my trainers to get me across the finish line I’ve set in my mind,” he says.

RELATED:I'm 50+ and These 7 Fat-Blasting Habits Keep Me in the Best Shape of My Life

A Nutrition Myth, Debunked

cheese burger with fries on a wooden plate at a restaurantShutterstock

One fitness or nutrition myth he once believed but now debunks? You have to avoid food you love. “You can still eat everything that you enjoy in this life, so long as you understand what has to be done in order to offset. Your body is an engine, and you’re fueling it through the fluids and foods you consume. If you’re putting bad things in and not trying to burn them off, then you’re going to see poor results. But you can occasionally indulge, so long as you’re willing to put in the work,” he says.

He Reminds Himself of the Small Victories

Happy,Fitness,People,couple,Beach,,Sunset,Muscles,ocean,sea,sun,celebrateShutterstock

“I’ve had a lot of hardship and pitfalls, and there were times in my life when I decided I’d just be fat and happy. But you have to be able to remind yourself of the small victories you’ve already achieved. If you fall off the wagon, you’ve got to dust yourself off and get up. Without failure, there can never be success. Having some kind of internal monologue that reminds you of all that is important for getting past the points where you feel badly about your physical appearance,” suggests John.

Believe in Yourself

John_Johnson4Copyright John Johnson

At the end of the day, believe in yourself, says John. “You have to believe, despite the struggles and the failure and the pain, that when you put your trust in the process, you can achieve anything. Believe and trust in the process, and in yourself, that you’re capable of reaching the goals you’ve set for yourself,” he explains.

Routine Is Key

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“The easiest way to stay motivated is to create a routine, a lifestyle that accounts for healthier practices that begin to become second nature to follow in your daily life. This helps you to avoid days where you don’t feel like doing anything, and even the most minuscule task can seem like a feat of discipline,” he says.

RELATED: We Are 55, and These 15 Fat-Blasting Habits Keep Us in the Best Shape of Our Lives

His Favorite Motivational Quote

Thomas Edison vintage historic image as young inventor in New Jersey at his Menlo New Jersey laboratory. Created 11.01Shutterstock

John ends his interview with a motivational quote from Thomas Edison. “Our greatest weakness lies in getting up. The most certain way to succeed is to try just one more time.” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

Do you want to lose weight fast and keep it off? Dropping 10 pounds in the next few months is easier than you think. All it takes is making a few simple lifestyle changes – and learning from other weight loss warriors who came before you is always a great idea. Here are 20 ways 12 people who lost over 10 pounds in 4 months achieved their weight loss goals.


Gen Cohen Lost 10 Pounds in 2 Months by Maintaining a Caloric Deficit

In a recent Instagram post, Gen Cohen, CNC, shared how she lost 10lbs in the first two months of her health journey. “What I would do is eat in a modest caloric deficit, which if you're a woman watching this video means you'll probably be eating an average of 1500 to 2000 calories per day in order to lose weight,” she says.

She Also Used an App

New Delhi, India 4 September 2023:- My fitness pal app on iphone used to calculate caloriesShutterstock

Apps also helped Cohen achieve her weight loss goals. “I would download an app like MyFitnessPal and preplan my meals the day before to make sure I was able to hit my calories and my protein goal while still enjoying my social life,” she continued.

And, She Drank A LOT of Water

Happy beautiful young woman drinking water. Smiling caucasian female model holding transparent glass in her hand. Closeup. Focus on the armShutterstock

Another helpful habit in her weight loss was investing in a big water bottle. “I would drink 16 ounces of water before getting out of bed in the morning, which helps regulate your cortisol and stress levels throughout the day,” she says. “And I would also drink 16 ounces of water before each meal. This will help you feel full quicker while you're still learning proper portion control.”

Blake Sanburg Lost 23 Pounds in 2 Months by Hitting the Gym

@thenutritionnarc

10 weight loss tips

Blake Sanburg (@thenutritionnarc) is a diet and fitness influencer with over 415,900 TikTok followers who lost 23 pounds in two months. His number one tip to lose weight? “Start going to the gym,” Blake suggests. “Do weightlifting and cardio. This will help not only burn calories, but it'll also increase your muscle mass, which will make you seem less fat.”

He Also Avoided “Liquid Calories”

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“Number two, avoid liquid calories such as sugary drinks, alcohol, soda, and stuff like that instead of diet soda,” Blake continued. “These are scientifically proven to be the easiest calories to cut out.”

He Amped Up His Protein Intake

High protein food for body builders as meat, fish, dairy, eggs, buckwheat, oatmeal, nuts, bean, pumpkin seed and sunflower seed. Top view.Shutterstock

Blake also amped up his protein intake. “The general rule of thumb is one gram of protein per pound of body weight. So if your goal weight is 150 pounds, try to eat 150 grams of protein.”

RELATED:Wegovy vs Ozempic: Pros and Cons for Weight Loss Treatment

He Took Progress Pictures

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And, for accountability purposes, “take progress pictures,” he said. “It is very tough to see changes when you're looking at yourself every single day. So go back and look at the first day.”

Cam Jones Lost 10 Pounds in 50 Days by Rigorously Tracking His Eating Habits

Cam Jones, one half of the brother influencer duo who make up Goal Guys, a YouTube account providing “different goals in fitness and productivity,” revealed in a viral video how he lost 10 pounds in 50 days.

“I genuinely do not understand how I've put on so much weight. I eat pretty healthy. I exercise two to three times a week, so what am I doing wrong?” he says in the video, setting a goal of losing 10 pounds of body fat in 50 days. Cam starts with a goal of “paying careful attention” to nutrition.

“The first thing I'm aiming for a daily calorie goal of just 1900 calories, and as crazy as it is to say I actually think my current diet is pretty healthy, so I'm also going to track every food I eat for the next 50 days to figure out where I've been going wrong,” he says

He Also Cut Snacks

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Cam points out that the little snacks you eat in the day add up. Just three squares of dark chocolate, half a bag of popcorn in one glass of wine total 660 calories. “I was severely underestimating how many calories were in those snacks because I was having those four times a week,” he says, pointing out “that's an extra 2,400 calories per week. That's more than I'm going to eat today. So no wonder I was putting on weight even though I was exercising.”

Melissa Lattari Lost 15 Pounds in a Month by Reducing Sodium Intake

@melissa.lattari

Replying to @A how to lose 10lbs of water #fyp #wateretention #howtofixbloating #weightloss #weightlosshack #viral

Melissa Lattari (@melissa.lattari) dropped 15 pounds in a month, explaining in a viral video how she did it. “Losing 10 to 15 pounds of water weight is easier than you think it is,” she says in the clip. Melissa maintains that dropping the weight is simple. “The easiest way to lose water weight, okay, listen up, is by switching up your diet,” she maintains. “Water retention happens when we're consuming too much sodium in our diet,” she continues. “Therefore, if you're eating a lot of overly processed foods such as pizza, frozen foods, prepackaged foods or going out and eating at a restaurant where they usually cook most foods with vegetable oils, your body is going to obtain more water.”

Sydney St-Aubin Lost 20 Pounds in 4 Months by Increasing Her Steps Every Day

@sydneystaubin

19 lbs down since january and still going 👏🏻 here’s what i’ve been doing and what i plan to continue to do to reach my goal by hopefully september 🤍 #weightloss #caloricdeficit #athomeworkouts #weightlosstransformation #weightlossprogram

Weight loss coach Sydney St-Aubin, who goes by the TikTok handle @sydneystaubin, revealed that she lost a whopping 20 pounds in less than four months. One of her main recommendations? Not only should you “get your steps in,” but “increase your steps every single day,” she suggests. “Try to get a little bit better.” How many steps should you strive for?

A 2018 study published in the journal Obesity found a link between walking 10,000 steps a day and weight loss and weight management. Other studies published by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) in JAMA Neurology and in JAMA Internal Medicine also linked walking 10,000 steps a day to less dementia and less cardiovascular disease overall, with less heart disease, less heart failure and fewer strokes.

Jenna Evelyn Lost 20 Pounds in Three Months by Meal Prepping

@jennaevelynnn

How I lost 15-20 pounds after my freshman year of college. 10k steps a day, low-cal, high protein meals, and strength training + pilates! #weightloss #freshman15 #howilostweight #weightransformation #healthylifestyle #mealprep #pilates

Jenna Evelyn (@jennaevelyn) is lost “15 to 20 pounds in two to three months” after “gaining the freshman 15” while living on campus during her first year of college. In one viral TikTok video, she reveals that meal prepping and using high-quality ingredients were crucial to her weight loss. “It was so important that I made enough time to meal prep local, high-protein meals so that they were always on hand,” she said. There is scientific evidence supporting the benefits of meal planning.

Studies the more meals you eat prepared away from home, the higher your risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and early death. And, one study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity found meal planning was associated with a healthier diet and less obesity.

Isis Kellier Lost 15 Pounds in 6 Weeks by Intermittent Fasting

Isis Kellier revealed in one TikTok video that she dropped an average of 2.5 pounds a week and 15 pounds in 6 weeks by intermittent fasting, or “OMAD,” she reveals, which stands for “one meal a day. “The Lightly intermittent fasting app helps to keep everything on track,” she added.

In another video, she details what she eats in a day, starting at 2:00 pm with two glasses of green juice followed by a bowl of fruit. For her main meal of the day, “dinner,” she eats at 4:00 pm and enjoys spicy vodka pasta with a grilled chicken breast on top. At 5:30 pm, she drinks two Premiere Protein shakes.

Nour T Lost 40 Pounds in 5 Months by Eating Less

@nourrtann

the best weight loss hack, have you heard of it before? #volumeeatinghack #volumeating #volumeeatinghacks #weightlosshacks #sustainableweightlosstips #sustainableweightlosstip #realisticweightlossmeals

Nour T (@nourrtann/) lost a whopping 40 pounds in just five months with one simple habit. In one of her viral videos, she reveals that no matter what diet you want to go on, simply eating less will result in weight loss. “One thing I will say: Keto, paleo, Atkins, high protein, low fat, low carb, whatever it is, they all work. They all work because you're probably eating less,” she continues. “And also, please remember that eating healthy and eating to lose weight are completely different things.”

She Also Started Volume Eating

Freshly grated raw cauliflower rice in wooden bowlShutterstock

“In my opinion, the most sustainable way to lose weight without tracking calories or stressing out is volume eating. Volume eating is in no means a diet plan. It is actually just a technique,” Nour continues. “You're basically mainly eating large amounts of low-calorie foods, so some examples of that would be like instead of having a cup of rice, you would have a half cup of rice and then a half cup of cauliflower rice,” she says. Another example? “Instead of having a whole serving of pasta, you would split it in half and then have zoodles,” she adds, explaining that you would mix in your cauliflower rice with your rice or zucchini noodles with your noodles. “You're eating the same exact amount as you would've, but the calories you're cut in half, and you're allowing yourself to eat much more vegetables, which are good for you,” she says.

RELATED:I Lost Over 50 Pounds Doing the 75 Hard Method

Briana Farnsworth Lost 30 Pounds in 3 Months by Interval Training on a Treadmill

@brianafarnsworthx

Replying to @$ I like to implement other workouts everyone now and then but I swear by walks!! #walkingroutine #hotgirlwalks #slimlegs #slimarms #weightloss #modelworkout #modelroutine #modelarms

Briana Farnsworth (@brianafarnsworthx) lost a whopping 30 pounds in three months just by walking. “People literally don't believe me when I tell them that I changed my body from this to this just by walking alone,” she says in the clip. Her key to losing weight with walking is doing interval training on an incline. “So my treadmill has this option here, it's called Fat Burner, and I love this one. It alternates between the incline of 1.5 to 4.5, and then I usually keep my speed between 3 and 4,” she explains, adding that if you don’t have that option, you can manually change the incline and speed accordingly.

Blake Also Amped Up His Fiber Intake

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Blake (@thenutritionnarc) offers another weight loss tip that helped him get in shape, “eat more fiber,” he says. This is probably one of the most underrated macronutrients. It's not a macronutrient, but it is one of the most underrated things you can eat. It will not only keep you full, it'll improve your gut microbiome health, and it'll also keep you regular,” he explains.

Keisha Lost 40 Pounds in One Month by Filling Up on Healthy Fats

@kickweightwithkeisha

#grocerylist #kickweightwithkeisha @Kick Weight With Keisha

Keisha (@kickweightwithkeisha) is a diet and fitness influencer who lost 40 pounds in just one month. She claims that amping up her intake of healthy fats was instrumental in her weight loss. “Fats are going to consist of things like avocados, olive oil, avocado oil, butter, sour cream, heavy whipping cream, and cheese,” she says.

RELATED: 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week

And, by Cutting Out Added Sugar

Coffee blended with ghee butter and MCT coconut oil, paleo, keto, ketogenic drink breakfast.Shutterstock

“Now, the only thing that I drank, water, tea, and coffee,” she continued. However she avoided buying calorie-heavy sweeteners. “Okay, if you're going to do sugar for your tea and your coffee, you want to do a natural sugar substitute, which are things like Stevia, monk, fruit, Truvia,” she says.

Amber Clemens Lost 160 Pounds by Eating Fast Food

@amber_c_fitness

Something I still struggle with after losing 160 pounds ❤️ #weightloss #weightlossstruggle #growingupfat #beforeandafter #fatphobia #thinprivilege

Amber Clemens (@amber_c_fitness) is a weight loss warrior and influencer on TikTok who lost a whopping 160 pounds while still eating fast food. In a viral video, she describes her before meal at Wendy’s: A Four for Four meal with a Junior cheeseburger, four piece chicken nugget, a small fry, “and I would actually order an additional six piece nugget because I wanted 10 and I would get a large root beer and that one meal would be 1,450 calories,” she says, noting “that's not including any dipping sauces that I would get to dip this stuff in, but I couldn't find the nutrition information for that.”

Now, she chooses from two lower calorie alternatives, the apple pecan salad “because it's so filling,” she says. “You get a high volume of food for about 550 calories.” Her other option is a six piece nugget and a small fry paired with a medium light lemonade. “And you can get that meal for 545 calories,” she says. “It's not about cutting things out, it's about finding things that you like equally as much, making swaps in moderation,” she points out. Read about more of her swaps here.

FACT CHECKED BY Christopher Roback
Fact-Checked

Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.

We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.

If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing editors@bodynetwork.com.

TikTok influencer Megan (MeggyLosing) lost over 100 pounds in 6 months and kept it off despite living with PCOS and Hypothyroidism. “Don’t believe the lie that you can’t lose weight with PCOS and Hypothyroidism. It’s not easy, but IT’S WORTH IT,” she says. Here are the simple lifestyle changes that helped Megan change her life.


Eating Real Food

@meggylosing

How I lost 100 lbs in 6 months part 1–I cleaned up my diet ❤️ #weightloss #pcos #pcosweightloss #pcosdiet #extremeweightloss #hypothyroidism #100lbsdown #100poundsdown #musclegain #losingweight #losingfatgainingmuscle #gainingmuscle #hypothyroidismdiet #fitness #fitnessmotivation #weightlossjourney #weightlosstips #naturalweightloss #beforeandafterweightloss #beforeandafter #progressoverperfection

Megan changed her diet to focus on good protein and vegetables. “The first thing I did and probably the most important was to change my diet,” she says. “I prioritized protein and vegetables on my plate every meal, I ate lots of chicken, tuna, salmon, turkey. I ate lean beef, I ate tons of vegetables.”

Berries and Nuts

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Megan added lots of healthy berries, nuts, and complex carbs like sweet potatoes to her diet. She also enjoyed grains such as quinoa as part of her PCOS-friendly diet. “I ate like that for a long time,” she says.

RELATED: 7 Breakfast Ideas to Kickstart Your Metabolism

Technology Help

@meggylosing

how I lost 100 lbs with pcos and hypothyroidism, part 2–clean up the diet and track calories #weightloss #pcos #pcosweightloss #pcosdiet #extremeweightloss #hypothyroidism #100lbsdown #100poundsdown #musclegain #losingweight #losingfatgainingmuscle #gainingmuscle #hypothyroidismdiet #fitness #fitnessmotivation #weightlossjourney #weightlosstips #naturalweightloss #beforeandafterweightloss #beforeandafter #progressoverperfection

Megan used a food tracking app to make sure she wasn’t overeating. “I downloaded the free version of MyFitnessPal and started weighing and tracking my food,” she says. “Women with PCOS often don’t make enough of the hormone that tells your brain you’re full so you’re hungry all the time.”

Get a Food Scale

Steak of salmon fish in a black plate on digital scale displaying 200 gram.Shutterstock

Megan was shocked when she realized the portions she was eating were so much more than she thought. “I had tried just eating real foods without tracking my calories,” she says. “I overate even real foods so I overate.”

RELATED:I'm a Celebrity Trainer and This is What I Eat in a Week to Stay Healthy and Fit

30 Minutes a Day

@meggylosing

How I lost 100 lbs in 6 months with pcos and hypothyroidism, part 3 —exercise #weightloss #pcos #pcosweightloss #pcosdiet #extremeweightloss #hypothyroidism #100lbsdown #100poundsdown #musclegain #losingweight #losingfatgainingmuscle #gainingmuscle #hypothyroidismdiet #fitness #fitnessmotivation #weightlossjourney #weightlosstips #naturalweightloss #beforeandafterweightloss #beforeandafter #progressoverperfection

Megan committed to at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. “Initially, I would do a lot of walking and jogging,” she says. “I also did free YouTube workout videos in my living room because I had three small boys, and alone time just wasn’t going to happen.”

Building Muscle

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Megan realized early on that the more muscle she had, the more calories she was burning. “Weight lifting became my number one form of exercise,” she says. “I thought I would hate it and it became my favorite. I would encourage you to at least try it.”

RELATED: 5 Sleeping Positions Destroying Your Posture Overnight – and 3 You Should Try

Calories and Protein

@meggylosing

How I lost 100 lbs in 6 months with pcos and hypothyroidism, part 4–macros? Calories? Protein? ##weightloss##pcos##pcosweightloss##pcosdiet##extremeweightloss ##hypothyroidism##100lbsdown##100poundsdown##musclegain##losingweight##losingfatgainingmuscle##gainingmuscle##hypothyroidismdiet##fitness##fitnessmotivation##weightlossjourney##weightlosstips##naturalweightloss##beforeandafterweightloss##beforeandafter##progressoverperfection

Megan counted calories to ensure she was in a deficit, and counted protein to make that deficit easier to handle. “You want to be able to lose weight without feeling ravenously hungry because the more hungry you are the more likely you are to overeat,” she says. Megan also counted protein to make sure she was building muscle while losing fat.

💪🔥Body Booster: Making sustainable changes will lead to long-term success.

@meggylosing

3.5 years ago I lost 100 lbs in 6 months through changing my diet and exercising. Don’t believe the lie that you can’t lose weight with PCOS and Hypothyroidism. It’s not easy, but ITS WORTH IT. #beforeandafter #beforeandafterweightloss #pcos #pcosweightloss #hypothyroidism #pcosdiet #weightlosstips #weightlosscheck #extremeweightloss #100poundsdown #100lbsdown

Riva Siggins rivafitness
Coach Reveals the 5 Basics of Weight Loss
Copyright rivafitness/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Are you trying to lose weight? Keep it simple, says an expert. Riva Siggins is an online coach who “loves food and movement.” She regularly shares tips on the best ways to burn fat and build muscle with her hundreds of thousands of followers. In a recent post she shares “5 simple tips” to burn fat and lose weight. “These tips may sound simple, but often, fat loss is overly complicated. Nail the basics, and you’ll get results,” she says.

Make Protein Your “Best Friend”

Her first tip is to )make protein your best friend. “Not only will it help you retain more muscle as you lose body fat which will contribute to a leaner physique but it is also the most filling macronutrient so will be sticking to a deficit easier,” she said. “Utilise lean protein sources as well such as chicken breast, beef mince, turkey means and white fish.”

RELATED:30 Best Protein Foods That Melt Fat Almost Instantly

Get Enough Sleep

Next, “stop underestimating how important sleep is,” she writes. “Lack of sleep can increase hunger as your hormones ghrelin and leptin which send signals to your brain telling you when you’re hungry/satiated don’t work as efficiently when you’re sleep deprived and this can result in your feeling hungrier, food focus being higher and more cravings which can make sticking to a deficit a LOT harder.”

Do Cardio Plus Weight Training

Next, she recommends prioritizing weight training while utilizing cardio “as a tool instead of solely doing cardio,” she says. “Weight training will help you maintain more muscle so as you drop body fat you won’t just get smaller and flatter, you’ll maintain shape and have a lean, strong looking physique. Cardio can be utilized to help increase your output but if you just do cardio you’ll lose a lot of muscle which you don’t want.”

Eat Whole Foods

When it comes to diet, prioritize whole foods. “200 calories of potatoes is going to give you a lot more volume compared to 200 calories or chocolate, include the foods you enjoy in moderation of course as this’ll help you stick to it but if you’re sensible with your food selection you’re going to feel like you’re eating a lot and by prioritizing food sources such as complex carbs, lean protein and fruit/veg you will be left feeling fuller for longer too,” she says.

Take Things One Day at a Time

Tip five is to take things one day at a time. “If you go over your calories or have a day where you fall off track so what? Just pick yourself up a go day, it isn’t about perfection every day it’s about consistency over time,” she writes.

RELATED:10-Min Walking Workout Burns Fat at Home, Says Coach

Dial in Your Nutrition

In another post, she offers more tips. One thing she did was dial into her nutrition more than ever. “Around 90% of my calories come from whole foods and I feel so energised, I’m able to push harder in my sessions because I’m fuelling correctly, I’m not having energy dips throughout and I’m recovering well,” she says.

She Started Drinking Less Alcohol

She also started drinking less alcohol. “For the last few years I’ve not been a big drinker but even more so recently, I don’t know when I’ll drink again because I can have such a good time socially without it so I’ll only drink alcohol if I feel it will enhance the experience and there’s very few times I feel like that nowadays,” she writes.

EMOMs and AMRAPs

She also changed her training approach. While “the foundation of my training stays the same eg my strength work as progressive overload is key but I have different conditioning finishers each week from EMOMs and AMRAPs to threshold sessions and timed rounds, this is to test my aerobic and anaerobic capacity in different ways,” she says.

RELATED:17 Pre-Meal Foods That Burn Fat Like Ozempic, According to an Expert

Prioritizing Herself

“I am prioritizing me more than ever before,” she continues. “I’m not afraid to say no to plans if I need time to rest, I’m not worried about people thinking I’m boring or saying yes to things to be a people pleaser. I’ve found a perfect balance with training hard, recharging and doing things that make me feel good in my spare time so I’m not burnt out or constantly feeling tired.”

Water

She also says that water has “become an absolute non-negotiable” in her plan. “4l of water a day,” she says. “I need to perform and recover my best.” And if you enjoyed this article, don't missthese 8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat.

Mateo Ruperti lifting_with_mateo
Copyright lifting_with_mateo/Instagram/Shutterstock
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Do you want to eat your way to a slimmer waistline? Mateo Ruperti is a fat loss coach who helps “busy people lose 20 lbs in 90 days” with his LWM Blueprint. In a new post, he shares fruits that will help you burn fat faster. “10 fruits you should start eating to lose belly fat,” he writes. “No certain food is going to make you lose weight on its own, but these fruits helped me stay in a caloric deficit, which promoted fat loss. Fruits are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your fat loss goals,” he says.

Berries

Berries – including strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries – are great for fat-burning. “Packed with antioxidants and fiber, they help boost metabolism and reduce belly fat,” he says.

Apples

Young woman holding bowl full of apples in fruit orchard. Apple harvesting. Top view.​ApplesShutterstock

Next on his list is apples. “High in fiber, apples keep you full and curb overeating, helping with fat loss,” he says.

RELATED:10-Min Walking Workout Burns Fat at Home, Says Coach

Grapefruit

Juicy grapefruit pieces with fresh mint in a bowl, close up​GrapefruitShutterstock

Also stock up on grapefruit. “Known for its fat-burning properties, grapefruit can lower insulin levels and promote fat loss,” he says.

Avocados

Sliced,Avocado,On,A,Cutting,Board​AvocadoShutterstock

It’s no surprise that avocados made his list of fat-burning fruit. “Full of healthy fats, avocados keep you satisfied and support fat metabolism,” he writes.

Pineapple

Close up,Sliced and half of Pineapple(Ananas comosus) on wooden table with blurred garden background.Sweet,sour and juicy taste.Have a lot of fiber,vitamins C and minerals.Fruits or healthcare concept​PineappleShutterstock

Pineapple is not only sweet and delicious, it can help you lose weight. “Contains bromelain, an enzyme that can aid digestion and reduce bloating,” he writes.

RELATED:17 Pre-Meal Foods That Burn Fat Like Ozempic, According to an Expert

Kiwi

fresh kiwi fruit as background​KiwisShutterstock

Kiwi is another tropical fruit with fat-burning powers. “High in vitamin C and fiber, kiwis help reduce belly fat and improve digestion,” he says, calling it the “cheat code.”

Watermelon

Slices of fresh watermelon on the rustic wooden table​Low-Calorie FruitsShutterstock

Watermelon is sweet and will help you slim down. “With high water content, it keeps you hydrated and helps control hunger,” he says.

Peaches

Yellow Peach with slice in wooden basket, Fresh Yellow Peach fruit in wooden bowl on wooden background.​PeachesShutterstock

Add peaches to your shopping cart for weight loss benefits. “Full of fiber and low in calories, peaches help reduce fat while satisfying your sweet cravings,” he says.

Papaya

Fresh ripe papaya fruits on wooden table, closeup​PapayaShutterstock

Another great fruit for fat loss? Papaya. “Contains enzymes that help with digestion and can reduce bloating,” he says.

RELATED:30 Best Protein Foods That Melt Fat Almost Instantly

Oranges

fresh orange fruits with leaves as background, top viewShutterstock

The last fruit for weight loss? Oranges. “Rich in vitamin C, oranges can boost metabolism and support fat burning,” he says.

Add Them to Your List

Add these to your shopping list and lose weight fast. “These fruits helped me stay on track with my nutrition and fat loss goals—try adding them to your routine to stay on top of your progress!” he writes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't missthese 8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat.

Emily Ogan livefitwithem
7 Habits to Help You Become “Unrecognizable” by Spring Break
Copyright livefitwithem/Instagram
Evidence-Based

This content references scientific studies and academic research, and is fact-checked to ensure accuracy.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strives to be objective, unbiased, and honest.

We are committed to bringing you researched, expert-driven content to help you make more informed decisions around food, health, and wellness. We know how important making choices about your overall health is, and we strive to provide you with the best information possible.

Are you struggling to lose weight? Your body might be holding onto fat instead of burning it. Emily Ogan is an Advanced Macro and Hormone Specialist. “I help busy women find balance + results,” she writes in her Instagram bio. In a new social media post, she reveals that a key reason you could be failing at weight loss is that your body isn’t in fat-burning mode. “Here’s the truth: Your body isn’t in fat-burning mode—it’s stuck in fat-storing mode,” she writes.

HIgh Intensity Workouts and Undereating Could Be Throwing Off Your Hormones

“High-intensity workouts and undereating can spike your cortisol (stress hormone), throw off your hormones, and tell your body to cling to fat—especially around your belly. To switch to fat-burning mode, you need to work with your body, not against it,” she says, explaining how to do it.

RELATED:30 Best Protein Foods That Melt Fat Almost Instantly

First, Ditch Endless Cardio and Bootcamps

The first thing she recommonds? “Ditch the endless cardio and bootcamp workouts. While they might feel productive, they can elevate cortisol levels and keep your body in stress mode. This significantly stalls your fat loss,” she says.

Second, Strength Train

“Focus on strength training instead,” she continues. ”Building muscle not only tones your body but also boosts your metabolism so you burn more calories all day long—even while you’re resting. Strength training is the key to lasting fat loss after 35.”

Third, Don’t Starve Your Body

And third, “Stop starving your body,” she says. “Skipping meals or drastically cutting calories tanks your metabolism and leaves your body with no fuel to function. This survival mode makes it even harder to lose weight.”

Strength Train Three Times a Week

The Solution? “Swap the bootcamp and cardio-heavy classes for 3-4 strength training sessions per week,” she says.

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And, Fuel Your Body with Protein, Fiber, and Healthy Carbs

You also need to make adjustments to your diet. “Fuel your body with protein, fiber, and healthy carbs at every meal- and be sure you’re eating ENOUGH to rev your metabolism and get you into fat burning mode,” she said.

Finally, Be Consistent

And last but not least, stick to it. “Focus on consistency—not extremes—to reset your metabolism and hormones,” she writes.

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Wake Up Earlier

In another post, she reveals more habits to shape up fast, starting with waking up earlier. “Set your day off on the right foot by giving yourself time to create a non-stressful morning,” she suggests. “Whether you wake up early to workout or not- this was probably the biggest shift that made the biggest difference for me.”

Hydrate

She also recommends prioritizing hydration. “Hydrate with electrolytes,” she recommends. “It all starts with a hydrated system. Electrolytes help your system function optimally, balance hormones, and curb sugar cravings.”

Walk More

Also, amp up your steps. “Walking is the most accessible and effective form of exercise. Aim for 8-10k steps a day- ideally getting your dose of vitamin D while you’re at it- and you’ll take fat burning to the next level,” she writes.

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Track Your Macros

Macro tracking is also important. “Learn what your food is made up of, and the right balance of macros that your unique body needs to be able to thrive and get results,” she says. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.