Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson and her mother, Mama June Shannon, have both navigated the complexities of weight loss in the public eye. From their early days on "Toddlers & Tiaras" and "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" to "Mama June: Family Crisis," the mother-daughter duo has shared their lives, including their struggles and triumphs with weight management. This article delves into their individual journeys, exploring the methods they employed, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they learned along the way.
Mama June's Weight Loss Journey
Mama June Shannon has been giving her fans a raw look at the highs and lows of her life for over a decade. While navigating family drama and her battle with addiction, Shannon also took viewers along for the ride as she embarked on a weight-loss journey in her series "Mama June: From Not to Hot." After undergoing bariatric surgery in 2015, the reality star maintained her new weight for several years. Earlier this year, however, Shannon acknowledged that she'd gained back over 100 pounds in recent years and was ready to recommit to a healthier lifestyle.
Gastric Bypass Surgery in 2015
The series "Mama June: From Not to Hot" chronicled Shannon's weight-loss journey, including the gastric sleeve surgery she underwent in 2015. Per the Cleveland Clinic, the procedure "removes a large portion of your stomach, leaving behind a narrow 'sleeve.'" Reducing your stomach helps restrict calories and reduce hunger signals. This surgery is offered to help people with clinically severe obesity achieve effective weight loss," the Cleveland Clinic adds. Per Shannon, she went from 550 pounds to 311 pounds on the day of her surgery. "And in six weeks, I went from 311 all the way down to 195,” she told her Instagram followers in April 2024.
When she plateaued in her weight loss, Shannon started working with weight loss expert Kenya Crooks. In 2017, he told People how he helped rework Shannon's diet. “We had to change how she looked at food. We had to cut down the portions, because she used to eat really, really big. So we had to change how she ate, how she worked out, and just put it all together!” he said. In April 2017, Shannon gave ET an update on her weight. “I’m in the 160s. I’m probably four or five pounds off from being there,” she said.
Weight Regain and Revisional Surgery
For a few years after her bariatric surgery, Shannon's weight stayed stable. “Since then, I kinda kept off the weight. I stayed at like 130, 140, 150 and to me I looked super skinny and just wasn’t used to that,” she said in an Instagram video. When her daughter Anna Cardwell was diagnosed with adrenal cancer, Shannon became one of her primary caregivers and she instantly experienced an uptick in her stress levels. While focused on caring for Cardwell, who died in December 2023, Shannon didn't have much time to focus on eating properly. “I have noticed over the last year and a half that I’ve really put on weight,” she said in her video.
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The reality star estimated that she regained 120-130 pounds of the weight she had previously lost. Per the Mayo Clinic, this is not unusual following weight-loss surgery. "It’s also possible to not lose enough weight or to regain weight after any type of weight-loss surgery, even if the procedure itself works correctly. She considered revisional bariatric surgery In April 2024, Shannon revealed she had previously considered revisional bariatric surgery, a procedure that can "repair or change a previous weight loss surgery," per Penn Medicine.
Weight Loss Medication and Exercise
In April 2024, Shannon revealed she had previously considered revisional bariatric surgery, a procedure that can "repair or change a previous weight loss surgery," per Penn Medicine. Food & Drug Administration, there are three FDA-approved semaglutide products: Ozempic injection, Rybelsus tablets and Wegovy injection.
The reality star shared the news in an Instagram video and explained that she was starting off by taking four units of the medication for four weeks then would adjust her dosage with the help of her doctor. Over the last few months, Shannon has been sharing regular updates with her social media followers. After a month of taking weight-loss medication, the reality star reported that she'd lost 16 pounds. At the end of June, Shannon told Us Weekly she'd dropped 30 pounds so far and shared the name of the exact medication she'd been taking: tirzepatide. In addition to using weight-loss medication, Shannon has been stepping up her workout routine. It’s about being able to be healthy, being here for moments in life that you need to be here (for). And especially you want to be around for your children’s life, you want to be around for the grandkids. “My kids and Justin say I’m way too strict. And Kaitlyn (my granddaughter) says I’m way too strict. But for me, I know this is what I want. After starting out around 280 pounds in April 2024, Shannon is down to 245.4 pounds as of July 8, 2024.
Honey Boo Boo's Weight Loss Journey
Alana Frances Thompson, also known as Honey Boo Boo, has undergone an incredible weight loss transformation-there’s no denying it. Despite facing criticism about her weight loss decision at an early age, she focused on her fitness goals and continued living in high spirits. Just like Mama June Shannon, Alana, too, jumped onto the weight loss bandwagon and shared snippets of her life via her social media handles. The youngest daughter of Mama June Shannon is only 19 years old, and she has grown up in the public’s eye. However, what made everyone’s jaws drop in amazement was the Hollywood personality’s dramatic transformation. According to her manager, Alana opted for a non-surgical weight loss procedure. As per research, lifestyle interventions and antiobesity medications are a few of the nonsurgical options for obesity that have proven to be beneficial for her(1). Honey Boo Boo’s weight loss journey is indeed a story of inspiration. She has embraced her curves openly and, to date, carries her fame with her head held high.
Early Life and Career
Alana Thompson aka Honey Boo Boo is the youngest daughter of June Shannon and her longtime partner Mike "Sugar Bear" Thompson. She was born on August 28, 2005. Right from early childhood, she has been competing in beauty pageants that fetched her a lot of screen time. Alana and her mother June Shannon first appeared on the TLC series, Toddlers & Tiaras, which aired from 2009 to 2013. The success of the series led to a six-week reality series named, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, which ran in the year 2012. It featured the family and their daily lives. Cut to 2017, the family appeared on WE TV with Mama June: From Not to Hot, which chronicled the weight loss journey of Honey’s mother who weighed nearly 240 pounds and trimmed it down to 141. Weight gain and loss is hence, the common topic of discussion for the mother-daughter duo.
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The Decision for Change
Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, the reality TV star who first captured the hearts of millions on Toddlers & Tiaras and later Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, is no stranger to the spotlight. However, in 2024, her transformation took on a new form-one that was physical, emotional, and deeply personal. After years of struggles, public scrutiny, and a tumultuous journey through the world of fame, Honey Boo Boo embarked on an inspiring weight loss journey that saw her lose 100 pounds, a stunning achievement that not only changed her appearance but also reshaped her mindset and confidence.
At just 17 years old, Honey Boo Boo faced a reality that many young people struggle with: the pressures of being in the public eye while dealing with personal challenges. Over the years, she had gained significant weight, eventually reaching 325 pounds. “Being in the spotlight isn’t easy, especially when people are constantly judging you,” she shared during an interview. “I’d always been known for my fun personality, but my weight held me back. For Honey Boo Boo, the weight wasn’t just about physical appearance-it was about her sense of self-worth, how others perceived her, and how she felt on a day-to-day basis. The decision to lose weight didn’t come from external pressure but from a deep internal desire for change. “I was tired of feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. I was ready to do something about it,” she said.
Non-Surgical Weight Loss Procedure
The reality star once admitted that it was difficult for her to lose weight all by herself as she lacked the motivation to stick to healthy eating habits. As per a research paper published in NCBI, an imbalance in dietary patterns may give rise to ailments such as obesity (2). Thus, she wished to undergo weight loss surgery called suture sculpt endoscopic sleeve, which can cost upwards of $13,000 to get down to about 145 lbs. According to our contributor, Sunaina Sindhwani, a clinical nutritionist, “The effectiveness of a weight loss surgery depends on person to person. For some whose BMI is >40 and are prone to many other lifestyle diseases like hypertension, diabetes, etc, it’s effective. A healthy lifestyle maintenance, i.e., a good combination of diet and exercise, is a must for sustainability.” It is a therapeutic endoscopic technique for reducing the size of the gastric reservoir in obese patients (3).
For Boo Boo Thompson, losing weight wasn’t a cakewalk. She strived hard to look for motivation and other interventions to shed pounds naturally, but she failed. Her mother too advised her to eat healthy and lose weight. Her mother once wrote a letter to Alana stating that she had undergone a vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) aka Gastric Sleeve Surgery, which led to the removal of a portion of her stomach. It works to reduce caloric intake as well as decrease appetite due to which she experienced a reduction in her cravings (4). Having said that, Mama June also highlighted to Alana that weight loss requires sheer hard work. Mama June expressed her happiness after she came to know that her daughter was vouching for a suture sculpt endoscopic sleeve. As per a study published in NCBI, the ESG procedure is relatively safe and suitable for those unwilling to undergo a surgical procedure (2). Moreover, mommy addressed her daughter to maintain the weight loss by making healthy choices most of the time. A few years ago, Alana's manager revealed that the Mama June: Road To Redemption star planned to head to New York for weight-loss surgery. Honey Boo Boo, then 16, was reportedly making her way up north for the weight loss surgery in late August right after celebrating her 17th birthday.
While Alana initially focused on diet and exercise, there came a point when she considered weight loss surgery as part of her journey. She underwent Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG), a non-surgical weight-loss procedure. “I decided to try the procedure to give myself a little extra help. But I knew it wasn’t a magic fix,” she said. “It was just one part of my journey. Alana’s decision to undergo this procedure was driven by her desire to improve her health and give herself the best chance at success. “It wasn’t about being skinny; it was about being healthier and feeling better,” she explained.
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Diet and Exercise
Honey Boo Boo’s weight loss journey wasn’t driven by quick fixes or extreme dieting. Instead, she focused on making sustainable lifestyle changes that would help her reach her health goals. She began by cutting out processed foods and sugary snacks, opting for more nutritious meals rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. She focused on portion control and learned how to make healthier choices when it came to meals. “I don’t deprive myself,” she explained. “I just make better choices.
Honey Boo Boo is yet to reveal what her diet includes. However, she has always found it difficult to stick to healthy eating habits for shedding a few pounds naturally. As per research, the fundamental dietary advice to reduce weight includes strategies to lower the energy density of the diet. For that, one must focus on increasing vegetable and fruit consumption and decreasing consumption of high-calorie food. In addition, one must make lifestyle changes that manage their energy intake while receiving optimal nutrition, controlling hunger, and promoting satiety (5).
In addition to improving her diet, Honey Boo Boo incorporated more physical activity into her routine. While she wasn’t always a fan of intense workouts, she found that walking and dancing were fun ways to stay active without feeling overwhelmed. “I love dancing and walking around with my family. Honey Boo Boo posted a couple of photographs of her body empowerment shoot. She then, revealed that she visited the gym 5 days a week and found a big difference in how she feels and looks. In fact, her mother once wrote to her saying, “Alana, I promise, once you make fitness a habit, you'll crave it. I rolled my eyes as I typed that last sentence, but I swear, it's true.” As per a study published in NCBI, exercise is an integral part of any weight loss program. Physical activity contributes to multiple health benefits that play a huge role in both short and long-term weight loss and weight maintenance (6).
Mental and Emotional Well-being
While the physical changes were remarkable, Honey Boo Boo emphasized that her transformation wasn’t just about the numbers on the scale-it was about improving her mental health and emotional well-being. “To be honest, it was hard at times,” she admitted. “The pressure to look a certain way and to meet people’s expectations was overwhelming. But the biggest change I made wasn’t just physical. Honey Boo Boo began practicing mindfulness and self-reflection, learning to acknowledge her emotions and recognize the impact they had on her journey. “I had to learn to be kind to myself,” she said. Her mental shift played a major role in her success.
With her weight loss journey being so public, Honey Boo Boo also had to face the pressure and scrutiny of social media. As someone who had grown up in the limelight, she had always been the subject of harsh comments and judgment. “There were people who supported me, but there were also people who didn’t understand why I wanted to lose weight,” Honey Boo Boo reflected. “People have their opinions, and I knew I couldn’t let them control me. Despite the online commentary, Honey Boo Boo learned to block out the negativity and prioritize her health over external validation. “At the end of the day, it’s my life and my body,” she said. “I don’t have to live up to anyone else’s standards.
The Results
As of 2025, Alana has lost 50 pounds and continues to work toward her long-term health goals. Her transformation has been evident both physically and emotionally. “I feel like a new person. By 2025, Honey Boo Boo had lost an astounding 100 pounds, dropping from 325 pounds to 225 pounds. “Losing the weight has changed my life in so many ways,” she said. “I feel better, I have more energy, and I’m finally able to do the things I’ve always wanted to do. But for Honey Boo Boo, the physical transformation was only part of the equation. Her emotional and mental growth were just as significant. She had learned to embrace self-love, set boundaries, and prioritize her well-being.
Continuing the Journey
Though Honey Boo Boo has achieved incredible success, she doesn’t see her journey as complete. Instead, she views it as an ongoing commitment to herself. “I’m not done,” she said. Her focus remains on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and continuing to set personal goals.
Lessons Learned
Both Mama June and Honey Boo Boo's weight loss journeys offer valuable insights:
- Focus on Health, Not Just Weight: Alana’s journey is about feeling good, not just fitting into a certain mold.
- Consistency Over Perfection: Honey Boo Boo’s journey shows that small, consistent changes lead to long-term success.
- Support Systems Matter: Having a solid support system is crucial.
- Mental Health Matters: Her story highlights the importance of mental health in the weight loss process.
- Support and Self-Compassion: While external support was important, Honey Boo Boo realized that the most important support came from within.
- Be Open to Different Options: Alana didn’t hesitate to explore different avenues to achieve her goals, including weight loss surgery.
- Patience Is Key: Weight loss is a process, and there will be challenges along the way.