Leslie Jones, the hilarious actress and comedian, has embarked on a remarkable weight loss journey, inspiring many with her dedication and openness. Her story isn't just about shedding pounds; it's about transforming her lifestyle, mindset, and overall well-being.
The Doctor's Wake-Up Call and Initial Steps
Jones revealed that her journey began with a doctor's recommendation to lose 40 pounds. This served as the initial catalyst for change. The first step she took was eliminating soda and juice from her diet, a simple yet effective change that led to a significant 20-pound weight loss. "The first thing is for your doctor to tell you that you need to lose 40 lbs.," she said on Live with Kelly. "I got rid of soda and juice, that was the first thing I did. That literally was 20 lbs."
The Role of Exercise and a Supportive Friend
Beyond dietary changes, exercise played a crucial role in Jones' transformation. Her co-star Kate McKinnon provided invaluable support by encouraging her to walk to and from dinner. "Every time we went to dinner she would make me walk to dinner, we would walk after dinner," Jones said. This initial step gradually evolved into a more structured workout routine that included yoga and mindful eating. While acknowledging her "sweet tooth that's a killer," Jones emphasized her commitment to making healthier choices.
A Nerd Fitness Success Story
Leslie's journey is also a testament to the power of personalized coaching and a supportive community. As one of the longest-running members of the Nerd Fitness (NF) Coaching Program, Jones has experienced a comprehensive transformation that extends beyond physical appearance.
Overcoming Past Struggles
Like many, Leslie had a history of yo-yo dieting and unhealthy habits. She admitted to being overweight her whole life, attempting "every diet out there, starved, binged, starved again, the whole nine yards." By the age of 13, she was "severely overweight and heavier than most adults!" In her 20s, she achieved her goal weight with a name-brand program but eventually regained the weight due to unhappiness and a return to bad habits.
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A Turning Point: Family and Motivation
A significant turning point occurred in December 2015 when her 24-year-old son was diagnosed as prediabetic. Crushed by the guilt of passing on her poor eating habits, Leslie resolved to make a change, not only for herself but also for her son. On January 1st, 2016, she embarked on a new diet with her son, seeking a sustainable approach that didn't involve restrictive measures like "weighing and measuring food or counting points." This rocked her to her core, knowing that it was HER habits that he had learned from. She knew something had to change, and they began exercising together.
Finding the Right Approach with Nerd Fitness
Leslie's search for a more effective and enjoyable approach led her to Nerd Fitness. She had stumbled across Staci’s success story on Nerd Fitness and instantly identified with her. Leslie wanted to be like Staci, but she didn’t know where to start. She knew the starvation/treadmill option didn’t work, and she didn’t have years and years to spend doing more trial-and-error. She decided to make an investment in herself and try a program that spoke her language as a gamer: the Nerd Fitness Academy. As she started to see progress, her mentality started to shift: after years of struggle, things were finally working! And she wondered what would happen if she dialed up the guidance, accountability, and expert knowledge.
Personalized Coaching and a Focus on Mindset
Working with NF Coach Jim, Leslie developed personalized eating plans, exercise routines, and habits. She received feedback through form checks and countless tips on stretching, endurance, lifting, and working smarter. Leslie was in a fortunate position that she could afford to invest in herself to save time, but most importantly, hire expert guidance and accountability. When Leslie encountered Nerd FItness, she had 30+ years of boom-and-bust, starve-and-gain-it-back mentality to overcome, and 100 pounds of inertia to overcome too. She knew that she would “never be done,” and that a temporary diet meant temporary results. So she had to enjoy the process!
However, as she approached her "magical goal weight," she began to panic, realizing that she needed to learn how to maintain her progress long-term. This is the one that I think separated Leslie from another half-hearted attempt and failure at weight loss. When she attempted our beginner bodyweight workout for the first time, she was so tired during and so sore the next day that she could barely move. This is where most people use soreness or the fact that they struggled with the workout as a negative thing that causes them to give up before they get started. She took the soreness as a sign that what she was doing was WORKING! And she loved feeling sore. Leslie knew that if she struggled at a beginner workout, that she started at just the right time and that she could see progress would come. Week after week, month after month, she chased that soreness and challenge. After all, as gamers we need to feel progress and that our efforts are WORTH IT, right?
Leslie emphasized the importance of mindset in her transformation. "What I didn’t realize was how much of the undertaking involved dealing with issues from my past and learning how to handle them differently so I didn’t slip back into old unhealthy habits." Coach Jim helped her address these underlying issues, reinforcing the idea that mindset is a crucial component of sustainable change.
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Embracing New Activities and a Healthier Lifestyle
Leslie's weight loss journey has led her to discover a love for activities she never imagined she would enjoy. "When I started all I wanted to do was lose weight. What I discovered, instead, was that I actually love running (WTF?), and lifting weights (the Wolverine Workout is my FAVORITE), and exploring the great outdoors, and archery… OMG I love archery!" Now Leslia wants to find out what she’s capable of - she does handstand practice. And gymnastic rings work. She’s getting strong as hell. She loves running! And I love that more than anything!
From Social Anxiety to Confidence
Beyond the physical benefits, Leslie's transformation has had a profound impact on her social life and self-confidence. Once shy and socially awkward, she now embraces social events without worrying about her weight. "These days, when I get an invite to something, my weight never even crosses my mind! I no longer have trouble approaching new situations or interacting with new people, and I can keep and maintain eye contact (in a totally non-creepy way, I swear)."
Staying Accountable and Tracking Progress
To stay accountable, Leslie weighed herself weekly, took measurements every few months, and even underwent DEXA body scans. While acknowledging the initial difficulty of seeing herself in photos ("Inside I felt like gold bikini Princess Leia, but all I could see in the snapshots was Jabba the Hutt"), she recognized the value of tracking progress visually.
Future Goals and a Message of Empowerment
Leslie's journey is far from over. She continues to set new goals, pushing her limits and exploring new activities. Her story serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that lasting change is possible with dedication, the right support, and a positive mindset.
She embodies the message that "You are where you are for whatever reason, but it is only temporary and does not define who you are or who you can become!" And most importantly, remember Leonard Snart’s “4 Rules of Acting”: 1) Make the plan. 2) Execute the plan. 3) Expect the plan to go off the rails.
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Leslie had started and stopped a bazillion times in the past with regards to getting in shape. She was always chasing quick fixes and losing weight in a miserable way only to put the weight back on.
A Nerd's Passion
Leslie: I’m a huuuuge Sci-Fi and fantasy fan, and love all things Marvel, DC, LOTR, Star Wars, Princess Bride, Doctor Who, Goonies, Indiana Jones, zombie, vampire, witches, time travel, etc! The nerdier, the better, and I will take it in movie, book, game, or comic form, don’t care… if there is a Sci-Fi or fantasy story to be told, I want it! LESLIE: Ohhhhh, so much LOTR! If I could magic myself into that world as an Elven Ranger, I would do it in a heartbeat!
Key Takeaways from Leslie Jones' Weight Loss Journey
- Start with Small, Sustainable Changes: Eliminating soda and juice was a simple yet effective first step.
- Find a Supportive Network: The encouragement from friends, family, or a coach can make a significant difference.
- Focus on Mindset: Addressing underlying emotional issues and developing a positive self-image is crucial for long-term success.
- Embrace Activities You Enjoy: Finding activities you love makes exercise more sustainable and enjoyable.
- Track Your Progress: Monitoring your weight, measurements, and other metrics can help you stay motivated and accountable.
- Be Patient and Persistent: Weight loss is a journey, not a destination. There will be setbacks along the way, but it's important to keep going.
- Invest in Yourself: Whether it's time, money, or both, investing in your health and well-being is always a worthwhile endeavor.
- Make A Commitment to be Nice to Future You.
- Find an accountability buddy or hire professional accountability.