The most inspiring before-and-after weight loss success stories

Jo White, mum of two boys, is now 22 kilos lighter thanks to small, sustainable changes and a great sense of determination. She still flaunts her favorite color, but now she shares healthy meals – like salmon on a bed of whole grains and vegetables – with her family.

Once her weight reached almost 180 kgs in 2014, 29-year-old teacher Mallory Buettner decided it was time for a change. She turned to a diet of healthy whole foods before her doctor recommended a gastric bypass, so that her metabolism could better handle her new food intake. She shed 95 kg as a result of the surgery and then had 4.5 kilos of excess skin removed.

“As a teacher, it was important to be able to have the energy to keep up with the kids,” Buettner told The Daily Mail. “Now, they struggle to keep up with me.”

Starting at 153 kg, Alisha was already well on her way to a healthier lifestyle when she snapped this picture. Prepping a week’s worth of meals on Sundays helped her stay on track even when her schedule was crazy. How on track? She’s lost almost half of her body weight and now weighs in at 85 kg.

Monica Thomas’s weight crept up to 185 kg when she was in her 30s. Though she had always struggled with her weight, the tipping point came when she couldn’t fit into an airplane seat. Through simple steps of eating veggies, joining Zumba class, learning to hike and seeking support from weight loss groups, Thomas, now 44, has dropped 90 kg in total.

At 135 kg, Jill knew she needed to make a huge lifestyle change to get to a healthier weight. So she did just that, taking on a low-carb diet of meals like ground turkey and vegetables and lifting challenges at the gym. Now 87 kg, she maintains her weight with regular trips to the gym and continuing her healthy eating plan.

At 134 kg, Misty Mitchell wanted to lose weight, but a huge diet overhaul wasn’t possible with a tiny tot at home. She cut out all alcohol, and 18 months later she’s a slim and toned 72 kg!

Before undergoing gastric bypass surgery, Reddit user tinker0025’s life was at risk due to her weight. Now 113 kg lighter, she credits the surgery with saving her life. Not to mention, many folks think she looks years younger too!

29-year-old Amy LeRoy once weighed over 158 kg. Even after a gastric bypass surgery, she still wasn’t able to lose the weight. After downloading a calorie-counting app, she realised she was eating more than 4,000 calories a day. But giving up certain foods – like peanut butter, which she used to eat by the spoonful – she’s now down 90 kg from her heaviest.

At nearly 135 kg, Melanie said this was her least favorite picture. After getting a gastric sleeve surgery and eating healthier, Melanie, now 40 kg lighter, is finally able to enjoy being active with her young daughter.