The Oscar-winning actress opens up about her incredible 100+ pound weight loss journey and the tough love that changed her life
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Mo’Nique is giving us ALL the inspiration we need! The Oscar-winning actress and comedian recently shared a powerful update about her weight loss journey, revealing she’s under 200 pounds for the FIRST time since she was a teenager over 30 years ago. But here’s what makes this story even more beautiful – she’s crediting her husband Sidney Hicks for helping her get there!
🎯 THE MILESTONE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING
The star admitted she had not weighed below 200 pounds since she was a teenager. Think about that for a moment over THREE DECADES at a weight that was affecting her health, her energy, and her quality of life. But Mo’Nique didn’t just want to lose weight for vanity – this was about survival.
In a recent Instagram post, Mo’Nique shared a throwback photo with her husband Sidney Hicks, revealing: “IN THIS PICTURE I WAS OVER 300 LBS WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE ALMOST”. The actress has been transparent about her journey, losing an impressive 100 pounds through dedication, discipline, and the support of her loving husband.
THE HUSBAND WHO WOULDN’T LET HER QUIT
The comedian has been married to Hicks since 2006, and his tough love over the years pushed her towards a healthier lifestyle.
But what does “tough love” really mean in this context? It’s not about criticism or making someone feel bad about themselves. Sidney’s approach was about caring enough to have difficult conversations, supporting her through the hard days, and refusing to enable unhealthy habits just to avoid conflict.
Mo’Nique has spoken publicly about how Sidney held her accountable when she wanted to give up, celebrated every small victory, and reminded her why she started this journey when motivation waned. That’s the kind of partnership that transforms lives!
🚫 NO SURGERY, NO SHORTCUTS – JUST HARD WORK
Here’s what makes Mo’Nique’s story even MORE inspiring: Mo’Nique has been very public and firm that her weight loss was achieved entirely through diet, exercise, and hard work, with no surgical intervention.
In an era where weight loss surgery and quick fixes are everywhere, Mo’Nique chose the harder path. She put in the WORK:
Her Approach:
- Clean eating: Her diet focuses on clean, whole foods
- Consistent exercise: Regular workouts became non-negotiable
- Accountability: Keeping her followers updated to stay motivated
- Mental commitment: Understanding this was a lifestyle change, not a diet
The comedy queen worked hard to achieve her goals, focusing on a healthy diet and exercise instead of going the surgery route. She made it a point to keep her followers updated so that they, too, would be motivated.
📅 THE JOURNEY: FROM 300+ POUNDS TO UNDER 200
The numbers tell an incredible story:
Starting Point: Over 300 pounds with high blood pressure and serious health concerns Current: Under 200 pounds with controlled blood pressure and renewed energy Total Loss: 100+ pounds Timeframe: Several years of consistent effort
But these numbers don’t capture the full story. They don’t show:
- The days she didn’t want to work out but did anyway
- The times she chose a salad over comfort food
- The moments of doubt when the scale wouldn’t budge
- The emotional journey of changing her relationship with food
- The support system that kept her going
🎬 FROM ‘PRECIOUS’ TO PRECIOUS HEALTH
Mo’Nique isn’t just any celebrity sharing a weight loss story. This is an Oscar-winning actress who starred in “Precious” and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She’s a comedy legend who was part of The Queens of Comedy and starred in the beloved sitcom “The Parkers” for five years.
She’s achieved success at every size, but this journey wasn’t about fitting Hollywood’s standards – it was about living long enough to enjoy that success and be there for her family.
💬 SHARING THE JOURNEY WITH HER “LOVES”
She made the announcement on Instagram encouraging her ‘loves’ to continue their hard work. “I said that I would share this journey”, showing her commitment to inspiring others on similar paths.
Mo’Nique hasn’t gatekept her journey. She’s been open, honest, and vulnerable about every step:
- The struggles with food addiction
- The embarrassing moments that motivated change
- The plateaus that tested her patience
- The victories, both scale and non-scale
- The role her husband played in her success
This transparency has made her a beacon of hope for thousands of people fighting similar battles.
🏃♀️ STAYING ACTIVE AND KEEPING IT OFF
Mo’Nique posted a video of herself dancing freely in a grey and black sports bra and tights. In the video, the energetic actress is seen vibing to some fun gym music with another gym-goer who is known only as “Aunt Wanda”.
This is what success looks like! Mo’Nique isn’t suffering through workouts – she’s ENJOYING them! She’s dancing, having fun, building community at the gym, and showing that fitness doesn’t have to be miserable.
Nearly two years ago, she reached a personal milestone: weighing under 200lbs for the first time since she was, in fact, a teenager. And while nearly everyone and their mama gained weight during the pandemic, Mo was able to keep it off.
THAT’S the real victory right there! Losing weight is hard, but KEEPING IT OFF? That’s the real challenge, and Mo’Nique is proving it can be done!
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP
Let’s talk about what Sidney Hicks did right, because this is relationship GOALS:
1. He cared about her health, not just her appearance His concern was rooted in love and wanting a long life together, not vanity.
2. He provided accountability without judgment There’s a difference between nagging and loving accountability – Sidney mastered it.
3. He probably made lifestyle changes alongside her The best partners don’t just cheer from the sidelines – they join you in the journey.
4. He celebrated her wins Every pound lost, every workout completed, every healthy choice made – he was there celebrating.
5. He didn’t give up on her Even when she struggled, he stayed committed to supporting her goals.
This is what “for better or for worse, in sickness and in health” looks like in action!
THE BIGGER MESSAGE
Mo’Nique’s journey represents so much more than weight loss:
It’s about:
- Choosing yourself and your health
- The power of a supportive partner
- Refusing to take shortcuts
- Consistency over perfection
- Being transparent about your struggles
- Inspiring others through your actions
- Proving age is just a number (she’s 57!)
- Understanding health is wealth
It’s NOT about:
- Conforming to beauty standards
- Losing weight to please others
- Quick fixes or magic pills
- Perfection or never struggling
- Shaming anyone at any size
LESSONS WE CAN LEARN
1. Find Your “Why” Mo’Nique’s why was her health and her family. What’s yours?
2. Build Your Support System You need people who will support you, hold you accountable, and celebrate with you.
3. No Shortcuts If you want lasting results, you have to put in the work. Period.
4. Share Your Journey Accountability through transparency can be powerful motivation.
5. Make It a Lifestyle This isn’t about a diet – it’s about changing how you live.
6. Celebrate Non-Scale Victories Better blood pressure, more energy, clothes fitting better – these matter too!
CELEBRATING MO’NIQUE!
At 57 years old, Mo’Nique is proving that it’s NEVER too late to prioritize your health. She’s showing us that with:
- The right support system (thank you, Sidney!)
- Consistent effort
- A willingness to be vulnerable
- Commitment to the process
- And refusing to give up
You can transform your life at ANY age!
We’re so proud of Mo’Nique for her incredible achievement and for using her platform to inspire others. This isn’t just about looking good, it’s about FEELING good, BEING healthy, and LIVING your best life!
💬 YOUR TURN!
What’s YOUR health goal? Are you inspired by Mo’Nique’s journey? Do you have a supportive partner pushing you to be your best self?
Drop your thoughts and your own health journey updates in the comments! Let’s support each other the way Sidney supported Mo’Nique! 💪❤️
RELATED: Serena Williams Ro Weight Loss Journey: Tennis Icon Opens Up About Using GLP-1 Treatments
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