What Motivated ‘Good Morning America’s’ Tory Johnson To Lose 62 Pounds

Good Morning America weekly contributor Tory Johnson is known for her regular ‘Deals and Steals’ segment, offering viewers the latest top products at bargain prices. Fans may not realize that Johnson attained a major achievement not too long ago, making a major shift in her mind and health.

A life-changing conversation

Johnson made the decision to embark on a weight-loss journey after having a talk with her boss that she took as having an underlying message. “One of my bosses told me my clothes didn’t do me justice, and she wanted to send me to a stylist,” Johnson told Glamour in 2013. “She never used the words ‘fat’ or ‘lose weight,’ but I interpreted her words to mean ‘lose weight or lose your job.'”

While Johnson’s boss has said that was not her intent, the GMA contributor decided to take action. “She insists my role was never in jeopardy,” Johnson said. “The chat changed my life, and I’m forever grateful. After being fat forever, I lost 62 pounds in one year.”

In her book “The Shift: How I Finally Lost Weight and Discovered a Happier Life,” Johnson described the literal shift in her mindset after that discussion with her boss. “My whole life, I’ve rotated through fad diets and seesawed between denial and acceptance, and now I feel the seeds of an unfamiliar emotion, at least when it comes to weight loss: determination,” she wrote. “Twelve hours earlier, I thought I’d be crying myself to sleep. Instead, I am surprised to find I actually feel a tiny tinge of excitement. I can do this, I think. This time can be different.“

The journey

Johnson believes that you have to be completely prepared to forge ahead on the road to losing weight, making determination your guide. “You can’t begin this journey until you’re ready — really ready. You have to choose: preference or priority,” she wrote in her book. “My preference, hands down, is to eat whatever I want… But my priority is to lose a lot of weight, and that must always trump my food preference. When it comes down to it, the question is, what is your priority? And what are you willing to forgo to achieve it?”

According to Glamour, Johnson has a list of do’s and don’ts that she swears by:

• DO weigh yourself daily. If you’re up, you’re more determined. If you’re down, you’re more motivated.

• DO read nutritional labels or check an app. Paying attention to these details enables all of us to make smart food choices.

• DO grab nail polish instead of bingeing. Yup, applying clear topcoat has saved me from countless calories. You can’t stick wet nails into a bag of chips.

• DON’T give into temptation before pausing. A walk around the block beats an Oreo bender any day.

• DON’T destroy unflattering photos. Some people are motivated by looking at supermodels in bikinis. For me, there’s nothing like dozens of awful pictures of my (former) triple chin to help me stay the course.

Sweet victory

After one year of starting her new meal plan, Johnson lost 62 pounds. The married mom of twins relished the accomplishment while realizing the battle will never completely be over. “It hasn’t always been easy saying no to my favorite foods, but it’s all been doable. I’m not finished with this journey — I don’t think I ever will be,” she wrote.

Despite the challenges, Johnson is staying on her road to wellness and even wrote a follow-up book “Shift for Good: How I Figured It Out and Feel Better Than Ever.” The GMA star is grateful for the benefits her commitment has reaped.

“I’m happier and healthier. On the simple side, I have far more clothing choices and I don’t leave dressing rooms empty-handed because nothing fits,” Johnson shared. “On the serious side, I avoided the doctor for more than 10 years because I didn’t want a lecture about my weight. I finally had a physical and my first mammogram. Nothing feels better than hearing the doctor say, ‘You’re healthy!'”

Johnson encourages those who want to lose weight to take the step and be patient with themselves and the process. “The past doesn’t have to define your future. You can change your mind for a happier, healthier, better life,” she said. “It’s not easy, nor does it happen overnight. But with patience and perseverance, you can make big things happen. My shift is living proof of that.”