Few would deny that Mama June Shannon has achieved remarkable weight loss but they do question the reality TV celebrity's methods. In 2015 the star of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" denied undergoing bariatric surgery, but her new show, "From Not to Hot," proved she had. June was voted among the best celebrity weight losers in Women's Health, but she is still crediting diet and exercise and neglecting to mention gastric bypass and plastic surgery.
Mama June earns top celebrity weight loss success story
Among celebrities, Mama June takes the cake for most weight lost, dropping from 464 pounds to size 4.
The WETV reality television show "From Not to Hot" chronicled her journey with personal trainer Kenya Crooks. Daughters "Honey Boo Boo" Alana Thompson and Lauren "Pumpkin" Shannon and even ex-Sugar Bear, Mike Thompson, and his new wife, Jennifer Lamb, marveled at how June overcame obesity. They were wowed by her makeover after weight loss surgery, skin removal surgery, tummy tuck and breast implant. But that didn't stop the doubt.
Mama June's disingenuous weight loss plan
Most people rejoice for the formerly obese mom of TLC and WeTV, but they are also puzzled by the numbers. Virtually none of the Youtube, Twitter and Facebook commenters believe that the reality television star weighs 138 pounds (her lowest claim) or wears a size 4 ("more like 12" is the consensus).
Not only did claim seem exaggerated, viewers saw her blowing the diet and giving some strange diet tips. Many were troubled that Shannon didn't heed "The Doctors" or Dr. Oz on Honey Boo Boo's weight.
Does it matter how Mama June lost weight?
The fact that June Shannon seems to hide the gastric bypass surgery, plastic surgery, and tummy tuck troubles people.
Many distrust weight loss surgery, period.The show "My 600-lb Life" follows morbidly obese people after bariatric surgery. Often their weight loss is faulted as disingenuous because it was surgically induced. Some fear Honey Boo Boo will follow mom's lead on surgery while still overeating.
Lessons learned from Mama June
Some of the things learned from June Shannon are what not to do.
An interview showed the "Honey Boo Boo" celebrity pigging out on BBQ, ice cream, cake and junk food. Weight loss requires constant vigilance if you do it "naturally" with diet and exercise and especially if you have bariatric surgery. She lied about dieting in order to get skin removal surgery. Some positive steps Mama June has taken is to drop soda pop in favor of Propel water. Kenya Crooks also uses fruit to quell salty snack cravings, though TLC's Dr. Younan Nowzaradan nixes sugary fruits and juices on the post-surgical diet.
