A couple have gone viral sharing their weight loss journey together – after undergoing ‘life-changing’ surgery.
Nerissa Stewart, 38, an influencer from Los Angeles, US, and her husband Chris, 38, live together with their five children and have collectively lost nearly 17st in one year.
At her heaviest, Nerissa weighed 17st 6lbs, while Chris weighed 22st 5lbs.
While they were both active, they recall putting on weight since their marriage in 2014, which affected their energy levels, sleep and overall health.
Soon, both started suffering from joint pain and Chris was prescribed medication for high blood pressure.
For Nerissa, the turning point came in 2018 after her son, Kingston, told her she was “fat.”
“My youngest told me one day ‘mommy you’re fat’ and this was after we had tried many diets, as well as countless days at the gym,” Nerissa told NeedToKnow.Online.
“We wanted to lose weight and be healthy and active for our family.
“Chris had started to do the research for bariatric surgery, which helps to make changes to the digestive system, leading to weight loss.
“[Soon], he had a consultation set up with a surgeon and I went to support him.”
In July 2019, the pair decided to move forward with the life-changing surgery, with their procedures booked in only one week apart.
Within four months, they started to see results and Nerissa now weighs 10st 8lbs, with Chris weighing in at 14st 5lbs.
Before, they would often eat biscuits from a fast food restaurant, as well as potatoes for breakfast, with chicken salad on croissants for lunch and jambalaya or pizza for dinner.
Now, they’ll have a protein shake or egg bites to start off their day, with yoghurt or deli meat for lunch, salmon and vegetables for dinner and a protein bar or fruit as a snack.
As their appearance has changed dramatically, the couple decided to share their transformation on TikTok, racking up 1.5 million views and 98,000 likes.
In the clip, they begin by showing a video of them before with the text: “For the past three years, I’ve allowed my husband to date other women…”
She reveals a slideshow of pictures, with different names attached to each “version” of her throughout the transformation.
Users shared their reactions in the comments, with many believing Chris had multiple girlfriends.
“You had me in the first half. Thinking to myself, wow he sure has a type,” one viewer commented.
Another person added: “I was like he has a specific type. So beautiful in all.”
“Nah cause the comments made me realise it’s you,” someone else said. [sic]
One viewer added: “YES I LOVE THIS!”
“Mans def got a type,” another person said. [sic]
Now, the couple have gained a new lease on life and say they’ve grown closer.
She said: “As a couple, we have grown closer and love to travel, as well as enjoy activities we couldn’t do before weight loss, such as zip lining and cliff diving.
“We are super active with the kids and also challenge each other through workouts and various walking or fitness challenges.
“Now, we run, swim and play basketball with the kids.”
In July 2021, they welcomed their fifth child, Harrison, and claim that the weight loss helped boost fertility.
Despite gaining 38lbs during her pregnancy, Nerissa quickly lost the extra weight just three weeks after delivery.
Now, she focuses on fitness and toning – as well as giving advice to those who are looking to lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle.
She added: “Anyone can incorporate a bariatric-like lifestyle by eating smaller portions with emphasis on protein, as well as drinking lots of water and at least thirty minutes of movement a day.
“People always ask us if we have regrets and the only regret is that we didn’t have the surgery [sooner].
“We are very active in the community and have spoken on panels, as well as delivered keynotes on topics such as pregnancy or relationships [after weight loss].
“This year, we have hosted a bariatric fashion show featuring 50 plus patients at different stages of their journey.”
