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Leva Bonaparte Weight Loss: What She Has Shared

By Norma Ector · · Updated

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Photo by JIP, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Leva Bonaparte is a Charleston mom and Bravo reality star, known from Southern Charm and as the boss on Southern Hospitality. She is not a fitness influencer or diet author, despite what some websites claim.

She has, however, been candid on social media about her weight. Here is what she has actually shared, based on Bravo's reporting of her posts.

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Importance of her weight loss story

Leva's story stands out because she has been honest about all of it: weight gain during pregnancy and the pandemic, the lifestyle changes she made, and her choice to have plastic surgery.

That honesty is useful. Many celebrity transformations are presented as diet and exercise alone, which can set unrealistic expectations.

Leva’s weight loss journey

In a February 2021 Instagram post reported by Bravo, Leva said she gained 70 pounds during a difficult pregnancy with her son. She added that her weight after COVID was at its highest ever.

In November 2020, she had already pushed back against critics who said she looked "chubby on TV," saying she gained weight during a very stressful time for her business and personal life.

How much weight did Leva lose?

She has not shared an exact number. She said lifestyle changes helped her lose a "good bit" of weight.

Earlier versions of this article claimed she lost 70 pounds in about a year starting in 2016. We found no source for that, and it mixes up the 70 pounds she said she gained during pregnancy.

The impact of Leva’s weight loss on her life

Leva has said she was happy with her results. She has also stressed accepting your body "for all its seasons," a message aimed at other mothers.

The Secrets to Leva’s Success

Leva’s diet

Leva said she cut all carbs from her diet. She did not share a detailed meal plan.

Cutting out carbs entirely is very restrictive and hard for many people to maintain. A dietitian can help you find a lower-carb plan that still includes enough fiber, fruits, and vegetables.

How did Leva lose weight

By her account, she combined a no-carb diet with cardio for 40 minutes, five days a week. Her Instagram fitness highlights also show planks, lunges, and weight lifting.

She said that even after losing weight, she had "stubborn areas." She consulted a board-certified plastic surgeon and had surgery, but did not say which procedure.

The role of exercise in Leva’s weight loss

Her routine, about 200 minutes of cardio a week plus some strength work, is in line with general guidance. The CDC recommends about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week and muscle strengthening on at least 2 days.

Overcoming Mental and Emotional Barriers

Leva’s journey to body positivity

In November 2020, Leva responded to body shamers on Instagram. She wrote that she still felt cute and urged mothers to accept their bodies through every season.

She also said her insecurities weren't going to stop her from moving through life "from a place of YES."

The importance of mental health in weight loss

Stress can affect eating, sleep, and weight. Leva has linked her pandemic weight gain to a stressful period in her business and personal life, and the CDC includes stress management and enough sleep among the habits that help people keep weight loss off.

How Leva overcame negative thoughts and behaviors

She hasn't described a specific technique. Her public posts focus on self-acceptance and not letting criticism hold her back.

Sharing the Journey

Leva’s social media presence

Leva has shared her story on her Instagram, including posts about her weight, workouts, and surgery. She has posted photos from before and after her surgery.

Leva’s tips and advice for those looking to lose weight

Her main advice, aimed at mothers considering surgery, was to do the work first and choose the right doctor.

If you are considering cosmetic surgery, choose a board-certified plastic surgeon and understand that it is not a weight-loss treatment. It reshapes areas after weight loss rather than replacing healthy habits.

Conclusion

Leva Bonaparte's weight loss came from cutting carbs and doing regular cardio after her weight peaked following pregnancy and COVID. She then had plastic surgery for stubborn areas.

Her openness is the real lesson. Most people can lose weight with diet and activity, but body shape is also affected by genetics, pregnancy, and age.

If you want to follow a similar path, aim for steady progress. The CDC notes that losing about 1 to 2 pounds a week is safer and easier to maintain.

FAQs

How did Leva Bonaparte lose weight?

In a February 2021 Instagram post reported by Bravo, she said she cut carbs from her diet and did cardio for 40 minutes, five days a week. She did not share detailed meal plans.

She also said she had plastic surgery for stubborn areas, without naming the procedure.

What kind of results did Leva experience?

She said lifestyle changes helped her lose a good amount of weight after her weight hit its highest point following COVID. She has not shared an exact number of pounds lost.

What motivated Leva during her weight loss journey?

She has said she wanted to get back to her pre-baby, pre-COVID figure. She gained about 70 pounds during a difficult pregnancy and gained more weight during the stressful COVID period.

What advice does Leva have for people looking to start their own weight loss journey?

She has encouraged mothers to accept their bodies through every season. On surgery, she advised doing the work first and choosing the right doctor.

Sources

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