Australian tennis star Jelena Dokic has publicly commented on her recent weight loss, insisting she shed the pounds for health reasons.
The Nine commentator, 41, shared a post on Instagram on Monday comparing her current appearance to what she looked like in 2023, when she was 20kg heavier.
In the caption, she emphasized that she was happy in both photos, adding that weight loss was not the goal but simply a “byproduct” of adopting healthier habits.
“The most important thing is that in both photos I am happy and proud, regardless of my weight, and I am always kind,” she began.
Australian tennis great Jelena Dokic has once again flaunted her impressive weight loss. In the photo on the left in January 2023 and on the right in 2024
“This is about HEALTH and not SIZE,” she continued. ‘So many questions about how I become healthier, what helped me lose weight. Weight loss wasn’t a priority; it’s just a byproduct of taking care of my health.”
Addressing those who accused her of crash dieting, Dokic further clarified: “I didn’t lose weight quickly. I lost 20 pounds in just under 10 months. Nothing fast.”
Dokic explained that she lost weight due to “a family history of diabetes” and the fact that she had recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
She also revealed exactly how she did it.
‘I stopped eating late at night, especially things like burgers, pizza, chips and desserts, because it made me feel so sluggish when I woke up, especially for early morning work and flights. So I don’t eat heavy meals in the evening anymore and I don’t eat after 7 p.m.,” Dokic wrote.
‘I now eat more salads and soups with my meals, such as a Caesar salad with chicken or tomato soup with multigrain bread. These types of meals keep me from feeling sluggish and full.
She also revealed exactly how she lost the impressive amount of weight
‘I now drink more water and have started using less soft drinks, even diet soft drinks.
“It’s small changes over time and while I still have my cheeseburger and fries days, it’s just a lot less and I definitely don’t eat junk food when I work and travel.”
‘It’s small changes over time and while I still have my cheeseburger and fries days, it’s just a lot less and I definitely don’t eat junk food when I work and travel. That’s it,” she concluded.
Dokic previously hit back at her trolls after facing vicious abuse on social media
It comes after Dokic hit back at trolls after she was criticized for losing weight.
She revealed on social media last week that people had shamed her for allegedly succumbing to “diet culture” and “no longer representing the plus-size population.”
‘It’s not good if you gain weight and it’s not good if you lose weight. It seems like it’s not good if you’re a size 0, 10 or 18,” Dokic said in a lengthy Instagram post.
The former Australian tennis star has long spoken out on a number of issues
“So you all know I’m very open and honest. Whether I’m gaining weight, losing weight, depressed, feeling good, experiencing the good or the bad. I am always honest about both sides.
‘So I thought I would quickly address my recent weight loss as a few people have written to me and commented as well. I lost 20 kilos from my heaviest weight last year.
‘I had some health problems but I also just wanted to get healthier and fitter and when I turned 40 last year I really started thinking about my family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems.
‘In addition, my work has increased enormously and I had to be fitter and have more energy, both physically and mentally.
‘Especially mentally, I didn’t have enough energy to keep it up. To achieve that, I had to start eating healthier.
“So I didn’t focus so much on the weight, just making better choices to feel my best.” That started to take the weight off.”
Despite living a healthier lifestyle, Dokic said she was still judged by strangers online.
Dokic says she will always remain positive about her body after being criticized for no longer representing plus-size people. Dokic pictured during her days as a professional tennis player (right)
Pictured: Dokic’s post criticizing her critics last week
“Now that a few people have already jumped on the judgment and shame train over my weight loss and said that I have succumbed to ‘diet culture’ and no longer represent the plus size people, please don’t even go there,” she went Through.
‘Being healthier and doing what’s best for me has nothing to do with it and I will always and always stand up for both size 0 and size 20 people and especially women.
‘It has always been about not judging, shaming and bullying people, regardless of their weight and height, and instead emphasizing that kindness matters, not our size.
“So even though I’ve lost 20 pounds, nothing changes.”
Dokic emphasized that she will always be against body shaming and will “always be proud of myself and not hide or embarrass myself, regardless of my size.”
‘And I will always be against body shaming and against valuing people based on their size and weight, regardless of whether I gain or lose a few pounds and clothing size.
‘Always against body shaming, no matter what.’