Sue Aikens’ Incredible Weight Loss: Life Below Zero star Reveals how and Why she dropped almost 40 pounds in a year

Sue Aikens, the beloved star of Life Below Zero, is admired for her toughness, resilience, and independence as she navigates the harsh, unforgiving conditions of the Alaskan wilderness.

Living alone at Kavik River Camp, 197 miles north of the Arctic Circle, she showcases her remarkable survival skills while facing physical and environmental challenges on a daily basis.

However, in 2019, fans began to notice a different kind of transformation in Sue—one of personal health and self-discovery.

This incredible journey involved Sue making a deliberate decision to lose weight, improve her health, and reclaim her physical strength, all while continuing to thrive in one of the most isolated places on Earth.

The Beginning of the Journey: Sue’s Powerful Social Media Announcement

In September 2019, Sue Aikens took to social media to announce the start of her personal transformation. Her post, filled with humor and determination, signaled a new chapter in her life where she intended to lose weight, get in shape, and explore new aspects of herself. She wrote:

“Metamorphosis…. today… tonight… I promised pics of changes I am working on. Lose weight.. Get in shape… Explore my inner Diva… ❤ Get ready for one helluvan epic personal journey this fall. ❤ It all begins with a decision to explore. Explore Self….. Life….. anything! NEVER too old…. NEVER too weak to embrace curiosity.”

Sue’s playful yet serious tone indicated that this was not just a superficial goal—it was a deeply personal choice to prioritize her health and well-being. She was determined to take control of her body and life, especially as she approached her sixties.

The Motivation Behind Sue’s Weight Loss Journey

In an interview with Monsters & Critics in 2022, Sue revealed more details about her decision to embark on this weight loss journey.

She explained that the catalyst for the change was a series of old injuries, including significant tears in her hips that she sustained during a 2007 bear attack.

These injuries had left her struggling with mobility and physical challenges for years, and it wasn’t until October 2018 that she felt her body was ready to handle the demands of getting back in shape.

Sue explained:

“I’ve decided that there’s enough time in between the different injuries and the parts of my body that needed to heal that I could really push and start getting in shape.”

Her injuries had changed the way her body could move, making traditional forms of exercise difficult. However, she didn’t let that stop her. Sue adjusted her routine to fit her body’s current capabilities, incorporating physical activity into her everyday chores on Life Below Zero. She told fans,

“I can’t do some of the old style of exercising that I used to do, just because different body parts don’t move that way anymore. But you’ll see throughout the episodes, the chores and the things that I’m doing are very physical.”

Physical Chores as Exercise: How Sue Embraced a Healthier Lifestyle

Sue took a unique approach to her weight loss journey by turning her everyday tasks at Kavik River Camp into opportunities for physical exercise. Rather than relying on machinery or tools, she often chose to perform tasks manually.

“I choose to set down some of the machinery and do a lot by hand and a lot without tools just to start pushing the body,”

she noted. This allowed her to not only stay active but also regain strength in a way that suited her body’s limitations.

Sue’s decision to focus on her health became even more crucial as she approached her 60th birthday.

“I’m only a couple of years away from being 60 so let’s take some of the excess [weight] off so that the work is easier, so that I’m in a much healthier peak to withstand the next session of my life,”

she explained.

For Sue, this wasn’t just about losing weight; it was about preparing herself physically for the next chapter of her life, ensuring she could continue to live independently and handle the physical demands of her lifestyle.

Visible Results: Sue’s Transformation Begins

Just weeks after announcing her commitment to weight loss, Sue began posting photos showing her remarkable progress.

She appeared noticeably slimmer, and fans estimated she had lost around 30 to 40 pounds. Her face looked leaner, and she exuded confidence in her updates, showcasing the effectiveness of her determination and new lifestyle. In her updates, she shared her positive mindset, stating that “Negativity will receive the infamous Boot.”

Her fans were inspired by her dedication and transparency, with many commenting on how Sue’s journey motivated them to prioritize their own health goals.

Sue’s weight loss became more than just a personal achievement; it became a source of inspiration for her followers, proving that age or circumstances should never be barriers to self-improvement.

The Challenges of Living in the Wilderness

One of the most remarkable aspects of Sue’s weight loss journey is that she managed to achieve it while continuing to live and work in the remote and harsh conditions of Alaska.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle in such an environment presents unique challenges, including limited access to fresh food, extreme weather, and the physical demands of daily survival. Despite these obstacles, Sue remained committed to her goals, finding creative ways to incorporate physical activity into her day-to-day tasks.

Sue’s Message: Embracing Change at Any Age

Throughout her weight loss journey, Sue emphasized that change is possible at any stage of life. Her journey was about more than just physical transformation—it was a personal evolution that reflected her drive to explore life with curiosity and determination. In her original post, she reminded her followers: “NEVER too old…. NEVER too weak to embrace curiosity.” This message resonated with fans, many of whom found inspiration in Sue’s story and decided to pursue their own health and fitness goals.