Jaz & Nesha Open Up About Weight Loss Journey on ‘1000-Lb. Roomies’

Best friends Jaz Wallace and Nesha Harris, stars of TLC’s reality series “1000-Lb Roomies,” are opening up about their decades-long struggles with weight and their renewed determination to change their lives.

Per TLC, the series follows the roommates as they take on the challenges of weight loss, mental health, and accountability. In an exclusive interview with People, the women spoke candidly about the hardships they’ve faced, what finally pushed them to take action, and how they support each other every step of the way.

“Baby Steps” Toward Change

Jaz, 41, said she’s tried nearly everything over the years, from water aerobics to crash diets. “I tried everything from pills to working out to water aerobics to fasting, just anything possible. Anything that was quick and fast,” she told People. “So I would lose maybe 20 lbs. and then gain it right back, plus double. The heaviest I weighed was 670 lbs.”

She admitted her previous attempts often felt doomed from the start. “They would put me on nutrition plans, offer medication, but I wouldn’t take any of it serious,” she said. “I would honestly self-sabotage like, it’s not going to work, so why try?”

Though both women had received repeated warnings from doctors, it wasn’t until Jaz was hospitalized that reality hit hard. “What inspired me was hearing my doctor tell me that I wouldn’t be around much longer,” Jaz told Parade

Motivated by her best friend’s wake-up call, Nesha joined the journey as well. She’s committed to taking “baby steps” and doing the internal work that fuels long-term success. “You kind of get conditioned to hearing it,” Nesha said. “Since I was a little girl, every doctor’s visit, it’s like ‘You’re going to die.’”

Together, they’re learning to make more mindful choices — including drinking more water, practicing portion control, and limiting their beloved taco nights. “We’re learning. So we would do four tacos before and now we’re doing two. We’re learning how to really cut back.” 

Taking Accountability

Jaz and Nesha say being on camera has brought a sense of pressure — but also purpose. “It’s accountability with a hint of added pressure basically,” Nesha explained. “But I’m excited because I feel like, from the outside looking in, we all judge each other.”

Jaz echoed the sentiment, emphasizing her hope to be a voice for others who are silently struggling. “Now that I will have these supporters, I don’t want to disappoint,” she said. “And I’ll be reaching as many people as I can who struggle with the same things I do. So I’ll get to be a face to let them know: You’re not in this by yourself.”

“1000-Lb. Roomies” premieres Tuesday, June 3, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on TLC.