How this couple started running, lost 200 pounds together

Welcome to GMA's New Year, New Start. As we ring in the new year, we are sharing everything you need to kick off this year anew. From boosting your mental health to finding the tips and inspiration to become your strongest self, we have you covered.

An Atlanta couple is inspiring others after losing nearly 200 pounds together.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Camille and Marlon Jones were struggling to get in shape.

“We were in denial for a very long time about how far we let ourselves go,” said Camille, who weighed 205 pounds one year ago.

It wasn’t until Marlon’s physical exam, which revealed that he was pre-diabetic and experiencing sleep apnea, that the couple realized that it was time to make a change.

They decided the best way to get fit would be to do it together.

“We’ve realized that working together as a team is going to be our biggest thing,” said Marlon, who weighed more than 470 pounds at the time.

Camille took over the nutrition side of their weight loss journey and Marlon took charge of the workouts.

By incorporating healthy foods into their diet and making the weight loss process fun with different workouts, the couple started to see visible changes, and even discovered a new love for running.

“We knew we wanted to start running, but we had no idea where to go,” Marlon said. “So we did our first run in a business parking lot. We ran for 2.3 miles around and around the parking lot.”

Camille also got creative in the kitchen, transforming some of their favorite meals by putting a healthy twist on them.

For Marlon’s personal favorite food, nachos, Camille found a way to make the dish healthier by using low-carb tortillas and ground turkey and chicken chorizo instead of fatty meats.

The Joneses credit each other for staying on track to reach their health goals. Since starting their weight loss journey, Camille has lost 40 pounds and Marlon has lost nearly 150 pounds.

Their biggest advice for others this year who are looking to focus on their health is to not doubt yourself.

“Try it before you say you can’t do it,” Camille said. “And most of the time, you’ll find out you can.”

Get Camille’s nacho recipe below.

NOT Yo Nachos Recipe

Ingredients
1 pack of low-carb tortillas
1lb ground turkey
1/2lb spicy chicken chorizo
1 yellow onion
4 jalapeños (can use green bell pepper as substitute)
1 tablespoon Minced garlic
1 tablespoon Chilli powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 heirloom tomato
Plain Greek yogurt
Homemade chipotle queso

Ingredients for chipotle queso
1/2 lb of shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3/4 cup green onions, finely chopped
3.5 oz diced tomatoes (I use cherry tomato)
1/2 teaspoon each ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, pink Himalayan salt (add more, if desired)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (add more to taste if desired)
13 oz unsweetened almond milk
4 oz fire roasted green chiles (or jalapeños)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

Directions for tortilla chips:
Preheat air fryer 350 degrees.

Cut tortillas into triangles.

Sprinkle with pink Himalayan salt.

Place tortillas into an air fryer and cook for 4-6 min.

Take the chips out of the air fryer and give them a toss.

Pop back in for a couple of minutes if not crispy enough to your liking.

Directions for queso:
Melt butter in a medium-sized pot over medium-heat. Sauté the green onions until soft.

Then add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add in the diced tomatoes, green chiles, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, pink Himalayan salt, and cayenne pepper. Cook while stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes until soft and fragrant.

Pour in the unsweetened almond milk, stirring well to combine.

Bring to a boil, then add the cheese, mixing well. Cook, while stirring, until cheese just melts through the milk and transforms into a smooth sauce. Take off heat immediately.

Stir in cilantro and season with salt and cayenne pepper to taste if needed. Mix well.

Directions for nachos:
In a medium pan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add in diced onions. Let simmer for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Then add in diced jalapenos and let cook for another 5 min.

Remove onions and jalapenos from the pan set to the side.

In the same pan add in ground turkey and season with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder and black pepper. Stir and cook for 3-4 min. Add in the spicy chicken chorizo and cook 8-10 or until fully cooked through.

Take one handful of chips and place on a plate. Then add queso cheese over top. Add meat mixture. Add onions and jalapenos. Add diced heirloom tomato and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.

Recipe reprinted with permission from Camille Jones.

Editor's note: This was originally published on Jan. 13, 2021.