PHOTO – Jordin Sparks Reveals How She Lost 50 Pounds! Shows Off Body In Bikini

“I just wanted to be healthy,” she says of losing weight. “I remember thinking, ‘I’m in my prime. I should be happy and fit.’ That was the moment I decided that changes needed to be made.”

So how did she do it? Well Jordin reveals she first cut out unhealthy meals on the go a.k.a surgary drinks, pastries, and late night dinners in hotel rooms. Jordin replaced those foods with healthy options such as Smartfood popcorn, and sauteed turkey breast with steamed carrots.  She also reduced her food portion sizes by making certain her meals fit onto a normal sized plate, while finally making sure she never ate two hours before bedtime.

In addition to the diet, exercise played a big role. “I had to start gradually,” reveals Jordan, which meant taking daily walks near her home. “Soon I was able to shift to a more challenging pace and go hiking in the nearby mountains.”  She also joined a gym and started taking Zumba classes.

Jordin however admits dropping the pounds was no easy task. “I knew I had a long road ahead of me. I was barely working out and my diet was a mess,” she states. “I had to address when, what and how much I was eating.”

After several months, Jordin reveals she started to notice a change in her body. “The weight really started falling off and I could see my muscles,” she tells Shape. “It was awesome!”

Jordin’s new movie Sparkle is set to hit the theaters on August 17.