You’ve seen the thumbnails. A woman standing sideways, maybe looking a little bloated or tired, and then—flash—she’s beaming, toned, and holding a pair of jeans that used to be tight but now gap at the waist. It’s the classic grow with jo before and after hook that populates every corner of YouTube and TikTok. But honestly? Most people looking at those transformations are asking the wrong questions. They want to know "how long did it take?" when they should be asking "how did she actually stick with it?"
Johanna Devries, the brain behind Grow with Jo, didn’t invent walking. She just made it feel like a party in your living room. Her "Big Happy Walk" philosophy is basically the antithesis of the grueling, "no pain no gain" fitness culture that dominated the early 2010s. If you’re scouring the internet for grow with jo before and after stories, you’re likely trying to figure out if walking in place for 30 minutes can actually change your body.
The short answer? Yeah, it can. But the nuance is where things get interesting.
The Science of the "Walking Workout" Transformation
Low-impact steady-state exercise (LISS) is having a massive moment, and Jo is at the center of it. When you look at a grow with jo before and after photo, you aren't just seeing fat loss. You're seeing a reduction in chronic cortisol levels. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is great for some, but for others, it’s a stressor that triggers inflammation and water retention. Jo’s workouts typically keep the heart rate in a "fat-burning zone"—roughly 60% to 70% of your maximum heart rate.
It’s simple math, really. If you enjoy the workout, you do it. If you do it, you stay in a caloric deficit.
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Many women reporting significant grow with jo before and after changes mention that they finally stopped "quitting" fitness. Why? Because you don’t have to psych yourself up for a 2-mile walk in your pajamas. Scientific studies, including those published in the Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry, have long supported the efficacy of walking for abdominal fat reduction. Jo just packaged it with better music and a more relatable smile than the old-school workout DVDs.
Real Stories: What the Community Says
Take the case of users on Reddit’s r/weightloss-related subs or Jo’s own "Jo’s Squad" community. You’ll find people like "Sarah," an illustrative example of many users, who started with the 1-mile walk because she hadn't exercised in three years. Her "before" was characterized by back pain and lethargy. Three months later, her "after" wasn't just about losing 15 pounds; it was about the fact that she could play with her kids without getting winded.
Specifics matter.
A common thread in grow with jo before and after testimonials is the disappearance of "gym anxiety." People are seeing results because the barrier to entry is basically zero. You don't need a $2,000 treadmill. You don't need a gym membership. You need about six square feet of floor space and a YouTube connection.
But let’s be real for a second. Some people don't see results.
If you browse the comments on her 3-mile Power Walk videos, you'll see the occasional "I've been doing this for a month and haven't lost a pound." Usually, the disconnect isn't the walking. It's the kitchen. Jo herself is pretty transparent about this, often sharing her own journey with postpartum weight and the reality of fueling your body properly. A grow with jo before and after that involves a 30-pound weight loss is almost certainly accompanied by a shift in protein intake and a move away from ultra-processed foods.
Why Jo's Method Hits Different for Postpartum Bodies
Postpartum fitness is a minefield.
Diastasis recti (abdominal separation) makes traditional crunches or heavy lifting risky for many new moms. Jo’s workouts are frequently cited by mothers as their gateway back into fitness because the movements are vertical. You aren't straining the pelvic floor or the core in ways that feel "wrong."
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When you see a grow with jo before and after from a new mom, the "after" often shows improved posture. Walking naturally engages the deep core stabilizers if you do it right. Jo’s cues—reminding viewers to "tuck the tailbone" or "engage the navel"—are subtle ways of performing functional physical therapy while dancing to a pop remix.
The Myth of "Easy" Workouts
Don't let the smiling face fool you.
Some of the higher-intensity "Burn" videos Jo posts can actually be deceptively hard. If you’re doing the 4-mile power walks, you’re looking at roughly 4,000 to 5,000 steps in under an hour. For someone who works a desk job, that’s often half their daily movement goal in one go.
The physical grow with jo before and after is often a byproduct of improved metabolic flexibility. By moving consistently, your body becomes more efficient at switching between burning carbs and burning fat. It's not magic. It's just biology.
Common Pitfalls That Stall Your "After" Photo
- Ignoring the "Non-Exercise" hours: You can't walk for 30 minutes with Jo and then sit perfectly still for the next 23 hours and 30 minutes. That’s called being a "sedentary exerciser." The best grow with jo before and after results come from people who use her videos to kickstart an active lifestyle, not replace it entirely.
- Form Neglect: Just because it's "walking" doesn't mean you can't do it wrong. Slouching or not picking up your feet reduces the caloric burn and the muscle engagement.
- The Reward Trap: It’s easy to think, "I did a Grow with Jo video, so I can have an extra serving of pasta." Walking 2 miles burns roughly 150–250 calories depending on your weight. That’s about two cookies.
What to Actually Expect in 30 Days
If you start today, what does a grow with jo before and after look like in a month?
First, the bloating usually goes down. Consistent movement helps the lymphatic system and digestion. You might not see a massive change on the scale—maybe 4 to 8 pounds if your diet is dialed in—but your clothes will likely fit differently.
By day 60, the cardiovascular changes kick in. That 2-mile walk that used to make you sweat? It’s now your "easy" day. This is where the body recomposition happens. You start seeing definition in the quads and the calves.
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Actionable Steps for Your Own Transformation
Don't just watch the videos. Do them. But do them with a plan.
- Start with the "Big Happy Walk": It’s her signature for a reason. It sets the tone that exercise is a celebration, not a punishment.
- Track your steps, not just the video: Aim for a total daily step count. If the video gives you 3,000, find a way to get the other 4,000 or 5,000 through natural movement.
- Focus on "Active Aging": Even if you're in your 20s, Jo’s low-impact style is a massive win for joint longevity.
- Prioritize Protein: To see the toned "after" look, you need enough protein to maintain the muscle you're using. Aim for roughly 0.7 to 1 gram of protein per pound of your goal body weight.
- Vary the intensity: Don't do the same 15-minute walk every day. Your body adapts. Switch between her "Power Walks," "Dance Party" workouts, and "Strength" focused indoor walks to keep your metabolism guessing.
The most profound grow with jo before and after isn't the one you see on a screen. It's the one that happens in your head when you realize you don't hate working out anymore. Once you find a sustainable rhythm, the physical changes become an inevitable side effect of your new routine. Consistency beats intensity every single time.