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Al Sharpton

Koi Sojer/Pacific Coast News

By Gabrielle Olya

10/31/2014 AT 05:20 PM EDT

In the past four-and-a-half years, the 5'10" civil rights activist has gone from 305 lbs. to 129 lbs.

"I actually lost more weight than I am!" Sharpton tells PEOPLE, adding that he did it without surgery.

The reverend, 60, has gone through several body transformations throughout the years, first losing 30 lbs. while on a 43-day hunger strike in jail in 2001 and then putting the weight back on during his presidential run. The real turning point for him was getting criticism from his daughter.

"Around 2006, my youngest daughter Ashley poked me in the stomach and said, 'Dad, why are you so fat?' That kind of hurt my feelings. I grew up in civil rights and politics, so I'm pretty thick-skinned, but when your daughter says it, I started being conscious."

The MSNBC host started losing weight by weaning himself off of meats and starches, then became more strict about his diet in recent years.

On a typical day, Sharpton's breakfast consists of three slices of whole wheat toast along with a Juice Press "Doctor Earth" green juice and English breakfast tea sweetened with Stevia. Lunch is a basic salad with a banana and more tea.

More:
How Al Sharpton Dropped an Astounding 176 Lbs.