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Jelly Roll’s Weight Loss: How He Shed Over 100 Pounds

  • Jelly Roll’s Weight loss journey began in 2022, leading to a 110-pound drop through diet changes, exercise, and a strong mindset.
  • He trained hard for a 5K race, used saunas and cold plunges, and stayed consistent on tour with healthy routines, always conscious of Jelly Roll’s Weight.
  • He avoided weight loss drugs, tackled food addiction, and now aims to be on the cover of Men’s Health by 2026, showing Jelly Roll’s Weight sacrifices were worth it.

Country star Jelly Roll, born Jason DeFord, began his health journey in 2022. At one point, he weighed over 550 lbs. That year, he made a promise to change his life. He told Music Mayhem that he planned to focus on his health and “conquer the demon” of his weight. This marked the beginning of a powerful transformation that inspired fans everywhere. Jelly had struggled with weight since childhood. His mom gave him the nickname “Jelly Roll” because he was a “chubby kid.” He said, “I’ve been fat my whole life.” In 2022, he finally decided to make a change.

He Lost Over 100 Pounds by 2024 and Feels Better Than Ever

By 2024, Jelly Roll had dropped 110 lbs. He shared with PEOPLE that he changed his eating habits and made exercise a top priority, managing Jelly Roll’s Weight through dedication. A big part of his weight loss happened during his Beautifully Broken tour. He estimated that he lost 60 to 70 lbs. while on the road. His team’s tour culture had also changed. In the past, it centered around alcohol and partying. But now, the focus was on eating clean, staying active, and checking in on mental health. The singer felt proud of the shift and stayed consistent with his new lifestyle.

He Trained for a 5K and Built Healthy Daily Habits

In early 2024, Jelly started training for the 2 Bears 5K race. He ran it with comedians Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura, walked or jogged two to three miles almost every day. Jelly trained four to six days a week. He told PEOPLE that he lost about 70 lbs. just preparing for the race. His wife, Bunnie Xo, supported him and joined him at the finish line. At first, he couldn’t walk a mile. But by May 2024, he crossed the Rose Bowl finish line with confidence.

Cold Plunges and Sauna Sessions Helped Boost His Progress

As part of his training, Jelly Roll added daily self-care routines. He spent 20 to 30 minutes in the sauna and then did six-minute cold plunges. He said these practices helped him feel better and stay committed. After completing the race, he even shared a cold plunge kiss with Bunnie to celebrate. These habits became part of his routine and helped him stay focused on his goals.

He Ate High-Protein Meals and Traveled With a Nutritionist

Jelly Roll didn’t rely on trendy diets or shortcuts. He brought a nutritionist, Chef Ian Larios, on tour. Ian prepared high-protein meals to help Jelly lose weight while still enjoying tasty food. In Instagram videos, Jelly showed off meals like healthy Nashville-style hot chicken and fries made with bone broth. He also ate high-protein poutine, peanut butter cookie dough bites, and hash browns with better ingredients. These small changes added up and helped him stay on track without giving up flavor.

He Avoided Weight Loss Drugs and Chose the Natural Route

Jelly made it clear that he lost weight naturally, maintaining Jelly Roll’s Weight safely. On his wife’s podcast Dumb Blonde, he said he didn’t use Ozempic or other weight-loss drugs. While he supports people who do, he feared the side effects. As a singer, acid reflux worried him the most. He explained that it could damage his vocal cords, and he couldn’t risk it. That fear led him to find natural solutions that worked for his body and voice.

He Confronted Food Addiction and Rebuilt His Mindset

Jelly Roll also opened up about his food addiction. He told PEOPLE in 2024 that changing his relationship with food was the hardest part. He said no one in his childhood home had a healthy mindset about eating. But he worked hard to build new habits. Once he found discipline, everything changed. The singer described the process as a snowball effect. Once he got started, he couldn’t stop. He also shared his struggles in a 2018 Instagram post. He said that in 2015, he weighed over 500 lbs. That wake-up call pushed him to lose nearly 200 lbs. He wrote that he wanted to live a full life—ride roller coasters, skydive, and experience things he once couldn’t.

He Stayed Active on Tour by Playing Basketball With His Crew

Even while touring across the country, Jelly stayed focused. He played basketball every day with his team and sometimes invited fans to join and shared videos on Instagram of him playing with the University of Kentucky team. He also played against inmates at a juvenile center in Houston. Jelly joked that the teens beat them easily, but he loved the experience. Staying active, even on the road, kept him grounded and strong.

His Next Big Goal: The Cover of Men’s Health by 2026

In December 2024, Jelly revealed a bold new goal on Dumb Blonde. He told Bunnie he wanted to be on the cover of Men’s Health by March 2026. This was the first time he said it publicly. He called it the biggest transformation of his life, inspired by Jelly Roll’s Weight achievements. Bunnie fully supported his dream. She said it made her “so giddy” to hear him say it out loud. Jelly’s fans have already watched him crush huge goals. Now, they’re cheering him on as he sets his sights even higher.

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