You might know Kevin James as the fat cop in “Mall Cop.” For the sequel, we expected him to get even bigger, but instead, we got a toned “Here Comes the Boom” Kevin James, who plays a high school science teacher and MMA fighter.
Kevin James' weight loss journey intrigued us here at Total Shape, and as a seasoned fitness trainer, I can tell you that it's not an easy feat to achieve.
So, together with a dietician, we decided to investigate Kevin James weight loss diet and workout.
Let’s dive in.
Quick Summary
- Kevin James lost 80 pounds since he started his weight loss journey.
- Ryan Parsons’ mixed martial arts training and cardio workouts helped Kevin James lose weight.
- Kevin James' weight loss journey before had faced some ups and downs due to his poor eating habits.
How Many Pounds Did Kevin James Lose?
Kevin James lost 80 pounds preparing for “Here Comes The Boom.” His weight loss regimen consisted of daily exercise, a low carbohydrate diet, and mixed martial arts cardio.
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His first change in lifestyle saw him shed 40 pounds [1].
But he would later go back to poor eating habits meaning he gained weight he had previously lost.
But we will cover shortly why exactly did Kevin James gain weight and why he decided to commence a weight loss journey.
Kevin James Stats
- Name: Kevin George Knipfing
- Born: 26th April 1965
- Height: 5’8’’
- Starting Weight: 300 pounds
- Total Weight Loss: 80 pounds
Why Did He Decide to Lose Weight?
Kevin James decided to lose weight after discovering that he weighed 302 pounds. He wanted to be a better father to his children, and to him, that meant taking care of his personal health.
After the weight gain that followed the first attempt at weight loss, which was mainly due to poor diet choices, actor Kevin James was given another cause and a push to try once again.
When “Here Comes The Boom” came up, he considered it a blessing in disguise and the perfect opportunity to start another weight loss journey. He doubled up on his previous efforts and lost 80 pounds this time.
In the movie, Kevin James plays Scott Voss, a science teacher doubling up as a professional mixed martial arts fighter.
Hence, his character needed to be fit, as he’d have to be in shape and fight like a professional athlete.
Kevin James Weight Loss Journey
In "Here Comes the Boom," an American actor played a high school science teacher who also had to teach martial arts to prevent some extracurricular activities from being axed by his school [2].
To prepare for this physically demanding role, Kevin James embarked on a remarkable weight loss journey. Seeking the guidance of Ryan Parsons, an MMA mentor he met on the set of "The King of Queens," Kevin underwent a transformative experience.
With Parsons' support, he engaged in rigorous training sessions and embraced a low carb diet to achieve astounding results, shedding an impressive 80 pounds.
“Kevin wanted to be treated like a fighter, so that’s what we did. These guys didn’t care he was a movie star. They went at him. He actually knocked a guy out!"
- Ryan Parsons, Fight Training Consultant
Furthermore, Kevin James' adoption of a low carb diet played a pivotal role in his weight loss success. By reducing his intake of carbohydrates and focusing on lean protein sources and healthy fats, he was able to optimize his body's fat-burning capabilities.
This dietary approach helped him maintain stable blood sugar levels and minimize cravings, contributing to sustained weight loss and improved overall well-being.
Here are some of the workouts that Kevin James did.
His Workout and MMA Training
Ryan implemented a few strategies for Kevin James that got him into fighting shape. Below are some of the weight loss tips, as well.
Improvisation
Now, most of the regimens in Parsons’ training program for Kevin James were improvised, beginning with the time for working out.
The pair had to come up with a plan that worked for Kevin because the actor and a family man had a super busy schedule.
He put his efforts into the gym for only three days a week while on a low-carbohydrate diet.
In addition, Parsons had James go for runs around town, sometimes substituting it with an hour of hard and fast cycle rides.
He also ran up and down hotel staircases as a form of cardio.
Martial Arts Training
As the shooting of the movie approached, Kevin’s routines became even more intense.
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He had to be in shape and flexible like a real fighter to convince the audience.
Here are some intense workouts his MMA trainer put him up on:
- Pushups
- Boxing
- Kicking
- Situps
- Cardio workouts
Boxing and kicking would get him ready for the skill demanded of his movie role. He would also add shadowboxing with some pad work to complete his workout like a fully-fledged MMA professional athlete.
Parson had him start with 15-minute pad work and 5-minute increments as time progressed. By the time of shooting the film, Kevin would go at the punching bag for up to an hour at a time.
Interestingly, they didn't even have to do it in the gym. Anywhere would work, including the hotel room, where they had to move furniture for space. And when he had no punching bag, he shadowboxed.
As you can see, you don't need the gym or a heavy bag to get into shape like a boxer.
Medicine Ball Jackknife
MMA trainer Ryan Parsons added this exercise to boost Kevin James’ stamina, core strength, and coordination.
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He would mix it up with some pushups and situps.
Here’s how the exercise works:
- Start by lying flat on your back while holding the ball with both hands. Your legs should be straight, and your arms extended as you hold the ball.
- Take a deep breath, tighten your abs and bring up your arms and legs till you form a V shape. If you can, try touching the ball with your feet without bending your legs.
- Now, hold this position for a few seconds before returning to your original position.
- Repeat about 12-15 times for three sets.
How Did He Change His Diet?
Kevin James changed his diet by getting rid of processed foods and high-calorie meals and adopting a low-carb diet.
In addition, the funny family man regularly took in green smoothies when he felt hungry. The drink incorporates vegetables and kale, and he also reportedly had vegetables at every meal.
Did Kevin James Have Weight Loss Surgery?
No, Kevin James did not have weight loss surgery.
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Although he has not spoken about it, all indications show that he was able to lose weight naturally by changing his eating habits and working out.
I also asked my dietician about his weight loss, and he said that there was nothing drastic about it, as it was entirely achievable with diet and exercise only.
Speculations are rife on the internet that he might have had a hair transplant, but I couldn’t find an exact quote from him confirming or denying it either.
Kevin James Supplements
While Kevin James' weight loss diet consisted of low-carb meals, we think he might have relied on a few supplements, although he has not spoken about this publicly.
Here are the supplements our dietitian and I think he used:
- Fat burner supplements
- Pre-workout supplements
Let's take a closer look at these and why you might want to consider them if you’re striving to achieve the same level of success in losing weight as Kevin James.
Fat Burners
Fat burner supplements are not magic pills. They work best in combination with a good weight loss diet and some exercises.
The cool part about these weight loss supplements is that they’re perfectly natural. They contain amino acids, herbs, and minerals that trigger natural responses in your body that will help you reduce fat stores.
For Kevin, the fat burners probably helped him suppress his hunger cravings, as he has admitted to having a constant appetite that keeps him from staying healthy.
Also, with the kind of intense exercises that he underwent, which included using the staircase in his hotel and running every day, the fat burners might have helped improve his metabolism even further, which would mean more fat loss.
Pre-workouts
Kevin also likely used some pre-workout supplements for men. These supplements are designed to give you an energy boost before a workout so you can add more reps and sets.
Kevin's MMA training while preparing for his movie role was probably intense. Hence, he needed a stamina and energy boost to go for rounds in the octagon with his sparring partners and his trainer.
FAQs
What is Kevin James Current Weight?
Kevin James’s current weight is around 235 pounds. He has been unable to keep off all the weight since filming “Here Comes the Boom”.
How Much Did Kevin James Weigh in Paul Blart?
Kevin James weighed about 300 pounds in “Paul Blart: Mall Cop”. Around the time of the filming in 2009, he had bad eating habits that saw him reach around 300 pounds.
How Much Did Kevin James Weigh In Grown Ups?
Kevin James weighed about 260 pounds in “Grown Ups”. When the movie was released, he was fresh from dropping 40 pounds after reaching a massive 302 pounds. The star is quoted by the Daily Mail saying he wanted to do it for his family [1].
Be Inspired By Kevin James' Weight Loss Journey
Whether you want to learn self-defense or just want to shed some pounds, Kevin James’ weight loss journey can be an inspiration to anyone struggling with weight loss.
Start off by adopting a healthy diet, and then combine that with regular exercises three or four times a week.
And to fast-track your results, I recommend adding fat burners into the mix:
We’ve extensively tested the supplements on these lists and have only included the best-performing products based on our test data and client reports.
References:
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2147853/Kevin-James-displays-fuller-figure-set-Grown-Ups-2.html
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1648179/
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