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Billy Gardell’s Weight Loss Story (How Much Did He Lose?)

Tyler Sellers
Published by Tyler Sellers | Senior Coach
Last updated: June 16, 2023

Billy Gardell is an American stand-up comedian and actor who recently underwent an incredible weight transformation.

Many fans were in awe because he lost so much weight after the COVID-19 pandemic.

After observing the changes in his physique and reading his comments on the health benefits of his weight reduction, I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to study Gardell’s fitness routine and how it could help my clients battling obesity.

So, I teamed up with a dietician and watched his interviews to do just that. So let’s take a look at Billy Gardell’s efforts.

Quick Summary

  • Before his transformation, Gardell was obese, and he weighed 370 lbs.
  • After developing type 2 diabetes, Gardell started taking care of his health and initially lost 30 pounds before covid struck.
  • Gardell found it difficult to abandon the unhealthy habits he failed to note early on, but he realized that self-care is important.

What Prompted Billy Gardell’s 150-Pound Weight Loss Journey?

Billy Gardell before weight loss in 2010

The risk of his diabetes worsening, bad blood numbers, and obesity-related illnesses prompted Billy Gardel’s journey to lose weight. The decision to embark on this endeavor was driven by his desire to leave behind an unhealthy lifestyle and embrace a new chapter of improved health and well-being.

Once diagnosed with diabetes, Billy decided to take his health seriously and began working with a personal trainer.

In an interview, Gardell revealed that CBS hired a celebrity fitness trainer and a team of health experts to get him in shape.

They left no stone unturned as they guided Billy through a strict diet that allowed him to lose over 100 pounds through a combination of routines, starting with walking around pretty healthy.

“I do it a day at a time and I’m just so, so very grateful that that happened for me. No more diabetes, no more bad blood numbers.”

- Billy Gardell

His Weight Loss Surgery

Billy initially lost weight with diet and exercise, making him a big believer in these routines. But after the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, he opted for surgery.

While Billy doesn’t recommend that people go through such procedures, he mentioned that he did it to speed up his fat loss. Billy's effort showcases his remarkable achievement in shedding a significant amount of pounds from his peak weight.

How Much Weight Did Billy Gardell Lose?

Billy Gardell with a mustache in dining area

Gardell lost a total of 140 lbs (63.5 kgs), helping him find peace. This was a result of his diet, exercise, and surgery.

However, his fitness journey wasn’t without barriers. Billy Gardell’s barriers were the unhealthy environmental and psychological conditioning around food that he grew up with.

Gardell revealed that the mental aspect of getting healthy and staying healthy was one of the most challenging barriers to his overall weight loss.

To lose some pounds, he had to overcome a lot of conditioning that got him unhealthy in the first place (like smoking cigarettes), along with some things he failed to note early on.

He mentioned that he grew up in a family where one ate to cope with a bad day, and over time, eating food became a serious addiction, causing him to don his fat boy pants.

Billy Gardell Stats

  • Date of birth: August 20, 1969
  • Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
  • Weight: 203 lbs (92 kgs)

Did Billy Gardell Reveal His Workout Routine?

No, Gardell did not reveal his workout routine, but he insists that self-care is important. All we know is that Gardell followed a workout regimen designed by his personal fitness trainer, allowing him to shed his fat boy pants.

But even though his workout isn’t public information, we can make an educated guess about a few things.

Since Gardell was quite heavy-set, his routine may have involved low-impact cardio training like brisk walking to burn fat.

Additionally, he’d also have done some amount of weight training to gain muscle mass and increase the number of calories he burned in a day.

After the surgery, he may have gone through a much lighter version of his previous workouts, but walking around pretty healthy remains a staple.

With the guidance and support of a dedicated fitness trainer, Gardell achieved all the markings of impressive weight loss results, transforming his body and improving his overall health.

What Was His Diet Routine?

Lean meat and healthy vegetables

His diet routine was quite simple but pretty healthy. It consisted of lean meat, vegetables, and carb sources like rice and oatmeal.

He also avoided high-calorie foods like rice and white bread during dinner time as they spiked his blood glucose levels [1].

Gardell's weight gain was a result of unhealthy eating habits, smoking cigarettes, and drinking. His first step was to eliminate these habits, and that led him toward a weight loss mindset.

Billy Gardell's weight loss effort initially began by quitting all unhealthy foods and habits. This put him in the right mindset to carry on with his fitness goals, making him a big believer in self-care.

Is Surgery a Good Option for Fat Loss?

An ongoing surgery inside the hospital

Bariatric weight loss surgery might be a good option for fat loss if you have certain pre-existing conditions that bar you from losing weight (Alstrom syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and Cohen syndrome) [2].

Otherwise, you need to stick with the basics: diet, water, and exercise for weight loss.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Most trainers will tell you that eating a well-balanced diet is the first step towards getting in shape. Stick to healthy food - foods high in protein and fats and low in carbs.

Avoid unhealthy food habits like snacking and eating junk food with empty calories. These only lead to weight gain, and failing to note early on could make losing weight harder.

Drink Plenty of Water

You can burn fat and maintain a healthy weight by drinking plenty of water every day. Research shows that water helps increase your metabolism and promotes feelings of satiety, so you feel fuller with no additional calories [3] [4].

Related: How Much Water Should I Drink to Lose Weight?

Cardio and Weight Training

Studies suggest that 150 minutes of light aerobic exercise every week is enough to help you burn fat [5]. You can also try walking around; pretty healthy as a starting routine.

Additionally, you also want to throw in some weight lifting to burn fat, build lean muscle, and build strength.

Take Natural Fat Burners

Natural fat burners are one of the best ways to supplement your fat loss goals. They use natural ingredients to curb unhealthy cravings, burn stubborn fat, and boost energy levels.

FAQs

How Long Did It Take for Gardell to Lose Weight?

It took Gardell around ten years to lose weight. It took him so long to lose all the extra weight because he went through several ups and downs during his weight-loss journey. After COVID hit, he lost an additional 30 pounds in about a year, allowing him to find peace and realize that self-care is important.

Did Billy Gardell Have Bypass Surgery?

Yes, Billy Gardell's efforts most likely included bypass surgery. You may read many sources saying he had bariatric surgery. That’s because bypass and other surgeries fall under a collective name - bariatric surgery.

Taking Inspiration From Billy Gardell’s 150-Pound Weight Loss Journey

Gardell’s fat loss was a result of his bariatric surgery, diet, and workout plan. Billy Gardell's efforts resulted in shedding not just a few pounds, but a significant amount, showcasing his determination and commitment to his health and well-being. It also allowed him to find peace in the long run as a big believer in fitness.

The way we see it, surgery should be an option for extreme cases. You can lose some weight safely simply by eating healthy and working out.

Additionally, we also recommend supplementing and speeding your fat loss by taking the top-grade fat burners for men.

We personally tested these products with clients trying to lose some pounds.

Along with an exercise routine and healthy eating, these supplements can help you burn stubborn fat, increase your energy levels, curb unhealthy cravings, and help you achieve your fitness goals faster. Billy Gardell's impressive story bears all the markings of dedication, hard work, and a strong determination to achieve his health and fitness goals.


References:

  1. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/eating-white-rice-regularly-may-raise-type-2-diabetes-risk/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6656717/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3809630/
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6209729/
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3925973/
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