183 Pounds Down: The Honest Struggles & Real Secrets Behind Jelly Roll’s Weight Loss

“I started at 540 pounds. This morning? 357. I’m not done yet.”

That’s what I said, standing in front of a roaring crowd, sweat still dripping from my brow, heart pounding—not just from the show, but from the climb it took to get here. Nearly 200 pounds gone. My old self? Sometimes it feels like I left him behind in another life. But how did I actually do it? And why? Let’s get real.

Why I Had to Change: The Wake-Up Call

The Realization

You ever look in the mirror and just know something’s gotta give? For me, it wasn’t just about the music, the tours, or even the fans. It was about my wife, Bunnie XO. It was about wanting to live long enough to go skydiving with her in Sweden. I told her, “I want to drop another 100 pounds so we can do that together.” That’s my promise, and I’m holding myself to it.

The Weight of the Past

I started this journey at 540 pounds. That number still hits me like a punch to the gut. I’d been “the big guy” my whole life. Food was my comfort, my celebration, my escape. But it was also my prison. I spent years in and out of trouble, battling addiction, chasing highs that never lasted. When the music took off, I thought I’d finally made it. But the truth? I was dying inside—slowly, painfully, with every extra pound.

The Hardest Part: Sticking to the Plan When Life Gets Messy

Food Addiction: My Real Battle

People ask, “What’s the hardest part?” It’s not the workouts. It’s not the diet. It’s the late nights, the stress, the voice in my head saying, “One more bite won’t hurt.” I’ve never said it this honestly before, but food addiction is real. “The weight for me right now is the mountain in front of me, and I’m taking it, I’m learning,” I told Jay Shetty. “I just have to fight the pirate on my shoulder, you know them late nights, I’m a food addict, man”.

No Magic Pills, No Ozempic

Let’s clear something up: I didn’t take Ozempic or any of those weight loss drugs. Not because I’m better than anyone, but because I’m scared of the side effects—especially acid reflux. As a singer, nothing scares me more than losing my voice. So, I did it the old-fashioned way: diet, exercise, and a hell of a lot of willpower.

How I Actually Lost the Weight: The Real Routine

1. Moving More—Even When It Hurt

I started simple. Walking around the neighborhood. Then I added more: basketball, boxing, hiking. “I hiked a mountain the other day. Camelback. There’s no way that would have been possible before,” I said after making it to the top. I was tired, sore, frustrated—but damn, that view was worth it.

2. High-Protein, Real Food—No Starvation

I love food. Always have. But with my nutrition coach, Ian Larios, we found ways to keep meals satisfying and healthy. On tour, I eat two meals and a snack a day. My favorite? A Waffle House-inspired breakfast bowl—homemade hashbrowns cooked in Wagyu beef tallow, topped with chicken sausage, bell peppers, and sauerkraut for the gut. Comfort food, but smarter.

Sample Day on Tour:

• Meal 1: Hashbrown bowl (grated potatoes, Wagyu tallow, chicken sausage, bell peppers, bone broth, sauerkraut)

• Meal 2: Protein-packed dairy-free poutine (yes, really)

• Snack: High-protein, low-sugar treat

No crash diets. No skipping meals. Just eating better, moving more, and being honest with myself every step of the way.

3. Professional Support

I couldn’t have done this alone. Having a coach, a supportive wife, and a team around me kept me accountable. They made sure I didn’t just lose weight—I learned how to live differently.

Setbacks, Low Points, and the Real Breakthroughs

The Dark Days

There were days I wanted to quit. Days I felt like the old me was winning. “I’m sore all the time. But I feel better, ya’ll,” I admitted after a tough hike. Some mornings, I’d wake up panicked, worried about my voice, my body, my future. But I kept going. Why? Because I promised myself—and my wife—I’d see this through.

The Turning Point

The real change? It wasn’t the number on the scale. It was the first time I made it up a flight of stairs without gasping for air. The first time I danced on stage and didn’t feel like I’d pass out. The first time I looked in the mirror and saw me, not just the weight.

Results: What’s Changed Since Losing 183 Pounds

Physical Changes

• Down from 540 pounds to 357 pounds (and counting)

• Can hike mountains, play basketball, and keep up on tour

• More energy, less pain, better sleep

Mental & Emotional Wins

• Confidence on and off stage

• Stronger marriage—my wife’s support means everything

• Inspiring others: “The people that motivate me and keep me going are the people I’ve met along the way—across the juveniles and rehab centers or prisons along the way. The people that come up to me and bravely share their sobriety date, or a story of something that they’ve dealt with, or someone they’ve lost.”

How My Approach Compares to Other Celebrities

Unlike Rebel Wilson or Adele, I didn’t chase a quick fix or a headline. I wanted a transformation that would last, one rooted in honesty and grit.

What I Wish I Knew at the Start

• It’s gonna hurt. There’s no way around it. But the pain means you’re changing.

• You don’t have to do it alone. Find your people. Lean on them.

• Progress isn’t linear. Some weeks you’ll lose, some weeks you’ll stall. Keep showing up.

• Food addiction is real. Address it, don’t ignore it.

• Set a goal that excites you. For me, it’s skydiving with my wife in Sweden.

Reader Advice: What You Can Take from My Journey

1. Start Small, Stay Consistent

You don’t have to run marathons. Start with a walk. One meal. One choice. Then do it again tomorrow.

2. Find Your “Why”

Mine was love. Yours might be family, health, or just wanting to feel good again. Write it down. Remind yourself every day.

3. Don’t Chase Perfection

You’ll mess up. I did. What matters is getting back up. Every. Single. Time.

4. Get Help if You Need It

A coach, a therapist, a friend—don’t try to carry the weight (literally) alone.

FAQ: Jelly Roll Weight Loss—What Everyone Wants to Know

How much weight has Jelly Roll lost in total?

As of April 2025, I’ve lost 183 pounds, down from 540 to 357—and I’m still working toward my next goal.

What diet does Jelly Roll follow?

I eat two meals and a snack a day, focusing on high-protein, real food. My nutrition coach helps me recreate comfort foods in a healthier way, like a Waffle House-inspired breakfast bowl with chicken sausage, bone broth, and sauerkraut.

Did Jelly Roll use Ozempic or other weight loss drugs?

Nope. I chose not to use weight loss drugs like Ozempic, mainly because I’m worried about side effects like acid reflux, which could mess with my singing.

What was the biggest challenge for Jelly Roll during his weight loss journey?

The hardest part? Fighting food addiction and sticking to the plan when life gets tough. Late-night cravings, stress, and old habits are always lurking, but I keep pushing through.

What’s Jelly Roll’s next goal?

I want to lose another 100 pounds so I can go skydiving with my wife in Sweden. And, who knows, maybe land on the cover of Men’s Health by March 2025.

Final Thoughts: If I Can Do It, So Can You

If you’re reading this and thinking, “That’s impossible for me,” let me tell you—so did I. Every day is a new chance. Every pound lost is a victory. The real secret? Don’t give up. Not on yourself. Not on your dreams.

From 540 pounds to 357 and still dropping, I’m living proof that transformation is possible—one honest, sweaty, stubborn day at a time. And if you see me skydiving in Sweden next year, just know: that’s not just a bucket list moment. That’s a promise kept, to myself and to the ones I love.

“We got up that hill today, dog! From the bottom of my heart, I’m tired, I’m frustrated, I’m sore, but holy f*ck isn’t that beautiful?”