“I’m not just trying to look good,” Jelly Roll says, shaking his head with that signature half-smirk. “I’m trying to stay alive.”
The country-rap star—real name Jason DeFord—is on fire, not just on the charts. He’s down a jaw-dropping 183 pounds, transforming from 540 lbs to 357 lbs as of April 2025, and he’s not stopping there.
So how did a guy who once joked about being too big for his tour bus end up training for a 5K, planning to skydive in Sweden, and sharing protein-packed poutine recipes on social media?
Let’s dive into the wild, raw, and real journey of Jelly Roll’s weight loss—and the soul-searching behind every pound lost.
“I Was Dying Slowly… and Smiling Through It”
“You ever wake up and realize you’re tired of being tired?” Jelly Roll says during a candid chat backstage. “That was me, man. 540 pounds, constant pain, and I’m telling jokes to keep from crying.”
The journey officially began in February 2023, after a health scare left the singer staring down his mortality. But it wasn’t just about dropping weight—it was about dropping the baggage, emotional and physical.
“I was eating my feelings,” he admits. “But at some point, you stop blaming your past, your trauma, your career… and you start doing the work.”
From Waffle House Bowls to Protein Poutine: The New Diet of Jelly Roll
Let’s get this straight—Jelly didn’t starve himself, and he didn’t go near Ozempic or surgery. This was a transformation powered by sweat, smart choices, and, surprisingly, food.
“I still eat good, I just eat smart,” he grins. “I got a Waffle House-inspired bowl that hits every time—eggs, spinach, turkey sausage, little cheese. Boom.”
When he’s on tour? “Protein poutine,” he laughs. “Sounds ridiculous, but it’s real. Mashed cauliflower, lean beef, and low-fat cheese. It’s my favorite after-show thing.”
No gimmicks, no fads. Just real food, portion control, and consistency. “If I can eat clean in a tour bus kitchen, anybody can.”
“The Gym Saved My Life”
While diet played a major role, it was exercise that truly changed Jelly’s relationship with his body.
“I didn’t start lifting weights, bro,” he jokes. “I started with walking. Just… walking. One block. Then two. Then a mile.”
Fast forward to 2025, and Jelly’s not just walking—he completed a 5K and is training for more.
“My wife, Bunnie, said she’d go skydiving with me when I hit my goal. So I told her, ‘Guess we’re going to Sweden!’”
But here’s the kicker—he’s still got another 100 pounds to go.
“183 Pounds Down… But I Ain’t Done Yet”
“I was 540. I’m 357. I want to get under 260,” he says, dead serious. “Then I’m taking my wife skydiving. No excuses.”
Why Sweden?
“Because it’s cold, and I wanna feel the air on my face at 10,000 feet after doing the impossible.”
There’s no glitz to his voice. No performance. Just a guy who clawed his way out of a food-fueled fog and found clarity in sweat and self-love.
Fans React: “You Look Happier Than Ever”
Scroll through Jelly Roll’s social media, and the comments are flooded with support:
“You don’t just look lighter—you look happier,” wrote one fan. “Man, I’m crying. You’re giving me hope,” said another. And perhaps the most moving: “Thank you for not giving up on yourself. Because now I won’t either.”
It’s More Than Just the Scale
If there’s one thing Jelly Roll wants you to know, it’s this: “Weight loss didn’t change who I am. It reminded me of who I’ve always been.”
He still rocks shows, still cracks jokes, and still hits Waffle House when he wants. But now, it’s all done with intention.
“I’m not perfect. I still mess up,” he says. “But I don’t quit. That’s the difference.”
FAQ – What People Are Asking About Jelly Roll Weight Loss
Q1: How much weight has Jelly Roll lost so far? A: As of April 2025, Jelly Roll has lost 183 pounds, dropping from 540 lbs to 357 lbs.
Q2: Did Jelly Roll use surgery or medication to lose weight? A: No. He achieved his weight loss through lifestyle changes, focusing on healthy eating and consistent exercise.
Q3: What does Jelly Roll eat to lose weight? A: His meals include high-protein dishes, like Waffle House-style breakfast bowls, lean meats, and low-carb alternatives like cauliflower mash.
Q4: What’s Jelly Roll’s goal weight? A: He aims to lose another 100 pounds, hoping to reach under 260 lbs and go skydiving with his wife.
Q5: What exercise routine did Jelly Roll follow? A: He started with simple walking, then gradually built up to more intense cardio and training, eventually completing a 5K run.
Final Word: “You Can Start Today”
Jelly Roll doesn’t claim to have all the answers. But he does know what it’s like to feel trapped in your own body—and to fight your way out.
“I’m not special. I’m just stubborn,” he says with a grin. “You can start small. You can mess up. Just don’t stop.”
And as for that skydiving date in Sweden?
“I’m packing my parachute, baby. Let’s go.”
