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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 3, 2023

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

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 his unhealthy habits at the beginning.

What Prompted Billy Gardell’s Weight Loss Journey?

Billy Gardell before weight loss in 2010

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

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

In an interview, Billy 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 and weight loss regimen that allowed him to lose over 100 pounds.

“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. But after the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, he opted for weight loss surgery.

While Billy doesn’t recommend people to go through with such procedures, he mentioned that he did it to speed up his fat loss. Billy's weight loss journey 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

Billy Gardell lost a total of 140 lbs (63.5 kgs). This was a result of his diet, exercise, and weight loss procedure.

However, his fitness journey wasn’t without barriers. Billy Gardell’s weight loss 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 weight, he had to overcome a lot of conditioning that got him unhealthy in the first place.

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.

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, Billy Gardell did not reveal his workout routine. All we know is that Gardell followed a workout regimen designed by his personal fitness trainer.

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.

With the guidance and support of a dedicated fitness trainer, Billy 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. 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, and drinking. His first step was to eliminate these habits, and that led him toward a weight loss mindset.

Billy Gardell's weight loss journey initially began by quitting all unhealthy foods and habits. This put him in the right mindset to carry on with his fitness goals.

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.

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].

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 Billy Gardell to Lose Weight?

It took Billy Gardell's weight loss journey around ten years. 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.

Did Billy Gardell Have Bypass Surgery?

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

Taking Inspiration From Billy Gardell’s Weight Loss Journey

Gardell’s fat loss was a result of his bariatric weight loss surgery, diet, and workout plan. Billy Gardell's weight loss journey resulted in shedding not just a few pounds, but a significant amount, showcasing his determination and commitment to his health and well-being.

The way we see it, surgery should be an option for extreme cases. You can lose 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 weight.

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 weight loss 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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