Country music is known for its heartfelt lyrics and relatable themes, but recently, some of its biggest stars have been making headlines for another reason: their incredible weight loss transformations. These artists have not only shed pounds but also embraced healthier lifestyles, inspiring fans and proving that dedication and hard work can lead to significant change. This article explores the weight loss journeys of several country singers, detailing their methods, struggles, and goals.
Zac Brown's Transformation: A Focus on Clean Eating and Discipline
Zac Brown, the frontman of the Zac Brown Band, has openly discussed his weight struggles and his commitment to a healthier lifestyle. At his heaviest, Brown weighed 265 pounds. His approach to health involves a combination of diet and exercise, with a strong emphasis on clean eating.
Dietary Changes
Brown's diet is centered around cutting out gluten, dairy, sugar, and alcohol. He meticulously reads food labels to ensure he's consuming whole, unprocessed foods. His diet primarily consists of paleo-friendly options, vegetables, and lean proteins. He follows a structured eating schedule with three meals a day, spaced about four hours apart, followed by a 14-hour fast.
The Importance of Healthy Oils
Brown emphasizes the importance of consuming healthy oils, specifically avocado, olive, and coconut oil, while avoiding seed oils like sunflower and canola oil. While some claim seed oils cause inflammation, nutritionists suggest a more nuanced perspective, advising that focusing on overall diet quality is more crucial.
Incorporating Supplements and Advanced Therapies
In addition to dietary changes, Brown incorporates supplements like NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) to support energy production and cellular repair. He also mentioned undergoing stem cell treatments and peptide therapies.
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Exercise and Mental Strategies
Inspired by Bruce Springsteen's advice to "sweat for an hour a day," Brown built a mobile gym for his tours. To make cardio more enjoyable, he plays video games like "Madden" or "Fortnite" while using the Arc Trainer. This helps him stay engaged and makes the time pass quickly. As a result, Brown has lost over 60 pounds and currently weighs under 200 pounds.
Jelly Roll's Remarkable Weight Loss: Overcoming Food Addiction and Setting New Goals
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, has been candid about his lifelong struggles with obesity and addiction. He once weighed over 500 pounds and described the realization as one of the most embarrassing moments of his life. He embarked on a weight loss journey, driven by a desire to live a normal life and overcome his food addiction.
Initial Steps: Running and Training
Jelly Roll kickstarted his weight loss by running. He made a noticeable appearance at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2024, looking significantly slimmer after running his first 5K race in recent years. Reflecting on completing the 3.1-mile run, he expressed his motivation, noting that he couldn't even walk a mile in January when he began training.
Consistent Effort and Healthy Habits
Training for the 5K race played a significant role in Jelly Roll's weight loss. He was doing 2 to 3 miles a day, four to six days a week, along with 20 to 30 minutes in the sauna and six minutes in a cold plunge every day. He also adopted a healthier diet.
Addressing Food Addiction
Jelly Roll acknowledged that overcoming food addiction was a major part of his weight loss success. He focused on changing his relationship with food and establishing discipline and commitment.
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Weight Loss Numbers
Jelly Roll shared that he lost 200 pounds. He started at 540 pounds and weighed 357 pounds. He aims to lose another 100 pounds and go skydiving with his wife in Sweden.
Tour Lifestyle Changes
During his "Beautifully Broken" tour, Jelly Roll incorporated healthier habits, such as basketball and walking. He also hired a nutritionist to help him stay on track. His tour culture shifted from revolving around "cocaine and alcohol" to "shooting old man basketball and having lattes for lunch afterward."
Sensible Food Swaps
Jelly Roll's nutritionist, Ian Larios, helped him make sensible food swaps while on the road. Larios replaced Jelly Roll's favorite meals with healthier options, such as a banana bowl with Manuka honey and dark chocolate before shows and air-fried Nashville hot chicken with potato and rice flour after shows.
Overcoming Challenges
Jelly Roll has been open about his struggles with obesity and addiction. He shared that he once weighed over 500 pounds and found validation through women due to his insecurities about his body. However, he found the motivation to change and committed to a healthier lifestyle.
Setting New Goals
Jelly Roll is setting new goals as he continues his weight loss journey. He aims to be on the cover of Men's Health and weigh less than 250 pounds. He wants to participate in activities he's never been able to try before, such as skydiving, riding a rollercoaster, riding a bull, and wrestling an alligator.
Read also: Country Style Keto Ribs
Other Country Stars and Their Approaches to Weight Loss
Several other country stars have also embarked on inspiring weight loss journeys, each with their unique approach.
Kane Brown
Kane Brown is another country star who has shown off a significant body transformation.
Lainey Wilson and Ashley McBryde
Lainey Wilson and Ashley McBryde have also shed pounds, contributing to the trend of healthier lifestyles in the country music scene.
Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw has long been recognized as a pioneer in promoting fitness and health among country artists.
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson has openly discussed her weight loss journey, attributing it to listening to her doctor's advice and addressing underlying medical conditions. She emphasized that her weight loss was not due to Ozempic but rather to medicine that helps break down sugar. She also enjoys walking in New York City and using infrared saunas.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey has also embraced a healthier lifestyle and shared her experiences with weight loss. She revealed that she is using a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier.
Post Malone
Post Malone has lost 55 pounds, motivated by becoming a father and wanting to be around for his daughter for a long time. He decided to kick soda and start eating better.
Kelly Osbourne
Kelly Osbourne lost 85 pounds in the initial postpartum period after welcoming her son Sidney. She described it as a lot of work and miserable, but she is happy with the results.
John Goodman
John Goodman has maintained a 200-pound weight loss through a sensible approach that includes lots of walking and a Mediterranean diet heavy on fish, vegetables, and nuts.
The Role of Sobriety and Healthy Choices
Sobriety plays a significant role in the weight loss journeys of many country singers. Cutting out alcohol and other unhealthy habits is often a crucial step in adopting a cleaner lifestyle and achieving personal and professional goals.