Billy Gardell, the star of the CBS sitcom Mike and Molly, is no stranger to weight gain. He has joked in interviews about how he has “eaten his way through Hollywood.”
But recently, Gardell decided to do something about his weight and embarked on a major health overhaul that has seen him lose about 138 pounds.
See how Gardell managed to drop the weight and get into great shape.
Billy Gardell’s weight loss journey
Billy Gardell’s weight loss journey started in 2011 after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Billy realized that he needed help with this problem, so he went through a management treatment process recommended by his doctor.
He had a team of experts who helped him along the way. The team included Franklin Becker (Type 2 diabetes Cookbook author), Dolvett Quince (celebrity fitness trainer), Marlene Boas (certified life coach), and Laleh Mohajerani (certified diabetes educator).
Billy Gardell was committed to his Type 2 Diabetes management treatment, and weight loss routine, and he lost 30 pounds from 350 pounds. That seemed okay at the time until the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
Following the Coronavirus outbreak and learning that his lifestyle and weight made him susceptible to contracting the disease, Billy sought to lose more weight. And this time around, he wasn’t going to do it the conventional way.
At the start of Bob Hearts Abishola season one (2019), he weighed over 300 pounds, but he has now successfully lost an additional 100 pounds. Billy Gardell now weighs 212 pounds! “I’m fighting middleweight these days,’ he said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier.
Remarkably, the second actor in the series, Folake Olowofoyeku (Abishola), has also lost weight since the premiere.
How did Billy Gardell lose weight?
For his first weight loss journey (which started in 2011), Billy took a medication called Ozempic, engaged in regular exercise, and made changes to his diet. This whole routine and lifestyle changes helped him lose the initial 30 pounds.
He began to try new things like cooking healthier food for himself, cutting out sodas, barbecue, and pizza from his diet, and becoming more physically active.
When he decided to lose more weight during Covid (the second time), Billy took a different approach. This time he opted for a dangerous surgery, bariatric weight loss surgery. The procedure was successful and he lost 100 pounds.
Billy admits he had “gotten so big it hurt to exercise,” and that’s why he considered surgery. Today, Billy Gardell has a healthy weight, and looks fantastic and we are loving it!
How much weight has actor Billy Gardell lost?
Billy Gardell lost 30 pounds in his first attempt to lose weight. The actor initially weighed 350 pounds in 2011, but it came down to about 320 pounds. Years later, after his weight loss surgery during Covid, he lost 100 pounds.
Billy has lost a combined total of 130 pounds since 2011 to date. And this has taken him off the obese and overweight categories, and he is now within the healthy weight bracket.
Billy Gardell’s diet routine
Billy Gardell said he tried to eat less, but it was hard because of the kind of food he liked. Billy loves eating food; he said that out loud in one of his recent interviews on the Wendy Williams show. But he had to tame this desire for food, especially unhealthy meals. Thanks to his dietitian, his new diet consisted of vegetables and lean meats with some carbs like oatmeal or rice.
Generally, vegetables are low in calories, high in fiber, and healthy. Lean meat also has fewer calories than processed meat and is a much healthier alternative. And oatmeal helps lower cholesterol, aids in weight loss, and improves gut health. Oatmeal is also rich in nutrients like zinc and fiber.
Billy didn’t need to count calories, as long as he kept portions small. Billy avoided carbs like white bread or rice at dinner because they can cause spikes in blood sugar levels later on.
Billy Gardell’s favorite recipes
Billy Gardell’s favorite recipes now are:
- Mixed veggies and chicken stir fry, with brown rice
- Oatmeal pancakes w/ blueberries (a variation of Billy’s creation)
- Smoked salmon w/ lemon juice + dill
Billy also eats a lot more vegetables than before. His favorite vegetable is broccoli, but since eating more vegetables in general, Billy has found many different varieties to enjoy!
Lessons from Billy Gardell’s weight loss
1. Exercise
Billy Gardell has a routine of exercises he does that are specific to a Type 2 diabetic patient. With the help of Dolvett, his fitness trainer, Billy was able to keep up and achieve his goals.
Whether or not you have diabetes, exercise plays a crucial role in weight loss. Exercise helps to build resistance, increase core strength, relieve stress, relieve depression and burn more calories.
Some exercises that help with weight loss include:
- Cycling
- Weight training
- Interval training
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Pilates
2. Nutritionist
Among the experts helping him lose weight, he had a nutritionist who helped him with healthy food recipes. Having a nutritionist on hand is great for those attempting to lose weight, as they can provide advice and guidance on the best foods to achieve your goals.
Eating healthier food such as whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats and lots of fruits and vegetables will help greatly with weight loss.
3. Life Coach
Billy also had a life coach who helped him stay motivated and determined to manage his diabetes and lose weight. Billy Gardell said having a life coach to talk to and motivate you helps with the mental switch you need and the strength to keep going.
A life coach can help you clarify your goals, identify the obstacles holding you back, and make strategies for overcoming each barrier.
4. It’s Okay to Have Surgery
Billy decided on surgery because he felt it was his best option to lose weight the second time. It’s okay if you want this for yourself, too, but be sure it’s what’s best for you, and you’re not doing it because Billy did.
The best and safest ways to lose weight are eating low-calorie diets with fewer calories and having a consistent exercise routine.
Conclusion
Billy Gardell went from being obese, overweight, and unhealthy to losing over 270 pounds. He changed his diet by cutting out processed foods and ensuring he ate fresh and healthy meals. He also made physical activity part of his daily routine and committed to it.
His lifestyle changes have had clear results on his waistline and overall health. We hope it inspires you to make some changes, too, if you have a weight loss goal. And if you decide that surgery is the way to go, remember that it should always be the last resort and you should consult your doctor first.
This article was produced and syndicated on Health Makes You.