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Are you also impressed by the incredible Billy Gardell’s transformation and want to know more about Gardell’s weight loss journey?
Many people questioned if Gardell’s weight loss journey was due to some kind of illness, while others believed he had undergone weight loss surgery, specifically a bariatric surgery. But what has really happened, and why did he lose weight that much? Did he have a bariatric weight loss surgery?
The truth is that after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and struggling with his weight for years, Bob Hearts Abishola star decided it was time for a change. He revealed this to Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier.
“At first I developed Type 2 diabetes, and then I went on a medication for that for about a year and start taking care of myself better,” Billy recalled. “I lost about 30 pounds. But then COVID hit. and when they punched up all the markings that made you ‘at risk,’ I had all of them except ‘over 65.’ I had a full bingo card.”
So, he sought the help of a nutritionist and trainer who helped to transform him and his relationship with food and exercise (unhealthy eating habits included)!
His trainer helped create a routine that uses a range of exercises like swimming, pilates, weight training, and yoga, helping Billy comfortably ease into exercising and getting fitter and healthier. Also, his nutritionist and Billy worked on creating smaller portions of Billy’s favorite meals!
By making changes to his diet and exercise, Billy was able to shed over 150lbs! That is a huge amount for anyone to lose, and it is no wonder he inspires others to follow in his footsteps.
Now that we have told you all that, we bet you want to know even more! So keep reading to see how Billy Gardell lost 150 lbs without any weight loss surgery!
Billy Gardell Weight Loss Method
When Billy Gardell lost weight, there was lots of speculation about how he did this. But he lost weight through changes to his diet and exercise routine.
He was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, which became the trigger for his weight loss journey, and he hired a personal trainer and nutritionist to create a workout and meal plan that could help him become healthier.
Actor Billy Gardell also hired a life coach to help him tackle some of the thoughts around eating and help him live a healthier life. On his diet, he cut the soda out and started cooking healthy meals for himself, which includes lean meats, green veggies, some carbs, and oatmeal to balance his diet and avoid spikes in his blood glucose levels.
Billy Gardell Transformation
Before his weight loss, Billy carried a lot of weight around his stomach and face. Since losing his weight, he has shown off a smaller frame! His shoulders are less rounded, and he is sporting a more pointed face and a flatter stomach.
Credit: Pamela Sisson/Instagram
Not only does he look slimmer, but more toned too, suggesting that he has been hitting the weights to give his body a more muscular appearance. Don’t believe us? Take a look at some of Billy’s older films and recent photographs of him; you will surely be amazed!
To make his transformation complete, he believed he needed to make lifestyle changes.
“You have a small window to change the way you live, the way you eat, the way you exercise, and so far I’ve been able to do that. 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,” he said.
Billy Gardell Workout Plan
Billy Gardell’s workout routine consists of exercises suitable for those with Type 2 diabetes.
These exercises were also created with the help of his trainer, who ensured that Billy had a mix of cardio and resistance training to help him burn fat and tone his body while he lost weight.
In addition to that, he uses yoga as an exercise tool. He also increased his muscle mass by lifting twice a week as a part of his diabetic management plan. This exercise plan played a significant role in Billy Gardell’s weight loss.
Moreover, Gardell also started running for 30 minutes every single day. He said he knew the importance of walking around and keeping his body in motion. That is where these long walks came in handy.
In conclusion, the workout plan used a mixture of the following exercises:
- Interval training
- Cycling
- Weight training
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Pilates
Now, you don’t need a trainer to perform these workouts yourself. There are plenty of online tutorials or affordable gym memberships that would give you access to weights and bikes. Just be sure that you consult your doctor before undertaking any new exercises to ensure that they suit you.
Supplements Used
The Bob Hearts Abishola star didn’t openly admit to taking any supplements for weight loss. However, it is safe to say he has to since he underwent bariatric weight loss surgery.
According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, doctors recommend bariatric weight loss surgery patients to take supplements to ensure they get the proper nutrition post-procedure. Since they now consume less food, these supplements give them the nutrients they need, such as vitamin C and D, calcium and vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron and vitamin C, and complete multivitamins.
Meal Plan
Billy Gardell has always been open about his love of food and struggles with maintaining healthy eating habits.
“If you grew up like I did, you grow up in a house where it’s like, ‘We had a bad day, let’s eat! We had a good day? Let’s eat!’ So I had to learn that food is fuel and it’s not comfort and it’s not celebration. And I work on that daily,” Gardell explained. “If you don’t have a problem with food, thank whatever god you pray to and be grateful you don’t, because it is it’s a serious addiction, just like anything else. But I find my way. I do my thing and in the morning and I try to stay between the lines and I’m grateful I get to,” he said.
So, to help him lose weight, his diet was overhauled and consisted of lean meats, vegetables, and only complex carbs like rice and oatmeal.
The meal plan Billy followed did not involve counting calories; instead, he worked on eating smaller portions and ensuring plenty of variety in his diet. Remember, as Billy has Type 2 diabetes, he needed to avoid simple carbs and foods with high sugars that could spike his blood sugar levels. This means food like white bread or rice at dinner was generally avoided.
In one interview, Gardell stated that over the years, he had tried many dishes and recipes that have helped him in his journey. Some of these dishes he enjoyed, while others not so much.
Breakfast
Oatmeal pancakes with blueberries. These pancakes were tailored to suit Billy’s blood sugar levels by adding extra fiber, and you can find lots of diabetes-friendly recipes online to create your own!
Lunch
Smoked salmon with lemon juice and dill offers a refreshing lunch and plenty of protein to keep Billy feeling fuller for longer.
Dinner
Chicken stir fry with mixed veggies and brown rice. This meal keeps Billy full and satisfied and is packed with tasty veggies that will provide him with the vitamins and minerals needed to live a healthy life.
There would, of course, be snacks of fruit that aren’t too high in sugar that would keep Billy going throughout the day too. Since following this diet, Billy has found more vegetables that he likes, including his new favorite, broccoli!
How Much Weight Did Billy Gardell Lose (And Current Weight)?
Billy Gardell lost a whopping 150lbs, taking him from 370lbs down to 212lbs (92kg). While 212lbs can sound like a lot to still weigh, the transformation is unbelievable and has seen Billy Gardell transform himself into a healthier version of himself!
How Is Billy Gardell Maintaining His Weight Loss?
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Billy Gardell has maintained his weight loss by keeping up with his fitness routine and following the eating habits that he established when losing weight. As a result, he has managed to keep the weight off and is looking fantastic!
By regularly exercising and allowing himself to enjoy foods he loves in moderation, he has managed to keep to his weight goals. It’s important for him to stay healthy (with a healthy weight) so he could see his son reach all of life’s milestones!
“When you hit 50, you start doing that dad math, like, ‘If I can live 25 more years, and he’ll be 40.’ … So I want to be here for him,” he said.
The Link Between Type 2 Diabetes and Diet and Exercise
What is the relationship between diet and exercise and having Type 2 Diabetes? It’s pretty simple. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that being physically active makes your body more insulin sensitive [1]. Insulin is the hormone that allows your body’s cells to use blood sugar for energy.
The recommendation is to have 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. You may divide it into 25 minutes of exercise daily. It can also help reduce blood sugar levels, effectively lowering nerve damage and heart disease risks.
Billy Gardell’s life-changing decision to change his diet and become more physically active indeed helped him lose 150 lbs. However, more important than starting a workout routine is maintaining it and adapting it as a lifestyle. This is where most pre-diabetics and diabetics should be careful with. Exercise has to be undertaken regularly to reap its benefits [2].
Billy Gardell had access to a nutritionist, life coach, and trainer. But you don’t have to go to the gym or buy home gym equipment if it’s not possible. Moderate-intensity exercises can also include household chores, dancing, mowing the lawn, biking, swimming, and playing sports [1]. Walk around your lawn or backyard, or do something that makes you sweat.
Billy Gardell Weight Loss – Final Thoughts
And there you have it, Billy Gardell lost 150lbs through diet, exercise, and keeping his diabetes in check. Now that you have seen his favorite meals and workout routine, you can see how simple it is to follow!
We know that the hardest thing to conquer in weight loss is your mindset. So be sure to approach a new diet with an open mind and remind yourself that these lifestyle changes and healthy habits are the best way to break the cycle and achieve your fitness goals!
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you leave us today, get your last-minute questions answered!
How Much Weight Did Billy Gardell Lose?
Billy Gardell lost a whopping 150lbs!
Did Billy Gardell Have Weight Loss Surgery?
Yes he did, Billy Gardell had bariatric weight loss surgery to loose weight.
What Help Did Billy Gardell Have To Lose Weight?
Billy Gardell enlisted the help of a personal trainer, nutritionist, life coach, and diabetes educator to ensure that his diet and fitness plan was suitable for him. His life coach also helped motivate Billy and change his attitude towards food.
Conclusion
Keeping a healthy body is crucial, especially since we face so much convenience and accessibility to food choices (both healthy and unhealthy). It’s important to know the risks of having uncontrolled, unhealthy meals and the ways to keep your blood sugar at normal levels.
Billy Gardell is one example of what commitment to becoming healthy looks like. And his motivation to see his son grow up and experience life’s exciting milestones is something we can all learn from!
References:
[1] Centers for Disease Control link here
[2] Colberg, S. R., Sigal, R. J., Fernhall, B., Regensteiner, J. G., Blissmer, B. J., Rubin, R. R., Chasan-Taber, L., Albright, A. L., & Braun, B. (2010). Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes: The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association: joint position statement. Diabetes Care, 33(12), e147. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc10-9990
