Country Star Jelly Roll Weight Loss Shocker: Drops 150 Pounds Before 2025 Tour Kickoff

"I’m not done yet. Hell, I’m just gettin’ started." That’s what Jelly Roll, the chart-topping country crooner and 2024 CMA Award winner, said with a grin when asked about the jaw-dropping 150 pounds he’s shed in just over a year.

Wait—150 pounds?

Yep. You read that right. This isn't just a New Year’s resolution gone right. This is a life flipped upside-down, kind of transformation. From battling food addiction to hiking Arizona mountains, the country star Jelly Roll weight loss story isn’t just about the numbers on the scale—it’s about reclaiming a life.

So, how exactly did he go from late-night drive-thru binges to running up mountains? Let’s talk about it. And trust me, he’s not shy about the struggle.

“I Never Had a Healthy Relationship with Food”

It all started with a confession that stopped fans in their tracks.

“I was addicted to food,” Jelly Roll (real name: Jason DeFord) said in a raw moment during a November 2024 podcast with his wife, Bunnie XO. “I never had a healthy relationship with it. Food was comfort, food was reward, food was punishment.”

Sound familiar? That’s why it hit so hard.

Jelly Roll had ballooned to over 450 pounds at one point. Touring, partying, and chasing fame had taken its toll—not just physically, but emotionally. “I couldn’t tie my shoes without running out of breath,” he admitted. “I was existing, not living.”

But in early 2023, something changed. Or maybe... everything did.

“I Did This Publicly for a Reason”

Let’s be honest: it’s one thing to quietly hit the gym. It’s another to drop 120 pounds (at first) in front of millions of fans—and then keep going.

“I did this publicly for a reason,” he told E! News back in November 2024. “I wanted people who look like me, feel like me, to know it’s possible.”

And boy, did they take notice. Social media lit up with side-by-side transformation pics. Gone was the slouched stage figure, replaced by a smiling, energized man in gym clothes—and yeah, he looked at least a decade younger.

But what’s even more impressive than how he looks is how he feels.

“I feel like I added 20 years to my life,” Jelly said on The Pat McAfee Show in February 2025. “I’m playing with my daughter without wheezing. I’m walking up hills that used to terrify me.”

And speaking of hills...

“I Hiked a Damn Mountain, Man”

In a moment that might’ve surprised even his trainer, Jelly Roll hiked a mountain in Arizona—a feat he celebrated like winning another Grammy.

“That was my Super Bowl,” he joked, “except I did it shirtless and sweating through my eyelids.”

It wasn’t always this way. The guy used to avoid stairs. Now, he’s talking about running 5Ks.

“It wasn’t about the scale anymore,” Jelly Roll shared. “It was about proving to myself that I could finish what I started.”

His trainer, Ian Larios, called it one of the most emotional moments of their journey. “He wept at the top,” Ian said. “Not because of the weight he lost—but because of what he gained.”

So, How Did He Do It?

No magic pills. No surgery. No celebrity shortcuts.

Jelly Roll’s transformation came down to sweat, struggle, and a seriously real support system.

Here’s what he shared:

• High-protein, whole-food diet. We're talkin’ grilled chicken, veggies, lean carbs—not studio catering fried chicken.

• Cutting late-night snacks. “I swapped the donuts for protein shakes,” he said. “I still miss ‘em sometimes, but not the aftermath.”

• Daily movement. Walking turned to cardio. Cardio turned to weightlifting. Weightlifting turned into mountain climbing.

• Accountability partners. His wife, Bunnie XO, stood by him every step—literally. “She believed in me when I didn’t,” he admitted.

And maybe most importantly?

“I forgave myself,” he said. “I let go of the shame. That’s what kept me heavy for years.”

“The Goal Is 200”

Despite the headlines, Jelly Roll isn’t throwing in the towel just yet.

“My ultimate goal is to get down to 200 pounds,” he revealed in March 2025. “I started at over 450. Right now, I’m hovering around 300. I ain’t done.”

He’s already dropped over 150 pounds, and fans are still in awe. But the man himself? He's got that gritty, Nashville determination.

“I’ve conquered stages. Now I’m conquering myself.”

Why This Hits Different

Sure, celebrities lose weight all the time. But this one? This one’s different.

Maybe it’s because Jelly Roll was never trying to be a six-pack cover model. Maybe it’s because he’s honest about the fact that he cried, failed, slipped, and tried again. Or maybe it’s because he lets us in—messy moments and all.

“If I can do it,” he said, “the guy who used to eat a dozen Krispy Kremes just to cope with life—you can too.”

That’s not a soundbite. That’s real.

FAQ: What Fans Want to Know About Country Star Jelly Roll Weight Loss

1. How much weight has Jelly Roll lost? As of March 2025, Jelly Roll has lost over 150 pounds—starting from above 450 lbs and working his way closer to his 200-lb goal.

2. Did Jelly Roll use surgery or medication for weight loss?
Nope. Jelly Roll has been open about using exercise, a high-protein diet, and support from his wife and trainer—no surgeries or weight loss drugs.

3. What inspired Jelly Roll to lose weight?
His health, his family, and his fans. He wanted to be around longer for his daughter and prove to others it’s possible, even when it feels impossible.

4. What was his workout routine like?
He started with walking daily, then introduced weightlifting and cardio training. Recently, he’s been hiking and training like a man on a mission.

5. Is he still trying to lose more weight?
Absolutely. Jelly Roll has said his ultimate target is 200 lbs, and he's still pushing forward in 2025.

Final Word?

Don’t call it a glow-up. Call it a comeback. Country star Jelly Roll’s weight loss isn’t just a transformation—it’s a testament.

As he put it best:
“I lost the weight, but I found myself.”

And we’re all cheering him on for every step of the way.