Jelly Roll, the country singer whose unique blend of authenticity and raw emotion has won him legions of fans, has recently captured even more attention with his incredible 110-pound weight loss. Known for his chart-topping hits like Need a Favor, Jelly Roll’s weight loss journey is one that speaks to determination, honesty, and the power of self-transformation. In 2022, Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, decided it was time to put his health first. By 2024, he had not only shed more than 100 pounds, but also overhauled his entire lifestyle. Here’s everything Jelly Roll has shared about his remarkable journey and the changes that came with it.
A Commitment to Change: Jelly Roll’s Weight Loss Journey Begins
Jelly Roll, at one point tipping the scales at 550 lbs, has always been open about his struggles with weight. In a heartfelt interview with Music Mayhem, he reflected on his decision to embark on his weight loss journey in 2022. “I wanted to focus on my health and conquer the demon that was my weight,” he said.
What motivated him to start? “I’ve been fat my whole life,” he confessed, recalling the nickname his mother gave him as a child—Jelly Roll—because of his chubby physique. “She started calling me Jelly Roll when I was young, and I spent the next 20 years trying to grow into the name,” he laughed. This early struggle with weight would set the tone for a lifetime of battles with self-image.
Losing Over 100 Pounds: The Life-Altering Transformation
By 2024, Jelly Roll had lost an astonishing 110 lbs, and he attributes much of this success to a shift in his lifestyle. He began his weight loss journey by focusing on healthier eating habits and increasing exercise. During his Beautifully Broken tour, Jelly Roll dropped 60 to 70 lbs as part of a routine that now revolved around good eating, exercise, and emotional check-ins with his crew. “It’s cool because there was once a time in life that the culture I built on tour was the opposite,” he shared. “It revolved around alcohol and drugs. And now our tour culture is around good eating and around exercising.”
But the real magic happened when he started training for a 5K race. As Jelly Roll explained in April 2024, “I lost 70-something pounds training for the 2 Bears 5K with Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura.” This training routine included walking and running, logging between “two and three miles a day,” four to six days a week, as he prepared for the race at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
Training for a 5K and Adding Self-Care: The Key to His Weight Loss
Jelly Roll’s 5K training wasn’t just about running. It was about total body care and incorporating healthy habits into his routine. “I’m doing 20 to 30 minutes in the sauna, six minutes in a cold plunge every day,” he revealed. These daily rituals became part of his self-care regimen, helping him stay focused and energized throughout his weight loss journey. “I feel really good,” he added, reflecting on how he’s felt both mentally and physically as he sheds the pounds.
His wife, Bunnie Xo, also supported him throughout the journey, even joining him for his first-ever 5K race. The two crossed the finish line together, marking a milestone in his transformation. Jelly Roll fondly recalled that when he started training, he “couldn’t walk a mile,” but now, he was competing in races—a feat that felt impossible only months before.
Adopting a High-Protein Diet: Nutrition’s Role in His Weight Loss
As part of his weight loss transformation, Jelly Roll made significant changes to his diet. He decided to adopt a high-protein approach to food and brought a nutritionist, Chef Ian Larios, on his Beautifully Broken tour to ensure he stayed on track. “I want to make sure I’m eating right,” Jelly Roll said, discussing how meals like Nashville-style hot chicken and bone broth French fries helped him stay full and satisfied while nourishing his body. He even took to Instagram to show off some of his favorite healthy meals, like high-protein poutine and peanut butter cookie dough bites, sharing his nutrition journey with fans.
“I’ve learned a lot from the people around me who care about my health,” he said. “It’s not just about losing weight; it’s about learning how to eat and live in a way that supports my body.”
Choosing a Natural Approach: Jelly Roll’s Decision to Avoid Ozempic
In an interview on Dumb Blonde Podcast, Jelly Roll explained that he decided to lose weight “naturally,” despite being aware of options like Ozempic, a weight loss drug that has gained attention. “Every doctor I’ve talked to is for it,” he said, noting that the medication is effective for many. However, Jelly Roll chose to avoid it out of concern for acid reflux, a potential side effect of the medication that could impact his singing career. “As a singer, few things scare me more than acid reflux,” he shared. “It can rip the vocal cords. That’s something I didn’t want to risk.”
Instead, he opted for a more natural approach—focusing on exercise, nutrition, and mental wellness to shed the pounds.
Overcoming Food Addiction: Jelly Roll’s Battle to Reclaim Control
One of the most powerful parts of Jelly Roll’s transformation story is his openness about overcoming food addiction. He admitted to battling a lifelong struggle with food, saying, “Nobody in my house ever had a healthy relationship with food.” Jelly shared that his food addiction started when he was a child, and for years he battled unhealthy eating habits.
But through his weight loss journey, Jelly Roll has made strides in reprogramming his approach to food. “Once you get into that discipline and commitment, it’s like an avalanche,” he said. “Once that little snowball started rolling, it was on its way.”
In fact, his commitment to healthier living is what inspired him to lose an additional 200 lbs in the years following his decision to start living a healthier life. In a post from 2018, Jelly Roll reflected, “I want to sky dive, bungee jump, ride a bull, parasail, ride roller coasters… I want to LIVE a normal life and have a normal relationship with food.”
Staying Active: Fitness on Tour and Beyond
Jelly Roll didn’t let touring get in the way of his fitness goals. He played basketball with his crew daily, even taking time to engage with fans and other communities during his travels. Whether it was playing with the University of Kentucky Basketball Team or challenging juvenile detention center inmates to a game of hoops in Houston, Jelly Roll found ways to stay active and involved.
“Turns out we’ve got some practice to do because they put a whoopin’ on us,” he joked, showing that no matter the challenge, he was always willing to have fun and keep moving.
Setting New Fitness Goals: Jelly Roll’s Vision for 2026
In an emotional conversation with his wife, Bunnie, Jelly Roll shared a new goal: he wants to be on the cover of Men’s Health by March 2026. “That’s my new goal. I want to have one of the biggest transformations,” he said, marking the first time he had publicly voiced such an aspiration. Bunnie, ever-supportive, expressed her excitement, telling him, “Hearing it out loud makes me so giddy.”
Jelly Roll’s Transformative Journey and Legacy
Jelly Roll’s weight loss journey is far more than just a physical transformation; it’s a powerful story of perseverance, commitment, and love. His candidness about his struggles and successes has inspired millions. As Jelly Roll continues to work towards his next goals, he proves that transformation is possible—whether in body, mind, or spirit—and that with determination and support, anything is achievable.
FAQs About Jelly Roll’s Weight Loss Journey
1. How much weight has Jelly Roll lost? Jelly Roll has lost over 110 pounds, with significant weight loss during his Beautifully Broken tour.
2. What methods did Jelly Roll use to lose weight? Jelly Roll adopted a combination of exercise, high-protein eating, and self-care practices such as using a sauna and cold plunges to aid his transformation.
3. Did Jelly Roll use weight loss medications like Ozempic? No, Jelly Roll chose to lose weight naturally and avoided weight loss drugs like Ozempic due to concerns over acid reflux affecting his singing voice.
4. How did Jelly Roll stay active while on tour? Jelly Roll stayed active by playing basketball with his crew and engaging in physical activities during his tour, including basketball games with fans.
5. What is Jelly Roll’s new fitness goal for 2026? Jelly Roll’s new fitness goal is to be on the cover of Men’s Health by March 2026, marking his next big personal milestone.