Lamorne Morris, known for his hilarious role as Winston Bishop on New Girl, is far from just the funny guy on screen. Off-screen, he’s proving that dedication and consistency can lead to some serious transformations. In a candid conversation about his fitness journey, Morris shared how he managed to lose over 40 pounds in just four months, dropping his body fat percentage from 30% to 13%. Here’s how he did it—and why it was about more than just looking good.
What Inspired Lamorne Morris’ Weight Loss Transformation?
After filming the fifth season of Fargo, where he played Witt Farr, a reliable deputy sheriff from North Dakota, Morris found himself with a heavier build for the role. He was snacking more, indulging in the delicious food in Calgary, and enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle. But when he got back home, Morris realized that his new, huskier body wasn’t cutting it anymore.
“I was out of shape, and it’s not fun chasing your kid around when you’re out of breath all the time,” Morris admitted, reflecting on his motivation for change. That’s when his journey back to fitness began, with a little help from his friends—and a lot of tough love from his trainer, Eddie Baruta.
The Secret to Lamorne Morris’ Transformation: A Mix of Accountability and Lifestyle Changes
Morris credits much of his success to his friend and workout buddy, Glen Powell, who is known for his athleticism and constantly pushing him to improve. Powell’s playful teasing and their shared trainer, Eddie Baruta, helped Morris stay committed. Eddie didn’t hold back, either—he regularly texted Morris asking him to send pictures and hold him accountable. “He body shames me. Every morning, I get a text from him: ‘What do you look like? Send me a picture,’” Morris laughed.
But beyond the jokes, the transformation was about health first, not just aesthetics. Morris acknowledged the need to stay healthy as he got older, especially as he approached his 40s. “My goal was to be in the best shape of my life at the oldest age I’ve been,” he explained. And from the looks of it, he achieved just that, feeling stronger and healthier than ever before.
The Diet Changes That Helped Morris Lose 40 Pounds
It all started in the kitchen for Morris. With the guidance of nutritionist David Allen, Morris made significant changes to his diet. The first thing he cut out? Sugar. “Sugar was the hardest thing to cut,” Morris admitted. “You don’t realize how much sugar is in everything.” The cravings were intense, but once Morris got past the withdrawal phase, he started to see results.
While he stuck to basic foods and cooked for himself as much as possible, he also found little tricks to make his meals enjoyable. “I would season the best I could, keep salad dressing on the side, and lightly marinate meats,” Morris shared. One of his favorite snacks became sweet potatoes baked in coconut oil with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and cinnamon—far healthier than his beloved Doritos.
Cutting down on carbs was another critical aspect of his diet. While it wasn’t easy, Morris pushed through, realizing that food was just a tool to get him to a healthier place.
How Lamorne Morris Tackled Alcohol and Social Eating
As a social drinker, Morris found alcohol to be one of his biggest challenges. His solution? Instead of ordering multiple cocktails throughout the night, he would treat himself to the most expensive shot of tequila available. “Make that drink the most expensive one, sip it all night, and people will think you’re partying,” he laughed. By limiting the number of drinks he had, he not only controlled his calorie intake but also found a way to enjoy social events without overindulging.
The Workout Routine That Transformed Morris’ Body
Morris worked out three to four times a week with his trainer, Eddie Baruta, focusing on strength training and traditional exercises like bench presses, push-ups, and dumbbell presses. “There’s not a lot of gimmicky stuff,” Morris said. “It’s stuff anyone can do.”
Though Morris isn’t a fan of leg day, he pushed through, knowing that he had to work harder as he got older to stay healthy. As he says, “I’m 40, and I wanted to make sure I stay healthy for the rest of my life.” Even after a challenging workout, Morris always finishes his sessions with some burst cardio, like the AssaultBike or sled work on the track. And he’s quick to note that he beats Glen Powell on the track and in pull-ups, adding a little competitive edge to his training.
Motivation and Inspiration: The Key to Morris’ Success
For Morris, it was personal loss that ultimately propelled him to take his health seriously. After losing his father in June, Morris was reminded of how important it was to stay healthy for his daughter and loved ones. “When my father died, it was a wake-up call to get my life together,” he reflected. This realization was the turning point that helped him stay consistent with his workouts and diet.
Morris’ advice for anyone looking to make similar health changes is simple: find your “why”. Once it becomes important to you, finding the motivation and discipline to keep going becomes much easier. And for Morris, that meant getting a trainer who pushed him beyond his limits, someone who knew he would only work hard if they gave him a little tough love.
What’s Next for Lamorne Morris?
Now that Morris has achieved his transformation, he’s focusing on maintaining his new physique while also bulking up for his next role. Recently, he was cast as Garrett Morris in SNL 1975, where he had to get down to 155 pounds, smaller than his current weight. But now that the role is behind him, he’s planning to bulk up again, while keeping the definition he’s worked so hard to achieve.
And in true Lamorne fashion, he’s leaving a little mystery about what comes next. “Let’s just say I’ve knocked on the doors of DC and Marvel long enough,” he teased. Whether that means we’ll see him in one of those iconic universes remains to be seen—but we can be sure that his fitness journey will continue to inspire.
Lamorne Morris’ Journey Shows Us How to Combine Health, Fitness, and Fun
Lamorne Morris’ transformation wasn’t just about looking good—it was about feeling better and becoming the healthiest version of himself. Through a combination of smart diet choices, consistent strength training, and a strong sense of motivation, Morris managed to lose over 40 pounds and feel more confident than ever.
For anyone looking to make similar changes, Morris’ advice is clear: find your “why,” get a trainer who pushes you, and focus on creating a sustainable lifestyle—because the best results come from a commitment to health and well-being, not just a number on the scale.