By Gina Vivinetto Style
July 27, 2025
“Two hundred pounds down. And I swear, y’all, I still feel like the journey’s just starting.”
That’s Jelly Roll, real name Jason DeFord, and yes—you read that right: 200 pounds. The country rapper known for his big heart, big voice, and yes, his once big frame, just pulled off one of the most jaw-dropping weight loss transformations we’ve seen in years.
But this isn’t just another celebrity “before-and-after.” This is about grit, sweat, and a singer who once tipped the scale at 550 pounds now training for his second 5K run—and talking roller coasters and crocodile wrestling like a man reborn.
So, how exactly did Jelly Roll drop what amounts to the weight of a professional football player? And what’s fueling this fire that clearly hasn’t gone out yet?
Let’s break it down the Jelly way—raw, funny, brutally honest, and maybe even a little sweaty.
“At 550 Pounds, I Wasn’t Living—Just Existing”
Jelly Roll doesn’t sugarcoat it. “There were days I didn’t think I’d live to see 40,” he shared during a fan Q&A this spring. “Walking up stairs felt like climbing Everest. I was out of breath doing interviews, y’all. Interviews.”
His fans had long known the singer wasn’t shy about his struggles. But no one expected this level of transformation.
And it didn’t start with a trainer, or some Hollywood cleanse. It started in late 2016, when he said he was “fighting for my life.” The journey really picked up steam in 2022, when Jelly finally decided to stop “yo-yo dieting” and go all in.
“I remember thinking, ‘What if I actually commit this time?’ Not for a few weeks, not for tour season, but for life.”
Jelly Roll Weight Loss Gameplan: Food, Fitness, and (Surprise!) Saunas
So how did he do it?
Let’s get one thing straight: no shortcuts here. No weight loss surgery. No Ozempic. Just a whole lot of hustle.
“I was petrified of those injections,” Jelly admitted. “I needed to know I could do this on my own. I didn’t want to risk my voice, my energy, my career.”
So he went old school. Here’s the breakdown:
🥦 The Diet
“I eat like a grown-ass man trying to live,” he joked during a stop on his 2025 tour. His daily meals include:
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Protein-packed poutine (a nod to his Waffle House days—yes, really)
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Eggs, greens, grilled chicken—simple stuff, but filling
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One snack a day: usually nuts or a protein bar
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Zero fast food on tour (“It was my biggest addiction,” he admitted)
“It’s not sexy, but it works. I eat two meals a day, drink water like it owes me money, and stay the hell away from sugar.”
🏋️♂️ The Workouts
“I didn’t go from couch to 5K overnight,” he laughs. But go he did—and he actually ran a 5K in May 2025.
Now? He’s hitting weights, walking daily, and doing sauna sessions to stay lean. “I’m doing things I never thought possible. The treadmill doesn’t scare me anymore.“
The Toll Behind the Triumph
Let’s not sugarcoat it: this journey wasn’t all cheers and protein shakes.
“The hardest part? It wasn’t the food. It wasn’t even the workouts,” he told Fox News in May 2025. “It was getting my head in the game.”
Jelly Roll speaks openly about battling depression and emotional eating. “There were nights I’d lose 5 pounds in the gym and gain it back in pizza,” he said. “It’s not just physical—this is emotional warfare.”
His wife, Bunnie XO, was a huge part of the emotional support. “She’s seen me cry over cookies. Literally. And she never judged me.”
And it’s working: from 550 pounds to 357 pounds as of July 2025.
“I’m Not Done Yet”: What’s Next?
So here’s where it gets wild.
After running a 5K, Jelly Roll’s not slowing down. “Another 100 pounds coming off this year, y’all!” he declared in a YouTube short that’s racked up over 3 million views.
He’s also got roller coasters on the mind—literally.
“My goal is to get under 250 pounds. Why? So I can ride every damn ride at Universal Studios. That’s the dream, baby.”
Also on the post-weight loss bucket list? Skydiving, crocodile wrestling, and—get this—learning to surf.
From Fans to Firestarters: The Impact of the Jelly Roll Weight Loss
“I used to get messages saying, ‘Your music saved my life,’” he told People in April. “Now I get messages saying, ‘Your health journey saved mine.’ That hits different.”
He’s since become an advocate for natural weight loss—pushing for accessible fitness, healthy eating, and mental health support.
“If I can do this, any big dude out there can. I ain’t special. I’m just stubborn.”
Top Questions About Jelly Roll Weight Loss – Answered
1. How much weight has Jelly Roll lost?
As of April 2025, Jelly Roll has lost 200 pounds, going from 550 pounds to 357 pounds. He aims to lose another 100 pounds.
2. Did Jelly Roll use Ozempic or surgery to lose weight?
No. Jelly Roll has confirmed he did not use Ozempic or undergo weight loss surgery. His transformation is a result of clean eating, regular workouts, and mental discipline.
3. What does Jelly Roll eat in a day?
On tour, Jelly eats:
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Two balanced meals (lean protein + vegetables)
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One healthy snack
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Drinks lots of water
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Avoids sugar and fast food completely
4. What workouts helped Jelly Roll lose weight?
He started with walking, then progressed to:
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Weight training
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Cardio
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5K running
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Daily sauna sessions
5. Is Jelly Roll still trying to lose weight?
Yes! As of mid-2025, he’s publicly committed to losing another 100 pounds and reaching his goal weight of under 250 pounds.
Final Word? “You Just Gotta Start.”
“I don’t care if you weigh 150 or 550,” Jelly says. “Start walking. Start drinking water. Start saying no to crap food. Do something—and don’t stop.”
Because if there’s one thing the world learned from the Jelly Roll Weight Loss journey, it’s this: