Everything Jelly Roll Has Shared About His 275-Pound Weight Loss: GLP-1s and Beyond

Jelly Roll has been on a consistent weight loss journey since 2022, and he shows no signs of stopping.

The country star, born Jason DeFord, has openly addressed his weight struggles for almost a decade. In 2015, he surpassed 500 pounds, sharing in a 2018 Instagram post that a doctor once suggested he visit a “meat processor or truck stop” to accurately measure his weight, as regular scales only went up to 500 lbs.

“It was one of the most embarrassing days of my life,” Jelly Roll recalled.

Although he lost weight sporadically in the following years, it was in 2022 that he seriously committed to his weight loss journey.

“I’m going to spend the first couple of months of the year focusing on family and health,” he told Music Mayhem in December 2022. “I lost some weight in 2022, but in 2023, I want to finally conquer my struggle. I won’t be heading out on a major tour until mid-year. So, I plan to use the first half of the year to finalize the album and get some work done.”

Fast forward three years, and Jelly Roll has shed an impressive 275 lbs. and continues to make progress.

Keep scrolling to discover what the musician has shared about his weight loss journey:

Beginning of Jelly Roll’s Weight Loss Journey

“I’ve been heavy my entire life,” Jelly Roll mentioned on “The Bobby Bones Show” in 2022, explaining that his mother gave him the nickname Jelly Roll because he was a “chubby” child.

“She started calling me Jelly Roll when I was young, and I spent the next two decades trying to live up to the name,” he added.

In a December 2025 appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, Jelly Roll shared that he had promised his family — wife Bunnie XO, daughter Bailee, and son Noah — that he would start focusing on his weight long before he actually took action. He recalled the moment he finally decided to take the first step, despite heavy rain.

“In my mind, I was determined, like ‘I’m going outside.’ I was done lying to them and to myself. I promised them I’d go for a walk, and I was going to do it,” he explained. “As I walked back up my driveway, which is a steep hill, my whole family was there cheering me on, clapping, hands raised.”

He continued, “For years, I had done nothing but lie to them about my weight. I never proved to them that I would change or keep my word. They had every reason not to cheer for me.”

Why Jelly Roll Avoided GLP-1 Medications for Weight Loss

In his January 2026 cover interview for Men’s Health, Jelly Roll discussed why he opted not to use GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Wegovy to aid his weight loss.

“I remember everyone saying GLP-1s or Ozempic could upset your stomach,” he said. “I’ve treated my body so poorly; I can’t believe God has given me this voice for so long. I didn’t deserve it. I chose not to do it out of fear.”

Treating His ‘Addiction’ to Food

Beyond exercise and lifestyle changes, Jelly Roll sought therapy to address his food addiction.

“Even before I got my blood work done, I sought mental health therapy for my overeating. I started addressing my food addiction for what it truly was: an addiction. Why did I treat my cocaine use one way? I went to meetings, found a sponsor, and detoxed from it, experiencing life-changing emotional challenges. I realized I needed to approach my food addiction with the same seriousness,” he shared with Men’s Health. “Once I started treating food like an addiction, everything began to change for me.”

Improvements in Jelly Roll’s Sex Life

Jelly Roll opened up about the intimacy issues he faced with his wife prior to his weight loss.

“My sex life with my wife was terrible,” he confessed during “The Joe Rogan Experience.” “I married a stunning woman, and I couldn’t even get aroused; I was just too large.”

However, after losing a significant amount of weight, Jelly Roll noted his sex life has noticeably improved.

“I feel like I’m a teenager again,” he joked to Men’s Health. “I have the sex drive of a 17-year-old! We’re having spontaneous daytime sex, and it’s fantastic.”

Jelly Roll’s Ongoing Weight Loss Journey

Jelly Roll expressed to Men’s Health that he doesn’t feel he has achieved his ideal weight yet.

“I don’t have a specific goal weight; I have a feeling weight, and I don’t feel it yet. I will know when I reach that feeling, which means I’ll truly be there. But I’ve worked really hard and lost weight the right way,” he stated. “I sense the weight loss in every aspect, whether I’m playing basketball, how I move, or breathing easier while running up and down a court. I feel it when I sleep; my hips hurt less, and rolling over is easier. Plus, my wife and I can fit on the same bed again.”

Jelly Roll has also been contemplating surgery to remove the excess skin resulting from his weight loss.

“There’s a lot of skin left over. I’m starting to meet with skin surgeons to discuss the possibility of surgery in the next year. It’s a complicated relationship for me; I’m proud of what I achieved, but it can be a hindrance,” he explained. “When I look in the mirror, I often think, ‘Without this, I’d really be in great shape.’ So, I’ll probably have to consider removing it eventually.”

Jelly Roll Reflects on Becoming a ‘Better Father’

In January 2026, Jelly Roll shared insights on how his weight loss has positively affected his relationship with his children.

“It has transformed me in every way,” he told Extra at the premiere of Netflix’s Star Search. “I feel closer to God, more in touch with myself, and a better father. I’m more present for my kids.”

Jelly Roll revealed he has even started coaching his son Noah’s basketball team, a feat he never thought possible.

“I feel physically better and capable of doing it,” he shared. “When you weigh 550 pounds, you question whether there’s even a seat big enough for you anywhere. Coaching a team wasn’t something I ever considered.”

Latest Update on Jelly Roll’s Fitness Journey

At the premiere of Star Search, Jelly Roll stated that the “biggest change” driving his weight loss was related to his diet.

“Man, I was on the brink of death. I’m not trying to preach, but I’m passionate about this, especially given how skewed our food system is. As an addict, it was challenging to step away, so I put in a lot of work regarding my diet,” he noted while speaking to E! News. “Running has been my real savior. I wake up and run every single day — yes, seven days a week — even if it’s just a recovery run, covering a mile at a slow, 15-minute jog. I run every day.”