Jelly Roll Opens Up About Weight Loss Setback Country music star Jelly Roll has been candid about facing a setback in his ongoing weight loss journey. After achieving significant milestones, including a Men’s Health magazine cover, the singer revealed he gained back approximately 12 pounds during the holiday season and has since rededicated himself to his health goals. Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, explained that the setback began after reaching a major milestone—appearing on the cover of Men’s Health in January 2025. He had worked toward this goal for a year and achieved it two months ahead of schedule. Feeling accomplished, he decided to enjoy the holiday season, which included indulging in large Thanksgiving, birthday, and Christmas meals. “I was like, ‘You know what, man, I’ve been working hard for the past three years losing this weight.’ I said, ‘I’m gonna enjoy the holidays,'” Jelly Roll shared in a YouTube vlog. “I ate a big Thanksgiving meal and I ate a big birthday meal and I ate a big Christmas meal. And I kinda got off the rails.” The situation worsened when Jelly Roll suffered a broken collarbone just days before Christmas, an injury sustained in an ATV accident. This prevented him from exercising as he had been, further disrupting his routine. “I said all that to say, I have, to some degree, lost my way,” Jelly Roll admitted, acknowledging that even though the Men’s Health cover was a significant achievement, he was not yet at his desired maintenance weight at the time of the photo shoot. He estimates he is still about 40 to 50 pounds away from his goal weight, possibly more. Despite avoiding the scale out of fear of seeing the numbers, Jelly Roll has recommitted to his journey. He has set a new ambitious goal: to run the 2026 New York City Marathon in November and subsequently land a shirtless magazine cover. His weight loss transformation, which has seen him shed an estimated nearly 300 pounds over recent years, has profoundly impacted his life. Jelly Roll has previously shared that the journey has made him a better father, brought him closer to God and himself, and increased his presence with his children. As he works to regain momentum, Jelly Roll’s openness about his struggles continues to resonate with fans facing similar health challenges, reinforcing that setbacks are a part of long-term journeys and renewal is always possible.
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