Billy Gardell claims to be diabetes free after losing 150 pounds

Billy Gardell shared an update on her weight loss journey. The 53-year-old actor revealed in a recent interview that he no longer suffers from diabetes after undergoing massive weight loss following gastric bypass surgery in 2021.

She shared her joy at being able to shop for clothes in full-size stores now, though she misses her “fat boy pants.”

The father of one also revealed that he has received a lot of support from the showrunners and crew of ‘Bob Hearts Abishola’, where he is one of the lead actors.

Read on to learn more.

Billy Gardell is free of type 2 diabetes

In an interview Fun tonightGardell shared that he no longer has type 2 diabetes after undergoing massive weight loss following gastric bypass surgery in 2021.

The actor weighed more than 370 pounds nearly a decade ago, but now “floats between 205 and 210,” having lost more than 150 pounds.

Reflecting on her new look, Gardell noted that she owes it all to her decision to embark on a “self-care” journey, and she feels she’s accomplished what she set out to do in the beginning.

“I think you have to find peace with yourself and at some point you have to look in the mirror and go, you know, it’s probably time to take care of yourself,” the “Mike & Molly” star told the publication.

Other benefits of losing weight include her resting heart rate dropping from 113 to 68 and finally being able to buy clothes outside of stores that only fit her previous weight.

Billy Gardell wants to be a “good example of health” for his son

While her new look makes her happy, Gardell says some people have overlooked the benefits of the lifestyle change and instead ask probing, unnecessary questions.

“There’s always people on the Internet who, you know, when I was heavy, were like, ‘You’re too heavy!’ And now they’re like, ‘Are you sick?’ I can walk on the ground, please,” said the actor.

The “Mike & Molly” alum added that his desire to live long enough to play a significant role in his son’s life motivates him to make an effort every day.

“When you get to 50, you start doing that dad math like, ‘If I can live another 25 years and he’ll be 40’… You know what I mean? So I want to be here for him,” he told his son, III. Referring to Vilmos, whom she shares with Patty Knight.

“I set many good examples for my child, but I feel that I was not a good example of health for him. And that’s why I want you to see this.”

“I still smoke cigarettes”

Despite her desire to live a healthy life for her son, Gardell still clings to one habit, but hopes to kick it soon.

“I still smoke cigarettes,” the “Young Sheldon” star said. “But I’m working on it.” A buddy of mine told me, “Knock them down in the order they kill me.”

Elsewhere in the interview, he joked that he regretted the weight loss a few times, especially being able to easily take his “fat boy pants” on and off, compared to his new ones.

“Your ankles are too tight,” she joked about the new pants in her wardrobe. “I don’t want to do yoga to get out of my pants. This is where I miss my fat boy pants because you could throw them off and walk out like a fireman.

Billy Gardell on the support he received

Through the journey of ‘self-care’, Gardell has received support from all corners, including the showrunners of the hit series ‘Bob Hearts Abishola’.

The series stars Bob, one half of the iconic duo, alongside Folake Olowofoyeku, who plays Abishola. The series, which debuted in 2019, ran for four seasons and was recently approved for a fifth season due to its growing popularity among viewers.

“They were incredibly supportive and just nodded along as it happened,” Gardell said of the showrunners as she talked about how easy it was to share her physical transformation wishes with them.

Gardell also gave props to the wardrobe and makeup artists who made sure she looked good despite the unsettling changes to her body.

He said: “They took it out on me. I look good all the way. And it was a nice development that the audience was watching it in real time.”