Jelly Roll shares candid update on health journey after holiday setback and injury

Jelly Roll has opened up about struggling with his weight loss journey, admitting he has been “avoiding the scale” and feels he has “lost his way” in recent months.

The 41-year-old singer, whose real name is Jason DeFord, shared the candid update in a recent YouTube video, where he reflected on both progress and setbacks in his ongoing transformation.

Jelly Roll said he had made significant lifestyle changes after beginning his fitness journey in 2023, when he weighed over 500 lbs. 

He previously lost more than 275 lbs. and even appeared on the cover of Men’s Health earlier this year, marking a major milestone in his progress.

However, the singer explained that his routine shifted during the holiday period, when he chose to relax his diet after years of strict discipline. 

He also revealed that a broken collarbone shortly before Christmas forced him to pause running, walking, and other forms of exercise for a time.

“I was like, ‘I’ve been working hard for the last three years, I’m going to enjoy the holidays,’” he said, noting that Thanksgiving, his birthday, and Christmas meals contributed to a temporary setback.

In the video, Jelly Roll admitted he has been hesitant to step on the scale, saying he feels “scared” of the results and uncomfortable with where his progress currently stands.

“I have, to some degree, lost my way,” he said, adding that avoiding weigh-ins has become part of the problem rather than the solution.

He later revealed that he recently weighed 276.2 lbs., reflecting a gain of around 12 lbs., and acknowledged the emotional impact of seeing the number.

Despite the setback, Jelly Roll said he remains committed to his long-term goals and is preparing for a major new challenge, running the New York City Marathon in November, something he never previously considered possible.

Looking ahead, the singer said he still hopes to reach his target weight, with an additional goal of losing 40 to 50 lbs. 

He also shared a personal ambition of doing a shirtless magazine shoot, calling it part of the larger story of his transformation.

“I just believe there’s a story that a guy can go from 560 lbs. to a shirt-off picture,” he said.