The actor Billy Gardell, who played Mike Biggs on the show Mike & Molly, has a great story about getting healthy. He lost 170 pounds at age 56. His journey is a real example of changing your life for the better, not just another quick diet. It shows how he chose to be healthy for a long time.
The Turning Point: Facing the COVID-19 Wake-Up Call
For many years, Billy Gardell had problems because of his weight. Then, when the COVID-19 pandemic started, it was a major alarm for him. Mr. Gardell had serious health issues like sleep apnea, obesity (being very overweight), and Type 2 diabetes. Because of these, he was at high risk of getting very sick from the virus. This scary thought made him decide he had to make big changes. He understood that he needed professional help and big steps to become healthy, no matter his age.
Choosing Bariatric Surgery and a Healthy Lifestyle Plan
Billy Gardell decided to start his change with a medical operation called bariatric surgery in 2021. He quickly pointed out that the surgery was not a quick fix. It was only the first tool to help him start a very hard journey. It was the start of a new, healthy way of eating for him. After the surgery, he changed his daily life completely:
- Eating: He started a diet with lots of protein and vegetables. He completely changed the size of his meals and what he ate.
- Exercise: He began to move his body regularly. This included walking every day and doing structured workouts three times a week.
His success shows that to change your body and lose a lot of weight, you need three things: medical help, regular exercise, and careful eating. The surgery started the process, but the everyday healthy choices made him lose the 170 pounds.
Life After Weight Loss: Reversing Type 2 Diabetes
Since losing the weight, Billy Gardell’s health has become much better. It’s not just how he looks; it’s how his body works. The best results include:
- Getting rid of Type 2 Diabetes: This is a huge change! He no longer needs daily medicine for it.
- More Energy and Better Movement: He can do things for longer and move around much more easily and comfortably.
- Feeling Great Overall: He says he feels stronger and has a much better quality of life.
His story is strong proof that losing weight in middle age can make your health much better, and can even help to reverse Type 2 diabetes.
The Emotional Transformation and Mindset Shift
One of the most important changes for Mr. Gardell was in his mind and feelings. He realized that he used food as a way to cope with his feelings since he was a child—this is called emotional eating.
To keep the weight off, he had to change his thinking. He stopped seeing food as comfort, a reward, or something to fix a bad mood. Instead, he now sees food only as fuel to keep his healthy body going. This change in thinking is key for anyone who wants to lose weight and keep it off forever. True health means taking care of both your body and your mind.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational and educational purposes only, based on published news reports regarding a celebrity’s personal health journey. Readers are strongly advised to verify details from trusted medical professionals and sources before making decisions about their own health, medical procedures, or treatment plans.