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Chumlee’s Weight Loss: Here’s How the Pawn Star Shed 160 lbs
Pawn star Chumlee's weight loss was achieved through a clean diet, workout routine, and gastric sleeve surgery. Discover the secrets behind his drastic transformation here.
Chumlee's weight loss and drastic transformation garnered attention from his fans and critics, and rightfully so! The TV personality put an end to all criticisms and dropped a whopping 160 pounds. Chumlee has always been transparent about his struggle to lose weight. After he was sick and tired of all the failed attempts and reached 350 lbs in 2019, he decided to undergo gastric sleeve surgery, which changed his life for the better. For the unversed, this particular surgery takes out 70-80% of the stomach and restricts food intake, ultimately helping the recipient lose weight.
In preparation for the surgery, Chumlee lost 35 pounds to make the procedure smoother. What was his pre-surgery diet and exercise? How does Chumlee stay in shape after the surgery? Before we dig up all the details on Chumlee’s weight loss, let’s look at his career highlights.
Who Is Chumlee?
Chumlee is a reality TV star and businessman, who gained fame through his appearances on the History Channel TV show Pawn Stars in 2009. The show documented his daily activities at the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, where he works. Chumlee won over fans with his charismatic charm and sense of humor, making him a standout star of the show.
Capitalizing on the show's success, he started his own company selling unique novelty items he designed. In 2017, he even opened a candy shop near the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop.
However, he also faced legal troubles and felony charges, attracting media attention during his career. Later in 2021, the 160 kg Pawn star underwent gastric sleeve surgery for weight loss, generating further media coverage.
Profile & Stats
- Real name: Austin Lee Russell
- Place of birth: Nevada, U.S
- Date of birth: September 8, 1982
- Age in 2023: 41
- Height: 5 feet 9 inches
- Weight before: 350 pounds (159 kg)
- Weight after: 190 pounds (86 kg)
- Reduced weight: 160 pounds (73 kg)
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Pawn Star Chumlee’s Weight Loss Journey
Chumlee shared that he was tired of struggling with his weight and decided to make a change when he reached 350 lbs. In September 2013, he began making lifestyle changes, losing 75 lbs (34 kg) in a year. He hit the gym six days a week, improved his diet with more juice and veggies, and cut out red meat.
This shift was motivated by his father's passing from pancreatic cancer just before Pawn Stars premiered. With his new diet, he could ride a hovercraft he bought, which had a weight limit of 250 lb (110 kg). However, he later gained weight, reaching 350 lb (160 kg) in January 2019. Struggling for years to lead a healthier life, he opted for gastric sleeve surgery at Blossom Bariatrics in Las Vegas, losing 160 lb (73 kg) by October 2021.
Since his weight loss journey, Chumlee maintains a healthy weight of 190 lbs and prioritizes clean eating, exercise, and having a strong support system. His transformation is an inspiration for those facing their own weight struggles. Despite the central role of eating and drinking in his lifestyle, he managed to shed around 160 pounds. Though he gained some weight back recently, he considers it a worthwhile journey. Scroll further to discover the details of his workout and diet plan.
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Chumlee’s Workout Routine
Before starting his weight-loss journey, Chumlee's co-star and friend, Corey Harrison, took the lead and lost almost 200 pounds through lap-band surgery and a diet and exercise program. Inspired by Corey's success, Chumlee decided to transform his lifestyle as well.
Chumlee followed a different set of exercises each day of the week. Such a combination of exercises can be highly effective for gaining lean body mass as well as reducing fat in sedentary, overweight, or obese adults (1). Here's a brief overview of his workout routine:
Day 1
- Seated Chest Press Machine
- Leg Press Machine
- Shoulder Press Machine
- Lateral Pulldown machine
- Dip Machine
- Leg Extension
Day 2
30 minutes of incline treadmill walking at 4.5 mph, 10.0 Incline at a static pace
Day 3
- Dumbbell bench press
- Assisted Pullup Machine
- Dumbbell 1-arm row
- Standing barbell bicep curls
- Seated Dumbbell shoulder press
- Dumbbell Step Ups
Day 4
Rest Day
Day 5
Chumlee's Stairmaster workout consisted of 25 minutes of interval training. He would alternate between 30 seconds of moderate intensity and 30 seconds of low intensity throughout the entire session.
Day 6
- Seated Incline Bench Press
- Seated Squat Machine
- Hamstring Curl Machine
- Shoulder press machine
- Bicep Curl Machine
- Seated Wide Grip Row Machine
Day 7
Incline treadmill for 30 minutes switching off between a moderate interval (5.5 mph) and a low interval (3.5 mph) with the incline set at 10.0.
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Chumlee Diet Routine
The Chumlee Diet revolves around consuming whole, unprocessed foods to support the body and health. Initially, Chumlee eliminated all processed foods except mustard and adopted a motto of everything in moderation. Let's explore the foods to eat and avoid following this regimen like Chumlee.
Foods to Avoid
- Sugary beverages like soft drinks, energy drinks, and fruit punch
- Packaged snacks such as chips and cookies
- Sweetened breakfast cereals and instant soups
- Frozen meals like pizza and instant soups
- Reconstituted meat products like hot dogs and fish sticks
- Baking mixes such as cake and cookie mixes
- Candies, ice creams, and confectionery
- Packaged bread and buns
- Energy and protein bars and shakes
Foods to Consume
- Vegetables and fruits
- Whole grains like quinoa, and brown rice
- Legumes such as beans and lentils
- Meat, poultry, eggs, and fish
- Fresh or pasteurized milk and plain yogurt
- 100% vegetable or fruit juice with no added sugars
- Herbs and spices
- Nuts and seeds
Tips for Following the Chumlee Diet
- Choose fresh and real foods with no added sugars or additives for weight loss (2), (3).
- Stay hydrated with plenty of water. This increases metabolism thereby aiding in weight loss (4).
- Control your portion sizes and pay attention to your body's signals of hunger and fullness (5).
- Practice mindful eating by savoring each bite and eating slowly (6).
Benefits of the Chumlee Diet
- Weight loss: Helps shed pounds and maintain a healthy weight (7).
- Energy boost: Nutritious foods provide more energy throughout the day
- Reduced risk of chronic diseases: Rich in antioxidants and nutrients in fruits and veggies, lowers the risk of heart disease and diabetes (8).
- Better digestion: Including fiber-rich foods for a healthy gut and digestion (9).
- Improved mood and mental clarity: Brain-boosting foods such as beans, greens, and legumes lead to a better mood and mental focus (10).
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Chumlee’s Weight Loss Surgery
In the beginning, Chumlee tried natural ways to lose weight, but he didn't see significant results. So, inspired by his friend Corey, he opted for gastric sleeve surgery. This surgery involves reducing the stomach size to a smaller pouch, about the size of a banana.
Gastric sleeve surgery helps with weight loss in two ways:
- Your stomach becomes much smaller, so you feel full quicker and eat less. Hence, it reduces calorie intake.
- The surgery also removes the part of your stomach that produces the hunger hormone ghrelin, making you less hungry (11).
After the surgery, Chumlee's weight is now 190 pounds, and he's committed to staying healthy and fit. Following a diet and exercise plan after the surgery is crucial for the surgery's success. If you stick to these changes, you may increase your chances of maintaining weight loss in the long run.
Chumlee's weight loss was the result of scrutiny from the public and his dissatisfaction regarding his weight. The drastic transformation turned his life around. After years of struggling, he is finally content with where his weight is now. The gastric sleeve surgery significantly reduced his stomach size and curbed hunger hormones, resulting in a remarkable transformation. After the surgery, he didn't let himself go or give in to his cravings. He dedicatedly follows a strict diet and exercise regime and hopes to inspire his fans to embark on their transformation journey and not fear criticism. The star believes one “could have everything” they want if they put their “heart and soul” into it.
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