Losing weight is not easy for a lot of people. It definitely was not for actor Billy Gardell, formerly on the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly. He is now opening up about exactly what his weight loss journey was like. According to Gardell, dropping more than 170 pounds radically improved (and probably will prolong) his life.
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Gardell Was Not in Good Shape Physically
Per People, his weight climbed to between 370 and 380 pounds as of five years ago. Gardell also had some concerning conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and asthma. On top of all those, he smoked. When the pandemic came along, there was no denying that he had to make some big adjustments. Gardell, 56, was worried enough about his habits and his health that he took decisive action.
The actor had bariatric surgery in 2021. He takes well-deserved pride in what he did. Per the outlet, Gardell exulted, "My diabetes is gone. I feel strong. I have energy. Losing weight saved my life."
Emotional Factors Stoked His Weight Gain
Gardell's parents divorced when he was young. That impacted him tremendously. He said, "I had a lot of responsibility heaped on me at 14 to help provide for the family, and the second stepfather that we had in the house was not a kind person. I think I put on this extra weight as some kind of safety armor."
When he thinks about the past, Gardell understands how he went astray with his eating. "I was medicating my emotions and my fears with food, and I was also celebrating my victories with food. You're eating to deflect your feelings when they're bad or enhance them when they're good, and both of those things are poison pills."
Gardell's career was soaring. Being on Mike & Molly starting in 2010 was a huge boost for him. But meanwhile, Gardell was trying diet after diet and admittedly not sticking with any of them. When the pandemic hit, he said, "I was in enough desperation to make a change."
Weight-Loss Surgery Was the Key for Him
Today, Gardell calls surgeon Philippe Quilici and nutritionist Teri Hlubik his "dream team." But he knew that it would ultimately be up to him to maintain a healthy weight and outlook. That involved cultivating a whole new attitude about food and eating.
Per the outlet, Gardell realistically said, "Food is fuel. It's not reward, it's not soothing, it's not medication. I had to get beyond my emotional relationship with food."
His Life Is So Much Better Now
Gardell can now do physical activities that were out of the question before his weight loss, such as horseback riding and surfing. He wears smaller sizes. And Gardell knows that he will likely be able to enjoy the treasured companionship of his wife and son for many years to come. Speaking of his new healthy regimen, Gardell appreciatively said, "It's kinda like living in Groundhog Day, but it's worth every bit of it."
