It’s a bit of a shock when you look at old clips of The Drew Carey Show versus a modern episode of The Price Is Right. Back then, Drew was the quintessential "big guy" in the crew neck sweater and thick glasses. He was lovable, sure, but he was also struggling. By his own admission, he was "miserable."
So, how did Drew Carey lose weight? Honestly, it wasn't a magic pill or a secret Hollywood surgery. It was a brutal wake-up call from a doctor and a level of discipline that most people would find terrifying.
In 2010, Drew dropped a massive 80 pounds in about six months. He went from a size 44 waist to a 33. But the real kicker? He didn’t just lose the gut; he reversed his type 2 diabetes. That's the part that usually catches people off guard. He went from being dependent on medication to being totally clear of the disease.
The Breaking Point at the Diner
You have to understand where he was starting from to appreciate the change. During his first year hosting The Price Is Right, Drew’s lifestyle was basically a disaster. He’d finish filming and head straight to a diner.
He told PEOPLE magazine that his typical post-show meal was a plate of pasta, a cupcake, and iced tea with a mountain of lemons. Then he’d go home and snack on Doritos and drink several Pepsis. To top it off, he was taking Ambien just to get some sleep.
His doctor eventually laid it out in plain English: "If you don't do something, your life's going to be shorter."
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That was the spark. He didn’t want to die young like his father, who passed away from a heart attack in his 40s. Drew saw the writing on the wall and decided to pivot.
The "No-Carb" Reality
When people ask about the diet, they usually expect him to say he just "ate more salad." It was way more intense than that.
Drew adopted a strict no-carb, no-sugar regimen. We’re talking zero bread, zero pasta, zero crackers, and no starches like corn or beans. He even cut out fruit in the early, most aggressive phase of his weight loss.
His daily menu looked something like this:
- Morning: Egg whites or Greek yogurt.
- Lunch/Dinner: Grilled chicken or fish with steamed vegetables.
- Snacks: Mostly more vegetables or occasionally a piece of fruit once he reached a maintenance phase.
- Drinks: Water. Period. No soda, no coffee, and definitely no tea or alcohol.
It sounds boring because it was. But for Drew, the results were the only thing that mattered. He famously said that once he started dropping pant sizes, it became "easy" because the visual progress was more addictive than the junk food.
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The 45-Minute Rule
You can't talk about how Drew Carey lost weight without mentioning the gym. He didn't just diet; he attacked the cardio.
He committed to at least 45 minutes of heart-pumping cardio, six days a week. In the beginning, this was mostly on an elliptical machine because it was easier on his joints. As he got lighter and fitter, he actually started running. He eventually trained for 10Ks, which is a massive leap for someone who previously struggled with movement.
Consistency was the "secret." He treated his workouts like a job. If it was on the calendar, it happened. He didn't wait for "motivation" to strike; he just showed up.
Life After the 80-Pound Drop
Maintaining a loss like that for over a decade is arguably harder than losing it in the first place. Drew has been open about the fact that his weight has fluctuated a bit—he jokingly says he’s lost "1,000 pounds" over his whole life because of the ups and downs.
But he’s never gone back to that 2010 peak.
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He’s a bit more relaxed now. He’ll have a piece of cake every once in a while. He told PEOPLE in 2024, "I'm not a maniac, but I won't eat the whole cake like I did before." It’s a mindset shift. He realized he was worth the effort.
Actionable Takeaways from Drew’s Journey
If you’re looking to follow in his footsteps, here is the raw truth of what worked for him:
- Find a "Why" That Scares You: For Drew, it was the fear of an early grave and wanting to be there for his son. A superficial reason like "looking good in a suit" usually isn't enough to sustain a no-carb lifestyle.
- Eliminate Liquid Calories: He cut out the Pepsi and the sweetened teas immediately. Water became his best friend. This is often the fastest way to see a change in blood sugar levels.
- Prioritize Protein: By sticking to lean proteins like egg whites, chicken, and fish, he stayed full enough to avoid the "hangry" binges that ruin most diets.
- Cardio is Non-Negotiable: 45 minutes of movement. Every. Single. Day. (Or close to it).
- Focus on the Health, Not Just the Scale: Reversing his diabetes was his biggest win. If you’re struggling, track your energy levels and blood work, not just the pounds.
Ultimately, Drew Carey's transformation is a reminder that the "old-fashioned" way still works. It’s not about Ozempic or fancy gadgets. It’s about a man who got sick of being "the fat guy" and decided to save his own life.
If you are considering a radical diet change like this, you absolutely need to talk to a doctor first, especially if you have blood sugar issues. Drew did this under medical supervision, and cutting out all carbs can be a massive shock to the system.
Start by swapping one sugary drink for water today. It’s exactly how the biggest transformations begin.