Al Sharpton Lost (And Kept Off) 176 Pounds By Cutting Out Meat & Ditching Sugar

At 60, the Reverend Al Sharpton in the best shape of his life, having gone from 305 pounds to 129 pounds in four-and-a-half years. What's most impressive about his transformation is that he did it through diet and lifestyle changes, which is why he's been able to keep it off.

According to People, the civil rights activist and MSNBC host has transformed his body many times throughout the years, first losing 30 lbs. while on a 43-day hunger strike in jail in 2001 and then gaining it back during his presidential campaign. In 2006, he says he decided he needed to do something drastic when his daughter asked him why he was so fat. So, he quit sugar and many other foods, including meat, and has seen the greatest, most enduring change from this decision.

Sharpton says he did it by following a strict, low-carb, sugar-free vegan diet for several years and walking on the treadmill 20 or 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

After losing all the weight a few years ago, his doctor told him that he needed more carbs and protein, so he began incorporating more carbs, like whole-wheat toast, and more protein, like eggs and fish, into his diet — but he still doesn't eat red meat, pork, or chicken. And he's kept the weight off, without any kind of surgery.

People outlined Sharpton's usual eating habits:

On a typical day, Sharpton's breakfast consists of three slices of whole wheat toast along with a Juice Press "Doctor Earth" green juice and English breakfast tea sweetened with Stevia. Lunch is a basic salad with a banana and more tea.

"It's always the same salad: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, two or three [hard-boiled] eggs cut in and balsamic vinaigrette dressing," says Sharpton of his only solid meal of the day.
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At night, he might have another piece of toast with a second Juice Press juice, this time opting for the brand's watermelon flavor. On weekends, he incorporates a small serving of fish for more protein at his doctor's suggestion.

The key to keeping it off, he says, is determination. A former fried chicken junkie, Sharpton says he no longer craves it. He's enjoying the perks of weight loss — like energy and focus — too much to go back down that path.

We applaud Sharpton's unrelenting commitment to his lifestyle change and think he's an inspiration for all those trying to make healthier dietary choices.

What do you think about Sharpton's diet? It sounds like he's living a lot healthier!

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

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