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For those who have been watching Comedian Lil Rel for the past few years, you know he’s just downright funny. From his guest appearances in movies to his funny voiceovers, and not to mention his hilarious stand-up specials–Lil’ Rel is a funny, genuine guy. Rel surprised his millions of fans by showing off his recent weight loss, detailing the lifestyle changes that contributed to it and have brought him great happiness. The comedian shared an image on Instagram of himself looking toned to share the story behind his new look.
“This is my own appreciation post for myself,” starts off Rel, 44, in his Instagram post. “I’ve worked really hard on myself the last 5 years physically, mentally, spiritually, professionally and personally. I’m so proud of myself. This is the best I’ve ever felt and looked in my whole life. Honestly. To stop drinking, eating better, working out almost every single day, writing, building a closer relationship with God, therapy and honestly accountability has taken my life to the next level of pure happiness.”
Then the comedian went on to encourage others who are also on their weight loss/wellness journey.
“Whatever you do please do for yourself and if you can don’t take the short cut really put the work in this is a whole just straight hard work nothing else and that’s the honest to God Truth. Let me be an example of truly putting the work in. Also please go see our new movie Harold And The Purple Crayon August 2nd in theaters everywhere. #MovieMakingRel #RelTheUpgrade #ProudOfMe”
The Crazy Things People Said When they Saw His Weight Loss
From initially reading it, this post sounds like a positive, uplifting post which many of the many of the “Get Out” actor’s celebrity friends and fans showered him with praise for his dedication. However, due to the Ozempic trend that’s been circulating around the entertainment business, a portion of social media were skeptical and started saying they thought Lil Rel is lying and actually took weight loss drugs to achieve his new look.
Comments ranged from light-hearted jabs to outright disbelief.
“You look hella good, won’t Ozempic do it?” quipped one IG user, while another remarked, “Lil’ler Rel.”
The comedy continued to roll in, with quips such as “Not even lil rel no more it’s ‘tiny rel’ now. they hating OG,” and “You not Big Back no more.”
One person wrote, “Why can’t people tell the truth on how they lost weight.” Lil Rel immediately clapped back, writing, “I did but y’all rather believe the bulls—t because doing something right is so unbelievable lol.”
Was it Katt Williams who Really Inspired Rel’s Weight Loss?
Others even referred to the viral Shannon Sharpe Club Shay Shay interview with fellow comedian Katt Williams’. Some inferred that Williams’ bullying over the years pushed him to get in shape.
“That Katt Williams interview had that man hit the gym,” one person wrote. Another person said, “He took what Katt said and ran with it.”
But on Wednesday, Rel put all those rumors and naysayers to rest.
According to Lil Rel, his journey wasn’t easy, but he managed to push through with the people who stood by his side and by the grace of God, who inspired him to change his life. He claimed he didn’t take any drugs, not even workout supplements, and attributed his change to a “spiritual” and “mental” journey “full of love.”
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“I’m on that Godzempic, Happyzempic, Hardworkzempic, PurposeZempic and just plan on Truthzempic. I’m grateful and glad I said yes to God assignment on my life and friends still here and gone that kept it 100 with me… #BlessedAndHighlyFavored,” he wrote in the caption of his post.
In his initial post showing off his new figure, Lil Rel gave the guidelines to how he lost so much weight. According to the 44-year-old, he stopped drinking, ate healthier and was in the gym almost every day. He also took more accountability of his life and went to therapy while also picking up journaling.
Belly Fat in Black Men is a Real Killer
And Rel is right! Nearly 80 percent of major diseases can be cured by proper diet and exercise. As a matter of fact, the National Institutes of Health shares that among U.S. adults, more than 90 percent of type 2 diabetes, 80 percent of CAD, 70 percent of stroke, and 70 percent of colon cancer are potentially preventable by a combination of nonsmoking, avoidance of overweight, moderate physical activity, healthy diet, and moderate alcohol consumption.
To make it simple and plain: eat better and exercise to keep disease away.
Belly fat places undue stress on the body’s organs and heightens the chances of heart failure. Heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is the number one killer among Black men, followed by strokes and hypertension. Losing weight and belly fat is critical to Black men living healthier and longer.
The CDC says obesity does not discriminate in health determinants but affects all African-Americans more aggressively.
- African American women have the highest rates of obesity or being overweight compared to other groups in the United States. About 4 out of 5 African American women are overweight or obese.
- In 2018, non-Hispanic Blacks were 1.3 times more likely to be obese as compared to non-Hispanic whites.
- People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high levels of blood fats, diabetes, and LDL cholesterol—all risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
- In 2018, African Americans were 20 percent less likely to engage in active physical activity as compared to non-Hispanic whites.
The Journal of National Medical Association collected data from 661 African-Americans, 418 women, and 243 men residents of Washington D.C.’s living in Wards 7 and 8. The results revealed that 38.3 percent of the women and 20.1 percent of the men were determined to be obese. That study also revealed that African American men 55 or older were the most likely population to be overweight.
We’re proud of Lil’ Rel doing what needed to be done in order to get healthier from himself and his family. Let’s take a cue from this young man: Put the work in and see the results.