How Jimmy Kimmel Lost 25 Pounds:
The Intermittent Fasting Diet
Never a halfway kind of guy, Jimmy Kimmel doesn’t like to be deprived of his favorite foods or to skimp on portions. But a few years ago he realized he needed to lose weight, so the 6-foot-1 latenight host went on a drastic diet that works for him: Two days a week, he consumes fewer than 500 calories per day, and the other five days he can eat whatever he wants, including his beloved pizza, pasta and steak. Though he says he’s “pretty unpleasant to be around” on fasting days and admits that he hates to exercise, the approach — formally known as intermittent fasting — helped Jimmy, now 49, lose more than 25 pounds and keep them off.
IT TAKES TWO
Wendy Bazilian, a doctor of public health and a dietitian in San Diego, didn’t work with Jimmy but says that intermittent fasting can lead to lasting weight loss. “This is not an approach I actively recommend, but intermittent fasting is psychologically appealing for some people because it’s a compromise — it allows you to eat more of what you want five days a week and restrict yourself two days a week. There isn’t an overhaul required. Some people feel good after they’ve fasted, partly because it can help reset their appetite.” In this diet plan, fasting doesn’t mean consuming no food; it involves eating much less than usual, and ideally good-quality calories. For example, on fasting days (usually Mondays and Thursdays), Jimmy typically eats peanut butter and an apple, the whites of hardboiled eggs, a bowl of oatmeal and pickles. “It’s important to choose two nonconsecutive days for fasting and include nutrientrich foods and plenty of water during the fasting days,” advises Bazilian. “You can divvy up your calories any way you want, but consistent timing works best for most people to keep energy and mood steady. During the five non-fasting days, you can eat what you like, but include a vegetable or fruit at every meal to ensure quality nutrition.” For Jimmy, intermittent fasting has offered the best of both worlds — having his favorite foods and maintaining his slimmer physique.