Jonah Hill’s slimming secrets: How the actor left his ’14-year-old overweight’ self behind for boxing workouts and a Japanese diet as he shocks fans in new slimmed down snaps

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I think everyone has an embarrassing memory from their childhood that they’d rather forget.

Honestly, it all comes down to me seeing myself in that kid – you know, the awkward, chubby 14-year-old who felt totally out of place? I was obsessed with hip hop, but secretly, desperately wanted to be one of *them* – the skaters. I just wanted to fit in, to be accepted by that world, and that feeling… it’s everything.

In 2018, Jonah Hill openly shared some personal thoughts in his magazine, Inner Child, as he was figuring out who he was.

The actor shared that he was often called ‘fat, gross, and unattractive’ as a child, which caused him to struggle with how he felt about his body.

Channing Tatum once weighed as much as 280 pounds, but his weight has changed a lot since he first started losing weight in 2011.

Fans were surprised to see the actor looking noticeably thinner while on set filming his new comedy film this week.

But how as the actor’s stature fluctuated over the years and what are his slimmed down secrets?

Jonah credits Brad Pitt with inspiring him to live a healthier life, stemming from their time working together on the movie Moneyball.

Jonah went on to lose 40 pounds after speaking to a nutritionist and adjusting his diet. 

In a 2012 interview with ABC News, he explained that he didn’t use any quick fixes to improve his health. Instead, he worked with a nutritionist who helped him change his diet. He specifically mentioned that eating Japanese food was particularly beneficial.

The actor began running as a way to get into shape. He explained on the Kidd Kraddick show that he shifted from dealing with problems emotionally to tackling them physically, and also started doing push-ups.

After beginning with just 10 push ups a day he eventually worked his way up to 100 reps per day. 

The star admitted he struggled to cut out beer, confessing a pint is his ‘Achilles heel’. 

During an interview on the Kyle and Jackie O radio show, he admitted that beer remains his biggest weakness.

I find it frustrating because my weight fluctuates a lot depending on whether or not I drink beer. I lose weight if I don’t, but gain a little if I do.

Jonah has openly discussed how his weight became part of his image as a comedian, but he realized it was crucial for both his career and well-being to get healthier.

In a 2011 interview with Vulture, shortly after losing weight for his role in *Moneyball*, he explained that getting healthier often comes with growing older, but it can be difficult because people often prefer you to stay the same person they first knew.

I enjoy making comedies, but I’m also focused on personal growth and taking better care of myself. I’ve definitely moved past those wild, irresponsible days.

‘But all this stuff [points to his body] is just part of maturing in body and in mind.

I simply want to live a good life, make my family proud, and enjoy a long life.

But in 2016, the actor intentionally regained weight to portray arms dealer Efraim Diveroli in the movie *War Dogs*, which also starred Bradley Cooper and Miles Teller.

After the movie came out, Jonah reached out to his friend Channing Tatum for advice on losing weight again.

Appearing on the Tonight Show a year later, he honestly told Jimmy Fallon that he’d asked Channing Tatum for advice on getting in shape. He basically asked, ‘If I diet and start working with a trainer, will I get fit?’

He responded with a harsh insult, confirming that, yes, it would happen, and calling it incredibly easy.

After photos surfaced of him boxing and practicing drills with a trainer, Jonah started boxing as a way to stay fit.

In 2021, Jonah shared a now-deleted post about body positivity and his personal struggles with body image.

He shared on Instagram that he didn’t start swimming shirtless—even around family and friends—until he was in his mid-30s.

It likely would have happened earlier if years of public criticism about my appearance hadn’t worsened my childhood insecurities.

He continued: ‘I’m 37 and finally love and accept myself.’

The star went on to say his message was for ‘the kids who don’t take their shirt off at the pool.’

‘Have fun. You’re wonderful and awesome and perfect. All my love,’ he concluded.

In 2023, the actor opened up to his therapist, Phil Stutz, about his ups and downs with weight as part of his second film as a director, the Netflix documentary *Stutz*.

The director of Winning Time remembers growing up with the idea that exercise and diet were about fixing a perceived flaw in one’s appearance.

No one ever explained exercise and healthy eating as ways to improve my mental well-being, and I wish they had. It would be helpful if that connection was made more clear for everyone.

Okay, so Jonah… he’s been so open about this, and it just *kills* me how honest he is. He basically said being overweight as a kid really messed him up – like, seriously messed with his head. And even now, he still *feels* like that awkward, insecure 14-year-old – you know, the one who’s carrying extra weight, breaking out, and just feels completely unlovable. It’s heartbreaking, honestly, because you can just *feel* how much that still affects him, even with everything he’s accomplished. It just makes me adore him even more that he’s so real about it.

‘​​Inherently, at my core, I’m still this unlovable person,’ he explained.

You know, I’m seeing a real shift in how people view self-acceptance. We’re starting to understand how amazing it is to simply be *you*. But honestly? It’s still a journey, and it’s not always easy. It takes work to truly embrace who you are, and there are definitely challenging moments along the way.

Jonah has been candid about his struggles with mental health. In a 2022 statement to Deadline, he explained that he wouldn’t be promoting his new film, or any future projects, because public appearances were making his mental health worse.

He explained that the film’s main goal is to share the benefits of therapy – and the techniques he’s learned – with a broad audience in an accessible and enjoyable way, allowing people to use those tools privately.

Making this film helped me realize I’ve been dealing with anxiety attacks for almost 20 years, and they get worse when I have to be in the public eye or appear in the media.

I’m excited for people worldwide to see this and hope it offers support to anyone who’s going through a difficult time. However, I won’t be publicly promoting this film, or any future projects, as I focus on prioritizing my own well-being.

Going out and pushing the film while feeling unwell would feel dishonest to both me and the project itself.

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2025-10-10 02:37