Al Sharpton used to weigh 305 pounds. Today he weighs 129 pounds. That is a loss of 176 pounds. He did not have weight loss surgery. He changed his diet. He started walking every day. He added strength training.
This guide covers his full weight loss journey. It covers his diet plan. It covers his health history, including type 2 diabetes.
Al Sharpton Weight Loss Journey
His Heaviest Point
Sharpton’s weight once reached 305 pounds. His diet at the time was heavy in fried chicken. He ate fried chicken for breakfast. He ate it again for lunch. He ate half a fried chicken for dinner.
The 2001 Hunger Strike
In 2001, Sharpton was jailed in Puerto Rico. He was protesting Navy bombing exercises on the island. He went on a 43-day hunger strike. He lost 30 pounds during this time.He gained the weight back later. This happened during his 2004 presidential campaign.
The 2006 Turning Point
In 2006, Sharpton’s daughter changed everything. She was 12 years old at the time.
She punched him lightly in the stomach. She asked him why he was so fat. She was crying when she said it. Sharpton has pointed to this moment as his real turning point. This is when he committed to lasting change.
He started by cutting out meat and starches. He later built a more complete plan around diet and exercise.
The Result
Sharpton reached 129 pounds over the next several years. Reports place the full transformation at around four and a half years. In a 2014 interview with People, Sharpton said: “I actually lost more weight than I am!”
Al Sharpton’s Type 2 Diabetes History
Sharpton’s weight loss is not only about his daughter’s comment. His health played a big role too.
Reports indicate Sharpton was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1993. He has spoken publicly about managing the condition through diet and exercise. Type 2 diabetes often improves with weight loss. Losing weight can help the body use insulin better, according to research published by the National Institutes of Health.
This gives Sharpton a second reason to keep the weight off. It is not just about how he looks. It is about managing a chronic health condition long-term.
Al Sharpton’s Diet Plan
Sharpton follows a simple, repeatable daily diet. It is mostly plant-based, with small amounts of protein worked in. Here is what a typical day looks like.
Breakfast
- Three slices of whole wheat toast (about 300 calories, 15g protein)
- One green juice — Doctor Earth, from Juice Press (about 180 calories, 2g protein)
- English breakfast tea with stevia
Lunch
- A salad with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cucumber
- One chopped hard-boiled egg
- Balsamic vinaigrette dressing (about 240 calories, 6g protein total)
- One banana (about 100 calories, 1g protein)
- More tea with stevia
Dinner
- A light meal, often just a green juice
- Sometimes a slice of toast
Weekends
Sharpton allows himself a small serving of grilled fish on weekends. This adds extra protein to his week.
Why His Doctor Stepped In
Sharpton’s diet was once even stricter. At one point, he ate only a lunchtime salad each day. A doctor told him this was not enough food. Sharpton then added the toast, banana, and juice back into his plan.
He still avoids solid food after 6 p.m. Eating a lighter dinner is linked to better digestion and sleep quality, according to a systematic review in the British Journal of Nutrition.
Al Sharpton’s Exercise Routine
Diet alone did not create this result. Sharpton also built a steady workout habit.
- Daily walks
- Regular gym sessions
- A mix of cardio and strength training
- Early morning workouts, often shared on his Instagram
This combination helped raise his metabolism. It also helped him build and keep lean muscle, instead of losing muscle along with fat.
Did Al Sharpton Have Weight Loss Surgery?
No. Al Sharpton did not have weight loss surgery.
His weight loss came from diet changes and regular exercise. He has confirmed this himself in past interviews.
Speculation about surgery has followed him for years. This is common for public figures who lose a large amount of weight quickly. It is worth noting again: no surgery, no procedure, just sustained diet and exercise changes over time.
Al Sharpton Before and After
Sharpton’s before-and-after photos show a dramatic change. At his heaviest, he had a much fuller face and frame. Today, he appears noticeably slim. Here is a side-by-side look at what changed.
| Before | After | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 305 lbs | 129 lbs |
| Daily Diet | Fried chicken at nearly every meal | Toast, green juice, salad, light dinner |
| Activity Level | Largely sedentary | Daily walks, gym, cardio, and strength training |
| Frame | Full, heavyset build | Slim, lean build |
Some fans have called his current look “unrecognizable” compared to older photos. The change has led to mixed public reaction. Some praise his discipline. Others have expressed concern about how thin he looks.
Is Al Sharpton’s Weight Healthy?
Sharpton is reported to be 5 feet 10 inches tall. At 129 pounds, this places him close to the underweight range on standard BMI charts, based on the National Institutes of Health BMI calculator.
Some fans have voiced concern on social media. Comments have included requests for him to “eat something” and questions about whether he is well.
Sharpton has responded to this concern directly. He says he feels healthier now than before his weight loss.
FAQs
Al Sharpton lost 176 pounds. He went from 305 pounds down to 129 pounds.
No. He lost the weight through diet changes and daily exercise, with no surgery involved.
No single named program. He built his own routine of a light, mostly plant-based diet plus daily walking and gym training.
Whole wheat toast and green juice for breakfast, a salad with egg and banana for lunch, and a light dinner, usually just juice. He adds grilled fish on weekends.
Reports indicate he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1993. He has spoken publicly about managing it through diet and exercise.
A comment from his 12-year-old daughter in 2006 is widely cited as his turning point.
No public report confirms that Al Sharpton is sick. He manages type 2 diabetes and says he feels healthier since losing weight.
This article is for general information only. It is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before starting any new diet or exercise plan.
