John Goodman on losing 100 pounds: exercise good, alcohol bad, new clothes already too big [Updated]

John Goodman's been noticeably skinnier of late on "Treme" and in that maybe-not-so-controversial "Be the One" Gulf Coast restoration video. About 100 pounds skinnier, in case you were keeping track.

Goodman just shared a few of his tips with People: He quit drinking three years ago, hired a health coach, exercises six days a week now and doesn't eat sugar.

The Emmy nominee said in the July Men's Health that his transformation started after he played Santa Claus in a 2006 TV movie and didn't like what he saw. (Decide for yourself -- there's a picture from that film at the bottom of this post.)

"For years, at Christmas-time I'd get fed up and make a resolution, and I'd lose 60 pounds, 65 pounds," he said. "And then I was off to the races again in the summer. I'd just eat whatever I want, and the big key was drinking. I'm an alcoholic."

About his workouts, Goodman told People, "I'm breaking a sweat but I'm not going nuts." Those workouts, he told Men's Health, include cardio on the elliptical machine and recumbent bike, strength training with resistance bands, and boxing twice a week.

[Updated at 1:54 p.m. Aug. 9: For those commenters wondering about the speed of Goodman's weight loss: According to a June article in the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Goodman has been working with fitness coach Mackie Shilstone since shortly after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, with "accelerated progress" since "Treme" began filming in March 2009.]

And about the clothes? Some "nice slacks" he just ordered finally came, he told People, and they're already too big.

Better not shop too early for that Emmy Awards tux, John.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Top photo: John Goodman in the Treme district of New Orleans on May 24, 2010. Credit: Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times

Lower photo: John Goodman with Delta Burke as Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the 2006 NBC movie "The Year Without a Santa Claus." Credit: Paul Drinkwater / NBC

Comments

[cdz from the ministry]

@Donnie -- Christie D'Zurilla here from the blog.

According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, John Goodman has been working with Mackie Shilstone since shortly after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, with a lot of weight-loss progress since "Treme" began filming in March 2009. The post has been updated with a link.

//cdz

[deborah huf]

Good for you Mr Goodman. There can be only positive rewards to follow.

[Tony]

Nice job, dude; I was getting worried about you. Glad to see you're going to be around for a while, now!

[Ted]

I thought this article was about John Goodman. Why is there a photo of Bob Barker at the top of the piece?

...Oh!

[Higgins]

This is a league game, Smokey.

[Roger]

Whoa......for a minute there, I thought he had the HIV.

The good news is he is doing it the right way -- through exercise and moderate eating. I cannot stress this one fact enough: SUGAR IS A KILLER. Great job by a guy who was heading towards an early grave!

[timber]

I actually saw him out running at Balboa Park.

[Louise]

I'm so thrilled to see one of Hollywood's funniest and talented actors not only come clean about his drinking being a factor in his weight, but doing something about his health overall. It's easy to stop drinking and eating to excess. The key is to stay stopped. Power, money and fame don't do the trick. It takes a complete reversal of your thinking process and a little bit of of spirituality. I can't wait to see you do different things now with your craft and you are sure to because you've made the decision to open the door to it all!

L

[juan cuba]

Good for John! Eating less, no white food (bread, pasta, rice) no sugars, and good wine (reds) with excercise daily x 2, helped me to lose 30 pounds in three months!

[sepho]

Despite the health benefits, with this weight lose he now opens up a lot more acting roles...he was getting type-cast as an overweight Southerner. AND, I wouldn't have said this before but under all that fat he's a fairly handsome guy.

[Michael A.]

Congratulations John!
Always admired your tremendous acting ability, yet concerned for your health, and dreading the possibility of an early demise.
Now, it appears you finally got the message.
Hopefully, you will continue to entertain us with your huge talent for decades to come.

[CM]

What's with the surgery comments?

I lost 100 lbs this past year and I didn't have surgery. Why do some people think it's not real?

Kudos to him - it's tough work. As for the extra skin - well duh, you try sitting at 350 lbs for the past 30 years and not come out of it with saggy skin after knocking 100 lbs off.

He's an inspiration, and should be treated as such.

[Elliot]

Hell yeah, John! Now just get back on the big screen where you belong!

[NASHOBA NAHTUBBEE]

ooooo johnny....go ahead on with your bad self. get to writting that book. some us need instructions.... walk well boy.you got this girl feeling some hope. GOD BLESS YOU.....