INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Penn Jillette Loses 120 Pounds In Four Months, Credits Technology And Determination

By Jennifer Deutschmann
Published on: 06:20 PST, Dec 11, 2015

Penn Jillette lost and impressive 120 pounds over the last four months. Although he is a world-renowned magician, Jillette’s weight loss is no illusion. Instead, he credits technology and determination with helping him achieve his goal.

Yahoo News reports the 60-year-old performer was hospitalized in October 2014. As he weighed 330 pounds and suffered from high blood pressure, Penn’s doctors told him he was at risk of having a stroke.

At the time of his hospitalization, Penn Jillette was taking “six very powerful” medications to control his blood pressure. When his doctor told him he could naturally reduce his blood pressure by losing weight, the magician was stunned.

In an attempt to help him lose weight and subsequently improve his health, the doctors suggested weight loss surgery. But, Jillette wanted to attempt to shed the extra pounds on his own before considering an invasive operation.

To develop his weight loss program, Penn consulted former NASA scientist and weight loss guru Ray Cronise.

In an interview with Withings, Cronise explains he developed his weight loss strategy from a scientific standpoint.

The founder of Hypothermics and the 4-Hour Body, Ray’s weight loss program focuses on exercise “mild cold stress, healthful sleep cycles, and eating mostly, but not exclusively, fruits and vegetables.” Ray Cronise also encourages his followers to use a Withings Smart Body Analyzer Scale.

According to the company website, the Withings scale is unlike traditional scales as it measures BMI, fat mass, and heart rate in addition to weight. The scale is also unique, as it is capable of sending the data to a mobile device using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The company also sells a blood pressure monitor, which work in much the same way.

Penn Jillette said Cronise’s program, along with the Withings scale, and blood pressure monitor helped him lose weight and improve his health. Within four months, the illusionist lost a total of 120 pounds and lowered his blood pressure to a healthier level.

The magician said he still “eat[s] unbelievable amounts of food.” However, as reported by People, he replaced meat, processed grains, salt, and sugar with “very, very, very healthy food” like brown rice, fruit, greens, and vegetables.

Although he modified his diet significantly, Jillette said he is not tempted by unhealthy treats.

“I could probably have a steak or a doughnut every couple of weeks, but I just haven’t felt like it… When you’re feeling as bad as I felt, and you go to feeling as good as I feel, the temptation to go back to doing what you were doing when you felt bad is not very great.”

A native of Greenfield, Massachusetts, Penn Fraser Jillette is most well known as the vocal member of Penn and Teller.

Following his 1974 graduation from Ringling Brothers Clown College, Jillette paired with Raymond Joseph Teller and Wier Chrisemer to form the Asparagus Valley Cultural Society ensemble. Ten years later, Penn and Teller parted ways with Chrisemer and founded their first off-Broadway show titled Penn & Teller Go Public.

Over the next 30 years, Penn Jillette and Raymond Teller appeared on numerous television programs and in live productions. As reported by All About Magicians, the duo is known for their “ability to perform mind-bending tricks while incorporating humor and turning the traditional magic show inside out.”

In later years, they also became known for “debunking popular practices, myths, and conventions, such as hypnosis, recycling, and ESP.”

Although Penn Jillette lost 120 pounds in four months, it was no trick. The world-renowned magician said he credits technology and how own determination for the impressive weight loss.

[Image via s_bukley/Shutterstock.com]

Share this article: Penn Jillette Loses 120 Pounds In Four Months, Credits Technology And Determination
More from Inquisitr