Lenny Henry is a British actor, comedian, and television presenter. He has been in the entertainment industry since 1984, but recently he’s taken a break from his career in order to focus on losing weight.
He lost over 42 lbs in just a few years. He did it by changing his lifestyle—and he’s not done yet!
We decided to take a look at his diet plan and exercise routine so you can learn how you can lose weight like Lenny Henry!
Lenny Henry Weight Loss Transformation
Lenny Henry, one of the most beloved British comedians and actors of all time, recently shed 19 kg in the past years. This is a transformation that has taken him many years to achieve, but now he has finally done it through a combination of cardio exercise and a strict diet plan.
Who is Lenny Henry?
Lenny Henry has been a household name in the UK since the 1980s. He’s an actor and comedian who’s been a part of some of the most beloved television shows of all time, including The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Graham Norton Show.
Born on August 29, 1958, in Dudley West, England, as Lenworth George Henry, he was raised in an abusive family. His long-term relationship with Dawn French, his ex-wife, lasted for 25 years.
Lenny has also won several awards for his work over the years, including a Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) Award for BBC Personality of the Year in 1993 and a British Comedy Award for Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.
In 2023, Lenny Henry wins the National Television Award (NTA) 2023 Special Recognition Award.
What Motivated Lenny Henry to Lose Weight?
Well, it wasn’t just the fact that he was getting older (he turned 64 this year)—it was also because his Type 1 Diabetes was getting worse.
When he was diagnosed with diabetes, the comedian had long gone expected it since her mother died from the same condition in 1998.
He told The Express:
“My mum lost two legs through diabetes and eventually died from it, so I knew I had to lose weight. The doctor warned me I was heading the same way.”
The comedian may have described his condition as “a bit diabetic, ” but he certainly didn’t dismiss the health risk and lost three stones.
Unfortunately, despite all the effort he put into losing weight, Henry still finds himself insecure—especially when it comes to his body.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Record, the comedian cannot help but recall how body shaming made him question his self-worth.
“It was horrible. It wasn’t just mentally bruising, it was physically bruising. I arrived in the best shape I’ve ever been in and they told me I was overweight and needed to lose weight.”
He added:
“If anything is going to knock your confidence, it’s something like that. I was already at the best weight I’d been since I left school and suddenly I was told I needed to lose another stone-and-a-half.
“But inside me, I had this feeling that I wasn’t good enough. I was fighting that all the way through.”
How Did Lenny Henry Lose Weight?
Lenny Henry is known for having a great sense of humor, but that doesn’t mean he’s not serious about his health. The comedian has lost a significant amount of weight over the years.
In August 2023, Lenny revealed to Daily Record that he had lost almost 3 stone by following a low-carb diet and taking up regular exercise.
He said:
“I had been rigorous with my personal training and nutrition – and managed to get down to 15-and-a-half stone. Which is a good size for me – I can get suits off the peg,
“I’ve lost between two and a half and three stone. I’ve also been running a lot.”
The actor explained that after he hit 60 years old, he became more conscious of his health, which led him to make changes in his lifestyle.
He cut out sugars and carbohydrates. Instead, he ate lots of vegetables and lean meat like chicken breast or fish.
He told The Mirror:
“I was big. I’m a bit diabetic, so I was put on a very strict diet. You’ve got to eat no sugar and drink hardly any alcohol…All the stuff you like.”
He continued:
“Well, it’s eating broccoli and not much else.”
Lenny Henry didn’t exercise much before his weight loss, but once he started losing weight, he started running every day. And if you know anything about London…, those are really long runs!
“I’ve also been running a lot. It has worked. I’ve lost between two and a half and three stone.”
Did He Maintain His Weight Loss?
Lenny Henry had a great moment at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) last 2020. The actor and comedian, who often plays characters with large appetites, was caught on camera with a pretty skinny figure—and he looked great!
The buzz around Henry’s weight loss increased when he was seen out at the premiere of his new film, The Long Song, in 2018. Fans were quick to comment on how good he looked, and many wondered if he had lost weight for the role.
It seems that this is indeed the case—Henry revealed to Hello! Magazine that he was able to maintain his weight loss because of the role he’ll be portraying in their upcoming film.
Is Running Effective for Losing Weight?
Health Line states that running is one of the best ways to lose weight. The reason that running is so effective at helping you lose weight is because it burns calories and fat.
“It burns a lot of calories, may help you continue to burn calories long after a workout, may help suppress appetite and targets harmful belly fat.”
Running is a high-intensity activity, so if you do too much too soon, then you could injure yourself or even end up with shin splints or knee problems.
Also remember that running is just one part of an overall healthy lifestyle—you need to make sure that your diet and other activities complement each other as well as they do individually!