Celebrity chef Graham Elliot, known in the food TV world as one of the judges of "Masterchef" has lost about 100 pounds in less than two months.
According to People Magazine, nearly two months after having weight loss surgery Elliot has lost 91 pounds (PHOTOS). The celebrity chef underwent weight loss surgery in July.
"It's going to be a huge party when I hit 299 lbs.," said the Chicago-based chef, who is just six pounds shy of his goal.
Elliot went under the knife for a sleeve gastrectomy, an hour-long procedure where the doctor removes about 80 percent of the patient's stomach and creates a small sleeve-shaped stomach the size of a banana.
"That will be the first time in well over a decade that I've been under 300 [lbs.] I see people on the street who are the size I was only a few months ago, and it's like, 'Man, I wish you could feel what I am feeling right now, it's absolutely life-changing'
"This is what I need to do for my family," said the father of three sons, Mylo, 6, Conrad, 2 1/2, and 10-month-old Jedediah.
Elliot began exercising, with permission from his doctors and said he is feeling great post-surgery. He said he runs every other day and has recently included swimming and jump roping into his exercises.
"I recently ran my first mile and a half non-stop. I can even sprint and run pretty darn fast to catch a football. I haven't done that since I was a teenager," he said. "I'm really excited to push myself more and more. I'm planning to run my first 5K around Thanksgiving."
Elliott told People that with all the exercises, his legs are still sore. The chef realized his exercising and new perspective towards food has helped him drop 10 pants sizes.
"I'm buying new clothes all the time," he said. "Before I was only able to shop at big and tall stores. Now it's much easier."
The Chicago-based chef, who became the youngest 4-star chef in the U.S. at the age of 27, notes his career was also a consideration.
"Because of my line of work, the doctor specifically thinks this is the surgery best suited for me," he said. "With gastric bypass and other surgeries, there's some ingredients you can't eat because it will cause you to get sick. This procedure will allow me to still taste and try everything."
Elliot told People he's mulled having some form of weight loss surgery since 2005 but ultimately made the decision after speaking with his doctor earlier this year. To prepare for the surgery, Elliot met with a nutritionist and a psychologist and over a week ago switched to a daily 1,000-calorie diet consisting mostly of broth and protein shakes.
His "MasterChef" co-judges Gordon Ramsay and People.com blogger Joe Bastianich also proved to be helpful in that matter.
"I get inspiration from both these guys," Elliot said. "[On the set] I've got them both talking about how they run marathons. They tell me, 'You've got to lose weight and change your life.'"
