Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness Drops 66 Pounds in Emotional Health Reset: A Journey of Joy and Strength

Jonathan Van Ness, the glitter-dusted heart of Queer Eye, has always been a beacon of self-love, but in 2025, they’re shining brighter than ever after losing 66 pounds. From a tough 2023 where they felt “depressed and out of control” to flexing a toned bicep in a February 2025 Instagram selfie, JVN’s Jonathan Van Ness weight loss journey is a rollercoaster of heart, hustle, and healing. How did this non-binary icon go from binge-eating struggles to cartwheeling with confidence? Spoiler: it’s not just about the scale—it’s about reclaiming joy. Grab a kombucha, and let’s dive into JVN’s glow-up that’s got fans cheering and X buzzing!

Hitting a Low: “I Wasn’t Feeling Good”

JVN’s story starts with a raw confession. “With everything I’ve been through publicly and privately in the last couple years, I gained quite a bit of weight, wasn’t feeling good,” they shared in a January 2025 TikTok. The Queer Eye star, 37, faced a storm: a 2023 breakup, public scrutiny, and a lifelong battle with binge-eating disorder. “My binge-eating was out of control,” they told People in January 2025, describing moments of “consistently making decisions I regretted” that left them “depressed and out of control.”

This wasn’t JVN’s first rodeo with weight fluctuations. Back in 2012, after their stepfather’s death, they gained 70 pounds in just three months. “I just could not stop eating,” they told InStyle in 2018, taking two years to shed it. By 2022, they celebrated a 35-pound loss with a nutritionist’s help, but 2023’s challenges piled the weight back on. “I knew I needed a little bit of extra help,” they said in their January 2025 TikTok, setting the stage for their Jonathan Van Ness weight loss triumph.

Jonathan Van Ness Weight Loss: The Recipe for Resilience

How do you drop 66 pounds and keep your sparkle? For JVN, it’s a mix of healthy eating, group fitness, and a mental health glow-up—no quick fixes here. “This isn’t about being a size zero, babes. It’s about taking care of myself,” they clapped back at critics on Instagram in February 2025. Here’s the tea on how they did it:

Eating with Intention: From Chaos to Control

Food was JVN’s comfort and chaos. “I was binging, feeling out of control,” they admitted in their January 2025 TikTok. Enter a nutritionist and a game-changing mindset. “I prioritize making time to eat, planning to eat, and actually eating,” they shared in an October 2022 Instagram post about their earlier 35-pound loss. By 2025, they’re all about balanced meals—think avocado toast, kale salads, and protein-packed smoothies. “My diet’s not perfect, but it’s mine,” they told EatingWell in February 2025.

They slashed alcohol intake, too. “Way less alcohol was a game-changer,” they wrote on Instagram Stories, noting it curbed mindless snacking. A typical day? Oatmeal with berries for breakfast, grilled chicken with quinoa for lunch, and veggie stir-fry for dinner. “I’m eating to feel good, not to punish myself,” they told Women’s Health in December 2024, echoing a sustainable approach that’s more about joy than restriction.

Moving with Love: Group Pilates and Gymnastics

Exercise is JVN’s happy place. “Group Pilates has been most pivotal,” they gushed in a February 2025 Instagram Story, crediting it for their 66-pound loss. Their love for movement isn’t new—back in 2022, they dropped 35 pounds to keep up with gymnastics, a passion that keeps them cartwheeling. “My body was hurting, my back was hurting,” they said in an August 2022 TikTok, explaining why they started.

Now, JVN’s routine is a vibe: Pilates classes three times a week, yoga flows, and gymnastics practice for core strength. “Group fitness changed my mental health,” they told People in February 2025, describing how community workouts lifted their spirits. They’re not grinding for a six-pack but for stamina—enough to sashay through Queer Eye Season 10’s 2025 shoot. “I’m stronger, happier,” they told People in January 2025, a glow that radiates in every flex.

Healing the Heart: “Mental Health Is Everything”

The real magic? JVN’s mental reset. “Mental health is everything,” they told Self in 2020, a mantra they leaned into after their 2023 breakup. “I was a mess,” they hinted to Out in 2024, but therapy and journaling turned pain into power. “I had to get right up here,” they said, tapping their head in a 2024 Instagram reel.

Their HIV journey adds depth. “I’ve learned to love this body through worse,” they wrote in their 2019 memoir Over the Top, making this weight loss a victory lap. Trolls? Handled. “I block, delete, repeat,” they said in a December 2024 Instagram Story, shutting down body-shaming noise. “I’m living my truth,” they told Out in 2024, a mindset that’s dropped pounds and lifted spirits.

The Glow-Up: “I’m So Proud of Myself”

By February 2025, JVN’s 66-pound loss had fans gasping. “Lost 66 pounds!” they captioned a MyFitnessPal screenshot on Instagram Stories, showing side-by-side selfies: a fuller 2023 frame versus a chiseled 2025 one. “Jonathan looks snatched!” X exploded, with fans pegging them as “thriving” at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards in a tailored suit. Their JVN Hair empire’s booming, and a 2024 Queer Eye Emmy nod seals the vibe.

The wins go beyond looks. “My cholesterol’s down, stamina’s up,” they told People in February 2025. They’re cartwheeling through shoots, strutting red carpets, and hosting Getting Curious with extra pep. “I’m so proud of myself,” they wrote on Instagram, a sentiment fans echo. “Thank you for being so open,” one commented. “This helps so many of us.” Even skeptics bow: “They’ve kept it off; that’s proof,” a Reddit thread noted.

Jonathan Van Ness Weight Loss: A Blueprint for Balance

JVN’s approach is no fad diet. “Take what works for you and leave the rest,” they told EatingWell, emphasizing personalized health. Their formula:

Eat Mindfully: Balanced meals with protein, veggies, and less alcohol.
Move Joyfully: Group Pilates, yoga, and gymnastics for fun, not punishment.
Prioritize Mental Health: Therapy and self-care to tackle stress and shame.

Compare this to the Buccaneers weight loss stories of NFL stars like Desmond Watson, who dropped 27 pounds to hit 437 pounds with lean proteins and cardio, or Vita Vea, who slimmed from 347 pounds with HIIT and clean eating. “I’m not trying to be skinny; I’m trying to be explosive,” Watson told NBC Sports in May 2025, a grit JVN shares in their own way.

FAQ: Jonathan Van Ness Weight Loss Questions Answered

Curious about Jonathan Van Ness weight loss? Here’s what fans want to know:

How much weight has JVN lost?As of February 2025, JVN’s down 66 pounds, shared via Instagram Stories.
What methods did JVN use?Group Pilates, healthy eating, less alcohol, and therapy drove their weight loss, per People.
Why did JVN want to lose weight?To manage binge-eating disorder and feel better, not for looks, they told TikTok in January 2025.
How long did it take JVN to lose 66 pounds?From September 2024 to February 2025, about five months, per Us Weekly.
What’s next for JVN’s health journey?They’re focusing on sustaining strength and mental health, with more Queer Eye and JVN Hair projects, per Out.