4 Simple Things Josh Peck Did to Lose 100 Pounds

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Many of us grew up with the Nickelodeon series Drake and Josh. During our time with the titular brothers, we witnessed actor Josh Peck experience a major weight-loss transformation, which was apparent during seasons three and four of the show.

“When I did lose the weight, there was certainly a small contingent that thought, ‘Oh, you were funnier when you were fat or you took away this guy who we loved and we’re not so sure if we love this new guy,’” Peck told Today. The “majority” of fans, however, showered the celeb with support.

The actor lost over 100 pounds in 18 months through diet and exercise. Here’s exactly what the iconic voice behind Ice Age’s Eddie did to achieve that milestone.

How Much Did Josh Peck Weigh Before Weight Loss?

Josh Peck in 2004. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

In Peck’s 2022 memoir, Happy People Are Annoying, he shared that when he was a teen, he weighed almost 300 pounds.

He wrote, “For me, when I think of childhood, the singular, powerful, and all-consuming memory that comes to mind is being fat. I have good memories from childhood too, of course, I grew up with a deep awareness that I was loved, decent, cared for, and blah blah blah, but FAT, very very fat.”

Things changed during Peck’s Drake & Josh years, when the actor made some crucial changes to his daily routine.

Did Josh Peck Have Weight Loss Surgery?

Peck achieved his over-100-pound-weight loss naturally through dedication to a healthier lifestyle. Peck’s transformation also occurred long before trendy weight loss drugs became a thing—a question for which he had a witty response.

In a February 2024 Instagram post, the actor wrote, “When you lost 100 pounds naturally and then Ozempic,” as he jokingly mouthed the lyrics, “All that work, and what did it get me.”

How Josh Peck Lost Weight

1. He Consumed a Keto-like Diet

When Josh was 16, he kickstarted his weight-loss journey by following a keto-like diet, according to Parade. The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carb eating plan for those who seek mental clarity, increased energy levels, and weight loss. Sources of healthy fats might include wild-caught seafood, egg yolks from organic pasture-raised hens, organic and pasture-raised animals, and coconut, extra-virgin, and avocado oils.

“When done right, the keto diet can be beneficial for weight loss purposes as it had been for Josh Peck,” says Tami Best, M.S., R.D.N., a functional and integrative registered dietitian at Top Nutrition Coaching specializing in gastrointestinal health, nutrition for mental wellbeing, and fueling for optimal athletic/sports performance. “A well-designed keto-like diet will be rich in healthy fats, quality protein and anti-inflammatory nutrients. It is a challenging diet with mixed research on its benefits and best followed with the direction of a registered dietitian to ensure safety, nutrient adequacy and long-term weight loss success.”

When following the keto diet, it’s crucial to consume plenty of non-starchy veggies, as they’re full of dietary fiber, Best says.

“[This will] regulate gut function while protecting the body from oxidative damage from harmful compounds and metabolites that can damage cells,” she says. “In conjunction with healthy fats, these anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients will help protect the cells in the brain and other organs in the body.”

2. He Found a “Middle Ground” With His Eating Habits

Peck also tried to ditch carbs and sugars cold turkey, but he quickly learned that this wasn’t the most doable approach. He shared on Mark Bell’s “Power Project” YouTube show that he established more of a “middle ground” that worked best for him.

Peck recalled being at a diner with a friend at the start of his weight-loss journey. He knew a chicken Caesar salad would be the healthier option, but he was really craving a sandwich. Peck’s “middle ground” that gave him the best of both worlds? A chicken Caesar wrap.

“It was slowly starting to make those smart choices,” Peck said. “I’m eyeballing calories every day…I need 2,500 calories to sustain life, and then if I can work out and, you know, burn an extra 500, I’m playing with 3,000, and if I can come in at a deficit, I’m in good shape.”

When establishing a brand new routine, Best says, “Success builds on success.” She adds, “By making small achievable changes, you begin to notice improvements in how you feel and create the conditions that support your own self-determination.”

That brings us to our next point.

3. He Made “Small Changes”

The Nickelodeon star learned that implementing “small changes on a regular basis” rather than adapting a hardcore, all-or-nothing approach, is the name of the game, he said on “Power Project.”

“Behavior change experts have shown that it is more sustainable to focus on the process than the outcome,” says Best. “Going from zero to 100 can create the conditions for stumbling. BJ Fogg, Ph.D., a behavior change expert from Stanford has developed the technique known as tiny habits. Essentially, you work to identify the habit you want to create, break it down into its smallest part and create a routine around that.”

Best suggests anchoring a new behavior to one that already exists in your routine. For instance, to increase your amount of daily physical activity, you may start out by doing a squat or two each time you finish brushing your teeth.

4. He Did Bodyweight Workouts

The very first time Peck stepped foot in a gym, he couldn’t do a pushup. But as the saying goes, “Slow and steady wins the race”—and Peck’s fitness journey is a testament to that.

“It became I could do one from my knees, then eventually one from my toes,” Peck said on “Power Project.” ”Same with pullups, with a resistance band that gave me about 100 pounds of help. Inevitably, it was just grit. And that’s what made me fall in love with really basic, hard, bodyweight workouts, because I was like ‘this was an impossibility for me, and now I feel so proud.’ I feel like a lot of the world can’t do a strict pull-up, so every time my chin goes above the bar, I’m like, ‘Yes, this one’s for 15-year-old Josh!’”

The best part about bodyweight workouts? They don’t require equipment or a fancy gym membership, and you can do them essentially wherever you happen to be.

“Exercises like pushups, squats, lunges, and planks challenge your muscles and help build strength. More muscles equates to a high resting metabolism,” says Ronny Garcia, CPT, with Blink Fitness. “[In addition, building a strong foundation with bodyweight exercises assists with balance, coordination, and mobility, and helps avoid injuries later on.”

Weight loss occurs over time, so consistency is essential. Garcia recommends training three to five times a week at a moderate intensity in order to achieve best results.