How I lost 120lbs being a road Comedian... by Angelo Tsarouchous
At 459 lbs on tour in India. They thought I was a wrestler.
If you happen to know someone who is a stand up comic, there’s a good chance you know that most of them have a vice, whether it be a drink, or a toot, women or men, I think you get where I’m going. Mine is food! Always has been.
Growing up to Greek Immigrant parents in the food business opened up my appetite at a young age. Other kids would have bologna sandwiches and pb and j, we were bringing in full-on hot meals for lunch with baklava for a snack! When I first started doing stand up my weight was a big part of my act, it was obvious and I never came across as a victim, but more as someone who enjoyed it. But the gruelling schedule of touring mixed in with bad eating habits is not good for anyone. At a check up I found my blood sugar was out of whack and could not continue at this pace without something eventually happening which could be prevented.
Slimmer on stage in London UK.
That’s when I decided I have to make some changes, I have a wife and daughter to think of, so no excuses. When the Doctor asked how many days I’m on the road, it added up to 259 last year! Taking me all over the world with different time zones, people and cultures that run in to each other, and trying to adjust before it’s time to leave again is just ludicrous most days! He realized it but said I had to come up with a plan, so I needed a constant that could apply anywhere I went, it was actually simple, no bread or sugar wherever and whenever possible. Sounds easy but isn’t, but it worked. I could eat whether I was working a cruise, or Casino, or a club somewhere, there is always choices, problem is we choose not to make them! But I applied this theory to my everyday life, not as a ‘diet’ (bad word) but into my life! The result is I’m down 120lbs from the highest I was at 459lbs as most of my friends knew me.
Even slimmer at the Vogue Theater in Los Angeles
I feel better, and yes, still big but not ‘I could have my own reality show’ big, I don’t need seat belt extensions on most flights anymore, and have a wealth of new material as a result. My friends and family have been very supportive which is important but at the end of the day it’s up to all of us to take care of ourselves first!
Now if I can only cut down on cigars for a while! Lol