
Al Sharpton Workout and Diet
Activist
Alfred Sharpton Jr. was born in Brooklyn, NY. He grew up in poverty and in 1969, Reverend Jesse Jackson appointed him as youth director to Operation Breadbasket, a group that promoted better jobs for African-Americans in NYC. In 1971, Sharpton founded the National Youth Movement, aimed at developing resources for impoverished young people. In 1972, he worked as youth director for Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm’s presidential campaign. Sharpton attended college for 2 years, dropping out in 1975. From 1973-1980, he was tour manager for musician James Brown. In 1991, Sharpton founded the civil rights organization, the National Action Network. He ran for president in 2004. Sharpton is a Baptist minster, civil rights activist, TV personality, and radio talk show host. He has millions of followers on social media. He has 2 children with ex-wife Cathy Jordan and is currently married to Marsha Tinsley. Sharpton is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs about 130 lbs.
Jump To:
Al Sharpton’s Diet
Diet Summary
Sharpton is almost as famous for his 176-lb. weight loss as he is for his political activism. He executed his incredible body transformation with a total change in his eating habits. Where he once lived on fried chicken, he now eats mostly vegetables. He avoids animal products with the exception of eggs and a piece of fish per his doctor’s suggestion. He avoids all processed and refined foods, including the fried chicken he once lived on. He also engages in intermittent fasting, and does not eat after 6 pm. He drinks several cups of tea a day as well as a couple of green juices.
Estimated Macros
Medium Fat
Medium Carb
Low-Medium Protein
Diet Details
Try, Try Again
This is not Sharpton’s first weight loss rodeo. In 2001, he lost 30 lbs. during a 43-day hunger strike while in jail, but he regained that weight during his 2004 presidential run. His daughter calling him fat was his impetus to get serious about losing weight.
Gradual Process
Sharpton said he didn’t go cold turkey with the diet, but rather cut back gradually, replacing junk food with healthier choices. He says after a few weeks, he ceased to miss the fried chicken he once ate daily.
Juice for Health
Sharpton usually has 2 Juice Press juices a day, one with breakfast and one with dinner. He is partial to Juice Press’s ‘Doctor Earth’ and watermelon.
Almost Vegan
Sharpton completely cut out animal products and even carbs for a time, but at his doctor’s suggestion, he added back in eggs, fish once a week, and whole wheat bread daily to cover his nutritional needs.
What to Eat
- 7-grain bread
- Eggs
- Green juice
- Veggies
- Bananas
- Apples
- Beans
- Nuts
- Avocados
- Tea
- Stevia
- Fish (once/week)
- Water
What to Avoid
- Meat
- Dairy
- Chemicals
- Processed foods
- Fast food
- Junk food
- Added sugar
- Refined carbs
- Trans fats
- Saturated fats
Sharpton on his old diet
‘I was a fried chicken junkie. I used to eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but after about 3 or 4 weeks, I didn’t have a longing for that either.’
Sharpton on his motivation to lose weight
‘Around 2006, my youngest daughter Ashley poked me in the stomach and said, “Dad, why are you so fat?” That kind of hurt my feelings.’
Sharpton on getting protein with a vegetarian diet
‘My doctor said to me, “You’ve got to have some carbs and you need protein,” so he put me on whole wheat toast.’
Sharpton on changing his diet
‘I think the first week, maybe week and a half, I would get hungry every now and then. But the key to it is determination.’
Al Sharpton’s Workout Routine
Workout Routine
From Fat to Fit
In 2014, Sharpton totally revamped his diet and committed to a daily exercise routine. He dropped 176 lbs., more than half his weight and is now a svelte 129 lbs.
Diabetes Cure
Sharpton was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but through a combination of weight loss and exercise, he was able to eliminate the problem and no longer has the condition.
Stay Active
Sharpton works out daily because it gives him energy, keeps the blood pumping, and helped him tone up after dropping all that weight.
No Excuses
When Sharpton travels, he always makes sure his hotel has a 24-hour gym so he can get in his workout.
Daily Dose
Even at 70, Sharpton still exercises daily, first thing. He does some kind of cardio every day, and also does strength training and yoga.
L.I.S.S. for Health
Sharpton walks every day for 20-30 minutes on a treadmill. Low-intensity steady-state (L.I.S.S.) exercise like walking provides substantial health benefits: it burns fat, is easy to recover from, and is appropriate for all fitness levels.
Strength Training
Sharpton does a variety of weight resistance exercises, including lifting weights and using bodyweight. Maintaining muscle is important to staying healthy with age.
Yoga for Balance
Sharpton also does yoga which provides multiple benefits, including strength, flexibility, and stress relief.
Exercise Style
An Al Sharpton Routine
Exercise first thing every day.
Cardio: daily, 20-30 min
- Treadmill
- Elliptical
- Bicycle etc.
Strength training:
- Lift weights – do a variety of push/pull exercises
- Calisthenics – push-ups, sit-ups, squats, etc.
Yoga
Sharpton on his fitness routine
‘I’m not trying to run the marathon, just tone up.’
Sharpton on his motivation to work out
‘I didn’t want to be flabby since I lost a lot of weight.’
Sharpton on his fitness goal
‘[I work out] just to keep my blood flowing and stay active.’
Sharpton on why he works out at 4 am
‘I like to go to the gym when I can be in there alone…I want to use this as my time to meditate and deal with my stress.’
Al Sharpton’s Supplements
Protein Powder
Because Sharpton avoids meat, he uses protein powder to up his protein intake. There are many vegan and vegetarian options available made from pea, beans and seeds.
Stevia
Sharpton avoids all added sugars, so he uses stevia to sweeten his tea. Stevia can help with weight loss, control blood sugar, regulate cholesterol, and it’s good for your teeth and skin too.
Green Juice
Sharpton has a green juice first thing, every day. Greens are full of vitamins and cancer-fighting antioxidants. If you don’t get as many vegetable as you should, consider adding a greens supplement as an easy way to get your veg.
Al Sharpton’s Lifestyle
Rise & Shine
Sharpton is up every day at 4 am to fit in his workout before his day gets too busy. And yes, he works out even on weekends.
How to Be a Man
Sharpton’s parents separated when he was a baby. He says he learned about being a man from musician James Brown.
Brawley Scandal
Sharpton became (in)famous for supporting Tawana Brawley who accused 6 men including police officers of assaulting her. The accusation was determined to be fabricated, and Sharpton and 2 others were sued for defamation and ordered to pay $345,000. Sharpton refused; Johnnie Cochran and others eventually picked up the tab.
Stay Active
Sharpton has a syndicated daily radio show and a weekly show on MSNBC in addition to running his National Action Network which supports equal opportunity for all.
Memorable Meal
Sharpton says that one of his most memorable meals was with Barak Obama shortly after he had started his diet. While Obama was digging into the fried chicken and mac ’n’ cheese, Sharpton wouldn’t touch it.
The Many Benefits of Weight Loss
Sharpton says the best thing about losing weight, besides not being poked in the gut by his daughter, is having energy and being able to focus. He’s also thrilled to get to wear some sharp-looking new duds.
Fighting Words
Sharpton has some sharp words for his Saturday Night Live impersonator Kenan Thompson: lose weight. He says Thompson is doing an ‘outdated’ Sharpton version, and he also threatens to crash the show and impersonate Thompson.
Sharpton on exercising first thing
‘It’s my morning therapy, and it gets me in shape at the same time.’
Sharpton on being overweight
‘I grew up in civil rights and politics, so I’m pretty thick-skinned, but when your daughter says [you’re fat], I started being conscious.’
Sharpton on yet another reason to exercise
‘The more I did [exercise]…the more I found that it was a calming thing.’
Sharpton on a benefit of losing weight
‘The best part is the energy and the focus. I feel like I’m totally in charge of myself.’
Sharpton on a second benefit of weight loss
‘I’ve been able to get a very nice new wardrobe! I can wear a lot of stuff that I couldn’t wear before.’
Sharpton on his Saturday Night Live impersonator
‘Kenan [Thompson] needs to lose weight, or they need to get somebody in shape to do me…I might break into the studio one night and do Kenan.’
Sharpton on the Brawley verdict
‘I have as much a right to question a jury as [anyone else].’
Recommended Products
Juicepress Juices
Treadmill
Free Weights
Yoga Mat