AFTER Kim Gravel seemingly disappeared from her hosting duties on QVC in December 2023, viewers grew concerned about her absence – and prolonged silence.
In January 2024, QVC star Kim Gravel returned to social media to share that even amidst her successful weight loss journey, she had recently suffered a significant health setback.
How much weight as Kim Gravel lost?
Just weeks before her on-air absence, Kim Gravel shared some more positive news on her QVC+ podcast, The Kim Gravel Show.
On December 14, 2023, Kim Gravel revealed that one of her “proudest achievements this year was losing nearly 50 pounds.”
The star shared the news with Zac Miller, the showrunner for her podcast.
“2023 has been for me personally, a transformational year, Zac,” Gravel said.
Gravel then mentioned writing a book and laying the groundwork for two new companies, launching in early 2024, citing that it’s been “exhausting, but exciting.”
“I think the thing I’m most proud of though, is my weight loss,” she said.
“I mean, as I’m approaching the new year and I’m looking back, it’s so fantastic not to have this heaviness, literally weighing over me like, oh God, I’ve got to lose this weight, I’ve got to lose weight.”
Gravel then confirmed that she had lost around 48 pounds, deciding to “round up” her success “so it’s a 50 pound weight loss.”
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The QVC star also revealed she was ” five pounds less than my goal weight that I wanted.”
How did Kim Gravel lose weight?
When prompted by Miller how she managed to lose the weight in just one year, Gravel said she “made a few simple, powerful changes.”
“I allowed myself to let go of the struggle that has defined my life for decades,” she added.
“I’m going to keep it 100 percent real with you and be very transparent: I was probably eating about 4,000 calories a day, 4,000!”
Gravel then shared that she swapped fast food and a high-calorie meal plan for “Factor,” one of the show’s sponsors.
She said the meals are all “550 calories or less,” and allowed her to “eat fresh, you know, good for you meals that are not prepackaged and full of sodium and full of cruddy stuff.”
Gravel also said cutting out all beverages aside from water was extremely beneficial for her weight loss.
“I got rid of all sodas, sweet teas, and drinks,” she said, adding that “when I did that, I cut out like a thousand calories a day.”
She revealed that she now drinks around 100 ounces of water per day.
After cutting out fast food, sugary snacks, and carbonated drinks, Gravel said she lost “15, 20 pounds” in “the first three weeks” just with her “inflammation going down.”
Gravel also revealed that she hasn’t been focused on her fitness.
“I still have not incorporated exercise in my routine still to this day.”
“I didn’t sit there and pressure myself and go, I’ve got to work out. I got to do this. I didn’t do that.”
“I just, I was very, I was very graceful to myself and I was very kind to myself,” she added.
“I stopped beating myself up and I started just loving right where I’m at.”
Gravel also said that she “started small” with her diet, choosing to control her portions instead of cutting out her favorite foods.
She spoke about her husband, Travis, taking her out to lunch, where she “had nachos…but I only had half of them.”
“So guess who inhaled them all? Travis. After I didn’t eat them. But I’m just saying, that’s the thing. Split meals,” she said.
“But I didn’t deny myself to get the nachos though,” she said.
“That’s what I’m saying, y’all. It’s not about denial. It’s about decision,” she revealed.
Gravel then said that patience was key in her weight loss journey, sharing that while “there was a big weight loss really quick in two months,” the remaining 20-something pounds took her almost seven months.
“People ask, well, how did you drop it so fast? Really it’s been nine months.”
“I have gotten to my goal weight in nine months. To me, that’s realistic,” she added.
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What health issues has Kim Gravel had?
On Sunday, January 14, 2024, Kim Gravel went on Instagram Live to explain her absence from QVC, and why she’s remained silent on social media.
Gravel revealed that she had been suffering from Bell’s palsy.
Bell’s palsy “is an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis” that “results from damage to the facial nerve” according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
The condition “begins suddenly and worsens over 48 hours,” and while it’s “not considered permanent,” the estimated recovery time “usually begins 2 weeks to 6 months from the onset of the symptoms.”
“A few weeks ago, I woke up and half of the side of my face was paralyzed with Bell’s palsy,” she said.
Gravel then shared that while the health scare “took [her] for a loop,” and had initially left her “down in the dumps, depressed,” it also made her reevaluate her mindset and focus on the positive.
“I’m on TV and I’m out in front of people and it’s okay,” she said, adding that she needed to “practice what you preach.”
“There’s nothing like practicing what you preach and really understanding what ‘Love Who You Are’ means,” she added, referencing her new beauty line.
“That’s why I’m doing this Live tonight – you gotta love who you are, right where you’re at,” Gravel said.
While there is no known cure for Bell’s palsy, most individuals who suffer from the condition typically “recover full facial strength and expression.”
“I want you to love your life right where you are,” Gravel reiterated.
Gravel then asked her followers, “Will you do that with me? Can we stop trying to be perfect?”
Just a few weeks later on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, Gravel celebrated a new social media achievement: reaching 150,000 followers on Instagram.
“I am so incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love I have received from ya’ll since sharing my Bell’s palsy diagnosis,” she captioned the post.
“I felt it even more throughout Monday’s amazing TSV day. And now, I cannot believe I’m saying this, but my page has surpassed 150K followers!”
“Thank you so much! It reminds me to keep moving forward – there are GREAT things ahead! God is good,” she added, alongside a praying hands emoji.
Gravel’s fans were quick to comment on the star’s post, sharing words of encouragement with her.
“You are such an inspiration to so many, myself included. Continued prayers for comfort and healing,” wrote one user.
“I feel like you are even MORE powerful, MORE inspiring, and MORE beautiful than you were before! God works all things out for good,” another user commented.
“Your inspiration is a blessing, your journey is beautiful,” shared another user.