Al Roker, the beloved *Today Show* weatherman and co-host, is no stranger to personal struggles and triumphs, especially when it comes to his health.
Throughout much of his adult life, Roker battled with his weight, reaching his heaviest at 340 pounds.
However, his decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery in 2002 came from a deeply personal place — his father’s dying wish.
Roker’s father, Albert, was in the final stages of his life when he made a request that would change his son’s life forever.
In an emotional conversation, Albert pleaded with Al to take better care of himself for the sake of his children.
“My dad had gotten very ill, and at one point toward the end, he made me promise that I was going to get in shape,” Al shared in a recent interview with *People*.
“And he said, point-blank, ‘Look, we both know I’m not going to be here to help you raise your kids. You’ve got to be here for your children.’”
Those words stuck with Roker, and despite his long-standing struggles with weight, he knew he had to act. “That really stuck with me, and that led me to do a gastric bypass.” Al’s decision to go through with the surgery was a significant turning point in his life, one that was motivated not just by his health, but by his commitment to being there for his family.
Roker’s decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery was not just a physical transformation but a deeply emotional one as well. He did it in honor of his father’s wish and as a way to ensure that he could be there for his children, as his father had not been able to do for him. Over time, this decision led to a significant weight loss and a more sustainable approach to his health. However, as he shared on social media in 2022, this was not the end of his journey, but rather a continuous process.
In an Instagram post on the 20th anniversary of his gastric bypass surgery, Roker reflected on the challenges he still faces with his weight, acknowledging that the journey to health is ongoing. “Everybody comes to their moment in their way and in their time. It’s a means to an end, but it’s not the end. It’s not the final thing. Every day I work at this. You’re never quite done, and that’s okay because anything [good] in life is worthwhile. You’re going to continue to work at it.”
Roker’s approach to fitness has evolved significantly, particularly after his wife, Deborah Roberts, who is passionate about fitness, encouraged him to adopt a more balanced outlook on exercise. Before meeting Roberts, Roker had a more rigid mindset when it came to working out. He would only commit to an exercise routine if he could complete a full hour. But Deborah’s philosophy that “something’s better than nothing” made him realize that even small efforts could lead to big results. Roker now practices a more sustainable fitness routine, including 20 to 25 minutes on the treadmill followed by 10 minutes of load-bearing exercises before work. On some days, he even walks home from the NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center in New York, making exercise a part of his daily routine.
Roker has been open about the fact that the road to health and fitness is not an easy one. He admits that setbacks happen and that every day is a challenge. But his dedication to staying healthy, both for himself and for his family, is clear. “You’re never done being a parent. You’re never done being a friend or a family member,” he said, quoting his father’s wisdom. “You just keep working at [these things].”
Today, Al Roker is a living testament to the power of perseverance, commitment, and love. His journey with weight loss and health has not been simple or linear, but his father’s words remain his guiding light. With each step he takes on the treadmill or each effort to stay active, Roker honors not only his father’s wish but his own desire to be the best version of himself for his family. He continues to inspire others to take their health seriously, no matter where they are on their journey.
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