Al Roker, the beloved weatherman and co-host of The Today Show, made a life-altering decision in 2002 when he chose to undergo gastric bypass surgery. 

His choice was not solely motivated by personal health concerns but was also deeply rooted in a promise he made to his dying father, Albert Roker. 

After battling weight issues for most of his life, Al found the strength to take control of his health after his father urged him to “get in shape” before passing away.

A Father’s Last Wish

For years, Al Roker struggled with maintaining a healthy weight, at one point reaching 340 pounds. 

However, when his father fell seriously ill, he gave his son a heartfelt plea—to ensure he would be around for his children by taking his health seriously. 

The words stayed with Al, giving him the push he needed to make a drastic change in his lifestyle.

“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,” Roker recalled. “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.'”

Understanding the gravity of his father’s words, Roker made the difficult decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery. This procedure, which involves reducing the size of the stomach to promote weight loss, was a turning point in his life.

A Lifelong Battle With Weight

Despite the success of his surgery, Roker has been open about the ongoing challenges of maintaining a healthy weight. In 2022, he shared a reflective post on social media, marking the 20th anniversary of his procedure. Holding up a pair of his old oversized trousers, he acknowledged the daily struggles and setbacks that come with weight management.

“Everybody comes to their moment in their way and in their time,” Roker stated. “It’s a means to an end, but it’s not the end. It’s not the final thing.”

He emphasized that achieving a healthier lifestyle is a continuous effort, not something that ends once a goal is reached. “Every day I work at this. You’re never quite done, and that’s okay because anything [good] in life is worthwhile.”

A Commitment to Fitness

Since his surgery, Al Roker has maintained a dedication to staying active. His daily routine includes 20 to 25 minutes on the treadmill, followed by 10 minutes of weight-bearing exercises before heading to work. On some occasions, he even opts to walk home from NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center, New York.

Roker credits his wife, Deborah Roberts, for helping him shift his mindset about exercise. Initially, he believed that if he couldn’t fit in a long workout session, it wasn’t worth doing at all. However, his wife, who is passionate about fitness, encouraged him to embrace the idea that “something is better than nothing.”

“I think that the mantra I have adopted — and I kind of adopted this thanks to my wife, Deborah, who is very fitness-oriented — I was one of those people that if I didn’t get in an hour’s worth of workout, then I just wouldn’t do it. And her thing was, ‘Hey, look, something’s better than nothing.'”

A Message of Perseverance

Roker’s journey highlights the importance of perseverance and making choices that contribute to a healthier life. His transformation was not just about losing weight but about fulfilling a promise to his father and ensuring that he would be there for his family.

His story serves as an inspiration for many who struggle with weight loss, reminding them that the journey to health is ongoing and requires consistent effort. Whether through exercise, dietary changes, or medical interventions like gastric bypass surgery, Roker’s experience proves that taking steps toward a healthier life is always worthwhile.

As he continues to embrace his fitness journey, the veteran meteorologist remains a testament to the power of commitment, discipline, and honoring the wishes of loved ones.

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