“This is such a better life” (Exclusive)

The new stand-up comedian The Skinny premieres November 22 on Hulu

Nicholas Hunt/Getty; Christina Bumphrey/Getty Jim Gaffigan in 2019 and 2024. — Nicholas Hunt/Getty; Christina Bumphrey/Getty

Jim Gaffigan in 2019 and 2024.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan is the first to admit that his weight has fluctuated over the years.

After reaching 270 pounds, he decided to try medication — and has since lost 50 pounds. “I feel good,” he tells PEOPLE. “I’m just grateful because it’s such a better life.”

Gaffigan lost weight with help Munjarowhich is the brand name for tirzepatide, a prescription drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. It also helps people lose weight.

At first, Gaffigan doubted whether the medication would help him. “I had really low expectations because I knew someone who tried it and they said, ‘Oh no, I was just sick for a week,'” he explains. “And then I thought that my true joy in food would trump everything.”

But as soon as he started seeing the number on the scale go down, he was sold.

Gaffigan struggled with weight gain for most of his adult life. He recalls being in his 20s when he “worked out twice a day to be skinny so I could eat,” he says. “And then when my metabolism slowed down, it got harder and harder, and then my knees started giving out, and then the fatigue set in.”

Over the years, he continued to gain weight. Then last year, his doctor asked if he had considered medication. “She said, ‘Well, some people are against it.’ And I say: “I don’t care, I’ll try.” My knees hurt, and my cholesterol was kind of low,” Gaffigan says.

“And that’s why I wanted to talk about it, because I thought it was weird that people didn’t want to talk about it. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. There are people walking around who obviously don’t have blonde hair, but I don’t think it’s weird, it’s just what you have to do.

New standup from Gaffigan,Thinwhich airs Nov. 22 on Hulu, has more thoughts on his weight loss. “It’s something you can have a strong point of view on, there are several different sides to it,” he says, adding that he also talks about his children in the special. “I also had a certain point of view about raising teenagers. So the name ‘Skinny’ just seemed perfect.”

As for maintaining his health, Gaffigan says he’s not trying to lose any more weight and hasn’t decided how long he’ll continue taking the medication. He stays active by walking around New York, where he lives with his wife, Ginny, and their 5 children. “I don’t do a lot of sports, but this city is very walkable,” he adds. “I have an Apple Watch, so I lock all my rings (to count steps) every day.”

The comedian says that Ginny also seems to appreciate his health. “I mean, she’s one of those people who’s just genetically thin. It’s annoying,” he explains. “But yeah, I think she likes (his weight loss). It’s like living with a glutton versus living with an ex-glut. It’s a healthier lifestyle.”

As he looks forward to his upcoming North American tour with the comedian Jerry Seinfeld next year — which will stop at 10 arenas in Canada and the U.S. — Gaffigan is excited to try different dishes in each city. “Jerry has different rituals before and after the show,” he says. “I can’t look at a map without knowing where I’m going to eat.”

Thin Premieres November 22 on Hulu.

Tickets for his tour can be purchased at JerrySeinfeld.com and JimGaffigan.com.