The Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie has disclosed that he has lost about 85 pounds since having a weight loss surgery in February 2013.

The trim-looking governor, who is reported to have made this revelation during a private meeting with investors in New York last week, has noted that the move is linked with his aspirations to climb up the political ladder.

Governor Christie was widely regarded as one of the foremost Republican candidates for the 2012 presidential elections. But his candidacy never materialized. Many pundits say the governor is likely to be one of the people lined up to contest for the Republican presidential ticket in 2016.

The weight of the governor has since been a favorite subject of many sour jokes. After his re-election in 2013, Time magazine referred to the governor as an elephant. Although this was also a reference to the Republican Party's logo, it was widely interpreted to be a slight comment about the overweight governor.

A public debate about the health of the governor due to his weight forced him to reveal his medical history last year, which declared him to be fit to serve in public office.

Earlier in the year, Gov. Christie, who revealed that he has found it difficult to manage his weight throughout his entire adult life, told the press that the lap band surgery was a life-changing decision. According to him, he exercises regularly and is able to sleep much better now.

Lap band or gastric banding surgery is a procedure that basically reduces the size of the stomach by lining it with an adjustable belt. This surgery is considered one of the safest weight loss options. It is unclear how much Gov. Christie weighs currently. However, reports indicate that he was abut 320 pounds before having the lap band surgery last year.