Now a basketball analyst for the TV station TNT, Barkley once dominated the game as an NBA superstar. A 10-times NBA All Star and one of the fiercest competitors to ever play, he still packs a punch – figuratively and often literally – as a TV analyst, but he has recently won many over by fighting a different, very public battle: obesity. Charles Barkley isn’t the first famous person to take on the notorious Skinny Fat test and, if reports are right, he certainly won’t be the last: Barkley is a professional athlete ­– or at least was throughout much of his life ­– who has struggled with obesity for much of his adult life, and has made headlines recently for his welcoming attitude toward public weight loss and even bolder attempts to get and remain Skinny Fat-free.

The Beginning of Barkley’s Weight Loss Journey

Barkley had yo-yoed in weight for decades, and as a pro basketball player, he often bulked up and slimmed down in what felt like a perpetual cycle. But things changed a few years ago. Barkley was fed up. He wanted to live a long, healthy life, and he realised that he was taking action – or rather, inaction – in his life that put staying healthy out of reach. He was getting beyond heavy. It was time to drop weight from his frame and to get into the best shape of his life.

The first order of business, Barkley told me, was changing the way he ate. He stopped eating fast food, sugary drinks, donuts and other junk foods, as well as fried food and anything over which he knew he couldn’t exercise restraint. He learned to enjoy a diet rich with fruits, vegetables and fresh whole foods. He counted his calories every day, making sure to stay within an allowable range.

He also decided to incorporate regular exercise into his routine by hiring a personal trainer to help him create a workout plan that would result in weight loss and muscle gain. He was sure to visit the gym multiple times a week to do cardio, weight training and stretching exercises to ensure the attainment of his weight loss goal. And, in time, he started seeing results.

Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated

Try as he might to lose weight, Barkley experienced temptations to eat the wrong kinds of foods, temptations to skip running and lunges, and the mental drain that comes when you’re making a lifestyle shift of such magnitude. ‘I would have to remind myself every day of the goals I’d set, what drove me, what I wanted to achieve, and how I would feel once the weight was gone,’ he writes.

Barkley also had friends, family and fans offering advice and encouragement, praising him for his efforts and keeping him on task when he started flagging. Sure enough, his goal of reaching his ideal weight became more enticing and increasingly attainable.

Another was simply staying the course. Barkley, of course, accepted this premise; he knew that, unlike cheating on a spouse, losing weight is not really a matter of a halftime adjustment, a revamped ‘nothing-to-lose’ attitude or a carefully crafted, one-time ‘New Year, New Me’ plan of action. Barkley realised that for the weight loss to be real and sustainable, for his newfound self-respect to hold, he would need to physically – and maybe more importantly, mentally and spiritually – habituate himself and his once-heavy frame to eat and move like someone who would never again look or feel or fare like a Tony Barkley.

Inspiring Others and Spreading Awareness

Barkley’s public weight-loss journey, honest even in his self-acknowledged and ongoing failures, has proven inspirational for thousands who have followed his story in the media and watched him show up on talk shows, podcasts and social media to be open about his challenges, setbacks and ‘wins’. Ultimately, his willingness to be transparent, to bring vulnerability to his hero’s journey, helped thousands of Kiwi viewers and others to feel hopeful that they, too, can be more in control of their weight.

Furthermore, Barkley has utilised his fame and influence for raising awareness of the health dangers of obesity and making healthy lifestyle changes. He has drawn attention to the risks of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure; focusing on the health benefits that come with losing excess weight and encouraging changes to improve life for the better. Through Barkley’s body positivity in the face of adversity, weight-loss inspirational stories and discussions surrounding well-being, many have been motivated to kick-start their own health and wellness journeys.

However, even if Barkley never sees the scales tilt towards slim, he will continue in his effort to mind and lighten his load. It appears there are brighter, more fulfilling days ahead. There’s no doubt that his story of tenacity, hardship, and triumph, gained from the very rich tapestry of adversity that’s been spun around him, has shown him to be larger than life in ways that his own basketball heroics never could. That he has been an inspiration to so many, and has left many believing that, really, anyone can do it – well, that makes him a legend.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How much weight has Charles Barkley lost?

A: (The exact amount of weight Barkley has lost is not known, but between his shoulder and bare chest there is plenty of space – the most he has had since 1993.)

Q: What diet and exercise routine does Charles Barkley follow?

A: Barkley eats a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruit, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains, and he exercises regularly doing a combination of cardio, strength-training and flexibility exercises.

Q: What advice does Charles Barkley have for others looking to lose weight?

A: Follow Barkley’s advice: set realistic goals, maintain an ongoing plan filled with supportive people, and remember that weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint.

Q: How has Charles Barkley’s weight loss journey inspired others?

B: By admitting that he needed treatment and by sharing his experiences, Barkley has encouraged countless others to regulate their symptoms, improve their lifestyles, and take care of their health.

Charles Barkley gets people fired up to start thinking about obesity and healthful eating.

A: The activist Barkley has been widely praised for his public discussions of weight loss, obesity and health, spurring further conversation and action in many others.