Q&A | Weight Loss Edition

Q&A

Here’s a list of podcast interview questions and my exact answers regarding my strict diet and weight loss journey.

Question:

1. Can you start by sharing what inspired you to embark on a strict diet and weight loss journey? 

My Answer:

Well I decided that I wanted to loose weight many years ago. I had went to the doctor and the doctor said that I needed to loose weight. I was probably close to 150lbs back then, which was overweight for me. I also suffered from high cholesterol and was taking a medicine for anxiety (not bipolar ) that was making me gain weight. I stopped eventually taking that particular medicine about six years ago. I think it was called Risperidone. I'm 125lbs now, which is a healthy weight, but I would like to get back down to 122 pounds like I was a few months ago. My current BMI is 22.9.

Question:

2. As a rapper, your lifestyle can be quite hectic. How did you manage to stay committed to your diet amidst your busy schedule? 

My Answer:

I'm a rapper, but I'm not as busy as it may seem. It's super easy staying committed to my diet. It's not like men are always taking me out to dinner or people are always inviting me to places where food is. People don't even want to feed me. It's very easy being on a diet.

Question:

3. What specific changes did you make to your diet that you found most effective in your weight loss journey? 

My Answer:

I stopped eating out all the time. That was my biggest problem. Fast food and restaurant food can be very high in calories. I still eat out from time to time but I stopped eating at restaurants that don't put the calories on their menu. Those restaurants had to go. I need to know how many calories I'm eating. I started logging my calories into a weight loss app so that I could keep track of it. 

The app lets me know when I'm going over or not. I brought myself a walking pad, which is my best friend (next to my dog). I exercise every day for about 30-90 minutes and it definitely helps. I don't log the exercises into the weight loss app because when you add an exercise they give you more free calories to use and that doesn't help. So I just exercise without logging it.

Question:

4. Were there any particular challenges or obstacles you faced while trying to stick to your diet? How did you overcome them? 

My Answer: 

My biggest challenge is eating too much sodium and too much sugar. I still have problems in those too areas. I have a sweet tooth and I love eating chocolate and donuts and things like that. I hope to overcome my desire for salty foods and sugary foods one day. 

Question:

5. How has your relationship with food changed since you started your diet? 

My Answer:

I don't look at food the same anymore. Too much gluttony is a turn off to me. If I start having too many "cheat days" I know it's time to slow down. One time during my weight loss journey, I tried to be a vegan and a pescetarian but that didn't work out. I still eat meat. I stopped eating pork though, just the simple fact that pork has a stigma attached to it.  

Question:

6. Did you incorporate any specific workouts or fitness routines along with your diet? If so, what did they look like? 

My Answer:

Like I stated already, I workout for about 30-90 minutes a day. I use to box alot when I had a punching bag but now I just walk on my walking pad or take long walks at the park with my dog. 

Question:

7. How do you maintain motivation when you encounter cravings or setbacks? 

My Answer:

I just think about all the bullies that tease me. If they'll tease me when I'm skinny, then they'll definitely tease me if I get fat, and I'm trying to stop as much of the bullying as possible. The bullies would start calling me all the derogatory names that they call me now and start adding the word "fat" in front of it, which is more abusive. Even other fat people would tease me if I was fat. When I think about the bullies, I continue to motivate myself to stay skinny. Plus I suffer from body dysmorphia, which would get more acute if I was overweight.

Question:

8. What role does mental health play in your journey, and how do you address it while on a strict diet?

My Answer:

Well according to my research, exercising can help with mental health problems, so that's why I do it. 

Question:

 9. Have your friends, family, or fans noticed any changes in you since you started this journey? What kind of feedback have you received? 

My Answer:

I don't have friends or family. The only feedback I've received about my weight loss was from a nurse that works at the clinic I go to. The nurse noticed the weight loss change.

Question:

10. As a public figure, do you feel pressure to maintain a certain image, and how does that impact your approach to health and wellness? 

My Answer:

I'm always under pressure to maintain a certain image and sometimes it becomes overwhelming but I get through it anyway. My approach to health and wellness is the same, even when under pressure. My body still may not be as fit as some people may think it should be, but I don't let that get to me. I'm not going to stress myself out over a flat tummy. As long as I'm not fat, that's all I'm concerned with. 

Question:

11. What advice would you give to others who are looking to lose weight or improve their diet but may feel overwhelmed? 

My Answer:

I would say take it one day at a time. Don't stress out too much. If they need to seek professional help, then they should hire a fitness trainer. If they can't afford one, then they should read weight loss books or blogs like this one, and buy weight loss equipment or go to the gym. I started off drinking Slim Fast and Ensure for about three years, they can start with that. A meal replacement shake can really make a huge difference. 

Question:

12. Looking ahead, how do you plan to sustain your healthy lifestyle moving forward? 

My Answer:

I plan to stay on my strict diet and exercise every day.

Question:

13. Can you share any tips or recipes that have become staples in your diet? 

My Answer:

Sometimes I eat Healthy Choice frozen meals or Lean Cuisine meals to lose weight. I don't cook as often as I used to back when I was overweight. Fried broccoli is one of my favorite vegan dishes. One piece of baked chicken, lobster, salmon, or filet mignon and a cup of cooked rice is also another weight loss dish that I enjoy. 

Question:

14. How has your weight loss journey influenced your music and creativity? 

My Answer:

I like working out to my music. Currently, I can listen to and rehearse all my my songs in about two hours or less while I'm exercising. I don't really like listening to other musicians while I'm working out because they didn't include me.

Question:

15. Finally, what message do you want to convey to your fans about health, wellness, and self-acceptance? 

My Answer:

Just be yourself whether you're fat or small. Bullies come in all shapes and sizes, and from all walks of life, so it really doesn't matter how you look on the outside. If you want to change your appearance then go for it! If you don't, then don't! You don't have to be like me! Just be you!