Weighing In...

Friends and family can attest to the "little" weight issue that was slowlying, but surely catching up to me while working in the office. My belly became known as my "Corporate" here in Morocco. When I first signed up for this assignment, I was pushing a solid and respectable 270lbs! Buttons were being forceably removed by my "Corporate" which was this diesel engine that I used to make fun of, and now was reaching full speed. Because I'm 6'7'', this weight was spread out and wasn't extremely noticable. However, according to my BMI (Body Mass Index), I was at least 40lbs over weight.

Long story short, so a few weeks back, I passed by a pharmacy here in Amizmiz and I was curious to see what my current weight was since checking it last September. Reason being, my pants were beginning to fit better and my face began to remarkable grow cheekbones. So, I gingerly stepped on the scale, hoping for it not to break into tiny pieces when I noticed the scale read 235lbs!! I'll do the math for ya, it's a lose of 35lbs over 5 1/2 months. It then dawned on me that this was only due to a basic 1 hour or so walk each day, and a modified diet of (basically) less fatty food, less salt, etc.

As of week ago, I wasn't even doing anything extremely excercise related until I met this little guy there in Amizmiz. This man, which I later came to know as Ahmed, was the "local trainer", and was curious in working-out with me. I mean, this guy couldn't even have been 5 foot tall and he was telling me about working-out. I discounted him, thinking that I had years of experience in the gym, as well on the Div1 level in basketball. In addition to this, I had no motivation to learn "futbol", which I was sure that's what he was referring to. Regardless of my apparent negative body language towards his suggestions, he proceeded to offer to meet him at his "gym" for a look see. First thought in my mind, was
"you've got to be kidding me", but I hadn't anything to do, so I went.

From there, it's been history. The picture of myself and my new trainer are below, and the relationship we've begun to build is pretty unique. Ahmed, was a former lightweight Moroccan champion back in the 70's and is now a certified trainer looking to open up a training room in our small town of Amizmiz. So, with alittle training and his assistance, this flimsy 235lbs body of mine just might get back into the shape it used to be back when I played for Gonzaga's basketball team.

Weight Calculator (Body Fat Percentage):
http://health.yahoo.com/centers/weight_loss/10002

BMI (Body Mass Index) Calculator:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/calc-bmi.htm