Fat Joe’s name is no longer a “literal interpretation” because the hip hop heavyweight has dropped an astonishing 88 pounds and is still going for more, according to the NY Daily News.
The “Lean Back” and “What’s Luv” rapper, whose real name is Joe Cartagena, dropped the pounds from his 6 foot 2 inch frame without the use of diet pills or fads; he did it the honest way – discipline and exercise.
Fat Joe said he got motivated and took his life into his own hands after losing seven friends, all in their 30s, to heart attacks last year.
“What’s the difference between me and them? Health doesn’t discriminate just because I’m famous,” he said.
He changed his eating habits, trading in half-chickens and pasta plates for six small daily meals of fruit, veggies, whole grains and lean meats.
He also added two-hour cardio and weight-lifting sessions with a personal trainer to his routine.
“I was always LL Cool J in a fat guy’s body,” he joked.
He revealed his new physique in his new music video, “Drop a Body,” which debuted on worldstarhiphop.com.
After the pounds started melting off, he said many of his friends started calling him “Skinny Joe” or “Joey Flaco,” which is Spanish for thin.
“They’re all trying to alter my name, but I can’t see myself as anything else,” he said. “I think I gotta’ ask Diddy what my new name is.”
Fat Joe said his 5-year-old daughter Azaryah was another key factor in his decision to get healthy.
“I can’t leave my daughter behind,” he said. “I want to be here for her; I don’t want to die on her.”
He said his weight loss battles failed in the past because of his lack of focus, but this time, he’s determined to win the war.
“I’m addicted to food; I love food,” Fat Joe admitted. “It’s like a crack addict – he hits rock bottom and he says, ‘All right, forget it. I’m not going to get high anymore.’”
We at Lip Service: News with Attitude want to send our congrats to Fat Joe and say he was sexy then, and is still sexy now.
Work —- it —- out!
Check it out as Fat Joe talks to WorldStarHiphop about weight loss
