Kevin Gates, the American rapper known for his hit album Islah, has undergone a remarkable physical transformation in recent years. His journey, fueled by a desire for personal improvement and a rather embarrassing encounter, has seen him drop from 310 pounds to a much healthier 215-220 pounds. This article explores the motivations, methods, and mindset behind Kevin Gates' inspiring weight loss journey.
The Turning Point: An Embarrassing Encounter
In a 2019 interview with Men's Health, Kevin Gates revealed the pivotal moment that sparked his commitment to weight loss. While holding his partner's baby, the infant attempted to latch onto his chest, mistaking his pectoral muscles for breasts. "I just was like, 'I am too fucking fat and I'm a fat slob, I need to lose weight.' That was the most embarrassing shit," Gates recalled. "I mean, shit, even though I'm a big gorilla, I still got feelings too! Man, that shit hurt my fucking feelings."
This embarrassing experience served as a wake-up call for Gates, igniting a desire to shed the excess weight and embrace a healthier lifestyle. As he put it, "I said, 'I gotta lose some weight!'"
Commitment and Motivation
When asked about the secret to his weight loss, Gates emphasized one word: "commitment." He realized that he needed to make a conscious effort to change his habits and prioritize his health. Beyond the initial embarrassment, Gates expressed a desire to be "slim and trim like a bicycle rim." He also found further motivation in seeing others at the gym, particularly those with a defined V-shaped lower abdomen. "I wanted to be slim and trim like a bicycle rim. Then, once I lost that weight I saw this guy come into the gym. His stomach had that 'V.' I was like: I want that V, I’m gonna get that V. I got that V now."
Gates also revealed that his desire to avoid hiding his body played a role in his commitment. "When I first saw myself losing a little weight, my dream was to never wear a shirt anywhere. I didn’t want to keep hiding, because it was going to make me stop working. So I wanted to take my shirt off. I want a woman to just see me and just fall on the ground and just die."
Read also: Maryland Muscle Machine's Diet
Addressing Mental and Spiritual Well-being
Gates' transformation extends beyond the physical. He acknowledges the importance of mental and spiritual well-being, stating that he has "never been in better shape-physically, mentally, spiritually." He recognizes the interconnectedness of these aspects of health, emphasizing personal improvement and change as essential goals. "Healthy" for Gates means personal improvement and change (“Isn’t the goal to get better in life?”).
Gates has also been open about his past struggles with mental health. He partnered with Save.org, a resource for suicide prevention, to encourage conversation around these issues. This willingness to share his experiences and advocate for mental health awareness further demonstrates his commitment to overall well-being.
Acknowledging the Past
Despite his progress, Gates isn't afraid to revisit his past. He recognizes that confronting past experiences can be a crucial step in the healing process. As he says in the music video for "Walls Talking," "Sometimes it's painful to relive the past. But sometimes you have to relive the past in order to heal from it." His willingness to acknowledge his past self, even the "miserable, fat, and, unhappy, and a junky" version, showcases his commitment to growth and self-acceptance.
Hard Work Pays Off: An Instagram Reminder
Kevin Gates took to Instagram to share his journey with fans, posting an old video from April 2019 alongside photos from when he weighed over 300 pounds. The video captured a prayer in which he expressed his desire to lose weight and avoid becoming a "fat, bitter rapper."
“God, please. Let me lose this weight today, God. I don’t want to be a fat rapper,” Gates said in the video. “I don’t want to have to make it uncool for people to be in shape. And say stuff about them like they are not fly ’cause they are fly. When you’re fat and unhealthy it leads to you being bitter.”
Read also: Post-Heart Attack Diet
In the caption, Gates reflected on his transformation, writing, "This video was taken on the 22nd day of April 2019 I was over 300lbs with a set of titties - I was miserable, fat, and, unhappy, and a junky - I had to find flaws in others to make myself feel okay." He emphasized the importance of self-love and the value of consistent effort, stating, "Until you find true love for self - you can never truly love someone else - I love you all I’m never looking back - slow motion is always better than no motion - hard work pays off break not a day off.” He hopped on Instagram to remind fans that “hard work pays off” while sharing how far he’s come on his weight-loss journey over the last few years.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
While Gates admits, "I'm not gonna say I'm a healthy man, but I try to be healthy," he clearly prioritizes fitness as a consistent part of his lifestyle. He revealed that even a slight indulgence makes him want to work out. ". . . When I first saw myself losing a little weight, my dream was to never wear a shirt anywhere. I didn’t want to keep hiding, because it was going to make me stop working. So I wanted to take my shirt off. I want a woman to just see me and just fall on the ground and just die."
Aerodynamics and Landscaping: A Unique Perspective
Gates' explanation for why he doesn't have underarm hair provides a humorous glimpse into his unique perspective. "Because. Hair. Holds. Dirt. I'm a big landscaper, so I'm always keeping the hedges trimmed. And I believe in aerodynamics. Whenever I'm engaged in charity work, I don't want it to be sweat resistant. I don't like astroturf." While seemingly unrelated to weight loss, this anecdote highlights his focus on personal hygiene and optimization in various aspects of his life.
Read also: Kevin James' health journey