Before his GLP-1 weight-loss journey, Charles Barkley faced a major setback when hip surgery left him inactive for months. The retired NBA star, 63, said he gained nearly 100 pounds during his recovery. He eventually reached his heaviest weight of 355 pounds. His doctor then gave him a serious warning, urging him to make lifestyle changes if he wanted to live a long life.
Charles Barkley recalls his doctor’s warning before losing over 50 pounds
Speaking to People about the turning point in his health journey, Barkley reflected on how his athletic career shaped his eating habits. He said he weighed around 250 pounds during his basketball career. At the time, he never felt the need to closely monitor his diet. His demanding training and physical activity as a professional athlete helped him stay active without worrying much about what he ate.
“When I was 25 years old, my pregame meal was two fish fillets, a large fry, and I washed it down with a Diet Coke. You know, I think tartar sauce is one of the greatest inventions of all time. It’s probably not the healthiest meal in the world, but I loved it,” Barkley recalled with a laugh. He added, “I’m working out every single day, running up and down the court for two hours a night. You can pretty much get away with eating anything. And then Father Time starts knocking on your door.”
After a 16-season Hall of Fame career, Barkley retired in 2000 and went on to become a sports commentator. His weight was never a major concern until he underwent two hip replacements, after which “things started going downhill quickly.” His first hip replacement took place in August 2016, with a second surgery following in 2018.
“I ended up gaining like 100 pounds when I got my hips because you’re kind of laid up for months and months. You can’t do any physical activity, and like I said, I’m always gonna eat,” he said. Barkley further stated that he was willing to try anything to improve his health. “I said, ‘Let’s do it. I’ll try anything. I wanna be here.'” His doctor then introduced him to GLP-1 medications.
He has been taking GLP-1 medication for the past three years. He started with Mounjaro before recently transitioning to Zepbound and also incorporated Ro into his weight-loss journey. “Next thing I know, I’m down 50 pounds, but I know I’ve actually lost more than that. It’s been not only a game-changer, it’s been a life-changer,” he said.
