El Paisano

Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: Lifestyles

Media Credit: Provided by Muata Kamdibe Muata Kamdibe after his self-taught wieght loss education.

Media Credit: Provided by Muata Kamdibe Muata Kamdibe before his weight loss program.

You wouldn't know from seeing him around campus that just a couple years ago, Rio Hondo professor Muata Kamdibe was a completely different man.

Weighing in at an uncomfortable 310 pounds, Kamdibe decided to get his life and his body back. By putting himself to work, he lost all the extra weight that had been bothering him for so long.

Kamdibe's incredible journey to complete wellness began in January 2003 when he set out to lose over 100 pounds. Just like with anybody else, getting started seemed like the hardest thing in the world.

"The initial and continued mental preparation needed before and while you're on your weight loss journey," he says, is the hardest part. And with temptations at every corner having to give up some of his favorite foods was not easy.

"I would say the hardest thing to give up was eating tortilla chips like Doritos. I still may grab a handful here and there, but I've gotten over my feelings that I just have to have them when I see them" he said.

Kamdibe had his mind set on losing the weight and even though he claims that in the beginning the weight loss came very slow, he refused to give up.

"I actually gained a few pounds before I started to lose; nevertheless, I would say that it took me 5-6 months before I started to see noticeable results" he said.

Initially, Kamdibe was recommended a low-fat high complex-carbohydrate diet but felt that considering the great effort he was putting in, the results were not enough.

So halfway through 2003 he started the Atkins diet and lost 40 pounds. Unfortunately, the following year he dropped the Atkins diet as his progress greatly decreased and he was only able to lose an additional five pounds. This struggle only pressed his determination and he decided he had to further educate himself on the dynamics of weight loss.

After seeing exactly what he had to do in order to lose all the extra weight and remain healthy, this motivated professor was eager to learn even more.

"Educating myself about the biochemistry of how the body gains and loses weight," said Kamdibe was one of the most important changes he had to make. "I was able to understand how our bodies respond to the various macronutrients we eat."

With a healthy food and exercise diet, over a period of four years, Kamdibe has shed over 133 pounds and reduced his body fat percentage from 44% to 7%.

Currently weighing in at an incredible 177 pounds and soon to be featured on CNN.com, its no wonder his weight loss is causing such a commotion.

In order to maintain his new body Kamdibe weight trains six days a week, alternating between upper body and lower body workouts and walking 35-45 minutes three times a week.
He also has changed his eating habits tremendously, having a light breakfast and only two meals a day; consisting of lots of protein and vegetables.

There's no doubt Kamdibe has come a long way, and he claims all the work has changed his life tremendously.

"It's been incredible! I had no idea the confident, self-assured, and tenacious person I had hiding inside. I honestly feel that there's nothing that I can't do if I put my mind to it," he said.

Now with not only a new body, but with a renovated spirit, he recommends everybody educate themselves on the weight loss process before starting a diet.

Kamdibe looks and feels better than he has in years and plans on making sure that this continues for the rest of his life.

"Having an epiphany that you need to lose weight is not enough. You must establish a realistic plan of action to reach your goals," he said.

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