Charles Barkley Looking to Drop Weight, Teaming with Weight Watchers

Charles Barkley is looking to shake his “Round Mound of Rebound” nickname that seems to have stuck with him since his days playing for Auburn university.

“Things have gotten out of hand,” said Barkley. “I’ve always joked and complained about my home state of Alabama of being fat. Well, I forgot that I was fat.”

The NBA Hall of Famer announced on Tuesday that, to accomplish his goals, he’ll be teaming up with Weight Watchers and will be acting as their “ambassador” for the company’s new “Weight Watchers for Men” campaign.

He’s admittedly gotten off to a good start, too: the former NBA player says that in the two months since he started the program, he’s lost 26 of the 100 pounds he gained since retiring in 2000, when he was 250 pounds. Barkley, 48, says he’s committed to losing a lot of weight, but admits that he may not be able to drop all of that 100 extra pounds.

“I don’t think it’s realistic to get back to my playing weight of 250 pounds,” Barkley told ESPN. “I just need to get healthier and hopefully help others get healthier. That’s my real goal.”

At least part of the reason behind Barkley’s mission to shed some weight comes from a strong lecture he received from his doctor earlier this year. Barkley recounted the doctor’s visit on GameOn!, saying:

“The doctor said, ‘Hey dude, if you don’t lose some weight you’re either going to get diabetes, have a stroke or drop dead. It’s either A, B or C.”

[Image credit: Cary Edmondson/US Presswire]