Rapper Biz Markie is showing off his 140-pound weight loss after his 2011 diagnosis of type 2 diabetes made him rethink his lifestyle choices.
The “Just a Friend” rapper, 50, realized how serious being overweight was for his health and he decided to become much healthier in his everyday life.
“I wanted to live," he told ABC News. "Since I have to be a diabetic, If I didn't make the changes, it was going to make the diabetes worse. I'm trying to get off [the Diabetes meds]. The way you gotta do it is lose the weight. I'm off half my meds, I just got to get off the rest."
If he didn’t make the changes like switching to turkey bacon in the morning and watching his portions, doctors told him he “could lose my feet” and other “body parts.”
Through his new-found healthy lifestyle, Markie is promoting a zero calorie soda called Zevia.
"Instead of drinking regular soda, I drink Zevia to make you believia! I love that there's alternatives to eating, because I want to live,” he reiterated.
The rapper has seen other benefits other than getting his diabetes under control since losing the weight. "When I used to be on stage, I used to be out of breath, I couldn't walk that far. Now, I got so much energy. I can do a whole show,” he said.
Marie celebrated the 25th anniversary of "Just a Friend" back in June.
image via INFphoto.com