Knowing Questlove and the reason behind his remarkable weight loss journey.
American music journalist, record producer, and DJ Questlove is famously known as the lead frontman and drummer of the group the Roots. Not only that, but the multi-talented artist is also a music instructor at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University.
Along with the Roots, Questlove has worked with various other musicians. The outstanding artist has also contributed to the “Hamilton” cast album’s production. Additionally, he has collaborated with several other musicians, including Elvis Costello, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Common, D’Angelo, Jay-Z, John Legend, and Amy Winehouse.
He has been hailed as one of history’s most remarkable drummers. Ahmir Khalib Thompson, who would later become professionally known as Questlove, was born on January 20, 1971, in Philadelphia. Ahmir nurtured a deep passion for music due to growing up in a family of musicians.
He accompanied his parents on tours of various musical venues when he was a young child. Ahmir started singing and acting on stage at the age of seven. The multi-talented artist began directing his music by the time he was 13 years old. In these early years, Thompson drummed on South Street in Philadelphia as his friend Tariq Trotter (Black Thought) rhymed over the beats.
During these years, Thompson also earned a name for using crates, shopping carts, and plastic buckets as percussion instruments. The Roots eventually decided on their lineup. Tariq Trotter and Malik B provided the vocals, Scott Storch handled the piano, and Josh Abrams played the bass. Questlove handled the drums and percussion.
The Roots’ debut album, “Organix,” was launched when they were on tour in Germany. In the mid-’90s, they continued to release it with “Do You Want More?!!!??!” and “Illadelph Halflife,” both of which earned high acclaim from critics. The Roots were definitely made famous by these albums, but they didn’t achieve major mainstream appeal until 1999.
This year, 1999, the group released the single “You Got Me,” which featured Erykah Badu. Numerous accolades and prizes were bestowed upon the song, including the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. The album “Things Fall Apart” by The Roots was economically profitable as a result of the prominence of this single. The album eventually attained platinum status.
The death of his friends due to a stroke prompted Questlove to a weight loss journey.
The fact that so many of his acquaintances died of strokes in their 40s prompted Questlove. Black American Web quotes Questlove as saying, “I was starting to hear the word stroke just a little too much.”
He continued his statement, “Friends of mine have died of strokes at 40, and peers of mine have died of strokes in their 40s, and it was disturbing me.”
Leaning to the fact that strokes are one of the leading causes of death in the United States and the leading cause of disability. A stroke is a “brain attack” that happens when the blood supply to the brain stops, causing the brain cells to stop receiving oxygen. Two of the major risk factors for stroke are obesity and high blood pressure, both of which are becoming more prevalent among African-Americans.
The most common type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke caused by a weakened blood vessel and can lead to brain hemorrhaging and the loss of some brain functions. The second most common type is ischemic stroke, caused by blood clots that block blood flow to the brain. Both types of stroke can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
Thus, these are the possibilities that can happen without proper health care for the body, which the remarkable artist started to take action to, and led him to his weight loss journey. However, before beginning his weight-loss journey, Questlove did not prioritize his health and used to eat anything.
He acknowledged that it was simple for him to establish poor habits by regularly indulging in all-night parties and drinking. As time passed, he gained pounds until he eventually achieved his highest body weight of 488 pounds. The loss of his buddies and Questlove’s weight served as warnings to him. He, therefore, opted to change his way of living.
Questlove’s Weight Loss Tricks
The main keys to Questlove’s successful weight loss:
- He opted to change his food intake and plan a diet.
- He decided to do regular exercise.
- He stayed away from foods high in carbohydrates.
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What is Questlove’s diet plan?
He started by adjusting his diet entirely. Then he started eating a predominantly vegan diet that was balanced and healthful. Additionally, he stayed away from foods high in carbohydrates, including gluten, wheat, and the majority of dairy products. He leaned more toward consuming fresh fruit and leafy green vegetables.
The multi-talented artist stated, “That’s another thing I’ve learned relaxin’, sleep, yoga.” Questlove continued, “I didn’t know that that’s as crucial as going hard, as working’ hard, as exercising hard… And what my yoga instructor, what my trainer, what they’re trying to teach me is that ‘No, it’s sleep.”
Questlove also added that having a diet plan is as important as working out. And that has effectively assisted him in both weight loss and maintaining his weight. Besides his diet plan that he disclosed to the public, there are also various ways to start a diet plan on your own.
One way is eating a regular healthy meal. Another method is skipping meals, which is not advisable if overdone; however, it effectively reduces the calories you eat daily. And the third way is to combine both methods: eating three meals and two snacks daily.
It is better to conduct thorough research to determine which diet plan is most effective. To avoid problems along the way, it is much best to see a professional dietitian if you know one before beginning a weight loss journey.
What is Questlove’s workout routine?
Aside from his diet plan and changing his eating habit, the multi-talented artist hasn’t stated any particular workout routine. However, we can still discuss all possible workout routines that can work for you, along with conducting a diet plan. There are several alternatives for you if you don’t have the time to go out at the gym or even employ a personal trainer.
For instance, there are many free online programs that you can go through as well. And, of course, you can get inspiration from others doing similar exercises online and on social media. The key is to find what works for you.
When it comes to exercising at home, there are three key considerations to keep in mind: consistency, preparation, and having the right tools. There are unquestionably numerous benefits to exercising at home. There are no time restrictions other than the ones you set for yourself, so you may work out whenever you want. You can customize the program to meet your unique needs and preferences.
Consistency and having the discipline to work out on a regular basis can be a challenge for some people. But that’s where planning ahead comes in handy. Setting aside specific times throughout the week for exercise will help you maintain a consistent routine. Making your exercise routine a part of your weekly schedule makes it easier to stay on top of it.