It seems that Kobe Bryant is really enjoying retirement. Really, really enjoying retirement! The paparazzi caught him spending a time with his family by the pool on vacation. He has managed to stay out of the public eye, so the pictures they took came as quite a shock! Lets just say they exposed a much different side of Kobe Bryant than we've ever seen before.. The new, chubby Kobe, came as a bit of a shock. I guess there's just more of him to love now. LOL

https://steemitimages.com/DQmbsZid8XUZ6tvLuXqXjLh26E6Ewb47b3dnfhKoKX4RgMo/File%20Aug%2005%2C%205%2014%2013%20PM.png)

https://steemitimages.com/DQmNuWoaZzXNV28S4Hb3RaHtqVC6kTVoi2V3pTXCnNNKxu5/File%20Aug%2005%2C%205%2049%2039%20PM.jpeg)

For someone that seemed to eat, drink & sleep basketball, most sports writers predicted that he would be lost without it. Most figured he would be miserable not chasing a championship, something that he seemed to obsess over. On the contrary, it seems that he has found great pleasure in retirement.

This summer has been a lot of fun for me too, too much fun! They say athlete's become old overnight. I'm not sure if that's a fact but when your on the down side of 30 years old & stop living an active lifestyle, your waistline can resemble an equator in no time! Actually I've noticed that over the last few months my clothes have become increasing tighter & tighter. I know that skinny jeans are the new fad these days, but when I'm wearing loose fit Levi's & they began to stretch at the knee, the cold reality of my laziness had truly set in. I am also #mambathick & considered it #challengeaccepted.

I ask any & all that would like to join me in taking the Kobe 30 day challenge with me & end the year strong with a resolution that most of us started out with in January.

Weighing in at a whopping 230 lbs! This is my "before" pic, along with Kobe's.

Day 1

https://steemitimages.com/DQmNhoKoPb16aWtpFhLNf6ArPtKu8ChUEQSoLmPv8TscApF/File%20Aug%2005%2C%2012%2039%2013%20PM.jpeg

I've been searching for the motivation to get back in the gym & living a healthy lifestyle. Hopefully even resembling the old me that has been been hidden & kept warm under layers of blubber I have stored. I would've made an excellent grizzly bear. I'm all set for a winter of hibernation. Unfortunately its not even Fall yet & I can't afford another season as a sloth.

However yesterday I saw the light. I found my workout partner that will push me to stay active & compete with me over the next 30 days to jump-start my metabolism. It's time for hard work & dedication so I can finally recognize & be proud of the reflection in the mirror.

https://steemitimages.com/DQmcSxNFeyqAUdCxbkXQLQ6rA1SBYY8fRNSsZvGxusarbmz/File%20Aug%2005%2C%205%2031%2014%20PM.jpeg)

I've spent the last 5 years boxing competitively. It's been a constant cycle of dieting, roadwork, sparring, etc.. After a loss in my last bout, a robbery if you ask me. I subconsciously was became depressed & began to sulk. I can sure throw one hell of a pity party! In fact it's been more of a "pity festival," the Woodstock of pity festivals if you will. In fact the gym, very rapidly went from my sanctuary, to a monster(the boogeyman), in my dreams.

The goal is to hopefully resemble this guy below. Amazing these pictures are only from a year ago! https://steemitimages.com/DQmU6Q4M3mMLjx7pQ8myDRm5y9NaZ3M1ALArW2sv5M6f7ku/File%20Aug%2005%2C%205%2029%2010%20PM.jpeg

THE MORE THE MERRIER! THIS IS AN OPEN CHALLENGE TO ALL MINNOWS, DOLPHINS & WHALES! Let's help each other out as we do something healthy for ourselves. Feel free to post pics or participate silently.