For Busta Rhymes, “the most important thing in life is self preservation.”

“Mind, body, and spirit: make sure that you’re in the healthiest space that you can be in so that you can use your better sense of judgment at all times,” he informed Men’s Health earlier this month. “Go to the gym, eat good, sleep — get it right cuz it’s important.”

In a far-ranging cowl story for the journal, the rap veteran recalled the chain of occasions that led to his drastic weight-loss journey and his efforts to remain in form. The music star misplaced 100 kilos lately.

After the 2014 demise of his father, the “Touch It” rapper mentioned he “drowned” himself in work and “kept drinking, smoking, eating bad” to cope with his grief. By 2019, the rapper weighed 340 kilos.

Because of his weight, Rhymes mentioned he had “polyps on my vocal cords” and skilled issue respiratory. He went on to share that the latter affected his efficiency within the bed room.

“I was getting ready to have an intimate moment with my ex,” the rapper mentioned. “I had a breathing issue after the intimate interaction.”

Rhymes, whose actual title is Trevor George Smith Jr., defined that he “felt like I was having an asthma attack.” He left his ex within the bed room whereas he tried to catch his breath and calm himself.

“That was scaring me so much that it was a mindf—, because I had to stay calm and make sure she didn’t hear me panic or hear me struggle to breathe,” he continued. “I’m butt-a— naked in the living room, trying to calm myself down.”

Rhymes added that his ex-partner mentioned on the time that he was “not who I fell in love with,” that the respiratory points scared her and he or she informed him to shed weight. “‘I need you to get back to who I fell in love with,’” the rapper recalled his accomplice saying.

He additionally mentioned passing out for 40 minutes after an evening out and his son making enjoyable of his weight had been different wake-up calls about his well being.

Soon after, the Grammy-nominated artist underwent surgical procedure for his vocal cords — after placing it off for “as long as I could” — and commenced getting again in form.

Preparing to go on tour with fellow Men’s Health cowl star 50 Cent, Rhymes mentioned he’s “doing two-a-day workouts, everything: weights, circuits, sauna, cryotherapy” and sustaining more healthy habits.

In June, Rhymes was awarded the BET lifetime-achievement award, delivering an emotional acceptance speech expressing gratitude to his longtime supporters and encouragement to a brand new era of artists.

He informed Men’s Health that the respect wouldn’t have been attainable with out individuals who “actually love me so much that they refuse to let me die.”

He added: “I’m able to be honest with [my friends and family], even in times of crisis. I don’t have to be afraid to ask for help.”