Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on one of his biggest regrets: "I wish I'd eaten healthier foods to build a better body"

by John Jefferson Tan

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was always known for his extraordinary athleticism and strength. Even during his teenage years, he was taller, bigger, and stronger than most players his age. However, the Hall of Famer openly admitted that during his college days, he did not stick to a strict diet, a choice he now believes was crucial in his development as an athlete.

Because of Kareem’s illustrious basketball career, many might assume that he had everything an athlete could ever want. Yet, “Cap” carries a lingering regret about not prioritizing healthy eating, especially when he was younger. Kareem couldn’t help but wonder how much more effective he could have been as an athlete had he nourished his body with the essential nutrients it required, nothing less, nothing more.

“In college, I ate like a shark: Whatever swam past me got swallowed. At that time, we knew less about nutrition. But even if he had been more educated about nutrition, the arrogance of youth often rejects science in favor of pleasure,” the six-time NBA league MVP wrote in a special piece for Huffpost in 2013.

“I wish I’d eaten healthier foods to build a better body because the pro basketball schedule is probably the most grueling challenge to an aging body that there is,” he confided.

Yoga helped prolong Kareem’s NBA career

Despite not focusing on his diet, Abdul-Jabbar, who was legally Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. at the time, still had an incredible college basketball career at UCLA. He led the school to three emphatic NCAA titles and averaged 26.4 points and 15.5 rebounds per game, making him the most sought-after incoming NBA rookie.

True to form, Abdul-Jabbar picked up where he left off in college and made a name for himself in the big boys’ league. As he soared to NBA superstardom, “Lew” began to explore ways to enhance his physical well-being and a significant turning point came in 1975 when he was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Los Angeles Lakers. It was during this time that he discovered the transformative practice of yoga.

Kareem embraced yoga not only to boost his flexibility but also to sharpen his mental focus. His dedication to this practice played a pivotal role in bringing yoga into the mainstream, inspiring countless others to explore its benefits and practice it as well.

For “Cap,” incorporating yoga into his routine was a game-changer. It helped him extend his NBA career by providing a highly effective way to recover and rejuvenate his body amidst the rigors of a demanding NBA season and injuries. Looking back on his journey, Abdul-Jabbar was thankful for having discovered yoga, but he confessed that he also wished he had begun practicing it way earlier than he did.

“You’d think as a top college athlete, I was in the best shape of my life. Not really. Like most young people, I relied more on my youth and natural athletic ability than a smart, thoughtful regimen,” Kareem said.

“I wish I’d started yoga back then to better protect and heal my body. When I finally did start doing yoga in 1976, it put me on a path of physical rebuilding that allowed me to play for 20 years without major injuries,” he revealed.

Kareem admires how LeBron takes care of his body

Abdul-Jabbar enjoyed a lengthy and stellar 20-year NBA career. After officially retiring in 1989, Kareem has been an advocate of a healthy lifestyle and proper diet. He believes that taking care of one’s health is not just essential for athletes but is vital for people from all walks of life.

With that in mind, the 19-time All-Star is delighted to witness other legendary NBA players embracing the same mindset and philosophy. In today’s NBA, Kareem holds a deep admiration for LeBron James and his dedication to maintaining peak physical condition.

Kareem was in awe of how Bron invests significant resources such as money, time, and effort into his overall fitness, demonstrating a commendable commitment to his craft and health. In fact, Abdul-Jabbar admitted that James’ impressive training routines motivated him to work out and stay active despite his age.

“LeBron’s sheer athleticism motivates young players to reach for a high standard of physical preparedness,” Abdul-Jabbar once wrote in another piece. “His physical dominance isn’t just genetic luck; he is dedicated and disciplined in his workout and diet, often rising at 5 a.m. to begin exercising, which he does five days a week off-season and seven days a week during the season. His routine includes everything from a step-climber, spin classes, Pilates, and weights to hot tubs, cold tubs, and a liquid nitrogen chamber. Just reading about his relentless routine makes me want to drop and pump out 50 pushups.”

This realization speaks volumes about Abdul-Jabbar’s admirable growth, both as an athlete and an individual. By emphasizing the importance of self-care and holistic health, Kareem continues to influence both current and future generations of athletes to live healthier and more fulfilling lives.