‘It’s your body, keep it healthy’

Rodney Camacho, right, enjoys a light moment with James Lee, left, and Ando Agulto after they completed the Trench Challenge Obstacle Course Race in Guam early this month. (Contributed Photo)

Rodney Camacho had been physically active in his younger years when he regularly played basketball with his friends. But things began to change when he left Saipan for college in the mainland.

He first went to Olympic College, a public two-year community college in Bremerton, Washington State before pursuing additional studies at Washington State University. “That’s when I started gaining weight. The pressure of university life and studies took over.”

“I failed to watch what I eat and [had] less exercise. I was more active in high school, but in college I had no physical activity.”

Camacho came back to Saipan after college and found work at the Bureau of Environmental Coastal Quality. Work and the island lifestyle also made him gain weight.

He finally decided to lose the extra pounds when he joined a weight loss challenge at BECQ in February of this year. His weight then was over 270 lbs.

He sought the help of long-time sports enthusiast James Lee, a certified National Academy of Sports Medicine personal trainer. “I’ve known James since junior high at Grace Christian Academy.”

“He has always opened up the idea of helping me lose weight. He’s always invited me to join their workout sessions, but I guess I’m just too lazy,” Camacho said with a smile. “That’s why he was pleased when I finally decided to join them.”

Lee is training and helping some of his friends either lose weight, get back in shape, or recover from an injury at his “garage gym” in their house in Koblerville.

“I was lucky to know James and have him as a trainer. He helped me with a program that’s fit me, which is a mix of weight training and cardio that he changes often so you won’t get bored. I also have a dietician friend who helped me with my diet and eating habits,” said Camacho.

He has already lost almost 60 pounds in a span of six months. Early this month, he tested his renewed strength when he joined Lee and Ando Agulto in the Trench Challenge Obstacle Course Race in Guam.

“It was only in the recreational division but it was a fun experience. There were obstacles that I have not completed since I still have to develop my upper body strength. But there were some that were easy,” said Camacho.

“I enjoyed it so much that I’m looking forward to join again next year, hopefully no longer at the recreational level but the actual competition. I have one year to train and get in shape with James,” he added.

He said he is now looking to bring down his body fat percentage from 25 percent to 20 percent. “I’m not looking to have muscle mass but to maintain my weight and lower my body fat percentage.”

Camacho is also encouraging others to make the decision to change their lifestyle. “They should do it. This is your body so you need to take care of it and keep it healthy. You get more energy to do stuff. Like me, I feel better and happier now.”