Photography Henning Ross
Reiner Calmund has gotten used to his new slimmer look. He is now taking stock after losing a total of 200kg over the years.
Two years ago, former soccer coach Reiner Calmund underwent gastric bypass surgery; since then, the 180-pound “Calli” has weighed 90 pounds less.
A pulmonary embolism, a herniated disc and finally a meeting with Uli Hoeneß, his former colleague and adversary as coach in the Bundesliga and now a good friend, were decisive for the decision that changed his life. He gave her the address of a specialist. “I should have made the decision to have surgery much sooner,” admits the 73-year-old in an interview with “Apotheken Umschau”.
IMAGO / Bernd Koenig
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A desperate fight against the yo-yo effect
For years the popular soccer pundit and author battled his pounds and has made a good ten cure in his life, he admits: “I lost a total of 200 kilograms and then gained back 280 kilograms. And so the weight increased every year.
For Reiner Calmund, this yo-yo effect could only be resolved with a reduced stomach. Since then he has been more active and places importance on a healthy diet such as more vegetables and especially fish. However, he does not do without sweets, he reveals: “I’m a sweet guy, I haven’t eliminated that at all either.” But I eat much less.”
New quality of life through walking and badminton
Reiner Calmund lives in Saarland with his wife and daughter and is enjoying his new life. “I can go for a walk and not pant anymore. I can move, I can tie my shoes and play badminton with my daughter in the garden,” says the former manager, who gained weight after a sports injury at a young age. Today he rediscovers his surroundings through movement: “I lived in my house for dozens of years and I didn’t even know that I could be in a beautiful pond in just ten minutes. Now I can even walk around the lake.” (W&BV)
