Governor Christie Tells NJ National Guard Leader to Lose Weight

Is he for real? Governor Chris Christie is advising New Jersey National Guard leader Brig. General Michael Cunniff to slim down, and soon. Oh, the irony. Given how much attention is paid to Christie's own issues with weight, is he being a hypocrite?

Gov. Christie has given Cunniff 90 days to shape up his physique and drop an undisclosed amount of lbs., 6abc.com reports.

According to his staff, the governor was allegedly unaware the general had previously been reprimanded by the Pentagon about his weight and for repeatedly dodging physical-fitness tests.

In a statement to 6abc.com, Christie representative Kevin Roberts writes, "The Governor has expressed directly to the General that his failure to meet that standard or to provide notification of his formal reprimand is both unacceptable and disappointing."

Cundiff has acknowledged he failed to meet the Air Force's fitness requirements in recent years, stating, "Many people struggle with weight control - I am not immune from this. However, I do recognize that military members and leaders, like myself, are held to a higher standard. I take this matter seriously and am taking the necessary steps to remedy this issue."

Christie, who himself has been publicly scrutinized for being overweight, secretly underwent lap band surgery two years ago to restrict his own food intake.