Current Events > Shaq on weight loss: "no more Cheetos, no more cupcakes"

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Shaquille ONeal is opening up about his weight loss journey and how close he is to hitting his goals.

The 51-year-old basketball legend first opened up about his goals at the end of 2022. Three months later, he revealed that he is within 20 pounds of hitting his goal weight after already losing around 40 pounds.

Shaquille is currently working as an ambassador for Novex Biotech, a line of mens performance products. He told People that the role is helping him on his fitness journey.

When I got introduced to Novex Biotech, I was around 410-415 lbs. Im into the low 370s right now, but my ultimate goal is 350-something, he explained to the outlet. So I still got 20 lbs.

Once he hits his goals, he said that he had a big plan for a photoshoot: My goal is to one day be able to do an underwear ad with my sons 51 years old, just muscles everywhere.

He said that seeing men on Instagram with six-packs makes him feel a little jealous. However, he isnt too far off by the sounds of it.

I got a little 4.9-pack right now, but I want the world to see how proud I am, Shaquillesaid. I always put out little teasers every now and then, but its time to really shred it up now.

The athlete also opened up about his diet in the interview, telling People that he wasnt one of those diet freaks. Despite that, his perception of food has changed since his days on the court.

I wish I wouldve paid more attention to it. I was such a mental warrior that none of this stuff mattered to me, he said about his diet. We had this guy on our team who had 2% body fat. Coach says, You gotta eat healthy. I would tell my coach, Im going to go eat a couple burgers, hes going to eat a couple salads. And Im still busting his ass on the court tomorrow.

Speculating that he could have played longer had things gone differently, he also explained when he decided he wanted to change.

And my way was a good way, but I didnt really take it seriously until I looked in the mirror six, seven years after I retired. I looked terrible. I had no definition and basically I was fat. I was really fat, he opined.

Now, hes noticing the changes that come with the weight loss.

I have more energy. I feel really good. I get to do stuff that I havent done. And it helps you discipline yourself much more, he told the outlet. I eat about four or five times a day, but four of those meals used to be junk meals.

He continued, saying, I still get to eat as long as I eat healthy. And you gotta cut out the little stuff. No more Cheetos, no more cupcakes, no more stuff like that. So the more and quicker you can discipline yourself, the better and quicker youll see the results.

daamn over 400 pounds and looked average weight

i wish i could do that

Being a bit over 7ft tall helps.