LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Shaquille O'Neal has undergone a remarkable weight loss journey, shedding an impressive 55 pounds, bringing his current weight down to 351 pounds.
The former Los Angeles Laker, who now stands at the age of 51, is determined to continue his weight loss journey and aims to reach a target weight between 315 and 330 pounds.
Shaq opens up about weight loss journey and career highlights
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Shaq candidly shared the reasons behind his decision to embark on this transformative journey.
''I'm probably gonna get between 315 and 330", "I was getting chubby and couldn't even walk up the stairs. I didn't like the way I looked in the mirror"
Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, and standing at an imposing 7-foot-1, Shaq discussed his history of weight fluctuations over the years.
He shared that in 2000, he weighed 345 pounds, and by 2001, he had increased to 375 pounds. The year 2002 saw him reach a peak weight of 395 pounds.
Remarkably, all three of these years coincided with his NBA championship wins with the Lakers, alongside the late Kobe Bryant.
After a significant career shift in 2004, with a trade sending him to the Miami Heat, Shaq embarked on a determined fitness journey.
He managed to bring his weight down to 315 pounds and experienced his best physical condition, leading the Miami Heat alongside Dwyane Wade to their first-ever NBA championship in 2006.
Throughout his illustrious two-decade NBA career, which included stints with the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics, Shaq maintained a unique relationship with his body weight.
In his retirement year of 2011, he reflected on his dedication to achieving ambitious weight loss goals, humorously sharing his desire for a "12-pack" while currently sporting a "five-pack."
Shaq's journey to weight loss and commitment to helping children
In December, Shaq had already made substantial progress, shedding 40 pounds with the help of a support team, which included closely examining his blood work and dietary habits.
"I got a couple people involved - it's all about eating right," O'Neal said. "I got some blood work done, a friend of mine called me and said, "You're fat," and she gave me this guy's name, and he did some blood work."
In the process, Shaq underwent a transformation in his understanding of nutrition. Despite being an athlete, he admitted to not being a fan of salads or nutrition, disregarding the differences between carbohydrates and proteins.
"I was the athlete - I wasn't a salad eater," he said. "I won't pay attention to any of that. I don't care about none of that."
He continued: "I didn't know what the difference between a carb and a protein, at 50 years old I never knew. So, he was saying you can't do this, you can't do that, more vegetables, my iron's low. And once I just started changing those certain things, it dropped."
This changed when he received professional guidance, learning the importance of dietary adjustments, incorporating more vegetables, and addressing nutritional deficiencies, such as low iron levels.
Despite his considerable achievements, he noted that he still has room for further improvements, emphasizing that he's not yet operating at "100 percent ninja mode" but is currently at "75 percent."
In preparation for "The Event," an annual fundraising gala taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on October 7, Shaq shared his dedication to supporting children in need.
This event is a collaboration between the Shaquille O'Neal Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club, with all proceeds dedicated to helping children, particularly in Las Vegas and Atlanta.
Shaq is known for bringing top talent to these events, and this year's lineup includes renowned artists such as Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Dan + Shay, and Ray Romano, among others.
