Shaquille O'Neal Shares His Motivation for Dropping 55 Pounds
Shaquille O'Neal is on a fitness journey after experiencing physical challenges like struggling to walk upstairs.
"I was getting chubby and couldn’t even walk up the stairs," the 51-year-old star told Entertainment Tonight. "I didn’t like the way I looked in the mirror. I was like, ‘I’m gonna lose 20,’ and then I was trying to lose 20."
That 20-pound weight loss became 55 pounds. The "NBA on TNT" star said he is six pounds over the size he was when he helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to an NBA championship in 2000, adding that goal weight is between 315 and 330 pounds on his 7-foot-1 frame.
In December, friends, family, and doctors helped him decide. "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, and you know, because I was the athlete, I wasn't a salad eater," he said.
"I didn’t know what the difference was 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.”
The Hall of Famer offered advice to anyone who is trying to manage their weight. "Start off, if you can, by walking 30 minutes a day. A lot of people can't do that because ... you got the kids, you've got to get to work. But if you can, start off by walking 30 minutes a day," he said. "Put your headphones on, put on your favorite song, 30 minutes a day."
The weight loss comes after having hip replacement surgery in March. The star has since shared videos of himself showing off his bodybuilding poses in the gym.
Shaq is also preparing to celebrate his third annual fundraiser with the Shaquille O'Neal Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club. "The Event"—presented by Pepsi Stronger Together— is a star-studded gala slated for Oct. 7 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with proceeds benefiting kids in need.
