When LeBron James and Phil Mickelson Inspired a PGA Tour Pro To Follow the ‘No-Twinkie Diet’

Phil Mickelson is considered to be one of the best golfers of this generation. Several young golfers over the years have embraced his left-handed technique just to imitate Lefty. However, back in 2015, Mickelson inspired his friend and golfer, Jason Dufner, not on course, but he encouraged Dufner into losing nearly 20 pounds through a “no-Twinkie diet”, which has also been backed by LeBron James.

Phil Mickelson may not be the fittest golfer in the world, but that doesn’t undermine the fact he isn’t healthy. Even at the age of 52, Mickelson looks firm and fit while swinging on the course. All the credit goes to his 2014 PGA Tour year that changed his outlook.

Following the success in his weight loss journey, Jason Dufner also felt inspired watching Phil lose weight and decided to embrace the diet life. We take a look back to 2015 when Dufner, similar to Mickelson and LeBron, decided to go gluten-free.

Phil Mickelson inspires Dufner into losing 20 pounds

Following a poor 2014 season, Mickelson decided to adopt a new healthy lifestyle to lose 20 pounds and increase his club head speed by 10 mph. Lefty’s off-season regimen consisted working out for 4 days a week, under the supervision of his trainer, Sean Cochran.

While speaking on Mickelson’s diet, Cochran said, “Phil’s basically following a Paleo diet, which is gluten-free, no sugars and no processed foods. I think it’s how we were designed to eat.” Phil Mickelson’s workout did complete successfully as he lost 20 pounds.

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The diet was first popularized by NBA star, LeBron James. Mickelson then shared how he felt after the completion of the strict regimen. He said, “In the first five or six weeks I’ve had some immediate results. I’m getting lighter, developing more core strength and speed and increasing my ball speed. It’s been awhile since I felt so at ease.”

After watching the 6 time Major Champion triumph in his diet regime, the 2013 PGA Championship winner, Jason Dufner, also decided to take up the gluten-free diet. He aimed to lose 20 pounds ahead of the 2015 PGA Tour’s first tournament, Humana Challenge.

Dufner tweeted, “I lost 20 lbs in the offseason with some changes to my diet – gluten free – and an exercise program #HumanaChallenge”. Though the PGA Tour star worked hard in the gym for the event, Jason Dufner failed to make the cut at the 2015 Humana Challenge.

It’s safe to say Mickelson has inspired a lot of people in a lot of ways. His shining and jacked calves even got the attention of 7 time Super Bowl champion, Tom Brady. Maybe it was LeBron’s diet after all that helped Phil Mickelson in winning the 2021 PGA Championship at the age of 51.

Would you also go gluten-free like Phil Mickelson and LeBron James? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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