40 Pound Lighter Shaquille O’Neal Uncovers Reason Behind Major Bodybuilding Transformation

It seems like Shaquille O’Neal was serious when he said that he wanted to become a sex symbol. As per reports, the former athlete has recently lost about 40 pounds and is looking to lose more. Big Diesel has time and again talked about his health and the changes he had implemented to live a healthier lifestyle. During a recent interview, the NBA legend talked about his weight loss journey and what made him take the initiative.

The former Los Angeles Lakers superstar has time and again posted post-workout pictures and videos of him from the gym. Several months ago, when the four-time NBA Champion posted a shirtless picture of him on his Instagram handle, it instantly went viral. This further motivated the Big Aristotle to work harder to achieve his desired physique. However, there was one major reason that started it all.

Shaquille O’Neal opens up about his motivation to lose weight

Shaquille O’Neal already has a new year resolution and it involves his sons. During an interview with Nischelle Turner from Entertainment Tonight, Shaquille O’Neal said that he lost 40 pounds and is aiming to lose 20 more points in the upcoming year. The Big Aristotle wishes to have a ripped physique so that he can do an underwear ad with his sons. Shaq even has a deadline set for March 6, 2023, his 51st birthday. Furthermore, Diesel opened up about the reason he chose to lose weight. According to Shaq, a friend of his bluntly called him fat and gave him a guy’s contact who did his blood test. Shaq confessed that, as an athlete, he wasn’t used to eating salad or paying attention to the type of meal he was eating.

“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,” said Shaq.

Additionally, reflecting on his weight loss, Shaq said, “Plus the supplements I’m taking, and the shakes I’m drinking, the weight just fell off. I’m not at 100 percent ninja mode yet. I’m still 75 percent.”

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Interestingly, Shaq had previously said that he started working out and eating healthy because he didn’t want to turn into Charles Barkley.

Shaq trolls fellow NBA veteran

In an episode of Jake Paul’s Impaulsive, the 15x NBA All-Star revealed that he wanted to become a sex symbol. Shaq said that when he looked at himself in the mirror, he was reminded of Charles Barkley‘s retirement body. It becoming the motivation he needed to get the ripped six-pack body.

Shaq said, “Because I was looking at myself and I had that Charles Barkley retirement body. I didn’t want my stomach to be over the belt anymore.”

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Additionally, when his six-pack picture went viral he felt he needed to live up to it. He shared that he had gone from 401 pounds to 365 pounds and he is aiming to shed it to 345 pounds.