SHAQUILLE O’Neal has been known as one of the biggest humans on the planet – but slimming down has saved his life.

The 51-year-old NBA legend lost an astounding 55 pounds.

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Shaquille O’Neal lost 55 poundsCredit: Getty

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He used to weigh under 300 pounds in his collegiate days at LSUCredit: Getty

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He’s ballooned to nearly 400 pounds in the pastCredit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, O’Neal revealed he’s looking to reach “between 315 and 330 pounds” but has lost 55 already.

He currently weighs 351 pounds.

He told the outlet: “I was getting chubby and couldn’t even walk up the stairs.

“I didn’t like the way I looked in the mirror.”

The Big Diesel admitted he’d tried dropping weight in the past, referencing “crazy goals” that were hard to meet.

Shaq shared: “I was like, ‘I’m gonna lose 20’ and then I was trying to lose 20 pounds.”

In his retirement, the former MVP has overhauled his diet and lifestyle regime, even joking that he has “a little 4.9 pack” but the goal is to reach “an eight pack.”

Over two decades ago, in 2000, when O’Neal was a part of the Los Angeles Lakers team with Kobe Bryant, he said he weighed 345 pounds.

The following year, the 7-foot-1 giant ballooned even further to 375 pounds.

By 2002, O’Neal was nearly 400 pounds at just 30.

It wasn’t until he was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004 that he started to take his health seriously.

After heading to Miami, Shaq slimmed down to 315 pounds, finding himself in the best shape of his life in 2006.

Last year, the superstar disclosed he lost 40 pounds after switching up his eating habits.

O’Neal mentioned: “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.

“He was saying, ‘You can do this, you can’t do that, [eat] more vegetables, [your] iron’s low.’”

Starting his collegiate career at LSU and the professionals with the Orlando Magic, O’Neal was slim considering his stature.

He weighed in under 300 pounds and was one of the most dynamic athletes in the entire world.

As time went on, so did the weight.

Now retired and solely focused on his body, Shaq should have no problem keeping his health at bay.

For the upcoming NBA season, he’ll continue to make appearances on NBA on TNT.

O’Neal will be joined by the usual crew: Ernie Smith and former NBA players Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.

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O’Neal has completely reshaped his dietCredit: Getty

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He’s also worked with nutritionistsCredit: Getty