Shaquille O'Neal On His Fitness Goal: 'Lost 40 Pounds, Need To Lose 20 More'

Former professional basketball player Shaquille O'Neal has revealed he lost 40 pounds this year and is planning to lose 20 pounds more next year.

"I lost 40 pounds," O'Neal told ETOnline on Monday. "I need to lose about 20 more, but impressive. Imma get real chiseled up and do an underwear ad with my sons."

The former basketball player also shared that he wants to reach his fitness goals by March 6, which will mark his 51st birthday.

"Shirt off. Chiseled," O'Neal said about the physique he wants to achieve by next year.

He revealed he was successful in losing 40 pounds because of "eating right." Despite being an athlete, O'Neal said he never really paid attention to his diet and didn't even know the difference between carb and protein until he reached 50.

"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, 'cause I was the athlete -- I wasn't a salad eater. I won't pay attention to any of that. I don't care about none of that. I didn't know what the difference between a carb and a protein, at 50 years old I never knew," he noted.

The blood test showed O'Neal had iron deficiency and he was asked to consume more vegetables.

"And once I just started changing those certain things, it dropped," he added. "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."

He also has a piece of advice for those who want to lose weight but can't afford a trainer.

"A lot of people can't do that 'cause I know, you got the kids, you gotta 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."

O'Neal warned people will also have to eliminate some of their favorite food items from their diet. The ex-NBA player almost gave up on soda. He believes he could look like actor Mark Wahlberg if he completely avoids bread and soda.

"I want to be known as the Black Mark Wahlberg," he added.

On the work front, O'Neal will be next seen in a TV series, "Shaq Talk," which is currently under pre-production.