Former Seahawks offensive lineman Russell Okung says he fasted for 40 DAYS to shed playing weight

Russell Okung weighed in at over 330 pounds during his NFL career as an offensive lineman.

Now the former Seahawks tackle is much slimmer – and he’s credited an extreme process with getting him there.

Okung revealed in a lengthy Twitter thread on Monday that he had lost more than 100 pounds since retiring in 2020 by fasting for 40 days and consuming only water.

“Fasting isn’t just about losing weight. It’s about regeneration, healing and self-discovery,” he wrote on Twitter. “Satisfying my physical hunger unlocked mental clarity and spiritual revelation. A total reset.

‘As a top athlete I was always told to eat big and stay strong. I never questioned it. But breaking free, embracing fasting, it changed everything. Not only am I lighter in weight; I am lighter in spirit.

Russell Okung has lost more than 100 pounds since his NFL career and fast

Okung, seen with the Chargers in 2019, said he played with more than 330 pounds

‘Fasting is not for everyone, I understand that. But for me it was a life changer. The benefits are profound. Cleaner skin, better digestion, improved mental focus, even my joint pain has decreased.

“My journey wasn’t just about shedding pounds; it was also about letting go of old habits and old ways of thinking. Fasting opened a door to a healthier, happier self. It gave me back control.

Okung apparently loved fasting so much that he is undergoing the grueling process again as he posted his body statistics from his (second) first day of fasting.

The two-time Pro Bowler, who played for the Broncos, Chargers and Panthers after leaving Seattle, is far from the only offensive lineman to lose significant weight after their playing days were over.

2023 Hall of Fame inductee Joe Thomas put on a whopping 325 pounds, but lost 50 pounds after finishing his career with the Browns.

Joe Thomas said that after he retired he started eating like a “normal person” and lost 50 pounds

Thomas did not resort to fasting as Okung reported Men’s health he started eating “like a normal human being” after hanging up his cleats.

He told the publication in 2019 that he was down to just 255 pounds.

And an anecdote he shared on Twitter a year earlier shed light on how much he ate during his playing days.

‘Tip for guys trying to gain weight for football. When I was in HS, I took a whole loaf of bread and made it into PBJ sandwiches,” he said. said.

‘Then I would eat half a sandwich every hour and wash it down with a glass of whole milk. Guaranteed weight gain.

Thomas was a seven-time All-Pro selection for the Browns who last played in 2017.