I remember when I first started paying attention to Nikola Jokic, it was around the 2019-20 season. Dude was a beast on the court, no doubt, but you could tell he was carrying a little extra weight. I think he was listed at 284 pounds at the start of the season, which is heavy, even for a big guy like him. But then, something crazy happened.
I started noticing a change in him. It wasn’t overnight, but slowly, he was looking different. Turns out, he went on a diet and started hitting the gym hard. By the time the season got shut down ’cause of COVID, he had dropped like 20 to 25 pounds. It was wild! I was like, “How did he do that?”
So, I dug into it a little. It wasn’t some crash diet or crazy workout plan. His trainer, Steve Hess, didn’t put him on some super restrictive diet. Instead, he gave Jokic a list of foods that were good for him and worked those into a six-meals-a-day plan. That’s right, six meals! And you know what? Jokic crushed it. He followed the plan and got amazing results.
Here’s what I did to keep track of his progress:
- Followed news about the Denver Nuggets closely.
- Kept an eye on Jokic’s photos and videos on social media.
- Read interviews with Jokic and his trainer to understand their approach.
And it wasn’t just his diet. I remember JaVale McGee talking about Jokic’s work ethic. After every game, when everyone else was probably chilling, Jokic was lifting weights. McGee said he’d see Jokic put up like 30 points and 15 rebounds, and then go straight to the weight room. That’s some serious dedication.
I also saw this video about Jokic’s arm all bloody during a game. And it was full of scratches. And he was like, “It’s just a scratch from the game, that’s why I wear a sleeve now.” It just showed how tough he is, both on and off the court. He said that he needs to start wear some sleeves.
Now, here’s what I found out about his weight loss journey:
- Started the season at 284 pounds.
- Lost 20-25 pounds by the mid-season break.
- Followed a six-meals-a-day plan with guidance from his trainer.
- Lifted weights after every game.
It’s just crazy!
Seeing Jokic’s transformation was super inspiring. It just goes to show that with the right plan, hard work, and dedication, you can achieve anything. He took control of his health and fitness, and it definitely paid off. He’s one of the best players in the NBA, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
