
David Pollack Workout and Diet
Professional Football Player (Retired)
Born: 1982
David Pollack was born in New Jersey but later moved to Georgia where he was an all-around athlete, playing football, basketball and wrestling in high school. As a high school senior, he was named Defensive Lineman of the Year and a Class 5A all-state selection. Pollack garnered many honors playing football for the University of Georgia, including SEC Player of the Year and All-American 3 years in a row. He graduated from college with a degree in history and went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals but was injured many times. After breaking his spine during the second game of his second season, he retired from professional football and moved on to sports casting. He also has a business called FanBan that makes banners with college football logos and sports photos. In 2016, Pollack created the Pollack Family Foundation which promotes all aspects of health and wellness. Pollack is also a brand ambassador for Barberitos, a fast-casual burrito restaurant. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 220 lbs.
Known For:
David Pollack’s Diet
Diet Summary
When Pollack played football, he felt he had to be big, and followed a ‘see food’ diet, meaning he would eat anything he saw, including things like triple fast food hamburgers and huge shakes. He weighed 290+ lbs. when his NFL career was cut short, but after he no longer needed to eat so much, Pollack met up with a nutritionist. He started paying attention to food labels and lost almost 50 lbs. by making relatively simple changes. These days, Pollack is down to about 220 lbs. He makes a point to eat whole, natural, wild-caught foods and if a food item has more than 4 ingredients, he won’t eat it. He says he’s taking a pass on the triple burgers and shakes forevermore.
Estimated Macros
- Medium Carb 30%
- Medium Fat 40%
- Medium Protein 40%
Diet Details
A K.I.S.S. Diet
Pollack eats foods found in nature, and avoids anything with a lengthy list of ingredients.
Go Wild
Pollack makes a point to eat food that is as fresh and natural as he can find, such as wild game.
Sugar Buster
Pollack is famous, and some would say infamous, for avoiding all refined sugar. He says he hasn’t eaten dessert in 10 years.
Baby Steps
Pollack’s advice to anyone looking to lose weight is to start small, don’t expect perfection, and above all, don’t quit.
Table Clean-Up
The catering at ESPN’s College Game Day used to include a lot of junk food. Pollack requested they include healthier choices, and the spread has gotten a lot cleaner over the years.
What to Eat
Fresh vegetables
Locally-sourced, naturally-raised meat
Wild caught fish
Eggs
Olive oil
Avocados
Locally-grown fruit
What to Avoid
Refined sugar
Processed foods
Refined carbs
Genetically-modified foods (GMOs)
Trans fats
Artificial ingredients
Pollack On Weight-Loss Worries
‘You worry about your weight because you have to be big, and you have to be strong…I realized that you don’t have to be big to be strong.’
Pollack On Taking Charge Of Your Diet
‘My wife and I, we’re cognizant of what we cook and what we eat, when we eat.’
Pollack On Giving Up Sugar And Refined Foods
‘After I retired from the NFL and I did not need to have my weight anymore, I chose not to eat bad food and I chose to get slimmer because I don’t need to hit people anymore.’
Pollack On His Dietary Goals
‘I don’t want to eat anything that is processed. I look at stuff that has more than 4 ingredients and I’m not interested in it.’
David Pollack’s Workout Routine
Weekly Workout Routine
Hotel Room Hits
Pollack travels a lot, and so he says he squeezes in his workouts where he can, either with bodyweight exercises or in the gym if his hotel has one.
Daily Dose
Pollack runs at least a mile every day. He has a Twitter challenge in which he hopes to inspire his followers to find a few minutes to do a mile each day at any pace.
A Tradition of Health
Pollack and his family have created a foundation around the idea of ‘Whole Life Health.’ Its mission is to promote all aspects of health, physical, mental and emotional.
Stay Strong
As a reminder to everyone to keep training, Pollack and the Georgia Bulldogs strength coach Scott Sinclair strapped on harnesses and pulled the 12-ton ESPN College Game Day bus.
Workout Style
A David Pollack Routine
Run/walk/jog: 1+ miles daily
Bodyweight exercises: push-ups, sit-ups, squats, etc.
Get up and move every day, which will help support all aspects of health.
Pollack On Weight Loss And Strength
‘The one thing I started to realize is, initially you lose strength, but it’s just like anything else. You get back in the weight room and you can still get stronger and get it back.’
Pollack On Being Lean
‘The thing I like the most about being a little bit lighter is, endurance-wise, I think you can push yourself harder.’
Pollack On Daily Exercise
‘Everyone has 7-20 minutes to walk, jog or run a mile.’
David Pollack’s Supplements
Multivitamin
Pollack has a supplement line that includes a multivitamin with omega-3s.
Megavitamin
Pollack also has a super multivitamin that contains probiotics, turmeric and a green complex.
David Pollack’s Lifestyle
You Gotta Eat &Sleep This Stuff
When former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s name was mentioned as a potential appointee to the College Football Playoff selection committee, Pollack got blasted for implying women should not be on the panel. He later clarified that he meant only that he expected panel members to be dedicated to the sport.
Top-Ranked Collegiate
Pollack had 36 sacks during his college career at Georgia, third highest in NCAA history. He was a 1st round pick in the 2005 NFL draft.
Seriously Screwed
When Pollack broke his neck during a tackle, he had to wear a 3-lb. titanium halo screwed into his scull as part of his recovery and was told he might suffer permanent paralysis. Still, Pollack says he is very happy with where his post-football path has taken him.
Giving Back
Pollack’s Family Foundation has partnered with various other charities including the Atlanta-based Strong4Life and C.H.O.I.C.E.S. which both focus on combatting childhood obesity.
Pollack On The Outcome Of His Career-Ending Spine Injury
‘Everything I grew up wanting to. be was taken away in 1 hit. Never doubt what God can do! So thankful he took football away and brought me where I am today.’
Pollack On The Possibility Of Being Paralyzed
‘It was scary.’
Pollack On The College Football Playoff Selection Committee
‘I want people on this committee that…have played football…that can tell you different teams on tape, not on paper.’
Pollack On The Blessings Of The Off-Season
‘It’s awesome. I get to spend every day with [my family] and go to baseball practices…and pick them up from the bus stop. It’s really rewarding to just come home and be Dad.’
Recommended Products
Autographed Bulldogs vs SC Photo
David Pollack NFL Trading Card
David Pollack Bengals Jersey
David Pollack Football Card
David Pllack #42 Rookie Card
Georgia Bulldogs 2005 Outback Bowl Ring
Every Day Counts Nutrition
Barberitos