Elon Musk says he’s lost 20 pounds, embraced fasting

Elon Musk revealed over the weekend that he has embraced intermittent fasting — weeks after the billionaire faced some online trolling after photos surfaced of him lounging shirtless on a yacht near Mykonos.

Musk, 50, told followers on Sunday that he is “over 20 lbs down from my (unhealthy) peak weight.”  He said that occasional fasting has contributed to his recent dieting success.

“On advice of a good friend, I’ve been fasting periodically & feel healthier,” Musk tweeted.

Musk referenced his use of the “Zero” fitness app and described it as “quite good.” The app bills itself as a resource for users to “unlock the power of intermittent fasting to lose weight and improve your metabolic health.”

In a tweet to another follower, Musk said that he also lifts weights “a little.”

Musk caused a stir on social media in July after Page Six exclusively obtained pictures of the Tesla boss looking doughy as he relaxed on a luxury yacht with William Morris Endeavor boss Ari Emanuel and his new bride Sarah Staudinger.

The world’s richest individual poked fun at himself on Twitter as the pictures began to appear in memes.

“Haha damn, maybe I should take off my shirt more often … free the nip!! (already back in the factory btw),” Musk tweeted at the time.

Musk commented further in July in response to a post by the account @WholeMarsBlog, which criticized people for mocking the billionaire’s physique.  

“According to new CDC guidelines anyone posting a shirtless pick of @elonmusk to make fun of him must also post a shirtless pic of themselves for comparison,” the account said.

“Tbh, it’s good motivation to work out, eat healthier & maybe take my shirt off outside more than once a year haha,” Musk joked in response.

Musk also drew criticism from his father, South African engineer Errol Musk, who said his son was “eating badly” and suggested he should take diet pills to address his weight.

In response, Elon Musk admitted that he wanted to start exercising more often.

“I gotta work out and be in better shape,” Musk said. “I actually don’t really like working out, but I gotta do it.” 

Intermittent fasting refers to “an eating plan that switches between fasting and eating on a regular schedule,” according to a blog post by Johns Hopkins Medicine.

“Research shows that intermittent fasting is a way to manage your weight and prevent — or even reverse — some forms of disease,” the post says.

Musk has to balance his fitness plan within a busy daily schedule that includes running multiple companies, including Tesla and SpaceX.

He is also in the middle of a lengthy legal battle with Twitter after backing out of a $44 billion deal to buy the social media firm. A trial to resolve the dispute is slated to begin in October.