Local restaurants might be losing some revenue. A big man won’t be stopping by as much.

Vikings center John Sullivan has spent most of his eight-year NFL career with a playing weight between 320 and 325 pounds. But after missing last season because of two back surgeries, Sullivan has slimmed down to just over 300.

“I’m not eating at restaurants very much; I’m not drinking at all,” Sullivan said. “I’m really focused on being as healthy as possible.” Related Articles Vikings elevate CB Mark Fields from practice squad for Sunday’s game

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Sullivan, 30, figured losing weight would reduce strain on his back. So he has delved into a high-protein diet and is following a training program developed by the Vikings’ first-year strength and conditioning coach, Brent Salazar.

“I’m cognizant of what I eat at all times,” Sullivan said. “I don’t have cheat meals. … Just working out with Brent and his program is excellent. He does a really good job of focusing on muscle activation. … I feel like I’m moving well when I get on the field. I don’t even think about my injuries from a year ago, so I’m really feeling good.”

After being taken in the sixth round of the 2008 draft out of Notre Dame, Sullivan became the Vikings’ starting center in his second year. His play was solid enough for the Vikings to give him a raise after the 2014 season and extend his contract one year through 2017.

Sullivan, who will be paid $5.4 million this season, has been one of Minnesota’s most durable players, playing in 109 of a possible 112 games in his first seven seasons. But he was injured in a preseason game last August, had surgery to repair a herniated disk and was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return.

After initially thinking he would miss only the first first eight weeks of the season, Sullivan hurt his back again in October lifting weights. He had another surgery, which ended his season.

“My thought process (coming back was) why not just reduce the load a little bit, and make it easier to stay healthy,” Sullivan said.

So the 6-foot-4 Sullivan slimmed down. He has gone through six practices without any complications during the past two weeks of organized team activities.

“I think Sully has really come back in better shape,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. “He looks completely healthy to me.”

Sullivan says he’s quicker. And despite the weight loss, he believes he is stronger because of Salazar’s program.

“He’s been moving pretty well,” said cornerback Captain Munnerlyn. “It seems like he’s never lost a step, he’s never lost a beat. He’s out there working his tail off.”

Still, there might be competition for the starting job. When Sullivan was out, Joe Berger filled in and became the NFL’s top-rated center, according to Pro Football Focus.

Sullivan vowed in April that, if healthy, he expected to be back as the starter. He’s toned that down a bit.

“I’m going out there every single day and playing as hard as I can, doing what I do, and the decision who the starter is will be completely up to the coaches,” he said. “It’s out of my control, and I’m only focused on what I can control, and that’s what I do on the field.”

Regardless of what happens, Sullivan figures he has plenty of NFL games left. Under his reworked contract, he will earn $5.4 million in 2017, as well.

“I’m just going to keep going until either the NFL doesn’t want me any more or my body tells me I need to stop,” Sullivan said. “But I plan on playing for a while longer.”

TRAINING CAMP DATES

The Vikings announced Friday that players will report July 28 for training camp in Mankato, Minn., and the first practice will be July 29. A night practice, which includes fireworks, will be held Aug. 6 at Blakeslee Stadium on the Minnesota State Mankato campus.