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Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley is keeping his weight in good order this year -- and playing well because of it. (Melanie Maxwell | MLive.com)

ALLEN PARK -- Nick Fairley faced all kinds of questions when he snacked his way past 320 pounds during training camp and lost his spot in the starting lineup.

Five weeks into the season, he's being asked something different altogether. Something he's probably never been asked in his adult life.

Is he in danger of being too thin?

The Detroit Lions defensive tackle has slimmed down to 299 or 300 pounds, which is actually south of his ideal weight of 305.

"I don't think I can go past (299)," Fairley said. "I need it on me. Can't go below that. Gotta take on double teams."

My, how the times have changed.

Fairley has battled his waistline throughout his career, to the point where Detroit decided not to exercise his 2015 option believing it would incentivize Fairley to stay in better shape for this all-important 2014 season.

The move initially worked. Fairley showed up for mandatory minicamp in June weighing about 295 pounds, which coach Jim Caldwell said was actually too light. But then he showed up for training camp, and ate himself out of shape again.

That's when Caldwell drew a line in the sand, and demoted Fairley to the second team for most of the preseason.

Fairley is now being heralded for how he responded to that benching.

He hired a personal chef, whipped himself into shape and is now enjoying one of the most consistent stretches of his career. He has 11 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble through five games.

He also has two QB hits, eight QB hurries -- fifth most among defensive tackles -- and is ranked the 20th-best tackle in the league, according to ProFootballFocus.

"He's been really diligent in terms of taking care of himself and doing the things we've asked him to do," Caldwell said. "Got his weight down to where he's most effective, I think. And not only that, he's enjoying himself and having a very fine year. Active, disruptive and really fully energy."

Fairley says the he feels the difference, and can even see it when watching tape.

"Feeling good," he said. "My body is where I want it to be. I'm able to play more faster and quicker, and longer actually."

Fairley has a week's worth of meals delivered to his home at a time, and except for the occasional cheat day, has stuck diligently to the plan outlined by his personal chef.

The Alabama native says his favorite dish is the jambalaya, which apparently can be a diet food after all.

"He's got shrimp, chicken, turkey sausage and szechwan chicken," Fairley said. "The way he cooks it, I'm thinking it is (considered diet food) because everything's organic."

Fairley's discipline has paid off, now that he's down to 299 pounds and playing some of his most consistent football. And now the concern is whether he might actually get too light.

A pretty good problem to have if you're the Lions or Nick Fairley.

"That could be a concern," Caldwell said. "But right now, he's at 299 or 300 pounds. And 305 is probably a good range for him.

"But I don't think you have to worry about the other end of it."

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