CC Sabathia has shed considerable weight heading into the 2014 season.

The left-hander, who once weighed 315 pounds, now weighs 275.

"During the offseason, I decided to lose the weight to be around my family, be around my kids," Sabathia said. "I had a cousin pass away that was pretty young from heart disease, so it was just really about that."

Sabathia struggled to a 14-13 record and career-high 4.78 ERA.

He lost the weight through a combination of cutting out carbohydrates and increasing the intensity of his workouts.

"I think it was just losing that much weight and trying to play a professional sport," Sabathia said. "I probably did it the wrong way going into a baseball season last year. I was joking in there with [trainer Stevie Donohue] that I felt like 'The Biggest Loser' last year.

"I lost a lot of weight, but I wasn't physically ready to go out and play. So this year was just all about training and getting ready to play."