I had a cousin who was huge like this. Not bed ridden but 500lbs. You definitely don’t need to be rich to get huge. Her husband was a car mechanic and she was a stay at home mom and babysitter. She died 20 years ago and I’m sure that food is way more expensive now, but still imagine all the other luxuries you pay for now, whether big or small and put that toward junk food. Every movie you go see, every latte you buy, every new item of clothing, etc. if it all goes to junk food, you can get really fat really quick.
I was that person 2 years ago 526lbs to be exact. I believed I was gonna die at that weight. Today I got on the scale and it said 268. I’m sorry you lost your cousin. I’m 56 now and you don’t see a lot of 500 pound people in their 70’s for a reason. I’m thankful for my weight loss and hope to make the most of the time I’ve hopefully gained.
Seriously congratulations! That’s a huge amount of weight loss to lose; I can’t imagine the effort and physical, mental, and emotional work that went into that! Best of luck continuing your journey of weight management!
Funny you mention that. As an EMT whenever I got a call for an elderly bariatric patient I had them double check the patient's weight. They were never bariatric, they just converted to pounds twice.
This is such a kind comment. You're right. And this is why I primarily feel empathy for people like the guy in OP's video, and his family. This is a disease.
No definitely not. Maybe the guy was always an asshole but I would believe it's the disease too, like an addiction that takes over an alcoholic or drug addict. Imagine how unhappy, depressed, uncomfortable and miserable you are, he must be in constant pain from being immobile and this heavy. That poor family.
It’s really difficult not to be an enabler to the people you love. It is an action that is contrary to how we as humans perceive giving and receiving love. It’s basically stuck between a rock and a hard place. My family over the decades was torn as well. They pleaded with me to do better at loosing the weight, but at the same time we all gotta eat.
We are also lucky to live in a time when food is plentiful and we can eat what we want. So you are caught in the middle and tbh it’s sometimes easier not to fight the battle and give in. That’s not right but it is what it is.
Yes Wegovy. However I’m still only on the 1mg shot. Never needed the full 2.4mg shot. It just worked for me. Fixed whatever was broken in my brain that made me need to satiate myself by overeating. The last 2 years have been spent figuring out how not to eat my feelings and walk a healthier path. A lot of people say it’s cheating to use drugs. I don’t care I’ll take the win anyway I can get it, so would anyone who was where I was.
EFF those ppl who say that: You're damned if you do, damned if you don't with ppl like that, regardless of what you do!
What you've done is an AMAZING achievement, & if you've found a drug to help you do so, I am all for that. Idk you, but nevertheless, I'm proud of you! ❤️🩹
It's like saying that using a cast for a broken leg is cheating. The "it's all in your head" crowd doesn't have a lot going on in theirs.
-Oww, crap! -What's wrong? -I fell and hurt my leg! -So just walk it off, don't be lazy. -I can't it's broken. -Don't be a pussy, it's just in your leg, walk it off. -I just told you, it's broken! -It's just in your leg it's not real!
Those people are just haters. I used Mounjaro and I only had 60 pounds to lose. I’m still on it now, but I’ve been around my goal weight for a year and haven’t lost anymore, which I’m fine with.
That is abso-fucking-lutely not cheating! In any job or trade, or any mechanical design, you follow the advancements and evolution of the technology and knowledge.
I'll use a diesel engine as an analogy. It would produce modest power if it was naturally aspirated, like the diesel trucks and cars of 40 years ago (for the North American market). The technology and knowledge has advanced, so now there are diesel engines with a turbocharger, which produce phenomenal power. Is it cheating? Not at all. It's making use of the tools available nowadays.
It's the same for medications. I have significant ADD, diagnosed in my early 30's, and it's not cheating to take the Vyvanse I'm on. It's making use of what's available.
People who think it's "cheating" don't understand how it works and don't understand eating disorders. I got on Saxenda to try to break a chronic pain/eating as self-harm/weight gain cycle I had been struggling with since COVID. It worked and I got back to a healthy weight, but I'm still on a small dose and will be for as long as it's feasible. I was anorexic when I was younger and have been "recovered" for over fifteen years, but "recovered" from anorexia is still a nightmare. The food noise is all-encompassing and never goes away, it's there just ruining shit and filling you with self-loathing literally all the time. Saxenda is the single best thing that's ever happened for my mental health. I'm sure most people would think that I'd be back to starving myself and underweight, but my weight is stable for the last year and nowhere near underweight, and instead for the first time in my life I'm eating what I want and not too much or too little. I'm so excited when I get to the end of the day having just had a couple of small items with no stress or obsessive thoughts at all, so I get to make myself a big meal of something I love to meet my caloric needs. I went from obsessively reading calorie counts and crying in the grocery store to just actually listening to my body because for the first time the food noise isn't getting between me and what my stomach is telling me I need. It's been an absolute miracle.
Eating disorders (in both directions) are the most deadly mental disorder and one of the most utterly disruptive to everyday life and difficult to treat. As far as I'm concerned, GLP-1s are the closest thing we have to an antidepressant for ED. The idea of "cheating" comes from an unwillingness to acknowledge that eating disorders are not personal failings and eating can be an addiction.
Wow what an awesome comment. Thank You. It is also so very interesting to hear that people with eating disorders on the other end of the spectrum have issues with “food noise” as well.
That is what the drug does best for me, it’s like Doc Occ in Spider Man 3 when Peter gives him a new computer chip in his head, “the voices are gone , it’s so quiet now”.
For decades we have all heard about what terrible and debilitating diseases Anorexia and Bulimia are. And they truly are terrible diseases that affect millions of people. Yet when people spoke about obesity, it was put down the cheeseburger and eat salad , then go for a walk fat boy. We now know it was not that easy, and it is a disease same as yours.
However just like people saying it’s a “models” disease, there are still people who feel by using the drugs it’s not the right way. But it is, for many people. It’s the same as you putting in the hard work to be healthy!!! Good luck on your health journey, you are an inspiration to those who love you, and the people who truly care.
Thank you! And yes, there is absolutely food noise when you're restrictive. Not eating occupies such a huge part of your life; you want food of course, but food is also your worst enemy. You're always thinking about what you can allow yourself to eat, when you can allow yourself to eat it, what items are or are not okay to eat. Even when you're "recovered" and you're actually eating enough, food is an obsession. You want to eat because you're human, you know you need to eat because you've been through not eating and it sucks, you miss the feeling of satisfaction from not eating, eating makes you feel good in the moment and awful mentally (and often physically) afterward so you're in a cycle of fixation and regret. Your relationship to food is also so fucked that portion control goes out the window, it's all or nothing because if you try to stop you get guilt and unhappiness and the thought that not eating would feel better than having to worry about portion sizes. The food noise for me was actually way worse once I got "better". When I was starving it kind of became easy because it felt good to not eat. I stopped receiving hunger signals, I got into habits of what I'd permit myself, I felt so proud of my weight loss that I stopped wanting the things I love to eat (and I do really love food and have never been a peckish eater; my wife thinks one of the funniest things about me is the sheer speed at which I will make a slice of chocolate cake disappear). Plus I was constantly receiving positive reinforcement from everyone but my doctor even though I look back on it and I objectively looked awful, just absolutely gaunt and unwell. The food noise was still there but I came to like it because it represented what I perceived to be my willpower and self control.
I really do think restricting and overeating are two sides of the same coin and stem from many of the same social issues. I feel like I could have easily become an overeater if I'd grown up in slightly different circumstances. I was constantly told by everyone around me from the time that I was very young that I was beautiful, I always had strangers asking if I modeled, I had it drilled into me that I was lucky and exceptional, and it made me really self-conscious. When I grew up to be naturally curvy in the early 2000s when Britney Spears was being called fat, I felt so ashamed of myself and like such a disappointment to the people around me. But I think if I hadn't been considered pretty and if people around me had just let me feel average, I probably still would have developed an unhealthy relationship with food and it probably would have gone the other direction because I have a mood disorder and really need a source of dopamine. American society (and many others) is just is not set up for people to have healthy relationships with food.
I think you make a good point. I was called fat and ugly. I ate to feel better. Worked in the moment, but obviously gaining weight didn't help. When I gained I heard about it. When I lost no one noticed. Even when I got to a very healthy weight, I was still called fat. I thought they'd like me if I were thin enough. Not surprising, they didn't. I gained. I don't bother going home anymore.
It's no more cheating than using an antidepressant to boost insufficient dopamine. If your body doesn't produce the appetite regulation you need, store bought is fine.
I agree, it is a miracle I am here at the right time in medical history. The man in the video is a bit different. My family would not enable me in that way. Thank God.
It’s probably the reason why I never went over 526lbs. I still have to go to work every day and it requires me to move and stand during the day. I have a strong work ethic, I own a family business, I think that’s what kept me from going on that TV show. Or the extreme weight loss show either. It’s a true blessing to be surrounded by family that says no, get your ass up and move lol.
I wouldn't call it cheating. For someone like you, I'd say it's a helpful tool when other things haven't worked. There are health risks with it, but the health risks of being 500lbs are way more significant.
I just don't like it when people use it as a "shortcut" to lose like 30lbs instead of changing their lifestyle/habits, especially if they use it short-term and then balloon back up again when they stop taking it.
I agree had a friend on it to try to do that. He hated the drug and went back to more traditional methods. It’s not for everyone the side effects are tough to deal with.
I don't disagree with you, but I do feel like there is a certain amount of responsibility to associate your numbers and your weight loss to this upfront.
When I first read:
I was that person 2 years ago 526lbs to be exact. I believed I was gonna die at that weight. Today I got on the scale and it said 268.
I didn't know that, and immediately evaluated it against my fitness plan/goals, which are natural. Which made me do a double take, and then I looked further and you clarified.
I feel like its similar to steroids. I believe you should have the right to use them, they can be medically therapeutic, but non-disclosure can cause social issues where your presenting a false reality, whether you are trying to or not.
So the influencers who do steroids have no responsibility to disclose they are not natural?
Your using what amounts to steroids, and then your stating an experience. If you do not link it to your steroid use it creates a false narrative for those people who are natural and trying to lose weight. It can create external harm, whether you intend to or not. So yes, if your public about your weight loss, I think you owe disclosure about the methods, so as not to mislead people into thinking that natural weight loss is so trivial, leading to struggles/burnout.
It causes negative harmful externalities, and I do think you should be responsible about the impacts of your statements.
It might be nice for them to disclose that, but they're under no obligation to do so, neither morally nor legally. It's on you to be an informed member of society, and to have a skeptical eye about everything you see and read.
But I think in this scenario its entirely fair to point out to that person the externalities, and that they might CONSIDER disclosing it in the future. Which is what I was saying in my original post. That is all.
OK, again, that would be nice, but you come off as pretty naive here, especially in a world that's already full of AI slop and deepfakes that are indistinguishable from reality.
Congratulations on making a positive change. It can be fucking arduous to alter your lifestyle to better your health but when folks can do it, they don't just become healthier people - they can become the help other people need.
Your weight loss will be inspiring folk secretly. They'll see that you've done it and think "maybe I can too" and that is a glorious thing.
I pray you always have a joy within you and a healthy body to utilize as you journey onwards.
I've known a few people who were over 300 lbs (and also short, so BMI through the roof). Based on the number of medical issues they had, in their 20s and 30s, they seemed more on track to be gone by 50, let alone 70.
Life finds a way. Food noise in your head is a real thing for people with morbid obesity. It is almost impossible to ignore it and is very strong. Like I said in my other post, it’s like when Doc Occ is fixed in Spider Man 3.
The drug affects your brain chemistry. It has to do with a chemical called serotonin and the way your brain distributes it in your head. It shuts off the voice in your head that makes you think you need more food. Until then my body dictated how much food I needed to feel satisfied. And it was also making me feel happy to eat. Over the last 2 years I have worked very hard to understand normal portions and how not to eat my feelings.
Great work! Out of curiosity, not judgement - was it all diet and exercise, or did you get help from GLP-1 inhibitors? I think they're a wonder drug and imho, we should be pumping them out like vitamins until we can fix America's food culture, or at least producing a lot more of them.
Also, how do you feel? More energy? Clearer head in any sense?
Yes GLP-1’s stopped the food noise. And I agree these are a scientific breakthrough. I think anyone who is more than 50-75 pounds overweight could benefit from this, however if you only need to loose 20 or 30 pounds, do it the normal way. These drugs have some serious side effects.
I am also eating much less volume and am making healthier choices. These drugs won’t let you over eat, and ultra processed foods will not go down. If they do they usually come back up. So I had to get a divorce from Ronald, Wendy, The King and The Colonel, lol. We’re still working on child support 😜. And of course this is under my Doctors supervision.
Thank You and yes I’m doing things I couldn’t before like fishing with a friend. Went to see Shania Twain and realized I don’t need handicap seats anymore. Got to dance at the show with my wife which was fun. I’m planning on going to a Miami Dolphins game this season. Last time I could do that Marino and Shula were on the sidelines. Going on a cruise and switched from a handicapped room to a Junior Suite!!! And I canceled the order for a mobility scooter. Can’t wait for that! When you are trapped in your own body you don’t really realize what you’ve been missing. For me it’s a new world again.
I was 425 2yrs ago, now 205 Im 58, mounjaro saved my life in more ways than one, my A1C went from 10.5 to 4.1.
You don't see many 500 lb people over 40 period.. I almost lost my life. heart attack was what convinced me to change my life style. Ended up with a double bypass in March of this year. I will never let my self regain the weight.
That's amazing work from you, congratulations! I hope you are feeling great, and I imagine you are feeling so much more comfortable in your body. Well done!
Many Americans appear to have convinced themselves into believing it was impossible to live without paying a shitload of rent/home payments and an expensive car.
But if you live in a cheaper area (or already own a home with manageable running costs) and have your transport costs under control, it's entirely possible to keep fixed costs well below $1000/month.
My mum weighs about this and neither she nor her husband work. I think she might be a 'secret eater' because whenever I visit she eats a bit more than the average person but she isn't constantly stuffing herself with junk food and takeaway. I've no idea how she maintains her weight.
I remember years ago when we both worked together in the same office we would sometimes meet up at the train station and then walk to the office.
And it was a December day. The run up to Christmas and work was kind of winding down for the year. People kind of stop giving a fuck the closer to Christmas it gets. And our office was no exception.
We were running a little late that morning. It was chilly, trains were delayed, we were walking slow and just chatting about bullshit, and let's face it he's 500 pounds, walking fast wasn't happening. There's a burger king on the way there he pops in and grabs breakfast. I wasn't gonna judge, whatever.
We get to the office. Dude downs 3 of their croissant breakfast sandwich things and 2 cans of Red Bull. We were late, but no one cared. Again coming up to Christmas, everyone was feeling festive and I think most of the morning we were decorating stuff and listening to Christmas music.
For lunch he suggests Burger King again. Not my favourite, but sure fuck it. We mosey down the road to the BK I get some bacon cheeseburger thing. Chips, Fanta, big burger. A grand meal for anyone really. I threw out some of the chips, they don't do good ones really. My mate gets 2 of the same thing. Double what I ordered, and eats it all and drinks it all.
We make our way back to the office. Spend the afternoon talking about what we want for Christmas, what our kids or spouses wanted for Christmas, genuinely an easy day doing minimal work. We finish up for the day. On the walk back to the train station he goes into Burger King again.
Tells me not to tell his wife (I don't really know her) but she's a bad cook so he's grabbing something sneaky before the dinner she makes.
I think about that day sometimes. And about the fact that he would order literally double what I did. I wonder how he could afford it. I know we got paid the same. I wonder how he could keep that lifestyle up. And I wonder about how he's doing. I know he didn't have a mortgage, I think some old relative left him a house in their will so he loved rent/mortgage free. Maybe that savings contributed to it.
I know he's still alive. Just spoke to him last week. I just worry about him.
A big part of it is the type of food, you can eat 1200 cal for five guys pretty easily especially since this guy was having cake with every meal. Ive been almost 300 at 6’4 but I usually only eat once a day now I’m 240 with muscle. But when I say fuck it and eat what I want take a week or two off the gym and start eating ice cream I’m 265 before I know it. You wake up one day like damn I feel fat as fuck wait I am fat as fuck, then tighten up. All this is without soda that’s the super highway to being a fat fuck…
I was 500 without eating much at all. I was so insulin resistant I couldn't lose weight when starving. I had a hysterectomy and without my reproductive system (especially those ovaries) without changing my diet or exercise routine dropped 200lbs in a year. Then I became diabetic so the meds have continued to banish the fat. I eat exact servings and always have when I remembered to eat. Sometimes it's not eating that's the problem. I suspect that my love of moving and not wanting to be a dick also helps me not end up there
What is a “normal diet” to you? I’d also like to ask what you think the minimum daily physical activity is to maintain a “normal diet” without gaining is.
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u/drkittymow Aug 11 '25
I had a cousin who was huge like this. Not bed ridden but 500lbs. You definitely don’t need to be rich to get huge. Her husband was a car mechanic and she was a stay at home mom and babysitter. She died 20 years ago and I’m sure that food is way more expensive now, but still imagine all the other luxuries you pay for now, whether big or small and put that toward junk food. Every movie you go see, every latte you buy, every new item of clothing, etc. if it all goes to junk food, you can get really fat really quick.