Lose 160 kg to escape the 'death sentence' of obesity

Fearing that his obesity was life-threatening, Michael Mehler, who weighed 266 kg, changed his lifestyle to healthy eating and gym training, helping him lose 166 kg.

Mehler, 38, a lighting technician, has a waistline of nearly 190 centimeters. His weight makes it difficult for him to walk, and he is out of breath just moving a meter. With nowhere to go, he feels isolated and unhappy.

"When I was fat, I could eat 6-8 bagels for breakfast with orange marmalade, hazelnut jam and sweet chocolate, cold cuts. My lunch consisted of two pizzas and a Turkish bread. In the evening, I ate 4-6 burgers bought from a fast food restaurant," he said.

In 2019, Mehler was wearing a size 10XL shirt, his blood pressure was skyrocketing, and he had difficulty walking. That was when he realized he needed to change his lifestyle if he didn’t want to die soon.

In 2020, he underwent bariatric surgery, removing about 80% of his stomach, which prevented him from eating much afterward. After the surgery, Mehler lost 25kg. However, he later gained the weight back, and doctors suspected that Mehler was still indulging in his undisciplined eating habits.

After 3 years of persistent gym workouts and switching to a healthy diet, Michael Mehler lost 160 kg. Photo: Newsweek

Blood tests revealed a shocking state of health for Mehler. His testosterone was almost zero, while his prolactin was 198 and his estrogen was 70. Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates milk production in the body. Pregnant and postpartum women often have higher levels of prolactin to produce milk for breastfeeding. Normal levels of this hormone in men range from 2 to 18 nanograms per milliliter.

Mehler had an MRI and discovered a tumor in his pituitary gland, which was causing abnormally high levels of the hormones prolactin and estrogen.

"Such an abnormal hormonal condition makes it impossible for me to lose weight. If the pituitary tumor had not been detected, I would have definitely gained more weight and possibly died early. I have treated this condition with medication and now check my hormone levels once a year," he said.

This health shock motivated Mehler to take his weight loss efforts seriously. He started hitting the gym for at least three hours a day. He started lifting for two hours and then added an hour or two of cardio, which burned calories and increased his heart rate. After the surgery, he ate much smaller portions.

His breakfast consists of 40 grams of whey and berries, followed by another 40 grams of whey after his gym session. For lunch, he has chicken and vegetables; an apple or a protein bar for an afternoon snack. In the evening, the man consumes two slices of whole-grain bread with tuna or salmon and green vegetables. Finally, he drinks a protein shake before going to bed.

After three years of intense physical training, Mehler lost 160 kg and dropped eight dress sizes, an "amazing" result. Mehler became much happier and healthier after losing weight.

Susan Bowerman, senior director of global nutritioneducation organization Worldwide Nutrition Education, says that losing large amounts of excess weight while maintaining good health can only be achieved through a sustainable and balanced process.

“When weight loss occurs too quickly, the risk of losing lean body mass increases. This not only affects overall health, but also reduces resting metabolic rate, making it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight,” says Bowerman.

According to her, weight loss for obese people must be a comprehensive process that includes a nutritious diet with reasonable calories.

Current image of Mehler. Photo: Newsweek

Bowerman encourages people with obesity to focus on lifestyle changes, not just weight loss. “Maintaining a healthy weight after weight loss can be just as difficult, if not more difficult, than the weight loss journey,” she says.

A diet won't be sustainable if it doesn't fit your lifestyle, taste, or budget, so Bowerman emphasizes that it needs to be tailored to the individual.

Even though he has lost more than 40 inches from his waist, Mehler is not done with his weight loss efforts. He hopes his determination to lose weight will inspire others.

"I'm still not completely satisfied with my body, so I continue to work out. Now, I'm looking forward to having surgery soon to remove excess skin after losing weight," Mehler said, adding that he wants to inspire and motivate others in the same situation, to show them that "any goal is achievable if you believe in yourself."

Hong Van ( According to Newsweek )

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