Fearing that his extreme obesity threatened his life, Michael Mehler, weighing 266 kg, changed his lifestyle by eating healthily and going to the gym, helping him lose 166 kg.
Mehler, 38, a lighting technician, has a waist circumference of nearly 190 cm. His heavy weight makes walking difficult; even moving a meter leaves him breathless. Unable to go far, he feels isolated and unhappy.
"When I was overweight, I could eat 6-8 bagels for breakfast along with orange marmalade, hazelnut jam, sweet chocolate, and cold cuts. My lunch consisted of two pizzas and a Turkish sandwich. In the evening, I would eat 4-6 sandwiches 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 also the time the man realized he needed to change his lifestyle if he didn't want to die prematurely.
In 2020, he underwent surgery to treat obesity, removing about 80% of his stomach, which helped him to reduce his overeating afterward. Following the surgery, Mehler lost 25kg. However, he later gained the weight back, and doctors suspect Mehler is still indulging in his undisciplined eating habits.
After three years of consistent gym workouts and a healthy diet, Michael Mehler lost 160 kg. Photo: Newsweek
Blood test results revealed Mehler's shocking health condition. His testosterone levels were 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. Pregnant women or those who have recently given birth typically have higher levels of prolactin to produce breast milk. Normal levels of this hormone in men range from 2-18 nanograms/milliliter.
Mehler underwent an MRI scan and discovered a tumor in the pituitary gland, which was causing abnormally high levels of the hormones prolactin and estrogen.
"Such hormonal imbalances made it impossible for me to lose weight. If the pituitary tumor hadn't been discovered, I would certainly have gained even more weight and might have died prematurely. I've been treating this condition with medication and now have my hormone levels checked once a year," he said.
This health shock motivated Mehler to seriously focus on losing weight. He started going to the gym for at least three hours a day. Initially, he did weight training for two hours and then added another one to two hours for cardio exercises, which burned calories and increased his heart rate. After the surgery, he ate much smaller portions.
His morning routine consists of 40 grams of whey protein and berries, followed by another 40 grams of whey protein after his gym workout. At lunchtime, he eats 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 greens. Finally, he drinks a protein shake before bed.
After three years of intense physical training, Mehler shed 160 kg, dropping eight clothing sizes – an "astonishing" result. Mehler became much happier and healthier after losing weight.
Susan Bowerman, senior director of Worldwide Nutrition Education, a global nutrition education organization, says that significant weight loss while maintaining good health can only be achieved through a sustainable and balanced approach.
"When weight loss occurs too rapidly, the risk of losing lean body mass increases. This not only affects overall health but also slows down your resting metabolic rate, making it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight," Bowerman said.
According to her, weight loss for obese individuals should be a comprehensive process that includes a nutrient-rich diet with a reasonable calorie intake.
A current photo of Mehler. Photo: Newsweek
Bowerman encourages obese individuals to focus on lifestyle changes, not just weight loss. "Maintaining a healthy weight after losing weight can be just as difficult, if not more difficult, than the weight loss journey itself," she says.
A diet plan is unsustainable if it doesn't fit your lifestyle, tastes, or budget. Therefore, Bowerman emphasizes that the plan needs to be tailored to the individual obese person.
Despite having reduced his waist circumference by over 100 cm, Mehler hasn't stopped his weight loss efforts. He hopes his determination to lose weight will inspire others.
"I'm still not completely happy with my body, so I continue to work out. Right now, I'm looking forward to having surgery to remove excess skin after losing weight," Mehler said, adding that he wants to inspire and motivate others in similar situations, showing them that "every goal is achievable if you believe in yourself."
Hong Van ( According to Newsweek )
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