Inspiring Weight Loss Journey: Michael Mehler's Transformation From 586lbs To Health

After a shock health diagnosis left him fearing for his life, Michael Mehler, who weighed 586lbs, decided it was time to change. At his heaviest, Mehler, from Germany, had a 74-inch waist, which he tells Newsweek left him feeling "trapped" in his own body. But since the medical scare three years ago, 38-year-old Mehler has dropped a whopping 350lbs. Being so overweight made it difficult to even move a few steps, leaving him out of breath walking just one yard. The lack of mobility prevented the lighting technician from going anywhere, leading him to become isolated and deeply unhappy.

He told Newsweek: "When I was big, I ate six to eight bread rolls for breakfast with marmalade, Nutella and typically German cold cuts. My lunch included two pizzas and a doner kebab, then in the evening I ate four to six burgers from a fast-food chain."

'I Couldn't Walk Without Losing My Breath'

In 2019, Mehler was wearing size 10XL shirts, and his obesity problem became glaringly obvious. He realized that he needed to change his lifestyle, fearing that if he didn't lose weight he wouldn't survive much longer. "I realized that I need to lose weight because I couldn't walk a yard without losing my breath and getting sweaty. It was a truly horrible experience. I felt trapped in my own body and in my home, and because of that I no longer had a social life. I wasn't living a good, happy life. I had to change my life because my blood pressure was through the roof, and I didn't want to die."