success stories

Manuel Uribe, of Mexico, was the heaviest man in the world. He weighed an astonishing 1232 pounds. He just celebrated his 43rd birthday - with a 400 pound weight loss.

British raw food author Angela Stokes lost around 160lbs through adopting a raw food lifestyle, reversing morbid obesity. Now a svelte 138lbs, at her biggest, the 29 year old was nearly 300lbs and her health was extremely compromised. She was constantly ill and underneath a false mask of contentment, she was also deeply unhappy and insecure.

Here is her story.

A quarter ton… Think about that for a second. That is what Grand Rapids, MI native Nancy Makin lost over the course of 3 years. In 2001, Makin weighed over 700 pounds - largely the result of emotional eating brought on by divorce and loneliness. She spent 12 years in seclusion - only leaving her house about 10 times in that period. So how did she lose it... Surgery? Strict diet? Vigorous exercise?

A computer...

From time to time on Diet Blog, we will feature a "success story".

It's refreshing to know that there are people out there who (despite considerable hardship) still turn their life around.

Positive encouragement can inspire someone to make a change. The opposite approach is bludgeoning someone with fear and guilt - an approach that often backfires.

I was thrilled to receive this email from Lisa White. Lisa was inspired by the story of Jacob - the "400lb Marathon Man".

As sources of inspiration, these guys and gals are hard to beat. They've definitely turned their life around through a mix of careful eating and a healthy dose of exercise.

Now it's time to add your name to the list.

You may remember a few months back the story of Jacob. Jacob weighed over 400lbs and had pledged to run the Boston marathon (to the disgust and dismay of many long-distance runners). He is now over 80 pounds lighter... and has just completed the marathon.

He came last.

Some people have it tough, and others have it very tough.

Shannan Hutchinson is one of the latter. Shannan has Multiple Sclerosis - yet despite the phenomenal challenges posed by her illness, Shannan was able to lose over 90 pounds - by eating right and exercising.

Here is her story.

For the first time in five years, Manuel Uribe, who once weighed half a ton, left his house Wednesday. He was greeted with a band and wheeled down the streets after being forklifted into a truck.

Jacob started his journey at 438 pounds. His goal is to run the Boston Marathon. He is currently just under 400 lbs and is chronicling his efforts on his site "What Would Jacob Do?".

Near the end of 2003, Rob experienced a "random act of violence" - he was held at gunpoint during a home robbery. The traumatising incident led to a serious bout of depression. Rob felt like he had lost control of his life. His comforts became TV and a big box of Cheez-Its.

Rob admits he has been fat his entire life.

"Long ago, I accepted the fact that I would always be fat." he writes.

At a height of 5' 2" - she was clearly classified as obese. As a teenager she had no shortage of peers who reminded her of the fact. Every other girl seemed taller. Every other girl seemed slimmer.

What followed was a journey through dieting, through eating disorders, through failures and struggles. Rene finally emerged as a woman of incredible strength - emotionally and physically. Here is her story so far...