Defying the Odds: A Journey of Transformation

In 2016, when Matthew Houser from Virginia reached 800 pounds, the doctors prepared him for the worst. "They told me I only had six months to live," he recalls.

Houser had tried countless diets, but his passion for food was more powerful than his desire to lose weight—until his weight began to threaten his life. "I started planning my funeral," he recalls, sharing a journey full of trials and challenges that often tested his health. "I was hospitalized more than I was home," he says. "I was dying and had accepted my situation. I realized there was no way back, and I had missed my chance."

As a child, Houser was often bullied for being overweight, which worsened his depression over the years. "At school, bullies wouldn’t leave me alone. I didn’t have many friends, so I found refuge in TV and food. That’s where I escaped boredom."

Spot the difference: Matthew Houser today

Then, two years ago, Houser, then 25, decided to take control of his life. When asked what prompted the massive change that led him to lose 600 pounds, he said he realized he had to do something to help himself. "There’s a moment when you can’t keep making excuses. You understand you must change your life, change your mindset."

To achieve such change, he committed to two hours of exercise daily, six days a week. "It’s not just about working out; it’s a complete change of mindset. Stop thinking like a person with obesity. Track what goes into your body and don't believe the voice saying you can't do it," he proudly concludes, hoping his story will empower others facing similar struggles. "The start might be tough, but you can do it. You can do anything."