It’s easy to find an excuse for skipping a workout or cheating on your diet but ignore your health too much, and it will seriously deteriorate. However, that doesn't mean you can't get back into shape and follow a healthy lifestyle after a minor or a major slip-up.
My 600-lb Life is a reality TV series that focuses on morbidly obese people and their weight loss transformations. Some of the changes on the TLC show are so incredible, and you probably won't believe the before and after pictures show the same participants.
My 600-lb Life was meant to be a five-part miniseries involving four morbidly obese patients, but because of its popularity, new episodes were filmed. Each person who appears on the show weighs around 600 lbs (270 kg) at the beginning and tries to reach healthy numbers through controlled weight loss. The determined stars of the program have shredded more than 161,424 lbs (73,220 kg).
Extreme weight loss is not only physically but also mentally hard—changing detrimental habits proves strong will and determination. As corny as it sounds, no lifestyle changes are impossible. Scroll down to collect your daily dose of motivation in these My 600-lb Life transformed photos.
This post may include affiliate links.
Christina Philips Was 708 Lbs, She Dropped To 183 Lbs
Amber Rachdi Was 660 Lbs, She Dropped To 236 Pounds
Amber Rachdi Was 660 Lbs, She Dropped To 236 Lbs
How Realistic is My 600-lb Life Show?
When you witness such incredible weight loss results as in these My 600-lb Life success stories, it is only understandable to wonder how real this TV show is. While it is indeed classified as a reality TV series, that doesn’t mean it was completely staged or that the results or depicted events weren’t actually happening.
As with any reality TV show where people are followed around in their daily lives, or in this case, a 600 lb person getting ready for their bariatric surgery, there is a lot that the camera does not see. That said, My 600-lb Life does portray most of the aspects of bariatric surgery truthfully, but in other moments, it deviated slightly from reality, too.
My 600-lb Life doctor, Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, is indeed a qualified professional specializing in vascular and bariatric surgery, and all the procedures and aftercare of every 600-pound person appearing on the show are paid for by his hospital. So, while none of the participants are paid to be in the show, their medical expenses are covered one hundred percent.
Marla McCants Was 800 Lbs, She Dropped To 300 Lbs
Donald Shelton Was 675 Lbs, He Dropped To 295 Lbs
Melissa D. Morris Was 653 Lbs, She Dropped To 178 Lbs
Who Was the Most Successful My 600-lb Life Participant?
It’s always nice to feel happy about other people’s successes, and My 600-lb Life transformed many lives. Of course, not all the participants succeed in their weight loss goals, but there are more than enough happy stories here, too. So, here we are in our My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now section, and this is the story of Milla, the most successful participant of the series:
Milla Clarke participated in season 4 of the series, and at the time, the 47-year-old weighed 751 pounds. Due to her weight, she hasn’t been on her legs for two years and had her children and husband taking care of her. However, Clarke was determined to stick to her goals, and at the end of her stint on My 600-lb Life, she had lost a staggering 596 pounds.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and her incredible strength and determination are surely inspiring! And if you’d like to see more of these incredible success stories, keep reading this list with 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now snippets. If anything, these people are the embodiment of sheer willpower and unwavering dedication to their goals.
Nikki Webster Was 649 Lbs, She Dropped To 236 Lbs
Chuck Turner Was 693 Lbs, He Dropped To 433 Lbs
Laura Perez Was 541 Lbs And She Dropped To 380 Lbs
Bettie Jo Was 654 Lbs, She Dropped Around 200 Lbs
these are all so heartbreaking and lovely at the same time. My emotions are confused
Henry Foots Was 750 Lbs, He Dropped To 250 Lbs
Paula Jones Wast 553 Lbs She Dropped To 269 Lbs
Olivia Cruz Was 580 Lbs, She Dropped To 200 Lbs
Diana Was 601 Lbs She Dropped To 223 Lbs
Zsalynn Whitworth Was 600 Lbs, She Dropped To 300 Lbs
June McCamey Was 600 Lbs, She Dropped To 370 Lbs
Ashley Dunn-Bratcher Was 725 Lbs, She Dropped To 470 Lbs
Brittani Fulfer Was 605 Lbs, He Dropped To 400 Lbs
Charity Pierce Was 800 Lbs, She Dropped To 300 Lbs
Tara Was 606 Lbs, She Dropped To 278 Lbs
Paula Was 533 Lbs, She Dropped To 379 Lbs
I maybe overstating, but it would be nice if govt would help in paying for their tummy tucks and other small procedures to get rid of the excess skin
Joe Wexler Was 792 Lbs, He Dropped To 374 Lbs
Joe's story was great. He continued losing weight, met a girl, fell in love, got married... I think they even had a baby by now.
James Was 728 Lbs, He Dropped To 352 Lbs
Chay Guillroy Was 579 Lbs, Chay Dropped To 378 Lbs
Poor Chay was dealing with morbid obesity and gender identity problems. So glad the former "he" now lives as a she. I think she calls herself "Dolores" if I remember well.
Penny Saeger Was 494 Lbs, She Dropped To 454 Lbs
i find it so sad that even though she has lost all of that weight, she still needs extra oxygen. Keep going Penny, you have the determination and resilience to push through and live a full and happy life
All that weight? According to the title, she only lost 40 pounds. Do you think that is going to make that much of a difference when someone's total weight is so massive? Of course it will help a little, but such a small weight loss is not going to solve the problem. Either that, or the title of the pic is wrong and she lost much more than what it says. Can't really tell with the close-up pictures.
Load More Replies...
I remember her episode. She only lost 40 pounds because she didn’t follow the doctors orders and stick to a strict diet. She lied about what she was eating and refused to get up and try to exercise. It’s actially a very sad/infuriating episode because she is completely delusional about the whole thing. She acts genuinely shocked when the doctor tells her she hadn’t lost weight even though the cameras documented her eating complete junk food and whining/refusing to exercise.
I watched her show. She didn't do anything she was supposed to. Ate whatever she wanted and refused to ever try to get out of bed and move at all. And so sorry for herself it was sickening. She didn't want to change any of her habits. She wanted a magic cure without any effort on her part. Feel so sorry for her little boy!
I was suspecting that kind of behavior considering such poor results compared to the other participants.
Load More Replies...
She was my least favorite! She was given an opportunity of a lifetime that so many other people would take and use to their great benefit, but she squandered it and made lame excuses. She didn't want to put in any work and she relied on other people for absolutely everything.
I watched the show and she wouldn't listen to the doctor at all !
Load More Replies...
She was the one, who refused to change her eating habits, and kept lying to Dr. Now, so i'm pretty sure the 40 lbs was accurate. she was not dedicated, and played the victim saying she was doing everything she was supposed to do. But it wasn't the truth!
Isn't this the woman who was cooking fried c**p from her bed just days after her surgery?
On your way! We support you 100% and can't wait to see you keep going!
Surely she is more than 40 pounds- this article is confusing. I was trying to follow the comments which said that to shouldn't be in the titles??
This is the woman who declared she knew more about her dietary needs than the doctor. She frustrated the hell out of him.
She also probably struggled to lose the weight that she did because of the oxygen problem. But I’m amazed at what she achieved what she did. I don’t know if I could’ve done it
This woman was in complete denial. She wanted to want to change. It’s sad that having a child and the community raising money for her wasn’t enough to motivate her. She even had her husband sneak in food for her while she was staying in the hospital. He was in denial too, and they moved to Texas just to do nothing. Strange that they went so far just to trick themselves
She doesn't even deserve to be on this thread... Smh clot chaser
40 lbs isn't enough to improve her breathing much at this weight.
I love how you're the positive voice in a sea of 'it's only 40 pounds' comments
Load More Replies...
40 lbs? Not much of a transformation when you're that massive. Good start though, hopefully she keeps it up.
lots of typos throughout this article look at one above went from 494 to 454..doesn't make sense
It seems she has not made much progress compared to others, is she physically disabled beyond the weight?
Its hard for most to imagine what goes on in people's minds when they eat themselves into such desperate conditions. Its great that these people managed to turn things around in time
Yeah, unfortunately for them, their bodies will keep the scars of this bad physical condition... Anyway, they won the fight against themselves, and moreover, some years of life. They can be proud of that.
Load More Replies...
You guys are judging something you don't understand, which has led to so many unnecessary conflicts regarding so many subjects. Maybe just be happy for them that they worked so hard to change their lives? Good job, large humans.
I always wonder about how much $$ it must cost them to eat so much. How can they afford it without working (I assume they don't have conventional jobs at that size)? And who is enabling them? I want to see the entire situation that led to this.
Watch an episode or two of the show and you'll see that many (if not most) of them are receiving some sort of welfare and are living with family members or a partner who are the main enablers. The type of s****y food they regularly eat isn't particularly expensive in the US (fast food is quite cheap and loaded with calories).
Load More Replies...
All these profiles are impressive. I have members of my family who are "morbidly" (medical term) obese. I wish they could find this kind of courage. It's not an easy struggle. I'm still struggling with my own weight. I've lost about 40 pounds from my top weight, and I want to lose 20 more to reach my goal. Wish me luck, guys. :)
40 lbs is quite impressive already, congrats! I'm sure you'll be able to reach your goal, keep going strong :)
Load More Replies...
Nate Higgers has over -3,000 downvotes. I say we give him more! (B******e)
He wants more. He's one of those who are trolling for down votes. Making deliberately disgusting comments. We should stop down voting him.
Load More Replies...
damn. these are inspirational people. Gaining weight is easy (for most) but losing it, especially on this scale, is either do or die, it's that serious.
I have to ask a question. When people are over 600 lbs, do they really eat themselves into this? Do they have a genetic disorder or something?
I used to work in an Eating Disorder Service. It was part of the Substance Misuse sector of Adult Psychiatry. Literally food is a drug in some instances and some people are unable stop eating as much as they physically are able to. Genetics, etc does not lead to people becoming so vastly obese - just a huge calorie intake.
Load More Replies...
As per Hararari's book Homo Sapiens DNA is still working on the regime of hunters-gatherers'. Only during past 10 000 humans started farming and over last 200 we've been operating as urban labourers. Such short time span is a spit in the sea in comparison with all the millions of years Homo has evolved through. We still see greasy, sweet food as rare and we still tend to eat it all at once, even though our fridges are full (as 'we' I here refer to urban culture)
Yup, as he wrote, if we were still hunter gatherers and found a tree covered with large juicy figs, we would stuff ourselves with as much as we could, before the local baboon gang found it. Or at least, it was something like that. Mind you, I'm from Bulgaria and therefore read a translated version of "Sapiens".
Load More Replies...
It doesn't say it but I've watched the show a few times. They only way these people have been able to lose all this weight is by under going extensive evasive surgery. It is a very painful ordeal to go through and most would not even consider it if they were not already on deaths doorstep. The side effects that come after are long long and can be horrible as well. My cousin wanted to do this as she weighed 300 pds but after going to a seminar and hearing all the facts she decided against it. I am only sharing this so you will know that there is no magic pill or just stop eating. You also have to go through strict mental evaluations because if you don't heal your emotional self, you can very easily gain all the weight back and more. I applaud the hell they have gone thru and will continue to go thru and pray they can remain strong and learn to love themselves. Fat or thin. No one gets this big unless they have some serious issues to deal with and that is prob. the hardest part of it.
Omg they removed mate higgers from this post maybe they removed their account!
I commend these people on getting healthier that said. when are we as consumers / Americans going to stand up and fight for our food supply, do some research and see just how much pure c**p our gov. allows in our foods that other country's do not, its disgraceful, not to mention harmful to every single person who eats or drinks it.
I am so so happy for them. I cried. I'm obese myself. This motivated me and am starting to reconsider my eating habits and all. The only question that I have is.. when they lose all that weight, what happens to excess skin? Is cosmetic surgery a part of their program? If so, then they are blessed. I think in America, cosmetic surgery is not a part of weight loss program or any gariatic bypass unless I'm wrong?
Fair play to these peeps! They must’ve put up with some really bad bullying and things, glad they made it. Hope they’re happy :) On a related point, if anyone knows any good ways to gain weight in a healthy way, would love to hear them.
Bullying an overweight person will not make them lose weight.
Load More Replies... These are all so heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. My emotions are all over the place. Oh Mondays :-l
I think these people should be so proud of themselves. I can't imagine how hard it must have been. God bless you all
I'd like to see the after 5 years - bet many of them would have put on a lot of weight (except for those that have been surgically molested).
I'm thinking there must be surgery involved at some stage. You can't lose that much weight, impressive as it is, and have that much skin just snap back into place around your new body.
I don't really know how much they've lost weight .... I don't know what is that LBS.. but I enjoy seeing those transformation ..
its great too see you lost the wieght so good luck remoryed don be eat more than you after too
The excess skin would be phenomenal on these ex-600 pounders. They've all done incredibly well.
I was really hoping to see Sean on here (the 26-year-old who reached almost 1000 pounds and was enabled buy his mom). I hope he will make some progress.
I think it's great how these people can now live normal life, without much health problems, They must have been in really bad state before that, I can't even imagine how much effort it took for them to even start the process, let alone go through with it. I'm really glad they can participate more, and take care of their families/siblings, as well as just enjoy the normal every day things of life.
I'm happy for them! They all look healthier and happier, and i hope they are!
These people are very brave. I say that because my son is almost 500 lbs. He won't listen to anyone. Not his wife or kids. He's 45. Don't think he will make to an elderly age.
I understand if you would want to lose weight, but I find plus-size beautiful. I think this is a toxic mindset. I won't try to sway you, but I think people can be happy with their bodies now matter the weight
Roxanne Gay says losing weight won't make people happier. She's wrong. Lindy West is wrong. Ira Glass and This American Life are wrong too. The pro-besity people are all proven 100% wrong again by this inspiring group of people.
Who is pro-obesity? Is there one actual person out there telling people to become obese?
Load More Replies...
Imagine how difficult it is for large people to exercise
Load More Replies...
Then don't f*****g click on the article. For f***s sake. We're all sick of your f*****g whining, so from now on, when you don't like something, or think it's fake, be an adult and move along.
Load More Replies...
Its hard for most to imagine what goes on in people's minds when they eat themselves into such desperate conditions. Its great that these people managed to turn things around in time
Yeah, unfortunately for them, their bodies will keep the scars of this bad physical condition... Anyway, they won the fight against themselves, and moreover, some years of life. They can be proud of that.
Load More Replies... You guys are judging something you don't understand, which has led to so many unnecessary conflicts regarding so many subjects. Maybe just be happy for them that they worked so hard to change their lives? Good job, large humans.
I always wonder about how much $$ it must cost them to eat so much. How can they afford it without working (I assume they don't have conventional jobs at that size)? And who is enabling them? I want to see the entire situation that led to this.
Watch an episode or two of the show and you'll see that many (if not most) of them are receiving some sort of welfare and are living with family members or a partner who are the main enablers. The type of s****y food they regularly eat isn't particularly expensive in the US (fast food is quite cheap and loaded with calories).
Load More Replies... All these profiles are impressive. I have members of my family who are "morbidly" (medical term) obese. I wish they could find this kind of courage. It's not an easy struggle. I'm still struggling with my own weight. I've lost about 40 pounds from my top weight, and I want to lose 20 more to reach my goal. Wish me luck, guys. :)
40 lbs is quite impressive already, congrats! I'm sure you'll be able to reach your goal, keep going strong :)
Load More Replies... Nate Higgers has over -3,000 downvotes. I say we give him more! (B******e)
He wants more. He's one of those who are trolling for down votes. Making deliberately disgusting comments. We should stop down voting him.
Load More Replies... damn. these are inspirational people. Gaining weight is easy (for most) but losing it, especially on this scale, is either do or die, it's that serious.
I have to ask a question. When people are over 600 lbs, do they really eat themselves into this? Do they have a genetic disorder or something?
I used to work in an Eating Disorder Service. It was part of the Substance Misuse sector of Adult Psychiatry. Literally food is a drug in some instances and some people are unable stop eating as much as they physically are able to. Genetics, etc does not lead to people becoming so vastly obese - just a huge calorie intake.
Load More Replies... As per Hararari's book Homo Sapiens DNA is still working on the regime of hunters-gatherers'. Only during past 10 000 humans started farming and over last 200 we've been operating as urban labourers. Such short time span is a spit in the sea in comparison with all the millions of years Homo has evolved through. We still see greasy, sweet food as rare and we still tend to eat it all at once, even though our fridges are full (as 'we' I here refer to urban culture)
Yup, as he wrote, if we were still hunter gatherers and found a tree covered with large juicy figs, we would stuff ourselves with as much as we could, before the local baboon gang found it. Or at least, it was something like that. Mind you, I'm from Bulgaria and therefore read a translated version of "Sapiens".
Load More Replies... It doesn't say it but I've watched the show a few times. They only way these people have been able to lose all this weight is by under going extensive evasive surgery. It is a very painful ordeal to go through and most would not even consider it if they were not already on deaths doorstep. The side effects that come after are long long and can be horrible as well. My cousin wanted to do this as she weighed 300 pds but after going to a seminar and hearing all the facts she decided against it. I am only sharing this so you will know that there is no magic pill or just stop eating. You also have to go through strict mental evaluations because if you don't heal your emotional self, you can very easily gain all the weight back and more. I applaud the hell they have gone thru and will continue to go thru and pray they can remain strong and learn to love themselves. Fat or thin. No one gets this big unless they have some serious issues to deal with and that is prob. the hardest part of it.
Omg they removed mate higgers from this post maybe they removed their account!
I commend these people on getting healthier that said. when are we as consumers / Americans going to stand up and fight for our food supply, do some research and see just how much pure c**p our gov. allows in our foods that other country's do not, its disgraceful, not to mention harmful to every single person who eats or drinks it.
I am so so happy for them. I cried. I'm obese myself. This motivated me and am starting to reconsider my eating habits and all. The only question that I have is.. when they lose all that weight, what happens to excess skin? Is cosmetic surgery a part of their program? If so, then they are blessed. I think in America, cosmetic surgery is not a part of weight loss program or any gariatic bypass unless I'm wrong?
Fair play to these peeps! They must’ve put up with some really bad bullying and things, glad they made it. Hope they’re happy :) On a related point, if anyone knows any good ways to gain weight in a healthy way, would love to hear them.
Bullying an overweight person will not make them lose weight.
Load More Replies... These are all so heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. My emotions are all over the place. Oh Mondays :-l
I think these people should be so proud of themselves. I can't imagine how hard it must have been. God bless you all
I'd like to see the after 5 years - bet many of them would have put on a lot of weight (except for those that have been surgically molested).
I'm thinking there must be surgery involved at some stage. You can't lose that much weight, impressive as it is, and have that much skin just snap back into place around your new body.
I don't really know how much they've lost weight .... I don't know what is that LBS.. but I enjoy seeing those transformation ..
its great too see you lost the wieght so good luck remoryed don be eat more than you after too
The excess skin would be phenomenal on these ex-600 pounders. They've all done incredibly well.
I was really hoping to see Sean on here (the 26-year-old who reached almost 1000 pounds and was enabled buy his mom). I hope he will make some progress.
I think it's great how these people can now live normal life, without much health problems, They must have been in really bad state before that, I can't even imagine how much effort it took for them to even start the process, let alone go through with it. I'm really glad they can participate more, and take care of their families/siblings, as well as just enjoy the normal every day things of life.
I'm happy for them! They all look healthier and happier, and i hope they are!
These people are very brave. I say that because my son is almost 500 lbs. He won't listen to anyone. Not his wife or kids. He's 45. Don't think he will make to an elderly age.
I understand if you would want to lose weight, but I find plus-size beautiful. I think this is a toxic mindset. I won't try to sway you, but I think people can be happy with their bodies now matter the weight
Roxanne Gay says losing weight won't make people happier. She's wrong. Lindy West is wrong. Ira Glass and This American Life are wrong too. The pro-besity people are all proven 100% wrong again by this inspiring group of people.
Who is pro-obesity? Is there one actual person out there telling people to become obese?
Load More Replies... Imagine how difficult it is for large people to exercise
Load More Replies... Then don't f*****g click on the article. For f***s sake. We're all sick of your f*****g whining, so from now on, when you don't like something, or think it's fake, be an adult and move along.
Load More Replies... 