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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.

#1

Christina Philips Was 708 Lbs, She Dropped To 183 Lbs

Pictures of Christina Philips before and after weight transformation

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#2

Amber Rachdi Was 660 Lbs, She Dropped To 236 Pounds

Pictures of Amber Rachdi before and after weight transformation

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#3

Amber Rachdi Was 660 Lbs, She Dropped To 236 Lbs

Pictures of Amber Rachdi before and after weight transformation

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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.

#4

Marla McCants Was 800 Lbs, She Dropped To 300 Lbs

Pictures of Marla McCants before and after weight transformation

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#5

Donald Shelton Was 675 Lbs, He Dropped To 295 Lbs

Pictures of Donald Shelton before and after weight transformation

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#6

Melissa D. Morris Was 653 Lbs, She Dropped To 178 Lbs

Pictures of Melissa D. Morris before and after weight transformation

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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: 

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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.

#7

Nikki Webster Was 649 Lbs, She Dropped To 236 Lbs

Pictures of Nikki Webster before and after weight transformation

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Sanne H.
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the increase of self esteem between these two pictures. I like her style of clothes, her haircut and her happy smile in the right one. Hope she is as happy as she looks!

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#8

Chuck Turner Was 693 Lbs, He Dropped To 433 Lbs

Pictures of Chuck Turner before and after weight transformation

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#9

Laura Perez Was 541 Lbs And She Dropped To 380 Lbs

Pictures of Laura Perez before and after weight transformation

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#10

Bettie Jo Was 654 Lbs, She Dropped Around 200 Lbs

Pictures of Bettie Jo before and after weight transformation

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Justin Dodson
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

these are all so heartbreaking and lovely at the same time. My emotions are confused

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#11

Henry Foots Was 750 Lbs, He Dropped To 250 Lbs

Pictures of Henry Foots before and after weight transformation

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#12

Paula Jones Wast 553 Lbs She Dropped To 269 Lbs

Pictures of Paula Jones Wast before and after weight transformation

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#13

Olivia Cruz Was 580 Lbs, She Dropped To 200 Lbs

Pictures of Olivia Cruz before and after weight transformation

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BusLady
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a contrast in these 2 pics! From needing a walker, to playing sports with her family. The child looks very proud of her.

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#15

Zsalynn Whitworth Was 600 Lbs, She Dropped To 300 Lbs

Pictures of Zsalynn Whitworth before and after weight transformation

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Su Jol
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks so young in that second pic, like she's playing dress-ups in grown up clothes!

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#16

June McCamey Was 600 Lbs, She Dropped To 370 Lbs

Pictures of June McCamey before and after weight transformation

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#17

Ashley Dunn-Bratcher Was 725 Lbs, She Dropped To 470 Lbs

Pictures of Ashley Dunn-Bratcher before and after weight transformation

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#19

Charity Pierce Was 800 Lbs, She Dropped To 300 Lbs

Pictures of Charity Pierce before and after weight transformation

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Su Jol
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

some of these are really confusing. Surely she's less than 500lb in that pic??

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#20

Tara Was 606 Lbs, She Dropped To 278 Lbs

Pictures of Tara before and after weight transformation

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#21

Paula Was 533 Lbs, She Dropped To 379 Lbs

Pictures of Paula before and after weight transformation

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Allen John
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#22

Joe Wexler Was 792 Lbs, He Dropped To 374 Lbs

Pictures of Joe Wexler before and after weight transformation

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Nadine Ducca
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#23

James Was 728 Lbs, He Dropped To 352 Lbs

Pictures of James before and after weight transformation

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#24

Chay Guillroy Was 579 Lbs, Chay Dropped To 378 Lbs

Pictures of Chay Guillroy before and after weight transformation

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Nadine Ducca
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#25

Penny Saeger Was 494 Lbs, She Dropped To 454 Lbs

Pictures of Penny Saeger before and after weight transformation

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The Gumnut Flock
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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