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As much as we believe that everyone is beautiful both inside and out, when it comes to living a long and healthy life, losing enough weight until you’re out of the obese and overweight categories is a must. Especially during the global pandemic: Covid-19 has greater negative outcomes for those who are overweight.

To inspire all of you (and ourselves!) to eat better, lead more active lifestyles, and sweat our exercise uniforms through, Bored Panda has collected some of the most motivating before-and-after transformations. These people said ‘enough is enough!’ and embarked on the long and arduous journey to reshape their bodies. For themselves. For their loved ones. For the sake of a higher quality life with fewer illnesses and more memorable moments. When you’re done scrolling through this list and upvoting the photos that inspired you the most, you’ll find our earlier articles about dramatic weight transformations and weight loss success stories here, here, here, and here.

Nuno Albuquerque, the Head of Treatment at the UK Addiction Treatment Group went into detail with Bored Panda about eating disorders and moving past them. Read on for his insights. You can also visit the UKAT website for 24/7 confidential help and support with eating disorders or mental health.

#1

425lbs -> 154lbs. Officially At A Healthy BMI

425lbs -> 154lbs. Officially At A Healthy BMI

erikabeebee Report

#2

150+ Down. And Keeping It Off

150+ Down. And Keeping It Off

elleboopsthesnoots Report

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Aurelia!
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for you! And remember - you are beautiful, wherever you are in your weight loss journey, whatever weight you happen to be!

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#3

330>190 = 140 Weight Loss Progress

330>190 = 140 Weight Loss Progress

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Nuno, the UKAT Head of Treatment, said that eating disorders can manifest in different ways for different people. "For some, it is about controlling or limiting food, but for others, it is to consume large amounts of food. This—coupled with a sedentary lifestyle—leads to weight gain which has mood-altering side effects like depression."

According to Nuno, there is an incredibly powerful link between food and mood. "It can often overcome a person's everyday life, in the same way that an unhealthy relationship with drugs or alcohol can, and just like an addiction to substances, the only way out is to address and treat the root cause of the problem," he told Bored Panda.

#4

I Know I'm Not Hot Or Anything, But I'm Proud Of The Progress I've Made To Being Healthier (2018/2020)

I Know I'm Not Hot Or Anything, But I'm Proud Of The Progress I've Made To Being Healthier (2018/2020)

Anishinaapunk Report

#5

In 2019 I Got Way Too Drunk At The Office Christmas Party & Bet My Coworker That I Would Spend 2020 Getting Fit. I Kept My Promise And Won The Bet. I Am Proud

In 2019 I Got Way Too Drunk At The Office Christmas Party & Bet My Coworker That I Would Spend 2020 Getting Fit. I Kept My Promise And Won The Bet. I Am Proud

Asalami_Laykum Report

#6

Two Different Doctors Once Told Me I Wouldn’t Live To See My 40th. I Was 500 Pounds At The Time. Today Is My 40th. During That Time I Lost 350lbs & Learned My Son's HfASD

Two Different Doctors Once Told Me I Wouldn’t Live To See My 40th. I Was 500 Pounds At The Time. Today Is My 40th. During That Time I Lost 350lbs & Learned My Son's HfASD

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"One way to alter the negative shift between 'food and mood' is to exercise. Exercising releases endorphins which trigger a positive feeling in the brain and body. Finding any way to move your body if you're struggling with weight and your mental health will bring huge advantages."

During an earlier in-depth interview, Bored Panda spoke about weight, fitness, body composition, and learning to love ourselves with certified personal trainer and physiotherapist, Paulius Lipskis. The founder of the ‘Mes Geresni’ (‘We’re Better’) healthy living Facebook page told us that we should focus on overcoming harmful diet and movement-related habits.

#8

250>161=89 (8 Months Difference) Smallest I Have Been For 10 Years! Time To Push Harder

250>161=89 (8 Months Difference) Smallest I Have Been For 10 Years! Time To Push Harder

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Lithuania-based personal trainer Paulius pointed out that we ought to learn what types of movement we enjoy while allowing our bodies to adapt to our new lifestyles. He added that we should never force ourselves to do what we’re not comfortable with: we have to go for the type of exercise that makes us feel like we’re in our element. Personally, some of us are big fans of swimming, but loathe running.

"I can tell you from my professional experience that one of the most common problems is having an 'all-or-nothing' mindset. These people tend to either exercise a lot without taking any breaks or they don't exercise at all," trainer Paulius told Bored Panda.

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#10

Actor Ethan Suplee From "Remember The Titans" Lost 200 Lbs

Actor Ethan Suplee From "Remember The Titans" Lost 200 Lbs

Last year I set a goal of having visible abs, here’s where I got to. This year I would like visible obliques. It’s going to be a wonderfully tough year. I have successfully lost weight with every diet I stuck to in the past 20 years, but my goal was never more than that, lose weight. @rpdrmike opened my eyes to “maintenance periods,” and it’s really been within these that my goals have been refined and pinpointed. When I got bogged down with going to fast or too slow, @jared_feather took over programming for me, and I cannot sing his praises enough, thank you Jared.

ethansuplee Report

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Batwench
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also love the fact that even though he has toned up, they haven’t photoshopped the folds of loose skin away.

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#11

My Wife Started DDPY Exactly One Year Ago Today! My Son (5 Y.O.) And I Couldn't Be More Proud

My Wife Started DDPY Exactly One Year Ago Today! My Son (5 Y.O.) And I Couldn't Be More Proud

epicfamilydecals Report

#12

226lbs > 125lbs 18% Body Fat = 101lbs. I Am Still Working Towards Getting Stronger And Perhaps A Bit Leaner. Weight Loss Over 5 Years

226lbs > 125lbs 18% Body Fat = 101lbs. I Am Still Working Towards Getting Stronger And Perhaps A Bit Leaner. Weight Loss Over 5 Years

rolleydough Report

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Monty Is Fiennes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you for including the years...we often gain weight slowly over time til the day we say what happened here!!! You have got to except the weight coming off might be slow too, but every bit is a healthier you...

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"This kind of mindset paves the way to letting yourself down and burning out because we think, 'What do you mean I couldn't do it?! Why could others? I obviously need to try harder.' Once you get rid of this point of view, your confidence in your abilities will slowly but surely grow, you'll feel less stress, and that will automatically lead to you loving your own body more,” the health and fitness expert said.

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#13

271lbs > 119lbs = 152lbs. Unfortunately Not The Result Of Structured And Healthy Choices, But The Result Of A Hard Time In My Life

271lbs > 119lbs = 152lbs. Unfortunately Not The Result Of Structured And Healthy Choices, But The Result Of A Hard Time In My Life

This is kinda the other side of the coin. However things are finally, slowly starting to turn after a lot of hard work, and I'm hopeful for the future! 

ImmatureCheese Report

#14

1 Year Progress. 425 Lbs To 249 Lbs Through Diet And Exercise

1 Year Progress. 425 Lbs To 249 Lbs Through Diet And Exercise

I set a goal a year ago after a hospital visit for cellulitis and lympedema and decided NEVER again. I started at 425lbs. The goal I set was to lose 175lbs. It was high but I knew it was doable. After 52 weeks of watching what I eat and lifting, I've made it. I have so many people to thank on this journey.

KyleEverett Report

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Your_local_introvert
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love that this showed the excess skin sometimes left after losing weight! So many people don't realize this is a thing. And great job! You look amazing.

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#15

300 To 177

300 To 177

If you would have told me 4 years ago that I would make it under 180 pounds then I would have laughed in your face while eating a box old fashion donuts. I can guarantee you that you have what it takes to take control of your life. Do it for you though. There’s a lot of good things to help motivate and push you through the pain of hard days/weeks/months/years but nothing is as good as doing it for you. I stand here (in my unicorn undies) to tell you to do it for you and only you. Anyone that tells you that you can’t do it can go run a marathon with legos in their shoes.

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Meanwhile, in another interview, conducted earlier, former American Paralympian and motivational speaker Josh Sundquist reiterated that it’s vital that we exercise in a way that makes us happy.

“We all have different levels of physical ability, scheduling freedom, and personal motivation to be active. So sometimes there are constraints that make it difficult for people to shed a sedentary lifestyle,” Josh, who lost a leg to cancer and learned to overcome his disability, explained what we can do to get off the couch and move about more.

#16

Progress Pic

Progress Pic

soleselos Report

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Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet she sleeps better. She carried her weight in her upper chest and face, which can cause sleep apnea. Even if she didn’t have that, I bet it’s easier on her respiratory system. Just a thought. She looks great.

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#17

180lbs Down

180lbs Down

Knoxda2 Report

#18

340 Lbs To 233 Lbs. From June 15th To March 1st

340 Lbs To 233 Lbs. From June 15th To March 1st

Working on bettering myself through weight loss. I've always been active, playing sports, but the last 10 years have been hard on me. Lost 107lbs so far. Got 33 to go before I get to start bulking.

ArtistX Report

“I think all research is clear that the best health (physical and mental) outcomes are associated with an active lifestyle, so to the extent it's within your ability, find a physical activity that you enjoy,” the motivational speaker said. “I think you'll find being active is a definite life upgrade.”

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For Josh, exercise is all about the endorphins. “The harder you work, the more your body will reward you with that rush afterward,” he stressed the body’s natural reward system supports us and ‘wants’ us to be more active.

#19

Well, This Was My Journey

Well, This Was My Journey

I'm close to 6'5", on the left I was pushing 300 pounds. My entire family is obese, my father was huge. On the left I was about 32 y/o on the right almost 50 y/o.
This took years, a conscious decision to just freaking cut out bad food and start some exercising. I have a terrible metabolism, all my family does, the type that if you "stare at food" you will put on weight. I swear, I have to do twice the aerobics to lose the same weight as what any table shows you.
I have very few pictures of myself in my 20s and 30s as I was always so ashamed of my body. I feel like I lost a couple of decades of my life because back then I just never wanted to do anything, be out in public, I just shut down.
It is a daily struggle to this day, sure I have a period of a week to a month where I take steps backwards but then I just focus and get back to the hard work.
A mistake I made early on was as I put on weight I would buy larger clothes, that was a huge mistake, huge. If any clothes start to feel tight on me now that is the motivation to make sure I'm eating properly.
I don't know if this can help motivate anyone or not, I hope it can. All you have in life is your health and well being and, at least for me, so much of that hinges on my weight. Old me would gasp for air going up a few flights of stairs, would always have to find a place to sit down if I was out somewhere, never again do I want that.

ScottPerri Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was a journey. But, now you look good, and even better, you feel great. Congratulations!

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#20

235>165=70 Lbs Lost. I Have Used My Long Hair As A Safety Blanket To Hide Behind For As Long As I Can Remember. I Decided To Not Hide Anymore

235>165=70 Lbs Lost. I Have Used My Long Hair As A Safety Blanket To Hide Behind For As Long As I Can Remember. I Decided To Not Hide Anymore

anustartchickendance Report

#21

From 380 To 193 Pounds

From 380 To 193 Pounds

sdenoncourt16 Report

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Burnt_Spaghetti
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how you can see all the uplifting expressions about how proud they all are about themselves! Great Job Buddy!

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#23

94kg>53kg=41kg. It Took Me 1,5 Years And A Complete Lifestyle Change To Become The Person I Always Wanted To Be, Mentally And Physically

94kg>53kg=41kg. It Took Me 1,5 Years And A Complete Lifestyle Change To Become The Person I Always Wanted To Be, Mentally And Physically

Bananniia Report

#25

Missing: 50 Lbs. If Found: Please Don’t Call

Missing: 50 Lbs. If Found: Please Don’t Call

This has taken me years, and isn’t over yet. But progress over perfection. Feelin’ good!

thePB Report

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#26

My Last Weight Loss Post, I Did It

My Last Weight Loss Post, I Did It

Last weight loss post as I can finally say I hit my goal weight. 220 lbs lost. I know these posts may be annoying, but I figured it was finally time to post my triumph. Years of fighting and I finally won!
How???: I had weight loss surgery may 2016. But basically my surgeon really fucked up my surgery and a year out I was left with a ton of scar tissue in my stomach. This basically left me in a position where I gain everything back by trying to eat "normal" foods in excess to try and absorb some nutrients or change my whole diet and exercise ways. I stuck to high nutrient low calorie foods and picked up running. I've done this for the last year and I've made it down from 264 to 144. If anyone is curious for specifics please feel free to message me!
Do I feel better?: Yes in a lot of ways and no in some ways. I deal with body dysmorphia to a large degree because of how quickly I dropped weight. So what I see in the mirror is drastically different from what others see. Its very hard to explain but it's common with fast weight loss. A lot of people with eating disorders experience this dysmorphia as well. Thankfully, I was pretty confident at 364 so it's not an I hate myself thing. More so a shock everytime someone takes an unexpected photo of me or when I buy clothing that's 2x too big on accident. It's like looking at a skeleton in comparison to my own self image. BUT I feel better. I lost aches I didn't know I had and I gained the opportunity to safely have kids again. So when the time comes I'm healthy enough to have a healthy kid. The only health thing that didn't get better was my joints. I have early arthritis from being that big for that long. Pain in my knees and back that will never go away, but thankfully won't be as bad as they would have been.
Am I single?: still no lol. I have been with the same person from 364 to 144. He has been an amazing support and has been the one person who has never looked at me as a different person. I'm forever grateful I didn't lose him through this whole process as a lot of people lose their partners during severe weightloss.

MizzFortune Report

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80 Van
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She’ll probably be sorted into Gryffindore because of her bravery and hard work.

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#28

266 Lbs>196 Lbs=70 Lbs. I’m Not Entirely Sure On The Time Scale But It’s Between 6-7 Months

266 Lbs>196 Lbs=70 Lbs. I’m Not Entirely Sure On The Time Scale But It’s Between 6-7 Months

I bought a new shirt for work and it was the first time I’ve felt good about how I look since starting my weight loss.

justratching Report

#29

298lbs > 180lbs = 118lbs. Took 2 Months To Lose The Last 3lbs But I Finally Hit My Goal Weight. For The First Time In My Life I Am No Longer Actively Trying To Lose Weight

298lbs > 180lbs = 118lbs. Took 2 Months To Lose The Last 3lbs But I Finally Hit My Goal Weight. For The First Time In My Life I Am No Longer Actively Trying To Lose Weight

suziecats Report

#31

1 Year Of Consistent Dieting & Exercising

1 Year Of Consistent Dieting & Exercising

Started weighing in at 262lbs. Now 200lbs. 1st 6 months keto / fasting. Last 6 months not keto. Still fasting. Ate more carbs. Body weight workouts/ resistance bands/ jump roping/ swimming.

1KetoKneegro Report

#32

I Gained My Confidence Back (60 Pounds Lost) 

I Gained My Confidence Back (60 Pounds Lost) 

scastell2107 Report

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Margaret Brownlow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish losing weight didn't equal increased confidence. I'd love everyone to be confident no matter their shape, including me

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#33

8 Month Progress. 330 To 229 Pounds, 19 More Till I Hit My Goal

8 Month Progress. 330 To 229 Pounds, 19 More Till I Hit My Goal

cultofdan Report

#34

74 Lbs Between Pictures

74 Lbs Between Pictures

234 lbs to 160 lbs. 5’3, 25. Loss over almost 2 years with keto, light cardio.

goosesnacks Report

#35

10 Stone Lost In 10 Months, More To Go

10 Stone Lost In 10 Months, More To Go

RaW2DaFlooR Report

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#36

Keto Update - 14 Months, 150 Pounds Lost

Keto Update - 14 Months, 150 Pounds Lost

LosingMyChonk Report

#37

184->138=46 Lbs. All Thanks To Diet, Exercise, And A Pandemic

184->138=46 Lbs. All Thanks To Diet, Exercise, And A Pandemic

mandiekitty Report

#38

Exactly One Year Of Weight Loss - June '19 - June '20

Exactly One Year Of Weight Loss - June '19 - June '20

Excuse the loose boob and stomach skin. I'll get rid of that some day. But for now, 340lb to 190lb. Losing 150lb is crazy.

ArtistX Report

#40

Weight Loss Journey

Weight Loss Journey

Since 2020 is here and most people want to work on their new year resolution, I thought I should post my journey that I started 3 years ago to motivate others to never give up on their goals.

Neverend1ngcircles Report

Note: this post originally had 120 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.