http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet....ory/index.html
From 500 pounds to a new and rewarding life
By Matt McKenna
On October 2, 2005, I weighed 500 pounds.
I was 34 and had always struggled with my weight, but for 15 years, I had
allowed it to get out of control. I ate as if it were my hobby. I was
unable to do the simplest physical activity. I made excuses to avoid having
to go out in public, for fear of being ridiculed. I tried to hide myself,
as if someone so large could actually hide.
I couldn't walk to my car from my apartment or office without being out of
breath, and my knees ached from even that small journey. Lying in bed, I
could feel my heart pounding. I awoke several times each night struggling
to breathe. Still, I was in denial. I knew I was obese, but I never
considered what I was doing to myself. Loved ones offered concern and
suggestions, but I saw them as just "getting on my case." (Gallery: Watch
as Matt loses the weight)
In late July 2005, my mother and father decided it was time to step in. My
dad called me and said they were concerned about how difficult my life was.
They feared they would soon face every parent's nightmare: the death of
their son. They told me that they could no longer watch me destroy myself,
and they wanted to help me back to a normal life. But it couldn't be a
halfhearted effort on my part. It would take serious commitment from me.
Gratitude and fear
I was grateful for the love and support of my family and their willingness
to help. But I was also apprehensive at the prospect of giving up a measure
of freedom and independence. And I was angry at myself for allowing my
eating and weight to get so out of control. But I knew they were right: I
had to do something before the damage to my health became irreversible. My
life at this point wasn't much of a life at all.
We decided that I would move into my parents' home, where I could be
supervised and supported. There would be no excuses for failure, and the
entire family would know everything -- no more hiding from anyone! It was
important to involve them because I needed their encouragement. We devised
a "pledge drive" tied into my weight loss with the proceeds going to
Habitat for Humanity to benefit Katrina victims. (The storm had just
occurred while we were making our plans for my weight-loss "project.") My
goal, based on my frame and height, was 240 pounds.
On October 3, 2005, I began my journey back to health. I stepped onto two
bathroom scales (one wasn't enough) and took full measure. While 500 pounds
was shocking, seeing that number made me feel even more determined.
I saw my doctor, and with the exception of my weight and blood pressure, my
health was not bad. He prescribed medication for my blood pressure, and I
agreed to see him every four to six weeks so he could monitor my progress.
I was cleared to get started.
For two weeks, I followed the South Beach Diet Phase 1. No breads or
grains, no fruit, no alcohol, no sugar of any kind -- just eggs, cheese,
lean meats and vegetables. I also began to exercise, walking for five
minutes on a treadmill at first. Then I started walking around the
neighborhood, and then walking around Dana Point Harbor, near our home in
Southern California. For the first few weeks, just walking those short
distances really wore me out. But I could go a little farther with each
try, and I felt my stamina increasing.
Sunday mornings were weigh-ins. The first week, I had lost 25 pounds! We
were all stunned. I had achieved liftoff! In the next weeks, I continued to
lose weight, but more modestly. I "graduated" to South Beach Phase 2, which
meant I could have fruit, low-fat yogurt, whole grains and a glass of red
wine with dinner. I exercised more. I sought counseling to get at the
mental and emotional reasons for my eating.
Christmas: 90 pounds gone
By Christmas I had lost 90 pounds! By this time everyone saw that I was
losing weight. Comments from people at work encouraged me. I had more
energy, less pain, and I felt better about myself. I could do things that I
couldn't six months earlier, like play with my nieces and nephew for more
than a few minutes before needing to rest. (Diet pro says Matt did it
right. )
In February 2006 I joined a gym. I had lost 130 pounds and had to buy new
clothes to fit my shrinking body. I realized that I didn't need to hide
myself.
At some periods, my loss would slow down to 1 or 2 pounds a week, but I
never lost sight of just how far I had come. I told myself that as long as
I was making progress, no matter how small, I was still successful. In the
spring I helped coach my niece's softball team.
By the second week of July 2006 -- just nine months -- I had lost 200
pounds! I was now hiking the hills and canyons, as well as playing ice
hockey. I was able to discontinue my blood pressure medication. Throughout,
I never felt that I was depriving myself. I viewed it as a chance to
rediscover the real me.
By mid-September I was ready to live on my own. I had lost more than 230
pounds, and I felt confident that I had enough knowledge, discipline and
drive to reach my goal.
I went to Europe, something I had always wanted to do but couldn't because
of my obesity. It was my victory lap, a celebration of what I had
accomplished. I don't call it my reward, because my reward is the life I
have today.
Just a couple of weeks before Christmas 2006, I reached my goal of 240
pounds. Since then, I have maintained my weight between 236 and 240. The
feeling of accomplishment is unlike anything I have ever felt. The
reactions I get from friends, family, and co-workers when I recount my
journey are indescribable. I can hardly believe it myself.
I am especially proud that my success has inspired some of those very
people to begin their own weight-loss adventures, even if they don't have
nearly as much to lose as I had. I hope others can learn from my
experience. I know that dreams are achievable, and I hope their loved ones
don't give up on them, but offer help and support. I couldn't have done it
without my family, but in the end it was up to me. In that lies the biggest
lesson of all.... That I can do it.
Matt McKenna lives and works in Orange County, California.
From 500 pounds to a new and rewarding life 
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