Schudł prawie 120 kg

WORDS BYLINE: Vanessa Papas Weighing in at 550 lbs at his heaviest, Garrett Olson, a 33-year-old dad from Phoenix, Arizona, has lost 260 lbs. He has not only transformed his own life but inspired his nearly 160K followers on his TikTok to do the same. “Growing up in an overweight Hispanic household, food was more than just sustenance. It was how we showed love, how we comforted ourselves, and how we celebrated. Often, eating was the only thing we did together as a family,” Garrett explained. “By the age of 10, I was already on my way to being obese. I used to eat until I was sick. I could easily put down three burgers, a large bag of fries, two large sodas, and dessert in one sitting. I started hiding snacks from my family and eating in secret because I was ashamed.” Garrett’s weight took a significant toll on his health. “I developed sleep apnea and had to use a CPAP machine every night,” Garrell shared. “I absolutely hated it. It felt like I was chained to that machine. I couldn’t spend the night at friends' houses, and if the power went out at home, I knew I wouldn’t be getting any sleep at all.” In addition to sleep apnea, Garrett experienced severe joint pain in his knees, ankles, lower back, hips, and neck. "I was in constant pain, which made me not want to do anything. I started withdrawing from everyone and everything, becoming more and more reclusive." Despite years of failed attempts to lose weight, Garrett knew he needed to make a change - not just for himself, but for his two sons, Trent, 11, and Wyatt, eight. “I realised that my kids were missing out on a proper childhood with their father,” Garrett explained. “I couldn’t run, jump, or play with them like I wanted to. Being a great dad was all I ever wanted to be, and I knew I had to do something about my weight.” In 2023, Garrett made the decision to undergo weight loss surgery, a step he had wanted to take for years but had been too afraid to go through with. “So many people in my family had the surgery and were unsuccessful in keeping the weight off,” he noted. “I was also afraid of dying on the table because of how big I was. But I felt I had no other option.” Garrett underwent surgery in Glendale, Arizona, on 28 August, 2023. The procedure, which cost $23,000 (£17,940), was mostly covered by insurance, as doctors deemed it necessary for his survival and quality of life. While the surgery itself went smoothly with no complications, two weeks later, things took a terrifying turn. “Some polyps burst inside my digestive tract, and it nearly killed me," said Garrett. "I lost so much blood and ended up having seizures in the ER. That was easily one of the scariest moments of my life.” Post-surgery, Garrett’s relationship with food had to change drastically. “I used to eat crazy amounts, but now I focus on salads, high-protein foods, and water. I’ve cut out soda entirely; everything I eat is low or zero sugar. My favourite meal now is an inside-out burger salad with chopped hamburger meat, Greek yoghurt, ketchup, cheese, and pickles. It’s high in protein and low in calories, which is perfect for me. I stick to 2,000 calories a day,” he said. “After losing so much weight, I was left with a lot of loose skin. My loose skin gets in the way a lot. I am so self-conscious about my arms and my chest. I just want to feel normal. I wish I could get skin removal surgery, but the cost is so expensive, and insurance deems it to not be necessary. It breaks my heart because I have done all of this hard work just to still be unhappy with my body. I wish that wasn't my mindset, but I'm working on it. I cannot wait to have the skin removed and see the person I know lives inside of me. I feel like I owe it to myself one day to make that happen and live free." Garrett’s journey has resonated with millions on TikTok, where he initially started posting videos to track his progress. “I never expected anyone to watch my videos or follow me,” he admitted. “But then I got a message from someone saying they felt like ending their life because of their size and health problems, and that watching my videos gave them hope. That was a lot of pressure, but it also made me realise that I needed to keep going—not just for myself, but for others like me.” Today, Garrett uses his platform to advise and encourage those struggling with their weight. “My advice would be to do what works for you. So many blanket statements on health exist, especially on social media," he said. "I was so desperate to lose weight that I would try just about anything anyone said I should do. But the truth is slow and steady wins the race. It took years to get this big, and the weight isn’t going to come off overnight. Progress, not perfection, is what matters.” Looking ahead, Garrett has big plans. “I’m still hoping to lose more weight. My ultimate goal is to compete in a bodybuilding competition. I want to show myself and others that we’re worth living for and belong in this world just like everyone else does. After that, I hope to become a fitness coach for overweight and obese people, helping them reclaim their own lives the way I’ve reclaimed mine,” he concluded Featuring: Garrett Olson Where: Phoenix, Arizona, United States When: 03 Sep 2024 Credit: garrettolsonweightloss/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR SUPPLIER.**