500-Pound Man Couldn’t Walk and Wore 6XL Shirts—You Won’t Believe His Stunning Transformation After Losing 262lbs

Carlos Rivera, a 28-year-old veterinary nurse from Boston, Massachusetts, has undergone an extraordinary transformation, shedding 262 pounds after years of struggling with obesity. Weighing 500 pounds at his heaviest and unable to walk without pain, Carlos decided to change his life after a family member’s candid remark left him feeling both embarrassed and motivated. Today, he is thriving with newfound confidence, proving that no obstacle is insurmountable with dedication and effort.

A Wake-Up Call

“It was at a restaurant during a Fourth of July event,” Carlos recalled. “An elderly family member pointed at me and said, ‘Oh my god, he is very big—he is a very big guy.’ For her to notice and point at me, I was like, ‘OK, I need to change my lifestyle.’”

This moment became a wake-up call for Carlos, who had struggled with his weight since high school. Years of unhealthy eating, including convenience meals and snacks, had taken a toll on his body. At his heaviest, he wore a size 6XL shirt and lived with constant physical pain. “I was also in a lot of pain. I was 500 pounds, and it was getting to the point where I couldn’t walk,” he said.

Taking Control

Determined to regain control of his health, Carlos opted for gastric sleeve surgery on November 14, 2020. Before the operation, he committed to losing 50 pounds to qualify for the procedure. The surgery helped him shed another 100 pounds in just eight months. However, progress soon slowed, and Carlos reevaluated his approach.

“Then things stalled, and I wasn’t losing any weight, nothing was happening,” he explained. “I was panicking, so I decided to focus on my diet and what I ate.”

A New Diet and Workout Routine

The turning point came on Thanksgiving Day in 2023. Carlos decided to overhaul his diet completely, cutting out high-calorie takeaways, snacks, and sugary drinks. He replaced them with nutritious, high-protein meals and more structure in his eating habits.

Carlos also began working out five times a week, incorporating cardio exercises like the StairMaster and light weightlifting into his routine. “I realized that I fully wanted to focus on my physique; that is when I started taking it more seriously,” he said. “This year alone I have been to the gym 200 times and lost 112 pounds.”

Before and After Diet

Carlos’s weight loss journey involved a dramatic change in his diet:

Before:

• Breakfast: Large coffee and two donuts
• Lunch: Chinese takeaway
• Dinner: Pizza or another takeaway
• Snacks: Donuts, chocolate, and pastries
• Drinks: Five cans of Coca-Cola

Now:

• Breakfast: Overnight oats
• Lunch: Rice and chicken or another type of meat
• Dinner: Lasagna
• Snacks: Coconut fruit bar
• Drinks: Ginger ale fruit splash, water

Carlos’s new eating habits helped him achieve a calorie deficit and fueled his workouts and lifestyle changes.

Transformation and Confidence

Today, Carlos weighs 238 pounds, down from 500, and has dropped from a size 6XL to an XL. The weight loss has transformed every aspect of his life, from his physical health to his mental well-being. “I feel amazing; I do not regret anything,” he said. “My relationships with my friends are better—I want to hang out, I want to go for a drink. Every aspect of my life has changed.”

Carlos’s newfound confidence is evident. “When you weigh 500 pounds, you know you are 500 pounds. When you walk into a room, you feel people staring at you and judging you,” he shared. “I was getting a lot of negative attention, but now my confidence is insane. When you lose that much weight, nothing can stop you.”

Looking to the Future

Carlos’s weight loss journey isn’t over. In February 2025, he plans to undergo a tummy tuck to remove 20 pounds of excess skin, which currently causes him back pain and requires compression garments. Despite the discomfort, Carlos views the loose skin as a symbol of his hard work and determination.

“I look great and feel great, but I have that human want of feeling good when I look at myself in the mirror,” he said. “Even though my loose skin is a reminder of all the hard work, I have had it for a year and a half now. I am so ready to get rid of that and start brand new again.”

A Life-Changing Journey

Reflecting on his past, Carlos is grateful for the journey he’s undertaken and the lessons he’s learned. His life has transformed in ways he never imagined. “A lot of people want to speak to me and compliment me,” he said. “I have been able to grow so much in my job and have been offered loads of opportunities.”

Carlos encourages others to take control of their own health, offering hope and inspiration to those who might feel stuck. “When you lose that much weight, nothing can stop you,” he said.

From struggling to walk at 500 pounds to thriving at 238 pounds, Carlos Rivera’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and self-belief.