Just four years ago, Cole Prochaska weighed “as much as three men.” After swapping his 5,000-calorie-a-day diet for a pair of sneakers, the 41-year-old man went on a dramatic weight loss journey.
In 2021, Cole Prochaska of Florida didn’t know exactly how much he weighed, only that the scale tipped the scales at over 600 pounds, the highest number the scale could read. The man, now 41, says he’s been overweight since he was six and has led a sedentary lifestyle that includes binge eating. According to Today, his “binge eating” included eating multiple bags of chips and a 12-pack of soda in one day. And when he went out for fast food, he could eat five cheeseburgers or an entire pizza “easily.” He estimates he consumed about 5,000 calories a day.
“I was feeling pretty bad,” Prochaska says. “I always tried to put on a happy face, because that’s what a lot of great people do. But I was a pretty lonely person. You don’t want to go anywhere because you don’t want to have to worry about fitting into the seats, worry about having to walk far, and worry about what to wear.” He also couldn’t exercise because he was short of breath. As his seven-year relationship neared its end, Prochaska realized it was time to make some changes. “I knew she had lost respect for me because I was just a big person who wasn’t doing anything and wasn’t going anywhere in life where I needed to be,” Prochaska says. “I tried to save the relationship. I didn’t save the relationship, but I saved myself.”
Thus began his weight loss journey
His journey began with a simple step—literally. At first, he could only walk a few blocks, but he promised himself to just keep going. Every day, he pushed himself a little harder, and before he knew it, the short walks had become a daily routine that kept him motivated. “I hold myself accountable! It’s the only way to take control of my life,” he tweeted in a post about his refusal to back out of a walk because of bad weather. Every day, no matter what, he takes at least 10,000 steps. But the walks were just the beginning. Determined to fuel his body properly, he completely overhauled his diet. He cut out sweets, snacks, and chips, swapped sugary drinks for water, and started counting calories to stay on track. Instead of empty carbs, he focused on a high-protein diet that gave him energy and helped him build muscle. “It was just that I decided that this is the right thing, it will be a life-changing thing,” he says, adding that he then stepped up his workouts at the gym. “I feel so good.”
Cole Prochaskas resa
By 2023, Prochaska had lost about 220 pounds but admitted he was still embarrassed to share photos of his new body. “Three to one. I once weighed three men and now I’m one person… It’s so hard to share a shirtless picture, but I’ve come this far! I know it’s hard for some of you to watch,” Prochaska writes on the GoFundMe campaign set up to support his expensive skin removal surgery in California. “I’ve reached my weight goal but my life isn’t complete, and it won’t be complete until I can get rid of this excess skin. I have to tuck the extra skin into my pants and still wear loose clothing to hide the flab… I’ve never gone to a beach shirtless and have always avoided pool parties. I’m still trapped. Because of this extra skin,” he explains. Despite his low self-confidence, Prochaska knew he had to share his entire journey with his fans, and that included posting pictures of his sagging skin on the crowdfunding page, which has so far raised $81,226 of its $100,000 goal.
“Inspiring” weight loss
The internet is celebrating his incredible transformation and the dedication it took to get there, and is buzzing with praise for the man, who hopes to inspire others with his goals. “Absolutely inspiring! Good luck on your journey and thank you for this kind of inspiration. I pray for your safe recovery,” writes one generous donor. Another user writes: “You are a huge inspiration to many, Cole. I admire the impressive dedication and perseverance you have used to get here and then keep going. I look forward to seeing you reach your goal here.” Another adds: “Cole, the weight loss is amazing… I don’t know how much all that skin weighs… but it must be a lot. Your knees will love you even more if you lose weight, so I hope this little bit helps you reach your goal!”
The effects of walking
According to Prochaska’s social media, he hasn’t had the surgery yet, but he got on a plane for the first time ever and flew to California to meet with a plastic surgeon to discuss the skin removal. He hopes to have his first surgery in “three to six months.” “Keep going, keep going… You can do it. I’m living proof. Let’s go,” he tweeted from California, where he chatted with his followers while walking the streets. And in case you’re wondering, he insists he lost the pounds naturally. “Sure ozempic can work, same with gastric bypass or other surgeries (no hate). I can guarantee you won’t be as healthy and happy as when you just put your head down and work,” he wrote on X in July 2024.
Don’t just lose weight, completely flip the script!
Posted by Cole Prochaska on Sunday, January 19, 2025
