I had 12 cans of Mountain Dew every day — what happened when I stopped

He couldn’t dew it anymore.

Chris Stewart, 37, used to drink 12 cans of Mountain Dew a day and eat large McDonald’s meals for lunch — until he saw a photo of himself at his dad’s funeral that made him feel “sick.”

“Who is going to carry my casket?” Stewart recalled to SWNS. “I thought if I didn’t change something I’m going to die.”

The Illinois forklift driver weighed 400 pounds at his heaviest, wearing a size 5XL.

He would consume two cans of Mountain Dew each morning when he woke up and two McDonald’s cheeseburgers, a McChicken sandwich and fries for lunch.


At his heaviest, Chris Stewart weighed over 400 pounds.
At his heaviest, Chris Stewart weighed 400 pounds.
Chris Stewart / SWNS

He claimed he drank 12 cans of Mountain Dew per day.
He claimed he drank 12 cans of Mountain Dew a day.
Chris Stewart / SWNS

But after he saw a photo of himself at his dad's funeral, he decided to make a change.
But after he saw a photo of himself at his dad’s funeral, he decided to make a change.
Chris Stewart / SWNS

For dinner, he would eat frozen food.

“I’d stuff my face with whatever I could,” Stewart admitted. “My wife and I put in a different order for food.”

Stewart has lost nearly 200 pounds after making serious lifestyle changes — and some of them are quite simple.

“I used Pinterest to look up healthy recipes,” he explained. “Now I am half the man I used to be.”

Stewart swapped Mountain Dew for sparkling water and ditched the fast food.


Stewart lost over 200 pounds, and noticed a difference in his energy levels.
Stewart lost about 200 pounds and noticed a difference in his energy levels.
Chris Stewart / SWNS

He swapped out the Mountain Dew for sparkling water.
He swapped out the Mountain Dew for sparkling water.
Chris Stewart / SWNS

He also started working out on an exercise bike.
He also started working out on an exercise bike.
Chris Stewart / SWNS

Now he eats pita pizzas and meat-and-cheese wraps.

For breakfast, he’ll have a smoothie made with protein, banana, mixed frozen fruit, peanut butter powder, chia and hemp seeds, and a peanut butter oatmeal bar as a snack.

He said he has noticed a major change in his energy.

He even started helping out with heavy lifting at his office.

Previously, when he worked as a supermarket manager, he would sit in the office all day and go straight to the couch when he got home.


He credits his wife as a big support for him throughout the journey.
He credits his wife, Nicole, as a big support for him throughout the journey.
Chris Stewart / SWNS

Stewart used Pinterest as a source for healthy meals.
Stewart used Pinterest as a source for healthy meals.
Chris Stewart / SWNS

Stewart also bought an exercise bike to continue his journey, starting out with 10 minutes a day and working up to 20.

In the summer, he likes to take daily walks.

He credits his 36-year-old wife, Nicole, for his success, as she was a great support system for him.

“I’m so glad she stayed with me,” Stewart told SWNS. “I was a disrespect to our relationship.”

“Weight loss is easy. I just switched my mindset. It’s you versus you,” he added.