I lost a whopping 350 pounds — now I’m no longer depressed

He’s just a big ol’ loser.

A German man lost a whopping 360 pounds – and he’s sharing his own tips and tricks for others to get healthy.

Michael Mehler, 38, used to tip the scale at over 570 pounds, and wore an 10XL shirt. He decided that it was time for things to change after he had trouble walking and getting up the stairs.

“I couldn’t walk a meter without losing my breath and getting sweaty,” Mehler told Southwest News Service.

“It truly was a horrible experience and I thought I would die, even my blood pressure was going through the roof.”

In February 2020, he began his weight-loss journey by undergoing bariatric sleeve surgery, which is where doctors will remove a part of your stomach, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The warehouse worker dropped a ton of weight almost instantly from the surgery, but was also able to lose even more by exercising — which he said is the real secret to slimming down.

“I experienced the most drastic weight loss after changing my diet and working out regularly,” he said.

Over the past few years, Mehler has lost tons of weight and is wearing shirts that are a size XXL.

Before his weight-loss journey, Mehler recalled eating around six to eight bread rolls for breakfast, topped with marmalade, Nutella and German cold cuts.

For lunch, he would have two entire pizzas and a kebab, and when it was dinnertime, Mehler would munch on four to six fast-food hamburgers.

Now, he tries to focus on his protein intake as much as possible – detailing that his diet consists of porridge with whey protein and berries for breakfast; rice, chicken and veggies for lunch; and wholegrain bread with tuna for dinner.

“Change your diet and at the start try to focus on counting your calories or just write a protocol of what you are eating in a day,” he offered. “There will come a quick realization that it is simply too many calories for your size.”

In between his meals, he often has snacks like protein bars or fruit.

Now, his slender frame has made all the difference for his overall well-being – especially his mental health.

“I’m no longer depressed. I no longer have so much anxiety due to the treatment of my tumor,” Mehler told SWNS. “But of course, I also feel much more comfortable in my body now.”

But really, he claimed, the key to weight loss is actually exercise.

“Plain and simple you need to start exercising — whatever sport you choose,” he said.

After his surgery, Mehler started out by training six times per week for about three to four hours. He would complete two hours of weight training, and two hours of cardio.

However, after losing all of this weight, Mehler struggles with having loose skin. He’s set to have the procedure on May 15, but since it’s not covered by his insurance, he has launched a GoFundMe page to help pay for it.

He has a goal of over $21,900.

Mehler shared his current diet and exercise plan with SWNS, for those looking to make a change.

Mehler’s exercise routine:

• Monday – Chest
• Tuesday – Back
• Wednesday – Legs
• Thursday – Shoulders
• Friday – Arms

Mehler’s old diet:

• Breakfast – Six to eight bread rolls with a spread
• Lunch – Two pizzas and a donor kebab
• Dinner – Four to six cheeseburgers

Mehler’s current diet:

• Breakfast – Porridge
• Lunch – Chicken, rice and vegetables
• Dinner – Two slices of whole grain bread, tuna or salmon and vegetables
• Drinks – Protein shake