It's that wonderful time of the year where everyone's stuck in a food coma and asking how the past twelve months have gone by so fast. But come next week, people all around the world will be looking to improve themselves with a New Year's resolution.
Among the usual stuff - saying 'yes' more, reconnecting with old friends, working harder - one of the most common resolutions is to lose weight. But while many have noble intentions at the start, some soon drop off and relax into their old habits.
But one bloke from New Mexico, USA, has shown just how much you can transform yourself in 365 days.
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Like so many of us who make that fateful NYD promise to ourselves, Nathan wanted to lose weight because he didn't like the way he looked. To add insult to injury, he saw his ex-girlfriend move on from their long relationship and he felt like shit.
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He had constant anxiety that he wouldn't fit into a chair and went as far as avoiding pictures and even his own reflection in mirrors or windows.
Speaking to LADbible, the 22-year-old says: "If I ever wanted to be happy and be comfortable under my own skin, things had to change. I even remember telling myself I wasn't going to quit this time two weeks in, I was so sick of being that person."
But at the end of January he joined a gym and got stuck into a training and diet regime.
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At the start of his journey, Nathan weighed 368lbs (167kg) and admits the first month was the hardest part.
"I went from eating probably over 4,000+ calories a day right down to 1,200-1,500 a day. The only thing that kept me going this time was the motivation spark I had, seeing actual results, and approaching it an entirely different way.
"After getting into that routine, honestly the only hard thing was time. You want those results immediately from all the hard work you're putting in."
Nathan has worked his arse off throughout the year, sticking to his training and diet religiously. Impressively, he's dropped nearly 132lbs (60kg) and now sits at 242lbs (110kg).
But now that the New Mexico native has shed a shitload of weight, he says it was mentally tough to reconnect with old friends and get onto the dating scene.
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He tells us: "At that weight I was completely shut out from any sort of social activity, drowning all my time, depression, and lack of social interaction into games. Because I did this for years, I still feel like a social potato at times but it's something I'm still actively working on."
His journey isn't over yet and he's still hoping to drop another 62lbs (28kg) to get to his goal weight of 180lbs (82kg).
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For anyone who's aiming to set a similar goal when 2018 rolls round, Nathan's got some wise words: "Weight loss all starts in the kitchen. Don't even worry about exercise if it's stopping you from starting your journey.
"You don't have to go cold turkey on the foods you enjoy. You just have to learn portion control and measuring out your food so you can count the calories.
"Set some minor goals! My major goal is 180lbs, but I still set smaller goals like hitting 230lbs where I will no longer be obese on the BMI scale.
"Those small goals keep you going, and are very satisfying! Lastly, as I stated previously, be patient! I still have 62lbs to my main goal of 180.
"Although its close now, it was a lot more daunting being 188lbs away, but after only nearly 11 months (which isn't long at all!) I'm already 2/3 to my goal. Stick with it! Find your motivation!
"Future you will be happier the sooner you start."
Featured Image Credit: SuppliedTopics: Weight Loss, Awesome, Weight, Inspirational, Interesting, Body, Community