Featured Image Credit: DDP Yoga/YouTube
Topics: Mental Health, Health, YouTube, Lifestyle
Joshua Nair
A man that considered himself 'human garbage' has revealed how he went through a body transformation that saw him lose over 300 lbs (136 kg).
Ken Doers, 53, battled a number of mental health issues, alcoholism, the death of his beloved dog, suicidal thoughts, and more on his weight loss journey.
The American reached a weight of 540 lbs (245kg) at his lowest point, before a specific incident pushed him to make a change in his lifestyle.
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He recalled struggling to get out of bed to let his dog Lucky outside to use the toilet, and that he felt 'enraged' at letting himself go as much as he did - needing a cane just to walk.
Ken explained that he was taking care of his dogs better than he was taking care of himself, and that he felt inspired after seeing someone else's body transformation on social media.
After this, he decided to take up a programme with DDP Yoga, and it started with... rolling around in bed.
It might sound like nothing, but as the Michigan-native was so overweight, small rolls back and forth every morning caused him to shed the pounds, bit by bit.
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As time went on, he went on to chair exercises, which included stretches and movements that were easy on his joints.
Viewers could see the progress he made in a documentary for the DDP Yoga YouTube channel, which kept track of his journey over the years.
Within months, Ken's health journey saw him lose around 15 lbs (6.8 kg) per month as he started to diet.
Ken said that he 'felt a difference' within the first week alone.
He noted that when he started losing weight consistently, it gave him a 'little glimmer of hope that I didn't have to be in so much pain all the time'.
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Before long, he made enough progress to reach his goal of getting rid of his cane.
Sadly though, tragedy struck when his dog Lucky, the reason he started his journey, passed away.
He emotionally spoke on camera about the grief he had to deal with, but was determined to push on with the yoga plan, which was dreamed up by ex-WWE wrestler Diamond Dallas Page.
The plan involved gradually increasing the intensity of exercises, moving from bed, to a chair, to a mat, with there being levels that range from 'beginner' to 'extreme'.
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His diet was tweaked over time too, with whole foods, fruits and veg the focus of what he ate on a daily basis.
All these changes allowed him to experience some of the simple things in life, as he noted in an interview with Body Network: "I could put socks on. I could cut my toenails. I could drive my van without the steering wheel rubbing my belly. I could use a seat belt."
Ken even spoke about walking forwards and not sideways in his own home, while being able to fit in chairs in public areas.
"I could walk down the steps in the front of the house without fear. I could walk around the house without my cane," he added.
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Over the four years from the start of his journey to the release of the YouTube video in 2023, Ken lost a whopping 305 lbs, and no longer wears anything close to his 7XL shirts or 72 inch pants.
On top of all of this, DDP Yoga received a package from a dental company, who were willing to give Ken implants, as his poor diet caused him to lose some teeth.
"I'm a pretty lucky guy getting a second chance in life and I'm gonna do my best to make the most out of it," he said of his lifestyle changes.
Ken said that it's down to 'how bad' you want to change, claiming: "If I can change, anybody can change. You make life how you want to make it."
One viewer pointed out in the comments: "Lucky left this world knowing (s)he was immensely loved by you and the rest of us here are so so glad you didn’t quit either because you’ve inspired us. You’re amazing!"
Another agreed: "A dogs love saved this man. How amazing is that?"