Four years ago, Floridian Cole Prochaska needed a scale that read higher than 585 pounds—then he needed a new life. Today, the 41-year-old proudly says he weighs as much as “one person,” and thousands of strangers online are applauding the grit that got him there.
A Childhood of Overeating
Prochaska recalls being heavy since grade school, fueled by a sedentary routine and marathon snacking—multiple bags of chips, a dozen sodas, and fast-food orders large enough for a small party. He estimates he consumed roughly 5,000 calories a day, a habit that left him breathless and self-conscious in public.
The Break-Up That Sparked Change
When a seven-year relationship began to crumble, Prochaska realized he wasn’t just losing a partner; he was losing himself. Determined not to “stay stuck,” he laced up a pair of sneakers and promised to move, even if that meant shuffling only a couple of blocks at first.
Walking, Water, and a New Way to Eat
Daily strolls soon stretched into 10,000-step marathons, and the kitchen underwent an overhaul: sugary drinks out, water in; chips gone, protein-packed meals on deck. Tracking calories and logging workouts kept him honest, and gym sessions eventually joined his walking routine. “I decided it had to be a lifelong shift,” he says.
Milestone: 360 Pounds Gone
By 2023 the scale was down roughly 360 pounds. Yet victory came with a catch—dozens of pounds of excess skin that Prochaska describes as a physical and emotional cage. He launched a GoFundMe—which has already raised more than $80,000 of a $100,000 goal—to finance the multi-stage removal surgeries he needs to feel fully free.
Still Walking, Still Inspiring
Prochaska recently flew—something he’d never done at his heaviest—to meet a California plastic surgeon and hopes to have his first operation within six months. On social media he urges followers to “keep walking” and credits sheer persistence, not weight-loss drugs or bariatric procedures, for his success. The internet has rewarded him with a flood of encouragement, calling his journey “absolutely inspiring” and proof that disciplined effort pays off.
Prochaska’s story isn’t just about shedding pounds; it’s about reclaiming mobility, confidence, and a future he once thought out of reach. His next steps—literally and surgically—promise to be life-changing, but his message remains simple: one foot in front of the other, every single day.
