Father Succeeds in Losing 280 Pounds After Staying Home for 5 Years

Living like a hermit for five years and becoming a sandwich addict left a father in bad shape physically and mentally. He decided to lose weight and succeeded in shredding 280 pounds when he realized his kids, especially his 9-year-old son with autism, needed him.

The health of Ian Whitmore, 46, dwindled after he met an accident at work and injured his shoulders. His injury kicked off his weight gain because he hardly moved due to his physical pain, but he was forced to quit his job when he was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

During his recovery at home, Whitmore started gaining weight after eating at least 12 bacon or ham sandwiches daily, along with pork pies, fries, and other greasy food. Whitmore also binged on Doritos and Pot Noodle at odd hours, consuming more than 7,000 calories daily.

His diet was so bad that he developed diabetes. He admitted to having horrible depression and anxiety when his physical health deteriorated.

As his weight ballooned, the father-of-two struggled with his physical movement. Since he couldn't use the stairs anymore, his family transferred his bed downstairs, and that's where he stayed for five years, where he hardly interacted with anyone, including his kids, per Daily Mirror.

Deciding to change his diet

Whitmore said he became a recluse after gaining more than 500 pounds. He didn't have the energy to do anything and needed assistance from his wife, Debbie Marie-Whitmore, especially when bathing and getting dressed.

The father admitted he used to hide his food binge from his children because he was ashamed of how he let his health slide. However, he wasn't completely motivated to take matters into his hands and change his diet until he realized that his son, 9, needed a father.

Whitmore's youngest was diagnosed with autism and ADHD in 2021, per Norfolk Live. The dad then resolved to get back into shape and change his life.

Within 15 months, Whitmore stuck to an overhauled diet where he made sure he only consumed 1,200 to 1,500 calories in a day. He also ate at regular hours and resisted having a sandwich snack at 2:00 a.m.

His efforts paid off as his diabetes was reversed, and his waistline dropped to 34 inches from 60 inches. His first trip out of the house was to go clothes shopping with his family. He could finally do things with his kids after missing out on so much. His son also looks forward to park visits with his father every day.

"Now I'm finally able to make up for a lost time," the dad said. "Taking my son to school has been such a happy time."

What's next for Ian Whitmore?

After losing 280 pounds, Whitmore needs to undergo surgery to remove his excess skin as he's prone to skin infections and bad rashes. According to cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Marie Jhin via WebMD, perspiration often gets trapped under the skin, which causes rashes.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Capla said that excess skin after losing a lot of weight must be done surgically. No creams or drugs can contour the skin, but the surgery can be expensive and might not be covered by insurance. The Whitmores are trying to save up or raise funds for his surgery.

Aside from the rashes, excess skin could also lead to body image issues. Whitmore admitted that it had stripped him of his confidence. Amid his weight loss journey, however, his wife said that she's relieved and happy to see the changes in her husband, which will ensure that they will still have years of togetherness to look forward to.