Jose Matos’ life took a dramatic turn after a stark warning from his doctor: without significant weight loss, he might not live to see his sons graduate from high school. At over 500 pounds, Matos faced severe health issues including Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. His situation seemed dire when his bathroom scale could no longer measure his weight, displaying an error message instead.
Reflecting on that moment, Matos, 32, from Provo, Utah, recounts, “It felt like the floor around me was crumbling. It was terrifying. I love my kids and my wife more than anything else. The thought of not being there for them was the scariest thing.”
The turning point came with another serious health scare—Bell’s palsy, which paralyzed one side of his face. Although the exact cause of Bell’s palsy is unknown, obesity is a recognized risk factor. The experience provided Matos with the mental resolve to make a substantial change in his life.
In 2021, Matos was hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis, a dangerous diabetes complication. By the following year, his weight had reached 525 pounds, though it may have been closer to 540 pounds as his scale was unable to measure beyond this limit. Chronic pain from back issues and knee problems compounded his health struggles.
Matos had previously attempted various diets, including keto and Atkins, but always regained the weight. His diet was characterized by excessive consumption of fast food and sugary drinks, with an estimated intake of around 6,000 calories per day. His eating habits included large quantities of processed foods and snacks like pizza rolls.
After the Bell’s palsy episode, Matos was motivated to overhaul his lifestyle. He started by eliminating processed and fast foods from his diet, focusing instead on whole foods with high protein content such as chicken, steak, and fish. He tracked his calorie intake meticulously to ensure a daily deficit.
His initial exercise regimen involved walking for 30 minutes, which gradually evolved to include home workouts with functional exercises like squats. As he lost weight, Matos incorporated gym workouts into his routine, alternating between upper and lower body strength training and cardiovascular exercises.
Matos’ dedication to his new routine was evident as he committed to working out six days a week. He attributes his persistence to reminders of his past struggles and the determination to avoid returning to his former self. “I look at pictures of myself when I was heaviest and think, ‘This guy couldn’t do it. This guy wouldn’t feel accepted at the gym like I do now,’” he explains.
In July, Matos achieved a long-held goal by participating in a 5K Spartan Race, an obstacle course that symbolized his transformation. He now weighs 375 pounds and no longer requires medication for diabetes or high blood pressure. His target weight is 240 pounds.
Matos offers several tips for those on a weight-loss journey:
Avoid Reliance on Weight-Loss Drugs: After a brief trial with a weight-loss medication that proved ineffective and had side effects, Matos chose to rely on personal effort and perseverance instead.
Build a Support System: He credits his co-worker and her trainer husband for guiding him through the process and helping him understand that weight loss is a long-term commitment.
Manage Cravings Mindfully: Matos advises allowing oneself a controlled portion of a craving to prevent indulgence from derailing progress.
View Exercise as a Privilege: His philosophy is to embrace the opportunity to exercise, seeing it as a positive and essential part of his routine.
Matos’ journey from a life-threatening weight to a healthier and more active lifestyle underscores the power of determination and resilience. His story serves as a testament to the transformative impact of commitment and hard work.
