Real Life Weight Loss: This gaming addict was 335lbs: now he's a tattooed model

Kevin Creekman, from Germany, struggled with his weight as a child. As a self-proclaimed gaming addict, spending all his time on World of Warcraft, Kevin's weight ballooned on a diet of junk food. Tipping the scales at 335lbs, Kevin decided enough was enough and lost an incredible 180lbs in one year. 

Kevin told YouTube channel Truly: “People asked me a lot like 'How do you do it?' I just collected all the information I got, and I was on a very low carb diet and a very low calorie diet." As somebody who didn't play many sports or do exercise, Kevin began his journey with proper nutrition.

But when Kevin lost the weight, it left a lot of loose skin, causing him to feel uncomfortable and insecure. Kevin added: “In 2014 I got my skin removal surgery and it made me feel like Frankenstein.” After having the loose skin removed, Kevin was left with four big scars on his body. 

Instead of feeling down about his appearance, Kevin turned to getting tattoos as a way to adapt to his new image... Since going through a successful exercise regime and evolving his look, Kevin is now proud to take his top off in public and showcase his muscular and tattooed body. 

Watch Kevin's weight loss transformation story here: 

But when Kevin lost the weight, it left a lot of loose skin, causing him to feel uncomfortable and insecure. Kevin added: “In 2014 I got my skin removal surgery and it made me feel like Frankenstein.” After having the loose skin removed, Kevin was left with four big scars on his body.

Instead of feeling down about his appearance, Kevin turned to getting tattoos as a way to adapt to his new image... Since going through a successful exercise regime and evolving his look, Kevin is now proud to take his top off in public and showcase his muscular and tattooed body. 

"I discovered the gym and tattoos, and everything changed for me."

Kevin's initial weight loss happened over a period of one year, but his maintenance and muscle-building evolution has taken a total of 13 years. This is important to note: researchers from John Hopkins and George Washington University found lifestyle changes over the long term will likely improve the health of patients, even in the absence of major weight loss. Healthy, long-term habits are more important than crash dieting. 

Although Kevin's got a muscular body, long hair and tattoos – a rock-star image like Jason Momoa in Aquaman – it's the dedication to a healthy diet that first lost him the weight. If you're looking for a lifestyle shift or a dramatic weight loss, learning to cook and eat healthily is the most important thing you can do. 

There's the obvious parts, such as eating less take-out and fast food in favour of more home cooked food and "whole" foods like fruit, vegetables and lean cuts of meat rather than processed foods like burgers, fries and packaged sugary snacks. 

However, you can also cook healthier by using tools like the best health grills or the best air fryer, which uses a much smaller amount of oil, and thus less added calories and saturated fat, than traditional roasting or frying.