Obesity impacts millions of Americans, and the same was true for 23-year-old Amber Rachdi. Weighing in at more than 650 pounds, the young woman was barely able to stand up, let alone lead a normal life. When doctors warned her that she might not survive another decade like this, she decided to make a change. Read on to see Amber's incredible transformation.
She Decided To Face Her Weight Problem
Everyone deals with some personal issues and for Amber Rachdi, her most predominant struggle was her weight. She had spent most of her life being overweight and was finally ready to do something about it.
She made the brave choice to go on the show My 600-lb Life to take an honest look at her circumstances and what needed to change. Though the journey ahead would be long, it was a decision she would ultimately be grateful she made.
Young And Immobile
Though Amber was only 23 years old, she was beginning to find it challenging to move around. Weighing in at 657 pounds, she simply had too much weight to carry and was unable to maneuver with the agility of the average young person.
This meant that when it came to leaving the house to do basic errands, she needed to be in a motor scooter or pushed in a wheelchair. Her lack of mobility put a significant limit on the types of activities she could do.
Wanting A Normal Life
Amber's weight caused her to have to spend nearly all of her time at home. She grew up in a small town in Oregon, and her neighbors had begun to notice her obesity. Even though she was known as a sweet girl, it was hard for people to relate to her way of life.
Fortunately for Amber, she had a strong support system with people who loved her unconditionally. Her parents and her boyfriend stuck by her side through the difficult process.
A Life-Long Illness
Amber struggled with obesity from a young age, explaining that she didn't feel satisfied when eating. She spent most of her life weighing 3-4 times as much as her peers and was 160 pounds at just five years old.
It was difficult for Amber to play with other kids as a young girl since she couldn't run around well with excess weight in her legs. As she got older, she got used to being an outlier among others her age.
Stuck In A Vicious Cycle
The heavier Amber got, the more insecure she became. As her anxiety about her weight increased, she found that eating was her only way to self-soothe. But the more she would comfort eat, the more she would weigh, creating a vicious cycle.
Her overeating habits made it difficult for Amber to understand portion control. She was eating nearly double the recommended number of meals per day, plus sugary snacks in between. Amber needed help psychologically to get on the right track with food.
Taking The First Step
The number one starting place for anyone in Amber's situation is a trip to the doctor. Amber was fortunate enough to be treated by Dr. Nowzaradan, who specializes in obesity. She and her loved ones flew from Oregon to Houston, Texas, just to see the expert.
Leaving the house was enough of a feat for Amber, let alone getting on an airplane. She needed to occupy three seats to be able to fly, a reality that further worsened her anxiety.
A Reality Check
Amber and her parents were comfortable with Dr. Nowzaradan, knowing that he was an expert to be trusted. It was the doctor's job to be upfront and honest about Amber's condition, while simultaneously encouraging the family that help was on the way.
The game-changer for Amber was hearing that her condition put her at such a high health risk that she may not live to be 30. She was more determined than ever to make a change.
Losing Her First 17 Pounds
Amber discovered that she would need to lose 17 pounds just to be eligible for gastric bypass surgery. To pull this off, Amber would need to start receiving help from a mental health expert who could help with her food addiction.
Amber started seeing a therapist and taking well-being classes. She learned about healthy food alternatives she could prepare herself. She also started taking daily walks, which was the highest level of exercise that her body could withstand for the time being.
Her Boyfriend Was All In
Amber was able to lose the first 17 pounds in part because of the support of her boyfriend, Rowdy. He admitted that he might have been a negative influence on Amber's obesity, especially considering Amber had gained hundreds of pounds since being with him.
The tricky part was that Rowdy wanted to be loving and encouraging of Amber, but needed to learn how to point her in a healthy direction. He was able to acknowledge his faults and was willing to learn all that he could by Amber's side.
The First Year Of Success
While many of the contestants on My 600-lb Life don't ever receive gastric bypass surgery, Dr. Nowzaradan felt that it was a must for Amber. The surgery reduced her stomach size to that of a baseball and helped motivate her to move forward.
By the show's completion, she had lost an outstanding 267 pounds! After the first 92 pounds, she was able to join a gym. With well over 200 pounds gone, she could begin engaging in more vigorous exercise.
Increased Confidence
As difficult as it was to take the first step and get help, it was the start of a string of decisions that grew Amber's confidence. With the help of health experts, she was able to identify that her anxiety disorder was the root of her need to overeat.
While Amber learned ways to take better care of herself physically, she also was discovering how to keep herself mentally healthy. Exercise helped her body and mind, so she started attended the gym daily.
Rowdy and Amber Broke Up, But Remain Close Friends
While on My 600-lb Life, it became clear to audiences that Rowdy and Amber may not be the best fit for one another. They ultimately broke up but remained close friends. A year after being on the show, Amber even defended Rowdy against upset fans.
Some fans wondered whether or not Rowdy was a good influence on Amber. She responded in a Twitter post: "Who do y'all think is taking pictures of me at the gym? He is a good, supportive friend."
Reaching New Goals
While the initial 267 pounds Amber had lost on the show were an amazing start, she still had a ways to go. Though her weight was now less than 400 pounds, she still was considered obese.
With a newfound sense of confidence and boundaries in place between her and her ex, Amber held strong to her convictions. She kept progressing and lost a total of 420 pounds, bringing her weight down to about 237 pounds.
She Received Skin Removal Surgery
Since the human body isn't made to carry so many hundreds of pounds, loose skin can result from losing a massive amount of weight. In Amber's case, she lost almost two-thirds of her peak body weight, meaning that she hand a lot of excess skin.
To improve her skin's elasticity, she had to undergo skin removal surgery. The procedure was a success, and today Amber looks much more like your run-of-the-mill woman in her 20s.
The Gym Is A Part Of Her Life
Once the weight is off, a major challenge is keeping it off. The momentum Amber had at the beginning of her journey has understandably slowed now that her health has improved. She admitted on Instagram that she sometimes has to drag herself to the gym.
She noted that no matter how much she whines about it, she has never once regretted going to the gym. The priceless feeling afterward reminds Amber that she is strong and capable.
Social Media Presence
When Amber was severely obese, it was difficult for her to face the outside world. Now that she has a newfound confidence, she loves posting selfies and sharing her thoughts on social media.
Before, Amber could barely stand up straight for 30 seconds. Today, she has more than 100,000 followers on Instagram who love to see all the great things she's accomplishing. Thousands of people have left words of encouragement on Amber's social media pages.
Trying New Looks
One way that Amber has come into her own is by expressing herself in her fashion. Her Instagram is full of selfies that boast an array of styles. From short, blonde hair to partially shaved, long black hair, Amber loves to try different looks.
When Amber was severely obese, she didn't have much of a choice in what she wore. After losing so much weight, she had the opportunity to revamp her closet and control how she presents herself.
Becoming A Beauty Guru
In addition to hair and fashion, Amber also expresses herself through makeup. Her talent hasn't gone unrecognized, and some of her followers have even asked her to record makeup tutorials. She loves to follow recent trends like face jewels and defined eyebrows.
Her increased presence both online and in real life is a reflection of the confidence and motivation that's resulted from her weight loss. Commenters compared the way she looks in this photograph to that of Scarlett Johansson, a compliment that likely went a long way to Amber.
She Goes All Out With Her Nails
The beauty guru recently began experimenting with complex nail designs, as well. Where her nails are often short and plain in older photos, her images show off her flair for intricate nail designs.
When she was spending most of her time at home, she didn't have as much of an excuse to get all done up. Now that she's able to flourish out in society, she takes pride in her appearance and the ability to express herself with her style.
She Got A Higher Education
Being able to go outside and function in society again meant that Amber could, at last, do something she had put off: go back to school. After achieving mental and physical stability, she decided to pursue a higher education.
Though she prefers to keep her life private these days, rumor has it that she graduated college with an English degree. Given her determination in the face of obesity, we have no doubt that she excelled academically.
