The Love of Her Life

Lexi Reed’s problems with food started way back in her childhood and have followed her ever since. By high school, she weighed 300 lbs. However, despite her struggles, it was around this time that Lexi met the love of her life, Danny Reed. “I’ve always loved Lexi no matter what size,” Danny said. He loved what was on the inside! The young man didn’t care about Lexi’s prom dress size – he only cared about them being together.

Danny also understood what Lexi was going through. Like her, he had struggled with his weight for years. Without a doubt, Danny was one of the sweetest guys in the school, if not the world. But just like a sweet tooth, this sweetness soon became a double-edged sword…

A Bit Too Supportive?

From the very beginning, Lexi and Danny enjoyed a loving relationship. However, their bad eating habits only amplified the same in each other. The two would often enjoy dinner dates where they allowed themselves to indulge in anything they wanted. While this is fine every once in a while, it became a nearly daily occurrence for the two. They would eat out for all their meals, sometimes spending at all-you-can-eat buffets or in front of the TV.

“Before we lost weight we weren’t talking, we were just watching TV,” Lexi said. Soon enough, as the two spread their wings and became independent adults, the constant eating not only restricted their lives, but also started to affect their health severely…

Slippery Slope

By young adulthood, things had quickly progressed from bad to worse for Lexi. When she turned 25, Lexi weighed 485 pounds and stopped looking at the scale. Of course, the weight did more than destroy the young woman’s self-image. It also put her at risk of severe health issues and a life cut short. Danny, likewise, found himself at a similar unhealthy weight.

All the while, Lexi did her best to live life without restriction. However, her weight made that impossible, and the young woman realized that she needed to do something about her health.

Issues From An Early Age

Lexi has admitted, like so many, that all of her problems with weight and food started in her childhood. “We never had a lot of money and my parents never cooked,” Lexi recalled recently on Instagram. “Processed foods were always easier to purchase than healthy foods.”

Growing up, Lexi spent her nights inside, ordering takeout and eating processed foods. Sadly, the young woman had no idea that she had subconsciously “learned” terrible habits, creating a terrible lifestyle that would follow her for many years. In the end, it would take an incredible amount of effort to lose all that weight – and many failed attempts!

Several Failed Attempts

Over the years, Lexi made several attempts to change her dire situation, to no avail. When Lexi did lose weight, she quickly yo-yoed, putting it all back on. All the while, Danny largely abstained from the diets, as he saw they did not work for Lexi.

Anyone who’s lost weight can tell you: it’s all about sticking with it and constant reinforcement. Unfortunately, Lexi continued to return to her old life, time after time. Even while in a loving relationship with Danny, Lexi felt broken-hearted. Soon enough, her restricted lifestyle impacted her everyday life and mood. Lexi even found it challenging to move around in a normal fashion…

Time Well Spent?

As they grew older, Lexi and Danny found themselves unable to do many activities that other couples enjoy regularly. Despite being madly in love with one another, the two could not do things that would help them lose weight, like going on romantic walks, hikes together, or couple bike rides. They even felt uncomfortable going to the beach. So, day after day, Lexi and Danny elected to stay at home, watching TV and eating more.

Sadly, since they did want to go outside, the prospects of losing weight looked more and more unlikely for Lexi and Danny…

Limiting Beliefs, Limiting Habits

As Lexi and Danny continued through their 20s, things had truly started to spiral out of control. By this point, although they had not been diagnosed with anything, the two seriously feared the ramifications of their lifestyle: heart disease, diabetes, and much worse now seemed inevitable. Even worse, Lexi felt sure it would soon impact their relationship…

Ever since she had been a little girl, Lexi had dreamed of possibly having children of her own one day. However, due to her weight, she understood that having a baby would be dangerous for both her and the child. Needless to say, this weighed heavily on her mind. There were so many reasons to turn their lives around, but the couple still found it impossible to do so!

The Quest For A Different Life

Now in a dark, personal abyss, Lexi desperately wanted to escape. But what could she do? It seemed like the situation would go on forever. But Lexi knew it could not. If it did, she would need to give up on her dreams of traveling the world and having a family with Danny.

Lexi felt too afraid to change because she had no idea how to go about it. After all, she had barely ever cooked for herself in her entire life. Likewise, Lexi and Danny both hated the idea of the gym. “[The gym] didn’t sound great because it was always good going home, sitting down, eating and not having to worry about anything,” Danny recalled. Then, something happened that pushed back their weight loss goals once again…

One Little Question

While their physical health was far from perfect, Lexi and Danny’s relationship was healthier than ever. So, he finally decided to pop the question that Lexi had waited so long to hear. They were walking along the beach when Danny suddenly dropped to one knee. Looking into his love’s eyes, Danny asked her to marry him.

Of course, Lexi felt beside herself with joy and accepted his proposal without hesitation. Sadly, even this happy moment was tainted by their health issues. Lexi says she was instantly struck by thoughts about finding a wedding dress that would fit her. But she felt determined to find the perfect dress!

Desperately Searching

For months, Lexi struggled to find a dress that would suit her. Many would have given up at this point, but not this determined young woman! She would not let a single thing stand between her and the happiest day of her life. “Nobody knew how to make me feel like a bride, and not my size,” she explained. “Thank god I was strong enough to know my worth and kept searching for my 34W dress, even though I questioned if I would ever find one.”

At 485 pounds, Lexi found it challenging to find regular, everyday clothes, let alone an expensive, beautiful wedding dress. Thankfully, she eventually found the perfect wedding dress that made her feel like an angel. Then, in the blink of an eye, the day of the wedding arrived!

The Wonderful Wedding

Soon enough, the day of Lexi and Danny Reed’s wedding arrived. In front of their friends and family, eye-to-eye, the couple pledged their love forever. For their first time in a long time, both Danny and Lexi felt they looked their best. Still, in the back of their minds, they knew if they wanted to have a family together after the wedding, things would need to change.

In fact, Lexi hoped that the beautiful wedding would actually kick off the life change that they both desperately need. After all, what’s more life-changing than a wedding? “We had no idea exactly how we were going to lose the weight or if we would make it – but we were determined to try,” Lexi said later.

Everything Stays The Same…

When dreaming of their life after the wedding, Lexi had many goals on her mind. From traveling to having children, she wanted to do it all with Danny by her side. And the wedding was supposed to bring about that change in their lives.

Sadly, however, both Lexi and Danny continued on the same path as before. Even after the wedding, they rarely cooking meals and spending most nights in front of the TV. In the weeks after her wedding, Lexi hit rock bottom, feeling she had no control over her life. She realized that if she and Danny truly wanted to change their lives, they needed to make drastic changes. And that’s when Lexi had a brilliant idea!

A Promise To Change

At this point, a new year had rolled around, and Lexi could not face another year of obesity. So, she made a bet with Danny that they could not stick to harsh health rules. Also desperate for change, Danny agreed. The couple would need to stick to several rules for an entire month: “no eating out, no soda, no alcohol, no cheat meals, and working out for 30 minutes five times a week.” It seemed impossible!

But Danny and Lexi weren’t done yet. They also did away with unhealthy snacks, like cookies and cake. This was a total life change – but would it work? One thing was sure: Lexi and Danny felt different about this attempt. But they had no idea it would be even more challenging than they initially thought…

The Much Needed Changes For A Healthy Weight Loss

According to Lexi, deciding not to eat out did impact more than their waistlines. It also impacted their social life. “The first 30 days we didn’t eat out. We didn’t party with our friends or anything anymore; we didn’t have cheat meals,” she told local news station WTHI-TV. Still, the two felt determined to stick with the bet!

While not eating out was one thing, Lexi and Danny had also decided to start working out at their local gym. In many ways, this was even more challenging than the diet. Not only did their bodies ache, but Lexi had some genuine concerns about the gym environment. She feared people would snicker and make fun of her when she went. If the other people would not be supportive, the Reeds didn’t know if they could deal with the embarrassment!

Initial Progress

Thankfully, to Lexi’s delight, the people at the local gym completely surprised her. She says that she never once felt like an outsider and that everyone who worked there made her feel as though she belonged. At the gym, Lexi and Danny were able to work out in their own way without being judged.

In the blink of an eye, the first month flew by, and both Lexi and Danny managed to stick to their diet and workout bet! While they had both been a bit skeptical at the beginning, at this point, they knew that sticking with it would seriously pay off!

The Much Needed Mindset For A Healthy Weight Loss

Now that Lexi had started to see the fruits of her literal labor, she truly realized that she had the power to turn things wrong. After all, seeing is believing! While the results she saw and felt were small, Lexi knew that things were changing.

In her mind’s eye, Lexi could actually see her accomplishing all those dreams she had once written off: traveling, wearing a bikini, even raising children with Danny. While Lexi says that she sometimes regrets not starting on the path sooner, it’s better to be on it at all! In order to achieve something, you need to take real action – and Lexi Reed now understood that!

Fat Girl Fed Up

Now that Lexi and Danny were well on their way towards their weight loss, they wanted a way to keep everyone up to date with their progress. Not only that, but she wanted more ways to stay accountable. So, Lexi started the Instagram account “Fat Girl Fed Up” to document her weight loss.

However, that being said, Lexi never wanted to become a model of Instagram. Her goals were small and humble, like so many of us. In fact, her main goal, even above having children, was simple: look great in the same wedding dress she wore – only a few sizes smaller. Just a year after she started her weight loss journey, Lexi Reed made her dream come true…

Lexi Reed: A Different Woman

Believe it or not, Lexi Reed lost a whopping 224 pounds in the first year of her weight loss journey. That’s right! She dropped from the dangerous weight of 485 pounds to 261. Lexi not only looked a lot better in a wedding dress, but she could also do so much more than she could before. Her life had turned completely upside down – in the best way possible!

Even better, Lexi has also increased the time she’ll be here and spending time with her beloved Danny. Being obese in your 20s puts you at a dangerously high risk of a shortened lifespan. Thankfully, due to her incredible spirit, Lexi had overcome significant obstacles. However, her weight loss journey was just beginning. Even now, Lexi and Danny had no idea that Hollywood waited for them in the future!

A Healthy Weight Loss Journey

A year into their weight loss journey and Lexi and Danny had started to see some serious results. Most importantly, they could do things like enjoy walks and hikes together now. But Lexi could also wear dresses and outfits she never dreamed of before!

Of course, as time went on and she saw more and more physical results, Lexi also felt her self-esteem increase. Soon, she started attending group classes at the gym, where she made new friends. These friends became an essential part of her support system. And Danny’s transformation was not far behind at all…

Here Comes Danny

Not long after Lexi shared her results with the world, Danny also started to show off. He was able to lose around 100 pounds in that first year. In just one year, all thanks to one bet, these two had managed to go from partners in eating to partner in dieting.

Like always, Danny had remained by Lexi’s side through the entire weight loss journey, giving his full support. Now, their support of one another had actually paid off and not hindered them. Not only that, but they would also soon earn more of the fruits of their labor…

A New Family

For many, many years, Lexi had dreamed of starting her own family. However, having children had always been a risky endeavor for her – but no more! Lexi now, after a lot of hard effort, the option of safely having a family.

We can all take a page from Lexi’s book and her down-to-earth mindset. For her, it was never about reaching some kind of unattainable and over-the-top body, to please other people. Instead, Lexi just wanted to do what so many of us take for granted: moving around, having children, and wearing what we want. However, despite her modest goals, millions around the world flocked to her Instagram page…

Inspiring Others Towards A Healthy Weight Loss

While Lexi initially took to Instagram to keep herself accountable, her triumphant weight loss story quickly went viral. Now, she uses Fat Girl Fed Up to help others that are in the same position she was. Both she and Danny frequently post updates about their lives and what kind of meals and exercises they use to remain healthy and in shape.

Of course, Lexi and Danny Reed are not Instagram stars in the classic sense. Instead, they are ordinary people, just like the rest of us, with a goal that keeps them moving forward. After all, while they may have lost the weight, they want to remain healthy! Plus, the couple wants every to know that this is something obtainable.

What She Teaches On Her Platform

These days, Lexi regularly posts the results of her weight loss journey – even the times when she gains a little bit back! Alongside these updates, she shares tips regarding how to exercise and some motivational quotes to liven up her followers’ days. Plus, it helps keep everyone on track, especially on their dark days.

Now, hundreds around the world count Danny and Lexi Reed as daily inspirations. They even host weight loss competitions for those who are trying to remain healthy, just like them! Of course, it wasn’t long at all before Hollywood noticed young Danny and Lexi and came knocking…

Becoming Celebrities

As hard as it might be to believe, today, Lexi and Danny say that the most humbling part of their journey is their newfound celebrity status. After all, few people receive daily messages from around the world. Still, rather than becoming fame-obsessed celebrities, Lexi and Danny continue to remain humble. They somehow even remained calm and cool when invited to attend the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, celebrating the inspiration they had become.

“We’re just an average couple from Indiana,” Lexi said. “We never imagined we would one day be in Los Angeles and walking the red carpet.” It was an extraordinary day that fans of the Reeds will never, ever forget!

National Television Stars

As if walking the red carpet wasn’t enough, not long after, Lexi and Danny appeared on the Rachel Ray Show. There, they cooked healthy meals alongside the daytime host.  In fact, since becoming massive internet stars, the couple has appeared on various television programs, always inspiring others to achieve their weight loss goals.

Danny and Lexi also appeared on the Today Show, once again regaling their tale of becoming healthy. Afterward, Lexi’s Instagram follower count shot up to 800,000. Meanwhile, Danny also has his fair share of fans, with over 80,000 following his Instagram page. Above all, fans love their can-do attitudes!

A Can-Do Attitude

Recently, on her Instagram page, Lexi reminded everyone that, “when [she] started this journey [she] didn’t know how to cook anything other than eggs.” Now, she makes almost every single meal she eats. It’s truly incredible to see how far Lexi and Danny have come.

Of course, these days, the meals Lexi whips up are far more nutritious – and delicious – than the frozen pizzas and fast food she and Danny used to devour. Today, they love a perfect mix of fresh veggies and lean, mean protein. And, as Lexi likes to remind her followers, cooking isn’t necessarily difficult. It just takes practice! And that’s just the start of what Lexi has managed to pass on to others around the world.

Eating Terminology

One terrific tip from Danny and Lexi? Don’t use the term diet. Neither of them liked the term, as it made them feel as though they were restricting themselves. Instead, they opted for the term eating habit. With changed eating habits, they could still lightly indulge in tasty foods from time to time, but just smarter! Lexi also likes to remind people that every change country. Replacing all those processed foods? That counts! Simply adding a few more vegetables? That counts!

Recently, Lexi found herself in the national spotlight once again, thanks to her decision to have some of her excess skin removed via surgery. This significant life change once again proved scary to Lexi…

Finally Taking Care of Her Skin

There was one drawback to Lexi’s weight loss, however. “As a result of my weight-loss, I’ve been dealing with lots of excess skin,” Reed revealed on Instagram. “I have been in pain for months but nobody knows the reality of the pain loose skin can cause but the vanity of plastic surgery…This is my reality after living my whole life obese. I did this to myself, I was my problem and I’m now my solution. I refuse to keep doing any more damage to my body, I refuse to hide. This is my next chapter and eventually, I will have surgery to help my legs too.”

Over the next few months, Lexi brought her followers alongside every step of the process. She eventually sought out plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Michaels, known across the country for his skin removal procedures. But even in the best hands, Lexi still felt some fear.

Taking The Plunge

“[The skin removal surgery] was one of the scariest things not to mention decisions I have ever made in my life,” Lexi said of the surgery. “I had to put myself in the position to decide to go forward with surgery and even though I was terrified and I almost talked myself out of it a thousand times – there is no doubt in my mind that this surgery has already changed my life in so many ways that I can’t even imagine yet.”

At the end of the surgery, all the skin removed measured three feet wide and nearly two feet tall, coming in at almost exactly 7 lbs! While Lexi was swollen from surgery for some time, she slowly returned to the gym. These days, she uses her Instagram to answer questions, give exercise tips, and share delicious recipes. Read on to see some…

Salmon & Asparagus

As previously stated, one of Lexi’s favorite go-to weight loss meals is just having a lean protein with some greens. One of her favorite combinations? Delicious, grilled salmon with a side of grilled asparagus, graced with a smidge of parmesan cheese. Wow, when can we come over for dinner?

If you start following Danny and Lexi on Instagram, one thing will become clear quickly: they regularly cut out the carbs and instead only focus on the greens and the lean protein. This allows them to eat a lot, without consuming too many calories. But don’t think that this means they have no variation…

Sushi Delight

Frequently, Lexi likes to remind everyone that a healthy meal plan doesn’t have to be boring. Just take a look at this: sushi is a perfect example of a meal that can be included in a healthy weight loss plan. Lexi and Danny even like to make it for themselves sometimes. Other times, it’s one of the rare treats out they enjoy. See? You don’t need to completely deprive yourself of fun when losing weight.

These days, it’s pretty incredible to see just how far Lexi Reed has come. Even when she looks back, this ordinary, down-to-Earth woman can hardly believe she’s now a weight-loss champion, celebrity, and inspiration to thousands!

Looking Back

There’s no doubt that Lexi’s weight loss journey shows us all that even the most seemingly unattainable goal can be achieved with perseverance and will. There’s nothing that human beings cannot do if we set our minds to it. And Lexi Reed is proof of that!

Today, Lexi says it’s a combination of her dreams and Danny’s support that made her dreams possible. “This man has been by my side for the last 10 years and treated me no different at 485lbs than he does at 182lbs. We all deserve to live a life we are in love with and have people around that make it worth living.” What’s next for Danny and Lexi Reed? Well, let’s find out…

The Next Chapter

Today, Lexi and Danny Reed still have health goals to reach, but they are thrilled with where they find themselves. Online, the couple continues to inspire thousands around the globe through their social media account. Still, they’ve also started to think about how to expand their private lives.

In 2019, Lexi told Life & Style Magazine that she now is 100% sure she sees her and Danny having children sometime soon. When she does, Lexi Reed will have achieved every weight loss goal and dream she ever had. While this once seemed impossible, it’s now closer than ever! We’ll make sure to keep you up to date with all the Reeds’ world!

Sources: Facebook, HashtagChatter, Instagram, PostFun, Woman’s Health.