Vannessa Cross has opened up about her life before her 213lb (15.2 stone) weight loss, admitting she had felt "helpless" and like a "broken woman".
The 1000-lb Best Friends star has shed a lot of pounds since starting her weight loss journey and revealed she's finally "started living" after completely transforming her life.
Vannessa weighed 442lb (31.5 stone) when she first appeared on the TLC reality show, but decided to try and overcome her unhealthy habits after speaking to her pal and co-star Meghan Crumpler.
"I was like, 'Okay, well yeah I'm fine being big, but God look at her!' She's walking easier, she's not using her oxygen so much, she's doing so much better," Vannessa said in a new interview.
The 44-year-old became "fed up" with her struggles and adopted a healthier lifestyle to try and lose the weight.
She cut out bread, sugar, and soda from her diet and was eventually approved for bariatric surgery.
Vannessa has since dropped down to 229lb (16.4 stone) and said said she has been able to keep the weight off after finally addressing her unhealthy relationship with food.
"I started mentally figuring out why. I opened my mind to try to understand what in my brain is making me want to stay fat and stay helpless," she said.
In an interview with People, Vannessa said she is no longer "a broken woman" and has been able to incorporate fitness into her weekly routine.
"I put a pair of pants on that never in a million years did I think I could fit in. I've changed everything in my life and started living," she revealed.
The reality star said she used to see food as a source of comfort and joy, but has now replaced that with things such as going for a walk or heading to the gym.
Her new weight loss goal is to get down to 180lb (12.9 stone) so she can be approved for skin removal surgery.
Vannessa was left disappointed in the finale of 1000-lb Best Friends after being denied the surgery.
During the episode, Dr Procter told the star: "Right now's not the time to have the surgery. You're probably not quite ready yet."
Vannessa looked visibly upset at the news and was left speechless.
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