Imagine tipping the scales at over 585 pounds, a number so big your scale just shrugs and gives up. That was Cole Prochaska’s reality back in 2021. Fast forward four years, and this 41-year-old dynamo from Florida has shed a mind-blowing 360 pounds—basically the weight of two extra people! Swapping a 5,000-calorie junk food frenzy for sneakers and grit, Cole walked his way to a transformation that’s got the internet buzzing. But here’s the kicker: his journey’s not over yet. Let’s unpack how he turned his life around, why he’s still chasing freedom from excess skin, and what his story means for anyone eyeing a fresh start.

The Heavy Days: A Life Weighed Down

Cole’s battle with weight kicked off when he was just six. Growing up, food became his comfort, his escape—a crutch that piled on pounds over decades. By 2021, he was clocking in at over 585 pounds, though he reckons it might’ve been even more since his scale maxed out. Picture this: a daily diet of five cheeseburgers, whole pizzas, bags of chips, and a 12-pack of soda. That’s 5,000 calories of pure chaos, folks. “I felt pretty bad,” Cole admits. “I’d plaster on a smile, but deep down? I was lonely. Couldn’t face a chair without wondering if it’d hold me.”

Exercise? Forget it—he’d gasp for air just thinking about it. Social outings? Nope. The fear of not fitting in—literally—kept him sidelined. Then came the wake-up call: a seven-year relationship crumbling. “She lost respect for me,” he says. “I wasn’t going anywhere. I tried to save us, but I ended up saving myself.” That spark lit a fire, and Cole decided it was time to move—literally.

Video: 360lbs Weight loss journey update!

Step One: Walking Into a New Groove

How do you climb out of a 585-pound hole? One step at a time. Cole laced up his sneakers and started small—think a couple of blocks, nothing fancy. But here’s the magic: he didn’t stop. “I hold myself accountable,” he tweeted once, rain pounding outside. “No one’s dragging me out there—I do it for me.” Those baby steps turned into a daily 10,000-step habit, sometimes spiking to 15,000 or even 27,000 on a wild day. Walking became his rebellion against the old Cole, a middle finger to excuses.

But it wasn’t just about moving his feet. He ditched the soda-and-chips lifestyle, swapped it for water, and got smart about calories. High-protein grub—think lean meats and beans—fueled his engine. “It’s a life change,” he says. “I leveled up to the gym, and man, I feel great.” From wheezing at the thought of a stroll to pumping iron, Cole’s transformation is the stuff of legends.

The Skin Struggle: Trapped in Victory

Here’s where it gets real. After dropping 360 pounds, Cole’s a new man—sort of. He’s down to about 225 pounds, a size “one person” instead of “three men,” as he puts it. But the mirror tells a different story. “I’ve got muscles now, but I’m still trapped,” he confesses. Excess skin hangs like a heavy curtain—on his arms, legs, stomach—forcing him to tuck it into pants or hide under baggy clothes. Ever tried running with that? It’s like jogging with a parachute strapped to you.

Cole’s raw about it. “It’s hard to share a shirtless pic,” he wrote on his GoFundMe page, which has raked in over $81,000 toward a $100,000 goal for skin removal surgery. “I’ve never walked a beach without a shirt. Pool parties? Nope. This skin—it’s holding me back.” That vulnerability hit a nerve online, but it’s also his battle cry. He’s not just shedding pounds; he’s shedding shame, one honest post at a time.

Crowdfunding a Dream: Surgery on the Horizon

So, what’s next? Surgery—and not just one. Cole’s eyeing three to five procedures to ditch the skin, starting with his upper body. In 2023, he hopped his first-ever flight to California to meet a plastic surgeon, mapping out a plan that could kick off in months. “Keep walking,” he tweeted from the Golden State, chatting up followers mid-stroll. The price tag? Steep—think $60,000 to $100,000 steep. That’s where the crowdfunding comes in, turning strangers into cheerleaders.

The internet’s all in. “You’re a warrior, Cole!” one donor gushes. Another chimes in, “Your knees will thank you when that skin’s gone!” He’s not just raising cash; he’s raising hope. Cole’s blunt about doing it the hard way—no Ozempic, no gastric bypass. “Grind it out,” he posted on X in July 2024. “You’ll feel healthier, happier—I promise.”

Inspiration in Motion: Cole’s Ripple Effect

Cole’s not keeping this win to himself—he’s tossing it out like a lifeline. “I want to inspire people to tackle whatever they’re fighting,” he says. And folks are catching it. “Absolutely inspiring!” one fan writes. “Your dedication’s unreal,” adds another. His story’s a neon sign flashing: You can do this. Lost a relationship but found himself, Cole’s proof that rock bottom’s just a launchpad if you’ve got the guts to bounce.

He’s not slowing down either. Between work (he’s a store manager), walks, and gym sessions, Cole’s a machine. His social media’s a goldmine of motivation—before-and-after shots, pep talks, and that relentless “keep going” vibe. Who wouldn’t root for a guy who turned 585 pounds into a rallying cry?

Conclusion: Cole’s Still Kicking—and Winning

Cole Prochaska’s journey is a rollercoaster of sweat, grit, and heart. From a 5,000-calorie crash course in overeating to a 360-pound drop, he’s rewritten his story one step at a time. Sure, the excess skin’s a drag—literally—but he’s not letting it steal the show. With over $81,000 raised and surgery on the horizon, he’s chasing the finish line, shirtless beach days and all. What’s the takeaway? Cole’s living proof you don’t need a magic pill—just a pair of sneakers, a stubborn streak, and a little faith in yourself. His tale’s not done, but it’s already lighting fires under anyone ready to rewrite their own. Keep walking, Cole—we’re all watching.