From a devastating medical diagnosis to a life-changing transformation, a young man in Ho Chi Minh City has lost more than 60kg in just nine months, reshaping not only his body but also his entire way of living.
Looking at his current appearance, few would believe that Le Quoc Viet, from Tan Nhut commune, once weighed nearly 140kg.
No way back
Looking at his current appearance, few would believe Viet once weighed nearly 140kg.
In recent days, Viet has been celebrating his 26th birthday with a deep sense of fulfillment. It marks not only another year of life but also the completion of an extraordinary personal transformation.
Back in 2024, Viet weighed 138.5kg, largely due to an unhealthy lifestyle and neglect of his own well-being.
He recalled eating three to four meals a day, each consisting of two bowls of rice or three to four packs of instant noodles, along with three to four eggs and a cup of milk tea.
After eating, he would remain sedentary, often lying or sitting in place. He frequently stayed up all night using his phone or watching films, drinking sugary soft drinks while lying in bed. If food ran out, he would go to a convenience store regardless of the hour.
“I didn’t just have a strong appetite. I constantly feared that restaurants would run out of food, so I would buy multiple portions at once,” Viet said. “I ate so much that my family had to hide food from me.”
Despite his rapidly increasing weight, Viet did not initially feel self-conscious. He maintained his habits until his body began to show alarming signs.
Previously, Viet’s unhealthy lifestyle led to excessive weight gain.
Constant eating and lack of movement caused severe obesity.
“I suddenly had severe headaches and had to go to the hospital. That’s when I received the biggest shock of my life,” he recalled.
Medical tests revealed a series of serious conditions: fatty liver, kidney swelling, an 8mm kidney stone, cholesterol accumulation in the gallbladder wall, fluid in the lungs, blood oxygen levels at 87%, and vestibular disorders.
Doctors warned him that he faced an extremely high risk of stroke and that his lifestyle could cost him his life at any moment.
Holding the medical report in his hands, Viet said he was overwhelmed with fear. “I cried a lot. But in the end, I accepted reality. I knew I had no choice but to change if I wanted to save myself.”
A complete transformation
After receiving his medical results, Viet began his journey with walking.
After returning home, Viet began researching and designing his own long-term training plan.
Weighing nearly 140kg, he started simply by walking. From March 5, 2025, he committed to walking 10,000 steps every day.
He eliminated rice entirely from his diet, relying instead on vegetables and fruits, and getting carbohydrates from corn, sweet potatoes, bananas, and arrowroot vermicelli. To control cravings, he cut out all seasonings and high-calorie foods and drinks.
“I didn’t use any medication, didn’t undergo medical intervention, didn’t go to the gym, and didn’t hire a personal trainer. I just kept going,” he said.
He shifted to a diet focused mainly on vegetables and fruits.
“In the early days, every step felt like dragging a machine without wheels. My body wasn’t used to the routine, and I was exhausted. Many times, I thought about giving up. But thinking about my life, I kept going.”
Gradually, his body adapted, and the weight began to drop. As he grew lighter, he transitioned to running.
At first, he could only run 100 meters before becoming breathless. Then it increased to 200 meters, 500 meters, and eventually 1-2 kilometers before needing a break. In time, he was able to run 10 kilometers continuously in one hour and 40 minutes.
After about nine months, his weight dropped from 138.5kg to 74kg. Remarkably, his body showed no excess skin, appearing firm and well-proportioned.
A follow-up medical check revealed that his health had recovered to 97%.
After nine months, Viet achieved a balanced and healthy physique.
He is now fit enough to participate in running events and achieve strong results.
Since then, Viet has continued running, taking on longer distances. Recently, he completed a 21km race in a community running event with an impressive result.
“When I received the medal, I cried again - not because of the achievement, but because I had overcome myself,” he shared.
“This journey taught me that there is no miracle. A miracle is just another name for persistence and not giving up.”
His transformation has astonished family and friends. Many believe his story even more because they know he did not have the financial means for weight-loss surgery.
They now turn to him for advice, drawing inspiration from his journey.
Vietnamnet.vn
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