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Saturday
Mar072009
Manuel Uribe and His Struggle to Walk Again
Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 5:46AM 
Manuel Uribe, 43, of Monterrey, Mexico was awarded the title "The Heaviest Man in the World" in Jan. 2006 by Guinness World Records. At that time he weighed 1,235 lbs. He has since lost over 500 lbs and now weighs about 700 lbs thanks to the Zone diet. He had been bed-ridden since 2001 and has one goal in mind - to be able to walk again.
Manuel Uribe is beyond the kind of overweight that comes from fast food and lack of exercise. Doctors call it morbid obesity. According to the National Institutes of Health, obesity means weighing 20 percent or more than your ideal body weight, and it's a health risk. Morbid obesity is altogether different. Sometimes called "clinically severe obesity," it means you're 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight, with a body mass index of 40 or higher.
Uribe doesn't gain weight like the rest of us. Brain chemistry, genetic mutation, addiction, psychological pain -- or an unhappy combination of all of them -- makes morbid obesity one of the biggest mysteries of medicine.
An operation in 2001 - to remove 180 lbs of growth tissue from his thighs and pelvic areas - proved unsuccessful and Manuel feared that he would not be able to walk again. In addition to his weight problems, his wife of 14 years left him. He continued to over-eat and became depressed and at one point contemplated suicide.
Things began to change after he was noticed by a local journalist, Jose Luis Garcia, who interviewed him and told his story to the world. In the interview Manuel asked for someone to help him lose weight. Doctors and dietitians visited him. After much consultation Manuel decided to go on a diet, the Zone diet, rather than undergo more surgery which came with significant risks to his health.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F5XD306VGg&feature=related]
Manuel not only started losing weight on his new diet but he also found love again. He met Claudia Solis and they both decided to get married. The following video chronicles Manuel's transformation from depression to romance.
Manuel and Claudia
[wpvideo RfsQ7bfw]
Manuel Gets Married
[wpvideo UYR4w5rs]
Even though Manuel is still not able to walk, he has plans to be mobile. He is now having a 1989 Chevrolet Astrovan outfitted specially for him. The minivan is being converted into an open-air, flatbed pickup. Manuel says he will put a bed on the back of the van to drive around town, with his new wife at the wheel.
With his new found lease on life, Manuel now wants to open an auto parts store. He is also making plans to visit the beach soon with his wife. He plans to continue with his diet and exercise and maybe someday he will be able to walk again. Below is a clip with Dr. Barry Sears, the creator of the Zone diet.
[wpvideo MKcUOHnE]
Manuel Uribe sums it up like this:
"I love life , I love God and I have someone to love, Thank God!!"
tagged Barry Sears, Claudia Solis, Guinness World Records, Manuel Uribe, Mexico, Morbid Obesity, Obesity, The Zone Diet, romance in Our World, Weird, news, odd, world
Barry Sears, Claudia Solis, Guinness World Records, Manuel Uribe, Mexico, Morbid Obesity, Obesity, The Zone Diet, romance in Our World, Weird, news, odd, world
Reader Comments (25)
this is unbelievably grosssss...
I cannot stand criticism from those that have not thoroughly researched Manuel's story. He has been working hard at loosing weight and has been an inspiration to many people. Do the research and one will find that Manuel needs and deserves the world's support. His story is fasincating.
you would think he would stop eating so much. He needs to have bypass surgery for his own health. Obviously the diet he is on it not working for him. I wish him luck.
i have been following his case very close. Obviously what he is doing is not working well, as he still eats huge meals. I hope he will have the surgery to help him.
I wish him luck as he battles this condition. He has a wonderful attitude and desire to get better. I think he can do it!....keep up the great work!
MW is not paying attention. He is following a doctor supervised diet. if you notice his plate is filled with vegetables and/or vegetables and lean protein. Before his mother fixed him scrambled eggs with lots of meat, now it's egg whites. The food he is now consuming have lower calories, but higher nutritional value. He is not constantly eating like before and you cannot put a man that size on a 1500 cal diet not even I can do that. Also where did you get that it's not working? 500 pounds in three years? It took him longer than that to gain it and I've read about people who it took one to two years to lose 100 pounds. So he's doing better than average. The Tumors alone weigh over two hundred pounds. Once they figure out how to get those off and he can move, he will lose the rest of the weight in no time. The removal of the excess skin will also remove a significant amount of weight. Then this man will have to be vigilante for the rest of his life to maintain his health. I am praying for him. This is an astounding fete, but he trusts in the Lord and He will see him through. Manuel has beaten all odds, men who are a third his size die as a result of their morbid obesity, but God spared his life, because he wants us to learn a valuable lesson about Love. The outpouring he has received supercedes all the nasty and unkind comments. I love you Manuel. May God Bless your family and continue to bless you. You have inspired me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I do not judge this man by his weight or loss of weight. I look and see a man who is happier than he was in 2006. Thi sof course is my opinion, but he appears no longer to be alone or depressed. he has his goals, a wife and his faith. I am happy for him and I hope he continues to improve his life and whatever weight he ends up at I feel is not as important as the lessons and experiences he has had on this incredible journey.
MY HEART GOES OUT TO MANUEL AND ANY OTHER PERSON SUFFERING THIS TERRIBLE CONDITION. I HOPE THERE WILL BE MORE RESEARCH DONE. NO ONE WANTS THIS FOR THEMSELVES. I HAVE SEEN SOME PEOPLE CONTINUE TO EAT PIZZA, HAMBURGERS BY THE DOZEN, FRENCH FRIES, ETC. I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT PART OF ALL OF THIS. ALL I KNOW IS THAT DIETING IS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS TO DO FOR SO CALLED REGULAR FOLKS. SO, IMAGINE BEING SO OVERWEIGHT THAT YOU CANNOT WALK AND HAVING TO GO ON A DIET. I WISH MANUEL THE BEST. REMEMBER THE SAYING ABOUT WALK IN MY SHOES, DON'T BE SO FAST TO JUDGE OTHERS.
Amen to that JE. This man is quite astonishing and as you so apptly wrote, 'he trusts in The Lord and He will see him through'. This kind of committment and love from both God and Manuel is a huge testiment to faith and trust.
Manuel, I love you too brother.
congrates i hope everything goes well and i wish you all the best and how much do you weigh now?
this guy can do it he is the definition of determination, will power and he just plain out kick ass dude
KEEP TRYING
One has to admire his spirit. I can't fathom weighing that much, let alone trying to lose it! That somehow he found love should be an inspiration to all.
I am hoping his physicians can do something to correct the lymphadema's on his legs, I think this is not only holding him back from becoming more mobile, but also adding considerable weight to his overall body weight. I think as soon as he is able to stand, then walk, the weight wil quickly leave him and his goal of 260 pounds is achievable....ariba Manuel!!!
i totaly agree JE this man i think is amazing - hes an inspiration and a miraical that he is still alive, clearly he is wanted in this world and a lesson to us all. come on manuel :)
This man has accomplished so much over the past few years I lost 60 pounds in 3 years this guy has lost total of 500 pounds! since he started with the lord's help. I know he can do it keep doing it uribe manuel I can't wait until i see it on the news how you walk again. keep going and you will achieve this.
Love you Uribe Manuel Take Care and keep exercising keep your eyes set on your goal to walk again.
i'll pray for you. Take Care and Always Believe in Jesus Christ! because he is Truly with us threw everything!
Take Care!! Peace.
The spirit and courage of Manuel Uribi is something to be admired. God bless him and the woman that has brought him purpose - Claudia.
Занятная статья. Краткость явно Ваша сестра ;)
He lost my sympathy after he begged for someone to help and doctors in Italy offered to get him to Italy and do the gastric bypass completely free of charge. He refused it, said it came with too many health risks. Are you kidding me? Surgery has more health risks than waying 1200 lbs? I seriously doubt it.
Manuel could have turned it down after the previous surgery to remove skin and tumors didn't last, with the diet he is in control of his situation and hee needs to learn how to eat healthily, what better way than to start with some self control and re-education. Surgery carries it's own risks. My hat is off to him and would love to see him walk again.
I watched Manuel's story for the first time on TV last night. It is an absolute miracle that he is still alive. God definitely has a plan for his life. What an INSPIRATION! I look forward to seeing him walking again. Keep it up Manuel. You obviously have a great big heart. I will continue to follow your story and pray for you.
Desrae Goldstone
Durban, South Africa
Keep it up Manuel. It would be great to see you walk again. With God's help, I know you can do it.
Trina
Harare, Zimbabwe
Manuel you have such a wonderful personality and u indeed deserve to be happy! so thank God for your beautiful bride. you haven't let the mast of weight weigh you down but have done more sitting in one place than most who are not phisically challenged. thank God also for Luise the reporter who brought your story to world in the 1st place. overall you are an inspiration to a lot of people and i do pray you walk again. we will be here to rejoice and celebrate the day you take those steps.
N.B.
I know this is not directly your website but i'd rather write like i were talking to you dirrectly anyway!
You are an inspiration and I hope you get it right and are able to walk soon! God bless you Manuel!!!
I saw the story on the Discovery channell. It bring tears to my eyes. I am very proud of those two people and I am very happy for them.
Bettie