Today he's 120kg lighter - and he's determined to lose even more.
THE bed in the corner of the lounge reminds him of a prison cell. For five years he was held captive in it by his own huge body, unable to get up even once in all that time.
At his heaviest, Norman Nel (42) weighed 300kg and he hated himself. His weight stole everything from him and he was in mortal danger from hypertension and sky-high cholesterol.
He was also deeply depressed and his relationship with his wife, Melanie (42), was strained.
"There were times I didn't want to live anymore, Norman says.
Norman Nel, with his family, when he tipped the scales at almost 300kg.
But those days are over now. He knew he had to do something drastic or Melanie and his daughter, Micayla (16), would be burying him. Norman, who lives in Bellville, Cape Town, ditched the fad diets that had seen his weight yoyo dramatically over the years and stuck to a high-fat, low-carb, zero-sugar diet that's helped him lose 120kg.
His goal is to lose another 30kg by the end of the year, which will take him to 150kg. Then he'll be on his way to his ultimate goal weight of 100kg. Norman is determined to keep on the straight and narrow.
For years he couldn't walk, drive a car or even go to the bathroom. Support from his wife, Melanie, helped him get his life back.
"Look," he says, pushing himself up off the couch - something he couldn't do late last year. "Three months a ago I could pull myself up with a walker and keep standing. A month ago, I was able to walk outside for the first time.
"Now I walk, still using the walker, around the block every day."
The 10XL shirts that used to be too tight are now far too big, as are the shorts that once strained to contain his bulk.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 26 May 2022 من YOU South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 26 May 2022 من YOU South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!
Kourtney Kardashian and other celebs are honouring the glory of new moms' postpartum bodies
LEON'S ORDEAL IS NO JOKE
Pain has dominated entertainer Leon Schuster's life after a serious back injury landed him in bed. But despite being depressed he remains hopeful he will recover so he can get back to work
'BREAK THE SILENCE'
That's the message of the Scottish comedian who turned his experience of stalking and sexual abuse into a hit Netflix show
A PLACE OF HOPE AND HEALING
Damaged people and abused dogs find a safe haven and a chance to start again at this farm in the Cape Winelands
FROM SPERM DONOR TO DAD OF 37
Peter Ellenstein's life took an unexpected turn when a message from a daughter he never knew he had led to him meeting dozens of his children and exploring what it means to be a father without ever having raised them
GRATEFUL FOR EVERY BREATH
A double lung transplant has given this chef a second chance at life - and he'll never forget the young man who made it possible
THE GAMES ARE GO!
Preparations are well under way in the City of Lights for the world's greatest sporting spectacle
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
We break down what the new rules are and what to expect for the seventh national elections later this month
TOM'S A TOP GIFTER
He's known to go ALL OUT for his movies and stunts, so it's no surprise TOM CRUISE also PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS for his friends when it comes to GIFTS
TAMING THE BEAST
Recognising and managing your anger can make for a happier and healthier you