Gold Coast man loses half body weight in less than a year

IT has been a little under a year since Gold Coast man Thomas Teneti kicked off his weight loss journey and now, having shed 153kg, he is about to take on his biggest challenge yet.

IT HAS been a little under a year since Gold Coast man Thomas Teneti kicked off his weight loss journey, inspired by words of encouragement from his nephew.

Since his first step towards a healthy weight, the Pimpama man had gone from a top of almost 300kg, and hoping to end his life, to a huge reduction and embracing all that life has to offer.

Not only has he shed a whopping 153kg, he has come out to his parents as a gay man after years of self inflicted shame, a secret that was literally killing him.

“My nephew told me being gay was no reason to give up living. We can’t change what people accept. From that moment on something clicked,” he said.

GOLD COAST MAN SHEDS 100KG ON MISSION TO TAKE BACK LIFE

BEFORE: A 300kg Thomas Teneti at his heaviest. PHOTO: Supplied.

Out, proud and more driven than ever, and equipped with a new smile thanks to a very generous dentist, Mr Teneti is now hoping to undergo surgery to shed his excess skin.

He attributes the massive weight loss to the gut health-focused PHATT program (Putting Health At The Top).

AFTER: Thomas Teneti has lost over 150kg this year, after some inspirational words from his nephew and is now on a mission to be as healthy as he can be. Picture Glenn Hampson

“For me the journey has been to maintain the lifestyle and consider what was going into my body,’’ he said.

“I have gone from having nothing and hiding in the dark to having people from all over help me.’’

Mr Teneti hopes to undergo skin removal surgery in the new year, to help him become more mobile than ever.

“I was introduced to a surgeon by the founder of the (PHATT) program, who had offered his time.’’

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Thomas Teneti has lost a huge amount of weight and is raising funds to remove his excess skin. Picture Glenn Hampson

To assist him in undergoing the surgery, Mr Teneti’s friends are raising money through Gofundme to cover hospital care and rehabilitation, which is estimated to cost in the region of $20,000.

The fund, which was started this month, has raised over $3000.

“I am so grateful. I am still working on getting out of my comfort zone — me actually getting out of my four walls,” he said.

“The biggest change I have seen in myself was knowing how much I am worth now.

“Coming out was the best thing to happen to me. I love myself, I have accepted myself for who I am and I realise that is all that really matters.

“After the surgery my biggest goal is to go out and share my story with the world, work on that, and get people to come out of where they are hiding.

“I spent 30 years of my life hiding in the shadows. Now I am glad I am able to live for who I am.

“Now I am one blessed man because of the people who have come into my life offering these things.

NIP AND TUCK SEASON ARRIVES ON THE GOLD COAST

Thomas Teneti before and after his dental makeover provided by WA Dental.

“Sometimes I need to take a step back because it gets overwhelming. I have never really had people care like that before.

“Why me is always my question. I might not understand that, but I do believe in second chances.”

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