This is the remarkable story of how a woman who became the world’s fattest by gorging on a breakfast of six scrambled eggs, half a pound of bacon, four hash browns and six slices of buttered bread washed down with ice cream milkshake turned it all around to lose more than 500 pounds.
Amazingly Pauline Potter used the shocking diet to try to gain the title.
By 2012, weighing 50 stone, the then mum-of-one officially entered the Guinness Book of Records as the World’s Heaviest Living Woman 2012.
Others were waiting in the wings to rob her of the title.
Pauline was just one of the women part of the group called Supersize Big Beautiful Women who believed that the bigger you got, the more beautiful you become.
Eventually, years of rubbing corn starch on folds of skin, requiring the help of others, to prevent yeast infections, made her decide to go on a diet, starring in the hit US show My 600lb Life along the way.
By 2021 she was unrecognisable after losing more than 500 pounds.
It was a difficult journey with many ups and downs.
Dr Younan Nowzaradan, known as Dr Now, who worked with her on the show, had to deal with her initial refusal of the 1,200-calorie diet she was given. At one stage, she even decided to give up on her weight loss journey altogether, despite wanting to shed the weight to be less of a burden on her family.
She initially increased in weight under the doctor’s guidance but eventually Pauline managed to lose enough weight to undergo surgery and despite a few blips in the road, she managed to lose 300lbs and qualify for skin removal surgery.
By January 2023 Pauline managed to lose over 520lbs and was ready to live a healthier lifestyle in her home state of California.
In October 2021, Dr Now had shown just how well Pauline had done in her weight loss journey with a jaw-dropping before and after snap of the reality TV star on Instagram.
He penned to 602k followers: “I am very proud of the commitment and progress Pauline has made.
“When a patient wants to work with me to lose over 500 pounds, the first step is understanding their belief in the ‘power of commitment’ to achieve their weight loss goals.
“Weight loss surgery should not be viewed as a quick fix. It is a tool to help support you in your weight loss journey.”
He continued: “The results are inspiring when you commit to making the life changes necessary to become a candidate for surgery & to lose excess fat.
“You continue to invest in yourself & your goals, you have the proper support & mindset.
“If you are doubtful of the possibilities. Ask yourself, ‘What is holding you back in life right now?’ If you are willing to commit to making changes, you will be able to see results.”
Pauline has since gone quiet on social media with no new posts on Facebook or Instagram since early 2023, when she seemed delighted with her new lifestyle.