Is It Possible for Dreams to Come True?
Do you have the determination to set a goal and transform your life? Lexi and Danny Reed certainly did. It all began when Lexi decided to make a change, and just 18 months later, their lives had completely transformed. Along the way, the couple gathered valuable advice on how to take the first steps toward achieving your dreams. Curious about what they did to create such a dramatic shift? Let Lexi and Danny’s incredible journey inspire you to pursue your own.
Is It Possible for Dreams to Come True?
Early Problems
Lexi Reed struggled with her weight since childhood, but she remained a happy, outgoing person who refused to let it define her. Despite numerous attempts with different diets and programs, the weight always returned. By the age of 25, she weighed 392 pounds, and the extra weight was beginning to take a serious toll on her quality of life. Though she tried to live a joyful and fulfilling life, her weight was increasingly standing in the way of achieving her dreams.
Early Problems
Lexi’s Life’s Love
As Lexi continued on her life’s journey, she eventually met the love of her life, Danny Reed, who she would later describe as her best friend of 10 years. Danny loved Lexi for who she was, regardless of her size or shape. While he was always loving and supportive, there was one challenge: Danny also had unhealthy eating habits and led a sedentary lifestyle, making him unintentionally supportive of the very habits Lexi needed to change.
Lexi’s Life’s Love
Unhealthy Habits
Both Lexi and Danny struggled with their weight, with Danny, a few years older than Lexi, tipping the scales at around 280 pounds. Together, they sank deeper into a sedentary lifestyle, indulging in unhealthy foods without restraint. Their habits reinforced each other: they often ate out for every meal, spent hours at all-you-can-eat buffets, and even when at home, relied on takeout. Meanwhile, the extra pounds were steadily taking a serious toll on their health.
Unhealthy Habits
A Dangerous Cycle
Lexi admitted that her cycle of unhealthy habits began in childhood. “Growing up, we never had a lot of money and my parents never cooked. Processed foods were always easier to purchase than healthy foods,” she told PopSugar. That pattern continued into her relationship with Danny, as the couple often binge-watched TV while eating. “I was always an emotional eater, and no matter what the mood, food was always there for me,” Lexi added.
A Dangerous Cycle
Unhealthy Limitations
Being overweight kept Lexi and Danny from enjoying activities that others often take for granted. Despite their happy relationship, they couldn’t go on romantic walks, bike rides, or hikes, leaving them mostly at home in front of the TV. Lexi recognized that her weight was limiting her life. Although she remained a positive and cheerful person, she knew she needed to make a change—but lacked the motivation and direction to do so. That is, until something happened that would change everything.
Unhealthy Limitations
The Engagement
Danny finally proposed, and Lexi happily said yes. “He never saw me as my size, asked me to change, or made me feel anything other than beautiful,” she wrote on Instagram. But finding a wedding dress at 485 pounds proved to be a major challenge. Lexi shared on Instagram that there was nothing glamorous about shopping for a dress at her size. “Nobody knew how to make me feel like a bride and ignore my size. Thank god I was strong enough to know my worth and kept searching for my 34W dress, even though I questioned if I would ever find one,” she added.
The Engagement
The Wedding
Lexi eventually found the perfect dress for her wedding day, and she and Danny tied the knot. But their challenges were just beginning. To live healthy, fulfilling lives together, they faced a long journey ahead. Marriage also brought up the question of having children—a prospect that could be risky for both Lexi and the baby given her health at the time. Yet starting a family wasn’t the only dream that felt out of reach for the newlyweds.
The Wedding
Even The Small Dreams
While the possibility that Lexi might not be able to have children was the couple’s biggest worry, even smaller, everyday goals felt out of reach. Things many take for granted, like traveling, seemed impossible. Lexi dreamed of visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando, but she was not only too large to ride the attractions, she also couldn’t fit in a plane seat. Traveling from her home in Indiana to Florida posed yet another seemingly insurmountable obstacle.
Even The Small Dreams
Married Life
A year of marriage passed with little change, and the couple still spent their free time in front of the TV, eating mostly unhealthy, processed foods. Lexi felt like things were spiraling out of control and knew deep down that something had to change, though she didn’t know where to start. Despite the uncertainty, she never gave up hope—her strength kept her going. Little did she know, the call for change would come unexpectedly and end up transforming her life forever.
Married Life
A New Year’s Resolution
The idea of adopting a healthier lifestyle for their own sake began to dominate Lexi’s thoughts. That’s why, on New Year’s Day 2016, she resolved to make changes that would improve her health and well-being. As in any marriage, she wasn’t alone in her journey—her husband was by her side. At first, however, Danny wasn’t interested in joining her, and it took some convincing before he embraced his wife’s New Year’s resolution to live healthier.
A New Year’s Resolution
A Change Of Heart
“At first, the idea didn’t sound appealing—going home, sitting down, eating, and not worrying about anything was always easier,” Danny admitted. But as a loving husband, he refused to let Lexi face the resolution alone. Eventually, he had a change of heart: “It’s a new year and something to work toward while helping Lexi out as well,” he said. Deep down, he knew that committing to better health was the right choice for both of them.
A Change Of Heart
A Bet Among Friends
When friends heard about Lexi and Danny’s New Year’s resolution, some of them decided to make a bet with the couple. The challenge was simple but strict: follow a set of rules for a month—no eating out, no soda, no alcohol, no cheat meals, and working out for 30 minutes five times a week. Lexi and Danny eagerly accepted the challenge, determined to prove to themselves that they had the self-discipline to change their habits. This small bet marked the beginning of their long journey toward a happier, healthier life.
A Bet Among Friends
Enough Is Enough
“We were fed up with the life we were living and all the things we couldn’t do together as a couple,” Lexi said, determined to make a change. She was tired of being unable to fly on a plane or enjoy simple romantic walks with her husband. “We also feared that if we didn’t get our health under control, we would never be able to start a family,” she added. Exhausted by the lifestyle they had grown accustomed to, Lexi made the decision to take control of her life and make a major change.
Enough Is Enough
The Gym
Lexi and Danny joined a local gym in their hometown of Terre Haute, Indiana. True to her word, Lexi committed to working out for 30 minutes every day—but it wasn’t easy for several reasons. Neither of them had a personal trainer, yet both were determined to keep their promise to friends. Lexi, in particular, faced challenges in finding the right workout routine, as her weight caused severe joint pain that made exercising difficult.
The Gym
The Right Place And Equipment
Finding the right gym wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Lexi felt self-conscious about what others might think when they saw her working out. Eventually, the couple discovered a gym that wasn’t too crowded, and Lexi found an exercise machine that worked for her. “I started going there during a free trial, and since it was never really crowded, my machine faced the wall so I didn’t feel like everyone was watching me. I found a machine called the CrossRamp that didn’t hurt my joints at 485 pounds—and I fell in love with it,” she recalled.
The Right Place And Equipment
New Eating Habits
Going to the gym daily was just the first step in Lexi and Danny’s journey toward a healthier lifestyle. They also had to give up eating out, which meant preparing meals at home. Together, they discovered a new way to cook and eat. With each other’s support, Lexi and Danny began cooking meals at home, choosing nutritious options instead of frozen pizzas, all to help reach their weight loss goals. Of course, as anyone who’s ever dieted knows, sticking to healthy eating wasn’t easy.
New Eating Habits
Not A Diet
For Lexi and Danny, their healthy eating habits weren’t just a diet—they were a new way of life. Lexi knew that diets are temporary, and she needed a sustainable, long-term approach she could stick with. Instead of seeing it as deprivation, she found a way to make the transition easier for both of them. “I started taking the foods I loved and making healthier versions so I no longer felt like I had to give up something or deprive myself,” Lexi explained.
Not A Diet
A Strong Support System
Going to the gym and eating healthy is never easy, especially if you’re doing it alone. Fortunately, Lexi had the unwavering support of her husband, Danny, and he had hers in return. Together, the couple stayed strong and committed to their promise. The key to maintaining a healthy routine, they discovered, was having a reliable support system. With each other’s encouragement, they stayed motivated, and before long, a month had passed—leading to an incredible transformation that was just beginning.
A Strong Support System
Time Goes On
As time passed, Lexi and Danny stuck with their gym routine and healthy eating, and the results soon became visible. Lexi even began taking classes at the gym, where she met new people who became part of her support system and helped keep her accountable. “I love my Pulse class. I love dancing to my favorite music and not feeling like it’s a workout. We can do a song full of squats, and even though my legs are burning, it’s so much fun that I don’t even notice,” Lexi shared.
Time Goes On
The Work Starts Paying Off
Slowly, Lexi’s dedication began to pay off. She overcame her fear of going to the gym, saying, “If people were going to stare at me because of my weight, I was going to give them a reason to stare by being the hardest worker in the room.” At first, she was losing about 20 pounds a month, but as the months went on, the weight loss became more challenging. Still, she continued going to the gym, eating healthy, and tracking her daily calories, and eventually, her new habits transformed into a sustainable lifestyle.
The Work Starts Paying Off
Danny’s Weight Loss
Lexi wasn’t the only one making remarkable progress on their journey to better health—Danny was right there with her. Supporting each other every step of the way, he began seeing significant improvements in his own health. By committing to their new lifestyle, Danny lost nearly 100 pounds within 24 months. Starting at 280 pounds, he dropped to just 190 pounds by the end of the first year.
Danny’s Weight Loss
Lexi’s Amazing Transformation
After 18 months, Lexi’s life had transformed completely. Her dedication to going to the gym and eating healthier had paid off in an extraordinary way. By May 2018, she had lost an incredible 312 pounds. Lexi recalls the first moment she truly noticed the change: returning to a restaurant they had frequented before their journey, where her stomach used to rest on the table, now with plenty of space. That moment became a powerful symbol of pride and accomplishment for her.
Lexi’s Amazing Transformation
Instagram Success
Wanting more support and eager to share her journey, Lexi created an Instagram account in the fall of 2016 called “Fat Girl Fed Up,” where she posted daily gym photos and motivational quotes. Her honesty and dedication quickly attracted a large following. Today, Lexi’s Instagram boasts over 750,000 followers, featuring striking before-and-after photos that showcase her incredible transformation. In just two years, through relentless hard work and determination, she completely reshaped her life and health.
Instagram Success
Stardom
Lexi and Danny’s story quickly went viral, capturing the attention of news outlets and TV stations across the country. They even appeared on television interviews, including an episode of Rachael Ray, where they shared their insights on healthy cooking and eating. Despite their newfound fame, the couple has remained humble, grateful for the media attention that continues to motivate them on their journey toward a healthier life.
Stardom
A New Lease On Life
Together, Lexi and Danny have lost over 400 pounds, gaining a completely new lease on life. To celebrate, the couple returned to the beach where Danny had proposed years earlier and ran along the shoreline, embracing their transformed selves. Back then, when Danny proposed, Lexi weighed nearly 500 pounds, and even a short walk along the beach would leave her exhausted and out of breath. “We returned to that beach and ran down that beach!” Lexi proudly declared.
A New Lease On Life
You’re A Wizard
Now able to fit comfortably on an airplane, Lexi and Danny finally took a trip to a place Lexi had always dreamed of visiting: the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. Both could now enjoy the rides with plenty of room to spare. Having completed their weight-loss journey together, the couple felt closer than ever, and Lexi says their relationship has never been stronger. Indeed, the buddy system truly worked!
You’re A Wizard
No Longer A Prisoner
Now at a healthy weight, Lexi says she no longer feels trapped in her own body. “I am grateful for every single day and I am enjoying the journey,” she shared, looking forward to the future. “Every day is a non-scale victory and a reminder of how far I’ve come. I loved myself even at 485 pounds, but now I can wake up and do whatever I want, go wherever I want…I don’t feel like I’m a prisoner in my own body anymore.”
No Longer A Prisoner
Advice From Lexi
Having achieved such a dramatic and inspiring weight-loss transformation—and knowing her journey isn’t over—Lexi now shares advice and motivation with others. On her Instagram, she also highlights other people’s journeys to inspire her followers. Her advice? “Start small—small changes add up to big results—and focus on each day, not how far you have to go.” She also cautions against relying on magic pills or surgery, emphasizing that natural, consistent effort is the best path to lasting health.
Advice From Lexi
Helping Others
Now happy and healthy, Lexi and Danny have launched their own YouTube channel to offer guidance and support to others on their weight-loss journeys, sharing tips on healthy eating and effective workouts. Lexi’s inspiring story even led to an invitation to the 2018 Screen Actors Guild Awards. “I learned how strong and capable I am as a person. I thought it would take me over three years to lose 300-plus pounds, but I was so determined and hardworking that I did it in two,” she reflected.
Helping Others
Loving Life
“There are no words to explain the feeling of saving your own life,” Lexi said. “Going into 2018, I have nothing but a newfound happiness for this life I am living. I no longer feel like a prisoner in my own body; instead of just existing, I’m finally alive.” She added, “Every day I wake up is a blessing. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come and this new life I’m living. I saved my own life, and for that there are no words—only gratitude.” The couple has also experienced some exciting developments recently.
Loving Life
Hollywood Calling
As a result of her incredible transformation, Lexi Reed received a special honor: she was recognized by L’Oréal Paris and TNT Drama as one of their inspiring strong women and invited to attend the 2018 Screen Actors Guild Awards. The trip was a dream come true, especially given that she once couldn’t even fit into an airplane seat. Lexi and Danny were flown to Hollywood and stayed at a luxurious hotel, all while keeping up with their fitness routine during the trip.
Hollywood Calling
Meal Tips
One of Lexi’s top tips for weight loss is prepping ingredients for healthy meals at the start of the week and discovering tasty, nutritious recipes. She regularly shares her meal ideas on her social media under the name Fat Girl Fed Up. On Memorial Day 2018, she offered some motivational advice: “I know holidays are hard, guys, but practice portion control, healthier swaps, balance, planning,” she wrote. Her meals are always simple yet delicious, fully homemade, and made with whole foods rather than processed or packaged ingredients.
Meal Tips
Maintaining The New Lifestyle
One of Lexi and Danny’s keys to maintaining their healthy lifestyle is incorporating it into fun activities. For example, on a recent camping trip, they skipped the usual hot dogs and hamburgers. Instead, they prepared a delicious high-protein meal of chicken, steak, and mashed avocado before heading out on a hike. Lexi shared on social media, “Holidays, weekends, or even being out of your routine doesn’t mean we can’t still reach our goals and eat delicious food!”
Maintaining The New Lifestyle
Exercise Tips
Lexi and Danny Reed have maintained their life transformation by making time for the gym and incorporating exercise into their social activities. Recently, Lexi shared a glimpse of their routine before a Friday date night. “Making the time before date night to work on our goals!” she wrote on May 19. “Some days we don’t know how we’re gonna do it, but every day we get it done!” She explained that before enjoying their date night, they completed “30 minutes of lighter cardio” together.
Exercise Tips
Community Support
One key to Lexi’s success in maintaining her healthy lifestyle has been building a strong support community, both online and offline. On her Facebook page, she frequently hosts motivational fitness challenges through DietBet.com, alongside her regular inspirational posts. This community encourages each other to stay active, eat healthier, and remain accountable. A quick look at the comments on her FatGirlFedUp social media pages reveals countless stories of followers who have made significant changes thanks to this supportive network.
Community Support
Friends In Fitness
Another major factor in Lexi Reed’s incredible transformation was surrounding herself with friends who embraced a healthy lifestyle. Having supportive friends with good habits can make a huge difference, and Lexi found that in her best friend and gym buddy. “When I started my journey, I was more of a loner and even lost people I was close to due to my new lifestyle and hobbies,” she wrote in a Facebook post. “However, over time, I found others along the way who helped make me who I am today and made my journey more enjoyable.”
Friends In Fitness
A Day Of Rest
Life isn’t just about the gym, and Danny and Lexi Reed know that well. They make time for rest and fun, as shown in this picture with their two golden retrievers, Oliver and Olivia. A day of rest doesn’t mean being inactive—they stay active in enjoyable ways. Lexi shared on the post, “Can’t wait for more walks with them this summer, and we’re sure they’re happy mom and dad got healthy too!”
A Day Of Rest
Dirt Bike Life
“From 765 lbs to riding dirt bikes,” Lexi Reed wrote in an Instagram post on April 19. “Life with you is an adventure & I’m enjoying the ride.” Indeed, their journey reflects a clear pattern: staying active while having fun. One of the couple’s key tips for maintaining fitness is to seek out enjoyable, challenging activities. With this approach, it’s easy to see how rewarding and exhilarating life has become for Lexi and Danny.
Dirt Bike Life
Inspiring Men
Lexi Reed isn’t the only source of inspiration—her husband Danny also motivates others with his tips for a healthier lifestyle. On his Instagram account, Discovering Danny, he documents his weight-loss journey alongside the exciting adventures he and Lexi now enjoy with their newfound energy. He also shares personal milestones, like getting a new tattoo, inspiring followers with both his progress and life experiences.
Inspiring Men
YouTube Stars
Danny and Lexi Reed don’t just share pictures—they also have a series of videos on YouTube. In one video, they documented Lexi’s incredible experience being honored by L’Oréal Paris and TNT Drama at the SAG Awards. The footage offers a fascinating glimpse into their lifestyle, showing Lexi’s excitement at meeting celebrities, enjoying a luxury hotel, and, most importantly, maintaining their healthy habits even while on vacation.
YouTube Stars
Live On TV
After building a massive online following, it was only a matter of time before TV news took notice. In January, Lexi and Danny were invited to The Today Show to share their story. Flying to New York, they were interviewed by Megyn Kelly about how they lost a combined 400 pounds and transformed their lives—entirely without gastric bypass surgery. Their inspiring message was clearly reaching a wide audience.
Live On TV
Children
The desire to start a family was a major motivator for Lexi Reed to get in shape. At the weight she was when she and Danny married, doctors warned that pregnancy could be dangerous for both her and the baby. Now, with both of them in much better health, Lexi can finally plan for the future. In a May interview with Life & Style magazine, she shared, “In 5 years, I see us starting a family as well as finding ways to help more people change their life the same way that we have—with diet and exercise.”
Children