A man has set out to shatter the world record for the fastest non-surgical loss of 100kg, despite being cautioned against it. Kamran Yousaf, 48, was warned by doctors that he had a 30% chance of surviving the next five years due to his weight of 32st.
In response, he adopted an extreme weight loss plan last August, consuming only between 100 and 800 calories daily.
Now weighing 22st, Kamran believes he’s on course to lose 100kg within a year – a record-breaking achievement for someone in his age group in the UK. The Birmingham resident, who has already shed 63kg, maintains that he doesn’t feel hungry and defends his approach as preferable to being “close to death from obesity”.
However, health experts have expressed concern over his method, warning it could be detrimental, reports Bristol Live.
Performance and weight loss coach Vanessa Sturman, 37, advised: “I think it’s imperative that someone in his position sees a dietician, who can help him set safe and realistic goals. Creating a goal such as ‘losing record weight’ could be dangerous.
“Secondly, eventually anyone looking to manage their weight or lose weight is going to have to learn how to eat in a truly sustainable way, that’s healthy, satisfying and maintains a healthy weight for the long run, without dieting. So you want to make sure you are putting that sustainability in place throughout your weight loss journey.”
When it comes to losing weight, the focus should be on incorporating healthy foods into our diets, not just cutting calories. Foods that prevent disease and are satiating are vital for a sustainable and healthy weight loss journey.
An expert advised: “What we want to think about are the healthy foods we are adding in. You will lose weight from a calorie deficit – but we have to think about adding foods that prevent disease, give us energy and are satiating. Or it simply won’t be sustainable or healthy.”
Furthermore, they explained the importance of a diverse diet for gut health, saying: “For example, fibre from plant-based wholefoods, such as fruit, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds, feed our good gut bacteria, can help prevent disease and are satiating. Diversity in these foods is key for gut health and overall health. By adding these foods into our diet, and focusing on truly balanced eating, without dieting, we can better sustain a healthy weight.”
Kamran, who has struggled with obesity and has been registered disabled for four years, shared his own drastic approach to weight management: “If I didn’t take action I would have died in days – I want to show others that no matter how big you are there is always a way back. I eat everything I want, but just one spoonful or one bite.”
He emphasises, however, this method may not be suitable for everyone: “I am not saying everyone should do this – but if you know you are close to death from obesity, I think this is a much better option.”
His fight with weight began in childhood, yet became more severe ten years ago when he was diagnosed with type 2 respiratory failure. At the time, living in Reading, Kamran suffered terrible morning headaches, which led his doctor to check his sleep-time oxygen levels, revealing shocking results.
Kamran faced a life-threatening situation when his oxygen saturation plummeted to a mere 50%, necessitating immediate transfer to intensive care. He spent an arduous week on a ventilator, astounding doctors with his survival.
“The doctors couldn’t believe I was still alive,” he recalled.
After weeks of tentative recovery, Kamran was eventually discharged from the hospital, but not without a grim forecast of his prospects, with medical professionals citing a high likelihood of death within five years. His respiratory functions now require meticulous management via home oxygen and ventilators.
Compounding his breathing issues, Kamran also suffered from arthritis and has confronted numerous health setbacks in the past ten years. In August 2024, the prediction given by his doctors allocated only a 30% chance of living beyond the next five years, a startling reality check for him.
Spurred into action by this alarming prognosis, Kamran embarked on a weight-loss expedition that same month. His strategy centred around understanding the psychological aspects of eating.
Restricting himself to just one modest meal per day—often opting for grilled cheese with pastrami—he kept his calorie intake tight, ranging between 500 to 800 calories at first, complementing this regimen with sugar-free beverages along with herbal teas and water. He enlightened others by remarking, “I basically realised that the taste of food only last for a few seconds – if you can get over that – you realise that you don’t need to eat most of the time.”
In October 2024, Kamran enlisted the help of a weight management clinic and began taking Wegovy (semaglutide), a medication that aids weight loss by regulating appetite. Within a month, he shed an additional 14kg.
By January 2025, Kamran’s weight had plummeted from 32st (205kg) to 22st (140kg). His remarkable transformation has inspired him to pursue an NHS-backed health professional course to help others struggling with weight loss.
Kamran credits the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Respiratory Department and Baywater Healthcare for their life-saving oxygen therapy and is now determined to shed as many pounds as possible. He believes that dieting alone is ineffective and requires a complete mindset shift instead.
“I know what works and what doesn’t; dieting does not work – you need a total change in your mindset,” he said. He claims to no longer feel hungry, consuming minimal calories – sometimes as low as 100 calories per day.
While his weight loss has alleviated physical discomfort and even reduced his shoe size by two sizes, experts warn against his extreme methods. Medical professionals caution against severe calorie restriction and rapid weight loss, as a 100-calorie-per-day diet can lead to severe deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals.
This can cause fatigue, muscle loss, weakened immunity, impaired organ function, and numerous other risks, including irregular heart rhythms and increased heart problems. For healthy and lasting weight loss, the NHS advises shedding about 0.5 to 1kg weekly.
Kamran emphasised: “People don’t understand how bad it is to live with obesity, but diets don’t work – you have to completely change everything.”