article_snippet.sent: Daniel shared that Daniel has been overweight since high school, and over the years has gotten used to the fact that Daniel doesn't fit into seats at most public venues or booths at restaurants.
article_snippet.sent: As one of 79 million obese Americans, Daniel has also become accustomed to the emotional pain of being called 'fatty' and getting verbally abused by strangers.
article_snippet.sent: Daniel doctor referred Daniel to the Mercy Weight Loss Clinic in West Des Moines, Iowa.
article_snippet.sent: Now, Daniel is working with a therapist to tackle Daniel emotional eating issues, as well as a nutritionist and a physical therapist.
article_snippet.sent: Daniel also uses a calorie-counting app on Daniel phone to track Daniel eating, but admitted that even though Daniel is serious about losing weight, making major lifestyle changes isn't easy. '
article_snippet.sent: But Daniel is still determined to try to lose over 300lbs the old-fashioned way, rather than go under the knife.
article_snippet.sent: If Daniel chose to have gastric sleeve surgery, which makes the stomach smaller and reduces the hormones that produce cravings, Daniel could lose as much as 60 per cent of Daniel excess weight in a year - but Daniel said Daniel is afraid of such a drastic medical procedure, and Daniel doctor has told Daniel that it should only be considered as a last resort.
article_snippet.sent: Working hard: Daniel is working with a mental health therapist, a physical therapist, and a nutritionist to lose weight and recover from myriad health problems . '
article_snippet.sent: It will take time to lose it,' said Daniel, adding that Daniel goal is to move slowly and lose 'maybe 50 or 52lbs a year'.
article_snippet.sent: Focusing more on changing Daniel lifestyle than dieting could be the key to long-lasting success for the writer, as a study by the Council on Size and Weight Discrimination found that more than 95 per cent of diets fail.
article_snippet.sent: So far, Daniel efforts are paying off: After three weeks working toward his goal, Daniel said that for the first time in years Daniel felt better about Daniel health.
article_snippet.sent: Now a month in, Daniel has lost 20.6lbs, which Daniel noted is equal to the weight of 'four fully grown Chihuahuas' or 'a tire for a full-sized sedan'.
highlights_snippet.sent: Daniel, who is already down 20lbs, is attempting to lose the weight without surgery but is terrified to give up pizza and nachos .