Suvechha Sarkar
Caleb Turley’s transformative journey was first introduced to the audience on Lifetime’s ‘The 6000 Lb Diaries With Dr. Now.’ His relationship with food began when he was 4 to 5 years old. His parents had an on-and-off relationship, and since his mother juggled multiple jobs to support the family, fast food became a regular part of his life. Although he shed 49 lbs during a weight loss camp, a serious diagnosis limited his mobility and raised his weight. Furthermore, Caleb lost his older brother and father within a very short period, which further led him to spiral. Ultimately, he realized that to move forward to the life of his dreams, he needed to seek professional help.
Caleb Turley’s Discipline Led to a Powerful Six-Month Transformation
When Caleb first began his weight loss journey, he weighed 804.5 lbs. During his first appointment, Dr. Nowzaradan had set the ambitious goal for him to lose 100 lbs in two months. He was placed on a strict 1200-calorie diet and was asked to exercise twice daily. The doctor had also assigned him a nutritionist to guide Caleb through healthy eating and a therapist to help him confront the emotional words. Through his dedication, he lost 80 lbs by the end of two months. It brought his weight down to 724.4 lbs. Although it wasn’t fully 100 lbs, Dr. Nowzaradan was quite impressed and approved him for weight loss surgery the following month on one condition: he needed to lose an additional 50 lbs by then. Caleb lost another 55 lbs by the time of his surgery, dropping his weight to 669 lbs.
Caleb’s weight loss surgery went on quite smoothly, but it was not without its hardships. He had to be on a liquid diet for a while, which proved to be quite a challenge. Determined not to let the opportunities slip, the reality star began tracking his progress using a new scale he had purchased at the beginning of his journey. Although initially, it did not provide any reading, by the fourth month, Caleb discovered that he had dropped to 618 lbs. By the 5-month mark, he was steadily losing 25 lbs a month, reaching 568 lbs. With each passing milestone, he was inching closer to the life he had always wanted. The therapy sessions were also beginning to show results as he walked through the grief of losing his loved ones. By the end of six months, Caleb had lost an astonishing 262 lbs, bringing his weight down to 542 lbs.
Caleb Turley is Rebuilding His Life While Quietly Pursuing His Dreams
Although Caleb Turley weighed 308 lbs by fifth grade, he did not let that stop him. Determined to take back control, he attended a weight loss camp and lost an impressive 49 lbs. By sixth grade, he was feeling healthier. It even allowed him to join the football team, further motivating him. However, this was short-lived because his eating habits remained unchanged while his activity level had increased. His weight kept on rising, and by the time Caleb was in eighth grade, he was diagnosed with Blount’s disease. It required him to undergo a major knee restructuring procedure. It limited his mobility and essentially halted any form of exercise, triggering a steep rise in his weight.
Caleb began studying at Webster Groves High School in 2019, eventually graduating in 2022. However, by then, his weight had exceeded 700 lbs. His dreams for college and a more typical young adult life seemed far from reach. Since he could not attend college, he began trying out online courses. However, his weight loss journey on the show completely changed his trajectory. By the one-month mark, Caleb succeeded in earning his driver’s license. It was a personal milestone that he had long dreamed of. In month 5, he shared an even bigger goal. Caleb wanted to earn his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to drive trucks for the company his late father had left behind for him and his sister.
By the 6th month, Caleb enrolled in college and began attending classes in hybrid mode. Additionally, he succeeded in landing a job as a Cashier at a Sports Memorabilia Store. Despite juggling work, classes, and workouts, the reality star has stayed on track with his fitness. Looking into the future, he expressed hope of someday returning to the football field. Although Caleb is not very active on social media, he does have both Facebook and Instagram accounts. However, he has chosen to keep the rest of his weight loss journey and professional life away from the public eye. For now, we hope Caleb is focusing on living the life he has worked so hard to reclaim.
Caleb Turley’s Family Has Always Been His Greatest Source of Strength
Beyond his professional life, Caleb shares a deep bond with his family. His mother, Kenyatta, has been his unwavering support system through every high and low. It is quite evident from the fact that she was always beside him during the doctor’s appointments. In moments of reflection, she had accepted her mistake in playing the role of an enabler, which began Caleb’s struggles with food. However, instead of feeling guilty, Kenyatta chose to be a part of his healing. She encouraged and cared for him, helping him around the house and even offering emotional support. Caleb also maintains a loving relationship with his younger sister, Kennedy.
When Caleb could not cook for himself, Kennedy stepped in to prepare meals. Moreover, she is his workout partner and accompanies him during some exercise sessions. As he regained independence, the reality star earned his driver’s license and began picking up and dropping off his sister at school. However, Caleb experienced profound grief when he lost his older brother, Christian, in a car accident on June 13, 2021. He poured his grief into an emotional tribute, highlighting the void his passing left in his life. He wrote, in part, “Like god, why you take my big brother from me, my first ever coach, you are the reason I picked up a basketball or a football, you taught me how to shoot and how to dribble.”
Not long after, during Caleb’s final year of high school, his father passed away when he suffered a heart attack in his sleep. Caleb expressed his deep sorrow, writing, “First one to be on my head and the first to be smiling ear to ear when I succeeded in anything, it’s so much more I want to accomplish, and I wanted you there front and center. I’m so hurt by this, Pops. I love you too pieces gon forever be with me. Got me another Guardian Angel.” Their absence may have been heavy, but their presence in Caleb’s heart has continued to guide him still today.
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