Lexi Reed Opens Up About Rare Illness, 300-Pound Weight Loss, and Her Inspiring Health Journey

Mian Hamid September 26, 2025

Lexi Reed Opens Up About Health Struggles and Her Inspiring Well-Being Journey

Lexi Reed Opens Up About Rare Illness, 300-Pound Weight Loss, and Her Inspiring Health Journey

Lexi Reed, the social media star behind the viral handle @fatgirlfedup, has become one of the internet’s most relatable voices in health and wellness. Known for her remarkable 300-pound weight loss and her fearless transparency about chronic illness, Reed has been candid with her followers about the highs, lows, and the realities of survival and self-care.

N E E D   T O   K N O W

  • ⚡ Lexi Reed, Instagram star @fatgirlfedup, once weighed 485 pounds before losing more than 300 pounds.

  • ⚠️ She battled calciphylaxis, a rare and often deadly illness, enduring 59 weeks of painful treatments.

  • 💬 Lexi told People: “There were moments when doctors told me to just give up, but I wasn’t ready to quit.”

  • 🌱 She celebrates non-scale victories, like her hair growing back after medical treatments.

  • 🌟 Today, she focuses on healing, mental health, and body acceptance, inspiring millions worldwide.

Her story is more than numbers on a scale — it’s about resilience, hope, and refusing to give up even when life throws the hardest punches.

🌟 From 485 Pounds to a New Beginning

Reed first rose to fame when she and her husband, Danny, committed to changing their lifestyle together. At her heaviest, she weighed 485 pounds, facing physical pain, limited mobility, and social stigma.

“I just wanted a life worth living,” 

she said in an earlier interview, reflecting on her decision to begin making small, daily changes like cooking at home and moving more.

Her consistency paid off: over time, she lost more than 300 pounds and inspired millions worldwide through her Instagram posts, workout updates, and candid reflections.

⚠️ The Health Crisis That Nearly Took Everything

But Reed’s journey took a frightening turn when she was diagnosed with calciphylaxis, a rare and often deadly condition where calcium builds up in blood vessels, cutting off circulation and leading to painful wounds.

For over a year, she endured grueling treatments — IV infusions, wound care, and multiple hospital stays. At one point, her condition became so severe that she was placed in a medically induced coma.

Reed later told People:

“There were moments when doctors told me to just give up, but I wasn’t ready to quit. I fought through it because I still had so much to live for.”

💬 Sharing the Journey with Fans

Lexi Reed Opens Up About Rare Illness, 300-Pound Weight Loss, and Her Inspiring Health Journey

Throughout her ordeal, Reed continued to post updates on Instagram, offering followers an unfiltered look at her scars, setbacks, and triumphs.

In February 2024, she shared an emotional milestone:

“I started this journey at 485 pounds. After everything — the illness, the setbacks — I’ve lost 300 pounds again. It feels like I’ve been given a second chance.”

More recently, she posted about a non-scale victory, celebrating her hair growing back after medical treatments had caused it to fall out:

“Sometimes healing isn’t about the numbers. My hair is coming back, and that’s a win.”

🌱 Moving Forward: Healing on Her Own Terms

Reed has made it clear that her focus is no longer just about weight, but about holistic health — balancing mental, emotional, and physical recovery.

She often reminds fans that progress isn’t linear:

“Healing isn’t about perfection. Some days are harder than others, but every step forward matters.”

By continuing to show up authentically, Reed has become an advocate not only for weight loss but also for chronic illness awareness, mental health support, and body acceptance.

💡 Why Lexi Reed’s Story Matters

Lexi Reed’s journey strikes a chord because it’s real — not glossy, not curated, but raw and human. Her resilience offers key takeaways for anyone navigating health challenges:

  • Small changes build big results — from cooking meals to moving more.

  • Health isn’t one-dimensional — mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness matter too.

  • Scars tell stories — and survival is its own kind of victory.

  • Community matters — by sharing her story, she’s built a global support system.

🔍 The Road Ahead

As Reed continues to heal and rebuild her strength, she remains committed to her message of hope. Whether it’s celebrating non-scale victories, reflecting on her scars, or simply sharing a smile with her followers, she proves that well-being is a journey, not a destination.

Her resilience makes her one of today’s most powerful voices in health — reminding us that even in the darkest moments, there’s always light to be found.

🗓 Timeline: Lexi Reed’s Health Struggles & Recovery Journey

Lexi Reed Opens Up About Rare Illness, 300-Pound Weight Loss, and Her Inspiring Health Journey

2016 – Going Viral with “Fat Girl Fed Up”

  • Lexi Reed launched her Instagram account @fatgirlfedup, sharing her mission to lose weight naturally without surgery.

  • Starting at 485 pounds, she committed to fitness, clean eating, and lifestyle changes with her husband Danny.

  • Her authenticity and transparency quickly drew a global following.

2017 – Major Weight Loss Transformation

  • Through consistency and discipline, Lexi lost over 300 pounds in just two years.

  • She often highlighted “non-scale victories,” like tying her shoes or fitting into a booth at restaurants.

2018–2019 – Plateau & Health Maintenance

  • After reaching her lowest weight of around 180 pounds, Lexi admitted to struggling with loose skin and body image issues.

  • She focused on maintaining health while dealing with the mental side of massive weight loss.

2020 – The Pandemic Setback

  • Like millions, Lexi found it difficult to stay consistent during lockdowns.

  • She disclosed gaining weight back and spoke candidly about emotional eating and mental health struggles during isolation.

  • Fans praised her honesty for showing the less glamorous side of wellness.

January 2022 – Sudden Medical Crisis

  • Lexi was rushed to the hospital and placed in a medically induced coma for several weeks after her organs began to fail.

  • Doctors later diagnosed her with calciphylaxis, a rare and life-threatening condition where calcium builds up in blood vessels and blocks blood flow.

  • She described the ordeal as “the scariest fight for my life.”

2022–2023 – Painful Treatments & Recovery

  • Lexi underwent 59 weeks of wound care treatments, enduring constant pain and uncertainty.

  • She lost hair, mobility, and independence during the process, but her community rallied behind her.

  • On Instagram she wrote:
    “There were moments when doctors told me to just give up, but I wasn’t ready to quit.”

2024 – Regaining Strength

  • Lexi slowly returned to walking, working out, and rebuilding her health at her own pace.

  • She shared milestones like hair regrowth and returning to the gym, symbolizing healing inside and out.

  • Her posts focused more on mental health, balance, and body acceptance than just the scale.

2025 – Today’s Chapter: Advocacy & Inspiration

  • Now a mother of three, Lexi balances family life with her ongoing recovery journey.

  • She continues to share unfiltered updates, reminding fans that health isn’t a straight line but a lifelong process.

  • With millions of followers, she uses her platform to advocate for body positivity, rare disease awareness, and self-compassion.

(This article is based on interviews and reporting from PEOPLE, and other sources up through September 2025.)

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