I was so fat strangers regularly mistook me for a woman – now I’ve shed 21st the cruel taunts hurt even more
A MAN who often got mistaken for a woman before shedding 21st says cruel taunts from strangers cut more deeply now.
Weighing 427lbs, Joshua Hart had long hair and enjoyed wearing makeup - which meant that people often thought he was female or transgender.
This never fazed him at the time, as he was aware how people may have drawn those conclusions.
But now a dad and hundreds of pounds lighter, he claims some people still don't perceive him as a man.
Joshua says he's still the subject of cruel and transphobic taunts, with trolls telling him he still needs to lose weight and that he won't be a good father figure to his son because of the way his body looks.
Joshua said: “There’s a lot of hate comments I receive. I get told that I still need to lose weight.
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"And majority of my comments are things telling me that I’m transgender because I was heavier."
The 23-year-old, from Bucyrus, Ohio, USA, added: “I always had long hair, I never had short hair.
"I was always called a girl, and it never really affected me when I was heavy, and I think that’s because I looked like a girl.
“Except now that I look like what I am, a guy, it’s almost offensive when people are still telling me like, 'No you’re not, you just took testosterone and did a gender transition'.
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“People can very clearly see that I’m not a girl and it almost just hurts more.”
Growing up, Joshua's weight made him a target for bullies.
The anxiety eventually led him to drop out of high school - something he deeply regrets.
Speaking about his weight loss, Joshua said: “I was very unhappy with being overweight. I was very insecure and had a lot of social anxiety.
“I never went out. I was a child that didn’t have a childhood pretty much.
“In middle school I isolated myself and I kind of just took myself out of the equation, and didn’t really allow myself to make friends."
Joshua says his eating habits played a significant role in his weight gain, as he often turned to fast-food for comfort.
He claimed that one large meal from Wendy’s wouldn’t fill him, prompting him to gorge on even more fried food.
Joshua's weight didn't just affect how people perceived him - it also made him feel like he couldn't pursue his dream of becoming an actor.
Performing, something he's passionate about, felt impossible at his former size.
“Until I lost the weight because I was super insecure, I never wanted to be the fat guy on the screen because I was dealing with that at home," Joshua said.
But after his dramatic weight loss, he's determined to pursue his goals and inspire others.
He took to social media to let viewers know that "it is possible to lose weight" and has pledged to showcase content about younger people losing weight.
Joshua was able to lose weight after having a gastric bypass - where a person's stomach is reduced to restrict the amount of food they consume.
What is gastric bypass surgery?
Weight loss surgery, sometimes called bariatric surgery, is a treatment for people who are severely obese.
It makes the stomach smaller so it feels fuller sooner and less food is eaten.
To be considered for NHS weight loss surgery, you'll usually need a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more and have tried to lose weight through a healthy diet, exercise and medicine.
You may also be eligible if you have a BMI between 35 and 40 and a condition that might improve if you lost weight – these include high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, breathing problems and asthma.
A gastric bypass surgery involves dividing the stomach in two using a staple.
This creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach.
The new stomach pouch is then attached to the lower part of your small intestine.
After surgery, food passes from your stomach pouch to the lower part of your small intestine.
The operation usually takes around two hours.
Weight loss surgery is common and safe, but there are risks of certain complications such as blood clots, stomach leaks or infections.
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He was able to have the procedure for free thanks to his health insurance.
He underwent a 13-month transformation after having the op, dropping 276lbs.
Joshua says his 21st weight loss has significantly improved his mental health.
But the 23-year-old has been left with loose skin across his arms and abdomen.
The skin on his arms means Joshua still feels self conscious wearing a T-shirt.
He says he eventually wants to get on a tummy tuck to feel more confident - something which would set him back $15,000 (£11,412).
Despite his transformation, he's still the subject of cruel comments from strangers.
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Joshua said: “I had long hair, and I also used to like makeup.
"I have a son though now, and I’ve had people tell me that I’m going to be a horrible father figure to my son and that my kid isn’t going to love me because the way my body is."
