Obese woman who ate 4,000 calories A DAY sheds 180lbs after giving up her daily diet of fried tacos, McDonald's and ice cream - but admits she still suffers from body dysmorphia even after extensive plastic surgery

A woman has lost a whopping 180lbs after her weight took a toll over her life, feasting on three McDonald's burgers and fries every day eating a whopping 4000 calories.

Alex Bevacqua, 27, from Sacramento, California, grew up as an overweight child and had suffered from obesity her entire life, piling on the pounds over the years - thanks in large part to her calorie-heavy diet. 

She admits that she ate McDonald's every day, and her typical order would consist of two McDoubles, one McChicken sandwich, a large fries and a sweet tea – but her over-the-top indulgence did not end there. 

Transformed: 27-year-old Alex Bevacqua, from California, has revealed how she shed a whopping 180lbs after struggling with obesity from childhood 

Changes: Alex says she used to gorge on 4,000 calories a day, binging on everything from McDonald's and fried tacos to candy and ice cream before starting her weight loss journey

Upset: When Alex reached her 20s, she realized that her weight was ruining her life, leaving her unable to enjoy simple things like going out and making friends 

On top of her fast food order, Alex would consume nachos, fried tacos, burgers, ice cream, a family-sized bag of chips and various other fried foods during the day.

At her heaviest, Alex weighed 320lbs at her heaviest, and she says her size was making her miserable, while also preventing her from living her life to the fullest.

Speaking about her diet, Alex, who works as a sales director, said: 'I had been obese my entire life and the older I got the more obese I became.

'I probably was eating 3,000 to 4,000 calories a day... When I would cook at home, I would use a ton of oil to fry, lots of high-carb, high-fat foods including nachos, fried tacos, burgers.

'Snacks would be half a bag of family-sized chips, a pint of ice cream, or sometimes I would stop and get a full meal at a fast-food place and call it a 'snack'.'

Once she reached her early 20s, Alex felt trapped by her weight, admitting that she couldn't truly 'live her life'; she didn't go out, she struggled to find clothes that fit her, and she didn't feel confident enough to make new friends.

So, in October 2016, Alex decided to change her lifestyle for the better and go on a weight loss journey.

New normal: Alex completely transformed in diet in late 2016, giving up all high-calorie sodas, and focusing on nutritious, balanced meals, before later undergoing a gastric bypass

Boost: The surgery helped Alex to completely transform her body - and she has since lost a whopping 180lbs, slimming down to a svelte 140lbs

Journey: While the surgery helped Alex to lose the weight initially, she has had to work hard to maintain her weight by following a strict healthy diet and workout regimen

Slow build: Alex started off her exercise routine by walking her dog, and then built up to more active exercises like Zumba classes

For the first three months, Alex cut out all high-calorie sodas from her diet and focused on eating healthy and nutritious food.

From the fourth month onwards, Alex dropped her daily calorie intake even further and began incorporating regular exercise into her routine, including Zumba classes and signed up personal training sessions.

On the sixth month of her weight loss journey, Alex underwent gastric bypass surgery to reduce the size of her stomach and curb her appetite.

Now, Alex keeps herself active six times a week, taking HIIT classes, weight training, walking her dog regularly and ensures she hits her 10,000 steps target every day.

Speaking about her changing eating and exercise habits, Alex explained: 'During the first three months, I just focused on nutrition.

'I cut my calories down to 1,800 a day and only drank water or zero-calorie beverages.

'From month three to month six, I dropped my calories down to 1,600 a day and starting walking my dog 45 minutes to one hour every day.

'From the sixth month, I had gastric bypass surgery and cut my calories even lower.

Changes: After losing her weight, Alex was left with a lot of loose skin, so she underwent a butterfly lift tummy tuck, as well as muscle repair and a breast augmentation

Maturing: Despite achieving a body that looks and feels healthier than she has ever been, Alex admits that she still struggles with body dysmorphia and social anxiety 

'I also incorporated the gym; I took Zumba classes three days a week and went to a personal trainer two days a week.

'On the first two years, I focused on nutrition consuming low carbs and high protein along with exercise classes such as Zumba, kickboxing, spin, barre and went to a personal trainer once a week.

'On the third year, which is now, I make sure I am active six days a week.

'I do this by taking my dog on long walks, going for HIIT style classes three to four days a week plus weights two to three days a week.

'I also make sure I get at least 10,000 steps a day.'

With her new-found healthy lifestyle, Alex managed to shed 180lbs in just under three years, dropping her weight to 140lbs - which she has maintained ever since.

Alex now focuses on eating nutritious, high-protein meals such as oats, Greek yogurt, hearty salads - but still keeps room for some dessert.

Speaking about her current diet, Alex said: 'For breakfast, I usually have a smoothie with fruit, spinach, and protein power, a parfait with Greek yogurt, fruit, and bran cereal or oatmeal with chopped up fruit and protein powder.

'For lunch I usually have a big salad with tofu or chicken and for dinner, I usually eat grilled meat with lots of veggies.

'And for dessert, I'll eat a Fibre One brownie bar or sugar free chocolate.'

She has since undergone a butterfly lift tummy tuck, muscle repair and a breast augmentation due to the weight of her excess skin.

Alex said: 'My entire motto during this transformation is trying to find that balance between happy and healthy.

'I do not call this a diet I call it a lifestyle or way of life.

'I know this is something I have to be mindful of for the rest of my life and if I put deadlines or guilt myself when I mess up, I'll never find it sustainable long term.

'I am much more confident and happier because I am willing to push myself further than I had ever expected. It has come with some struggles I will not lie about that.

'I now deal with social anxiety, body dysmorphia, and have had to work through eating disorder issues.

'These past few years have definitely changed my thoughts of foods and has taught me how to be more mindful when eating, ordering, cooking.

'It is not as strict as when I was losing weight because I am eating in a calorie maintenance range rather than a calorie deficit.

In a few words of advice to others who wish to lose weight, Alex said: 'Do not give up! Push through all the hard and find someone to talk to or relate to. It could be an Instagram, a friend or a therapist.'