text: A formerly obese man has revealed how he finally became motivated to lose 160lbs from his 354lbs frame over the course of 20 months, after nearly a lifetime of emotional eating and self-loathing. Atlanta-based writer Alex Gray, 27, admitted that he once made excuses for his gluttonous habits, which included trips to drive-through restaurants up to four times a day, but it wasn't until an obese friend 'unveiled a shockingly svelte silhouette' that he was inspired to make changes in his own life . 'There are a lot of platitudes about weight,' he wrote in an essay for Salon. 'One of them is that you should love yourself no matter your size. I’m here to say that’s bullsh**. Being fat sucks. I love myself way more now than I ever have. Scroll down for video . Inner turmoil: Alex aid that he had 'missed out on a lot' when he was clocking in at 354lbs (pictured) New man: The writer was pictured at a Miami Dolphins football game after he lost nearly half of his body weight in 20 months . Alex explained that there are people who are unable to lose weight because of genetics or other factors - but he was not one of them. 'For those who can do something about their size, and simply refuse to, trust me: Life is so much better on the other side,' he explained. Alex said that he couldn't think of a 'specific catalyst' that prompted him to gain weight, but he recalled that he had an insatiable appetite 'as an only child with unabated access to nearly everything'. As he got older, he grew bigger, and by the time he was in college, he found himself struggling with physical intimacy because of his size. Alex recalled one woman who called him out for breathing heavily during one of their sexual encounters. He confessed that the panting was because he was winded - not because he was caught up in the heat of the moment. But the worse he felt about himself, the more he ate. 'I’ve never tried drugs, but I empathize with those addicted to the needle, or the pipe,' he wrote. 'I know what it feels like to be acutely aware your vice is killing you, or at the very least, keeping you from living your best life. Alex explained attempted to lose weight a few times, but neither the promise of an extended football career or a new car could motivate him to stick with it because he was unable to 'escape food's gravitational pull'. It wasn't until he saw his friend Joubert, who once had a similar frame to his, show off his fit new body at a Cinco De Mayo reunion that he became motivated to start making changes in his own life. Days later, Alex went walking, and eventually his walks turned into runs. He made dietary changes too, including swapping burgers for lean rotisserie chicken. It took a little less than two years to reach his 'physical ideal', and Alex explained that his whole world has changed. His only regret is not doing it sooner. Alex noted that not only is he now comfortable with the opposite sex, but for the first time in his life, he is the one who is being pursued. He is thrilled that he can finally buy clothes off the rack at stores such as H&M, adding that he finally feels like he physically fits in. Alex ended his story by saying that he finally started his life at 25-years-old, and to remind others struggling with their weight, that if he can do it, they can do it too.
target: It took Atlanta-based writer Alex Gray 20 months to lose the weight from his 354lbs frame .
  The 27-year-old said he used to visit the drive-through to get fast food three or four times a day .