Of course you know that acknowledgement is the start of the path to redemption. What matters now is not how you got fat, but how you live your life.

I had exactly the same reaction, me as a subject matter expert interviewed on national morning TV. Who was that guy? Bad hair, bad tie, trying to cover up balding, and huge compared to the two tiny 130lb 5'4" morning show presenters I was sat between.

Change came slowly, not just food, but also happiness. With reduced weight, better health, more happiness came reward, a virtuous circle. Yes since then there have been many, many low moments but these too pass.

Congratulations and good luck for a happy and healthy future!