Current Photos of Rob
One of the most common requests I get are for current pictures of me. Everyone wants to see my weight loss photos (before and after photos) and this is a place to provide them for you. They’re in no particular order, other than that for which I want to tell a story, or like the layout. The dates and locations are noted below each photograph. I hope you enjoy.
Climbing Kilimanjaro in 2006
In October of 2006 a group of 10 Canadians climbed Kilimanjaro to raise money for three African charities. We raised $100,000 and then went to Tanzania to climb Kili. This picture is taken on day four if I remember correctly above the clouds looking back over the Serengeti below. After the trek, I stayed in Africa to do a 2 week safari which started in Nairobi Kenya and traveled back through Tanzania and then looped back to Nairobi. Following that adventure, I spent 4 days in Zanzibar lounging on the beach and snorkeling in the Indian Ocean.
Kilimanjaro Summit
I was the first of two of our group the summit. It was incredibly cold that day and our guide told us that in 20 years of leading people up the mountain, our ascent was the 3rd time it was as windy as it was. I had 6 layers on my top and 4 on my legs including two jacket hoods and a balaclava for my head. We got up at 10 PM on summit day and climbed during the night, watching Orion rise over the horizon and got to the top about 7 hours later. If you’re curious, it took 6 days to go up, and one day to come down. Kilimanjaro summit height is 5895 Metres.
Mt Everest Base Camp and FMU
Me at Mt Everest Base camp in October 2008. As a special treat to my buddy Israel at Fat Man Unleashed, I took the shirt he sent me to Nepal and packed it all the way up to base camp. While at 5400M and dealing with the cold, I did a clothing change and put his FMU shirt on over top all my layers for this shot. That is not Mt Everest behind me, but that IS the khumbu ice fall at base camp. It’s the first thing those who attempt the summit have to navigate on their way up the mountain. To hear it cracking every few minutes was amazing. I had to flip up my toque over my ears to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating such an amazing sound. This last day of hiking to base camp was a 9 hour day and there were still 4 hours ahead of me before I reached food water and shelter. Oh, and again, for the curious people out there, I took my Polar heart rate monitor with me and it said that my average calories burned on hiking days was 9000+, and that was just during actual movement, not including any afterburn.
Mt Everest Base Camp with Dar
My fiance doesn’t hike (not even close), so I did this trek without her. I did however take this picture of her and I along and snapped this shot at base camp. I took the time to do a personal little video to her and she’s the only one who will ever see it. We connected in Bangkok after my hike and spent another 3 weeks in Asia exploring Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.
Raffles Hotel Singapore
The Raffles Hotel is where the Singapore Sling was invented. Darlene and I spent four days in Koh Samui Thailand before moving on to Singapore to visit my sister. We visited the country and I got some work done while she shopped. Had to see the Raffles Hotel though and have a Singapore Sling, one of the many things listed on my 100 Things About Me list. How much was the Singapore Sling you ask? $27
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Rob Cooper, also known as the Former Fat Guy once weighed 475 pounds. Through a system of natural health, whole foods and a basic walking program of 20 minutes a day, lost nearly 300 pounds of fat over 2 and a half years. Weekly weight training added over 50 pounds of muscle and has lowered his body fat even further. He’s the author of How To Lose 10 Pounds a Month, Every Month, a free report given to subscribers of his natural health and weight loss newsletter as well as the transformational... 
July 20th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Rob, simply amazing shots. You are a true warrior my cyber friend! I hope to meet you in person one day. Keep up the greatness.
July 30th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Rob, I’m awed by your accomplishment! I thought I would be moving mountains to lose 50 pounds in 5 months but I feel like a wimp compared to you. I start my new life on August 1 and expect to lose all 50 by December 31. When I hit that goal, I may go for another 15 pounds. And it’s all because of the inspiration I’ve felt from guys like you, who have carved the trail for me. Here’s hoping that others who need that inspiration will find you.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
after the weight loss, do you have extra skin? If so, how do you deal with that? hide it? surgery?
August 10th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Rob–thank you for the article on the last 10–I have been saying and thinking it is so so hard–I have already dropped 12– 10 more to go so now I will say it is going to be easy, fun and doable-thanks again -awesome job on your health journey-God Bless and you are helping lots of folks get healthy!
August 10th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
No extra skin after weight loss to deal with @Dave. The natural weight loss methods I teach people about nourish the body in such a way that the skin tightens up.
August 16th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
You look awesome! and youre an inspiration!
August 18th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Wow you are amazing. I have always been a restriocted eater to be thin. I just had a baby in December and actually gained 51 lbs. It was all belly and I was in good shape (5 ft 3 – 133 lbs pre-pregnancy)
I have lost 42 lbs from eating right and excercising with cardio & weights (Gilad’s DVD’s). The last few seem harder but it’s true that it’s because we look so much better that we slow down on excercise and eating right. Now is the time to be stronger not weaker.
I am a stong willed person and keep looking at sites on how to lose the last 10 when it’s the same as what I already know, we just need to admit to ourselves that we need to be more commited not less during this time. Thanks Rob for slapping me back into reality.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:05 am
I started MAY 09, followed the natural wheight loss method I was weighted 400lb now am at 348lb thank you Rob its working great..
but i am worried about the extra skin how can I deal with it, as I am noticing it now.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Very awesome story, I am very impressed…gives me hope…
September 14th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Excellent Job losing that weight Rob. It always feels good to think about how far you’ve come. I went from 260 to 185 during the summer before my senior year of high school. It felt really good to come back to my senior year rejuvenated. @ Othman – Dubai. I ended up with some extra skin because I lost my weight so quickly. The best thing I can tell you about extra skin is not to worry about it. I found the best way to keep the skin from sagging is to make sure you are loosing at a good pace. If you loose too quickly your skin won’t bounce back as well. I have a little bit of extra skin but I’ve learned not to let it bother me. All the skin around the face tightens back up and it is really nice to compare the multi-chinned version of myself to the current. I’ve heard of some creams and stuff that may help. Never be afraid to go to a doctor and consult them about that. A dermatologist or a nutritionist undoubtedly know a thing or two more than I do about that. @ Rob. This website is a really great tool for motivation. You’ve done an excellent job here and have truly turned your life around — congrats!
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:08 am
Hey! your story is really inspiring, i cant believe you are the same person in those pics taken in 89!
after years of trying, i’ve finally started losing weight (15lb so far), and i’m starting to struggle a bit, so reading your story has shown me that if you can lose 300 pounds, i can lose 50!
you are a true inspiration to all of us!!!
lindsey, brighton, england
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:12 am
p.s. do you have any tips for keeping weight down whilst trying to give up smoking? my doctor just says that most people gain weight whilst trying to quit, but i just couldn’t bear it. i dont know if you are an ex-smoker or not, but either way your advice would be very much appreciated! xxx
October 3rd, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Wow, your story is pretty amazing, I was overweight all my life until nearly a year ago. I started at 6′2″ and a little over 250 pounds. Now at 175 pounds I am really trying to put some muscle on. I use kettlebells and body weight. I was on weight and bench, until recently. I do cardio about once a week, (treadmill). My diet, or lifestyle choice of eating is pretty open, I don’t eat anything processed, or fried at all. I cheat on Saturday’s but i usually just over eat a little, not too much. I have put on some muscle, but mostly I am just getting cut and have a little skin to deal with, but it is shrinking over time.
Any Suggestions?
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Hey Rob,
I haven’t been by your site in a while…great progression in your photos. It’s amazing what clean living does for a guy.
Best,
Coop
November 26th, 2009 at 1:17 am
Dude! Inspirational! Awesome!
January 1st, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Rob, congrats! I’ve been following you for a while. Your story and blog is amazingg!!Doesn’t it feel great? After losing 118 lbs myself, life is so much more amazing!
Keep inspiring people !
January 6th, 2010 at 10:35 am
i am morbidly obese, and i need some tips because i need to loose 110 pounds, i am also a man, i need to fulfil my needs of sexual activities as stated in Maslows heirarchy. :3 please email me back with any tips… p.s
im extremely hormonal and i have no routine life soooo, if it is some copmplicated “follow-a-routine-” weightloss plan.. i have lost hope in you ><
Sincerely…
Fatman
January 12th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Wow, you certainly look like the kind of man I’d walk into a lampost staring at now – amazing transformation!!!
I’m starting my transformation this year and feel very inspired by you – I’m a vegan and have 56 pounds to lose *tut*.
It’s amazing how in the first photo of you thin you look like a really middle aged nerdy guy and hadn’t found your feet or style as a thin person yet look at you now – incredible! I’ve seen that a lot – people lose loads of weight and start wearing weird inapropriate clothes
January 14th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Wow Rob, Looks like you’ve had quite the journey! You must be so proud of where your are at now!!
I sell Arbonne and have recently started our teams 28 Day Challenge in Healthy Living and Eating. It’s amazing how much better I feel just with eating heathier (ha! “Just with”…). I was researching almonds and their benefits (curious about if you can eat too many in a day) and came across your blog. Love the info you have here!
Arbonne has amazing protein shakes and weight loss products, if you’d like some samples, email me and I’ll send you some!
-katie
January 28th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Wow ,,,,awesome story I couldnt stop reading….you need to write a book on your journey……very inspirational….you look “hot”….:)…gonna get my hubby to read this too…hes starting to undo years of damage now too,,,thats what happens when you turn 50 and finally go to the doctor..lol…..thanx for the inspiration…
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:19 pm
@Teresa, thanks Teresa and I DID write a book. Http://www.FatLossFundamentals.com, a step by step guide to eating better. In essence, it’s what I did to achieve my results so quickly
February 7th, 2010 at 3:39 am
I am new to this web site. I recently read an article about finding a weight loss role model. The article said to never pick someone who has not been where you are and who has not gotten to where you want to be. These fitness gurus that have always been at the right weight or have really turned their lives around when the lost that extra 15 pounds are not what I need. Your site is great. You will be a wonderful role model.
By the way. the “skinny” picture of you looks like your current picture’s dad. Way to take it the next level!
February 14th, 2010 at 6:24 am
Hi Rob,
Congrats on all your successes! And thank you for sharing with the world. I’m sure many are inspired by your story.
I’ve personally never dealt with weight. My body doesn’t gain weight when I eat poorly, but I had many other symptoms that led me to make major changes with food and lifestyle.
Thanks for all the good info!
Blessings,
Luke
February 25th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Hi Rob, question here. How tall are you ? I’m guessing 6 ft. I follow your website frequently and I’m now at 230 lbs (started at 250 in December ‘09), my goal is to reach 200 and see how I’m going to look, I’m using weight training and cardio, it’s really helping me, your tips are also great, thanks. Charlie.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
I’m 6′2″ Charlie
March 17th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Rob,
Nice job you are a credit to yourself and an inspiration to the rest of us “fat people”. You have show it can be done through a bit of diet change, not dieting, just change and a bit of exercise. I noticed you have a quick way and a bit slower way to looking like yourself. The important think for everyone to understand is “Don’t lose patience with yourself, hold to the rod!
April 13th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
you are absolutley amazing !
June 2nd, 2010 at 2:30 pm
hey rob
just stumbled across your website and am very impressed with what you have accomplished…my story in brief is at 57 divorced after 31 years marriage,lost house, had to file bankruptcy and have gained approx 80 pounds….at this point i feel like such a slug, no energy, feet hurt, knees hurt and every thing else in between hurts
how in the hell can i get inspired like you did to get the weight back off or at 59 now is it too late
would love to hear from you about this
congrats on the incredible progress you have made
dave
June 16th, 2010 at 7:25 am
Do you have any photos of you now with your top off?
June 18th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
@Michael, I do not. I’m actually kinda shy that way. I would take my shirt off at the beach of course, but I actually haven’t been to a beach / island for years. All my travels have been cold weather places (mountains) for hiking and haven’t been to a beach for years actually.
I’ll see what I can do. I get asked this quite a bit. Shirt off is just not my thing.
June 19th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
I understand, as I used to (and to some extent still do) feel the same as you. However when I faced my fears and put some up on Facebook (not quite the same, I know, but a similar thing none the less!) it really does get your confidence up quite a bit. Cheers.
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:06 am
Hi!! Congratulations on the weight loss and the loss of the extra skin!!! I am fighting with myself right now to lose 50-60 pounds and it seems most of this extra weight is in my thighs and belly!!! (I have kids) I am 46 this year and I have been trying like mad to diet and have been riding my bicycle 7 to 8 kilometers a night but not much weight loss is happening!!! I use a meal repalcement for breakfast and lunch and then try to eat a good meal at dinner. BUT clearly I am not doing enough … I can’t afford some gym membership either … Can i do this on my own and can you advise me on what I need to do to rid myself of the gut and thigh problem and not have some nasty left over skin?? Thank you for any help you offer!!!
June 23rd, 2010 at 6:12 pm
@Wendy, first, your words “I am fighting with myself right now” is the first thing to correct. You’re telling yourself, and me, and probably everyone you talk to, that it’s hard, it’s a battle, and “it’s a fight”.
It should be easy and effortless. Begin telling yourself that “every day, in every way, you’re getting better, better and better”.
Say to yourself every day that you search out and find easy weight loss solutions and apply them with steady results.
and secondly, I’m not able to coach you on your specific situation with only the few details you’ve given, but at 46 with 2 meal replacements and a meal (sounds like a program I’m familiar with), along with the exercise, that you’re not eating enough. Add one more meal.
Have a breakfast shake, a lunch meal, an afternoon shake and a dinner. Then, adjust based on lifestyle. If it works the other way, have a breakfast meal, a shake for lunch, an afternoon meal and a shake for dinner.
Start with that. Speak with your coach about it (I’m guessing you have a cleanse coach, I’m one as well) and understand that eating too little keeps us in fat retention mode.
start with that.
Then… add a scoop of isaPro to your shakes for a protein boost. That should help as well.
speak to your coach though. Make sure you’ve got a solid plan in place, not a random program.
June 24th, 2010 at 6:30 am
Thank you for your reply first off!!! I am going to immediately start to think the way you have spoken of … Low self esteem, as I am sure you know is hard to correct!!!
But I AM going to give it my all … Right now I am cycling on the roads for 7-8 kilometers a night … almost every night and a dog walk following that … Ran down 24 flights of stairs in high heels yesterday evacuating the office due to the earthquake that rocked my office building so I DID NOT ride last night! My legs are sore today as well as my knees! I do not have a coach but I go to a diet clinic. I have been wondering if that was enough myself!! I have the physical down packed I just need to fine tune this eating thing!!! I used to eat only 1 meal a day and that was dinner and sometimes did not even eat that!! So I have made big changes in that I eat more a day than I ever have in my life! I would like to do a cleanse BUT … Have no idea what one to do as there are so many out there and you ask yourself which one is good and which one is not!!! I live in Canada also so if you could tell me the name of a good one that I could get here that would be great!!!
Thank you so much for your time I really appreciate it!!!
June 25th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Hey Rob, how about some updated photos buddy? It’s always great to see a fellow athlete’s progress. Keep up the hard work!
June 27th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Hey Rob, I periodically check your site to see if you’ve updated you pics. And, I’m with Michael. I’d love to see a new pic of you shirtless or at least with a shirt that fits snuggly. As fat loss bloggers, I think we owe it to our readers to show them that we not only talk the talk, but we walk it too. I’d like to see how tight your skin is since you’ve stated that you don’t have any loose skin, which is amazing to me because I’ve lost less than half of what you have and I have some loose skin on my inner thighs and lower belly. So, for someone to have dropped 300+ pounds and not have loose skin is pretty incredible.
When did you become shy about taking shirtless pics? You’re not wearing a shirt in your after pic when you weighed 225. Speaking of which what are your current numbers (i.e., weight and bf%)?
June 28th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
At the moment, I’m not updating anything actually. Not even blogging. I’m working on myself mostly and just taking a good long break from everything.
As for my numbers, I’m higher than I’d like. About 30 pounds over where I want to be, but that’s all part of my current project. “Pudgy” isn’t a word I like, but it applies at the moment, albeit temporarily. When I had arrived home here, I hadn’t been in a gym for 3 months (ugggghh).
Page 2 above, the Mens Fitness photo shoot is the most recent fitness shot. 2 years ago this summer.
right now I’m reading and getting certified. Not writing.
Training and working on myself, physically and spiritually.
Blogging simply isn’t part of that equation right now.
and… haven’t even sent an email out to my subscribers in over 8 months.
There is a lot going on on this planet right now, and blogging about weight loss tips just doesn’t seem big enough for me.
Thanks for asking.
I’ve got a lot going on. Things are well and as they should be. Everything is perfect and it’s great to have lessons that keep us all humble.
Pictures will be coming, sure, but not for a bit just yet.
Great question, thanks for asking. I should maybe write something up about it.
June 29th, 2010 at 7:30 am
Rob,
Thanks for being honest. I knew from following your FB pictures that you had gained weight, so when I saw what you had said to Michael about going shirtless, I had to call you on the carpet my friend — no disrespect.
I don’t want to come off as a jerk, but there are enough fat loss bloggers out there who hide behind their names and outdated before and after pictures when behind closed doors they no longer resemble the after shot. This is just unacceptable in my book, especially if they are selling books.
I definitely think you should blog about your current experience! You’re not alone with the weight gain Rob. If you’ve been following Jimmy Moore from Livin La Vida Low Carb, he has regained close to a third of the weight he initially lost. And he’s just one of a couple that I know.
Hang in there Rob, and I look forward to following your progress, so I really hope you blog about it. What your readers will learn from your current situation is that maintaining fat loss is the real work – losing it is really the easy part.
BTW, if I’m going to ask you your stats, then I should give you mine, no? I’m currently weighing in at 190 at @ 13% BF. I’m taking a break from my blog too, but will start back up in August with new pics.
I’m heading for single digit BF land. The closest I’ve come is 10%, so wish me luck.
September 11th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
If you gained some weight back, own it – that’s part of your journey. It feels like you are hiding out… up or down, you should continue sharing your experience.
October 23rd, 2010 at 10:19 am
Rob, your pictures are very inspiring. I don’t believe you would have ever gotten to where you are now, if you had not changed the way you think. Keep up this blog to inspire more people!
October 24th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Hi Rob,
How did you find Singapore? I am a Singaporean and am so pleased to have chanced upon your website and sharing. I am going to attempt a rolled oats diet in place of my 3-times-a-day-junk-snacking, after 20 years of dissing oats. Wish me luck!
Melissa
October 25th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Loved Singapore. I didn’t get out as much as I’d have liked because I needed the opportunity to catch up on some work while I was there. Had been away from a computer for a few weeks. Of the week we were there, I got out to sight see about 3 days.
November 8th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Congratulations, I am always inspired by people who step outside the box, are prepared to be uncomfortable for a while to make big changes in their life. Not only have you achieved this, you have maintained it, which is admirable. I hope you are able to inspire others. All the best.
December 11th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
I wanna say check. Into the warrior diet and yes you can eat a small amount during the day such as 1or two small fruits or small amounts of protien, it works and it keeps me from having to eat small meals all the time,
December 18th, 2010 at 5:57 am
Rob you are a big inspiration to alot of people. I myself lost over 80 pounds so I know what you had to go through to get where you are today. Most people want to lose weight overnight and it just doesn’t happen this way.
It’s a step by step process that does take some time, but it’s very doable. As long as you have goals and keep yourself motivated.
February 12th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Hey,i’m currently at 264 pounds and i’m wondering myself how your belly looks like,did you get rid of the loose skin/stretch marks?
really,thats the only thing i really hate on me
May 5th, 2011 at 2:47 am
That’s awesome. being fat sucks big time, you’re just in a dark place, it’s depressing but it’s nice to see that you lost all that fat.
I used to be 160 when I was 18, did a ton of weight training and was lean at 140. From then on, I decided to bulk up to gain muscle faster, I didn’t do it very clean at all. Flashforward to 2 years, I went from a lean 140 to a huge 260 butterball. That was a big mistake, sure I gained muscle but I looked so fat. I was in denial until I took pictures of myself and It hit me like a knife through the heart. I decided to cut and I dropped to a lean 190 in a year, it felt soo good to be not only lean but huge too, Being fat was like commiting suicide.
May 5th, 2011 at 2:51 am
Oh yeah, I tried all sorts of crazy diets and none worked except for the keto one but I lost muscle and was deprived of vitamins so it wasn’t worth it.
In the end, It was hard work that prevailed, a ton of heavy reps to deplete my glyco stores and then a ton of cardio.
June 2nd, 2011 at 6:28 pm
I am amazed by your success. I am starting my own journey and it will be one I do not know I can win. I wanted to know if anyone else dealt with depression while they were gaining weight and what was your trigger that brought you to reality and the decisions you made to lose. I
August 24th, 2011 at 9:19 am
WOW what a great story, I have lost 145 pounds so far, I had my arms operated on 3″ of excess skin,I am over 40 and plan to have more surgery for the skin, you look amazing!!!! I have spent the last 30 years being obese, and the gym and this weight loss has changed my life!!! I have a few more pounds to go, but now since I am following the BFFM plan, I know I will get it all off and be healthier in the long run!!! Hope your personal situation improves, it is an amazing journey you have shared.
October 16th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
i am 326 pounds and diabetic. i want to loose weight at 190 pounds but my left leg has partial ACL and dont know what to do since it bothers me by popping when I walk or do certain movements sideways. doctor said that i could go on living if it did not bother me but had to loose weight. i eat alot outside, about four meals a day, lots of meat, zero exercise but also would like to add more power and vigor to my intimate life, especially with woman i might like and date my. i was at 350 pounds in june but i think my weight is due to going to eat less outside. oh, i also like to drink alot of of sweets, especially diet soda. if eat outside, i eat mexican food, carl junior, mcdonalds, little ceaser pizza and subway.
i honestly think writing down where I eat helps me keep an honest mindset to set my goals and loose weight.
any suggestions from anyone are welcome. and I like the pictures about phase changes you had in your life. i do have questions about the saggy skin phase one has to go to when loosing weight also. I have stretch marks around the arms, legs and waist. what happens as you loose the weight there? do they dissapear if you loose weight and refill the empty space later with muscle?
October 27th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
WOW! Awesome job Joe! After being over 400 pounds for over 18 years, I got on the scales Christmas week 2008 and they said 493. I had medical issues and was losing out on life! I became determined, joined Medi-Weightloss Clinics (medically supervised weightloss program that features lean protein and low carbs) and started exercising (cardio and resistance). In 16 months I lost 300 pounds and in 22 months I ran my first half marathon. I have been maintaining now for 18 months and have switched to outdoor cycling. On October 1st, 2011 I rode in my first 100k in Plano, Texas for Make-A-Wish. It feels great to have my life back! Your article on the almonds is spot on! Keep up the great work!