Arizona man's total transformation inspired by 'Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition'

MESA, AZ - We've all been there and endured that serious struggle to lose weight. 

It begins with hope and hard work, only to be followed by frustration and a feeling of defeat. When you have hundreds of pounds to lose, your weight is no longer a battle because you've already convinced yourself it's an unwinnable war.

Food is a necessity. But, at more than 400 pounds, it consumed Travis Schureman's life.

“From getting up in the morning to putting your shoes on, everything I did was a constant struggle,” said Schureman. “My highest weight was 430.”

But that number didn’t affect how he felt about his appearance… it affected how he felt as a father.

“What became hard for me is when my kids wanted to do things and I would make excuses,” said Schureman.

So, inspired by the television show, " Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition ", he made a commitment to change.

Ammon Woods is a high school friend and personal trainer who transformed his garage into a gym.

“The last time I was 200 (pounds) was when I was in 8th grade, but that’s the goal,” said Schureman.

A lofty goal that even intimidated Ammon, who reached out to "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss" coach, Chris Powell for guidance.

“He said 'dude, you've got to do it. It's going to be the best experience of your life',” Ammon told us. 

“I put (Travis) through a fight or flight workout just to see if he would quit or keep going. He threw up and kept going. It’s a kind of resilience that only makes sense when you look at Travis’ expression from a photograph taken on day one.

“I love to see people succeed and I was telling Travis everyone loves an underdog,” said Ammon.

The transformation began in June with high intensity gym workouts three times a week, and cardio in the morning and evening. Travis started eating five small meals and drinking two gallons of water a day. The pounds started pouring off and just seven weeks into the transformation, Travis had already lost 45 pounds.

But, it’s not as easy as it may seem.

“There's days when my whole body hurts and I want to be done. No doubt about it,” he said.

And when things get hard, he can barely breathe and the weight of this war seems just too heavy, Travis thinks of his little ones at home.

“I don't ever want them to have to wonder what's wrong with dad, or is dad not going to be around,” he said.

Travis’ family understands that kind of sadness more than most.

“As you can see, we're at a cemetery. Our family has lost a few babies,” he explained.

Suddenly, painful and defeating moments during his weight loss war seem so incredibly insignificant compared to the agony he's already experienced.

“I have a family I love and I have three beautiful kids that I want to be with for a long time,” he said.

It’s a strength that comes from within so he can persevere and accomplish the seemingly impossible.

We'll continue to follow Travis on his year-long transformation and we can't wait to update you with all of his progress in the weeks and months ahead!