Robert Gibbs, a 700-pound man from Livermore, turned 23 on Friday. Gibbs has had trouble with obesity since he was four. He posted a video on YouTube this past week pleading for help with his weight from anyone who would be able to do so. Gibbs has told many people that he is a prisoner of himself.
“I’m just trying to get some help from somebody,” Gibbs says in the video, which you can see embedded in this article. “Nutritionist, personal trainer, Dr. Phil, ‘Biggest Loser,’ anything…get this to become one of the most watched videos ever. Eventually someone will see it, and then maybe I can get some help.”
The video posted by Gibbs acquired 200,000 views in roughly 24 hours, with many people offering their support and well-wishes for good health. Weight-loss experts, a spokesperson for the ‘Dr. Phil’ show and former contestants on ‘The Biggest Loser’ have all reached out to Gibbs about his weight.
Gibbs tells his viewers that he has had diabetes for a couple of years and is only able to stand for a couple minutes at a time. Gibbs has spent time in the hospital twice for his weight and has an addiction to fast food, which he says also helps him save money. Gibbs lives with his family, which consists of his mom, sister, niece and nephew. He worries about staying alive so he can be with his family as they age.
“This is my last chance, my last hope,” he says in the video. “I’m really scared I’m not going to be able to watch my niece and nephew grow up.”
Gibbs’ sister, Nichole, said, “It really touched me when I heard the video that he wants to lose the weight because of his nephew and niece. He wants to see them grow up and maybe have a family of his own.”
In response to the exposure he is getting from his video, Gibbs said, “I’m getting the exposure I needed. I better start getting ready for the tornado that’s about to become my life. I guess it is a good birthday for me.”
