Food = love in many cultures. Is it about doing something nice for the family, a tradition centered around holidays, or just about making traditional southern foods which are by nature fattening?

As has been said, focus on getting your blood sugar under control first. Post-pandemic after two years of minimal activity, I had my first checkup in two years and blood sugars were above 100 (indicating pre-diabetes). I'm increasing my activity level slowly and have cut way back on all carbo-hydrates (bread, sweets, coffee drinks, soda, potatoes) and am eating more fats (e.g. fish). Overall diet is not quite keto but close. Most recent blood sugar test was back in the normal range. It wasn't my goal, but I've also lost 15 pounds in 6 months.

Assume you’re talking about these links:

confessionpost.com/67401/my-husband-got-fat-with-my-help

confessionpost.com/64539/my-husband-is-getting-fat

confessionpost.com/66069/my-belly-bowl-boy

confessionpost.com/8908/My-wife-is-fattening-me-up

Perceptions have changed markedly. In the 1950s, 300 pounds was considered scandalously fat. Kings at that weight were deposed for their alleged gluttony. Today, obesity is very common and 400 pounders are routine.

You may want to get tests of liver and kidney function.

I've had a similar experience. Didn't gain that much weight during the pandemic (15 pounds) but cut way back on activity once the gyms closed. My checkup results were alarming, on the cusp of type-2 diabetes plus a host of scary (probably related) symptoms, including high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Have markedly increased my activity level and have lost the weight I gained during the pandemic, but I think that some drastic dietary changes (e.g. very low carbs) may be required to make progress on the blood sugar and A1C categories.

My observation is that once you get to 40 percent body fat it is very hard to get lean again. That would be a 250 pounder with 150 lean body mass. At that point you’d have quadrupled your fat cells, and would have metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and all the bad blood chemistry that comes with it.

The Ali dynasty of Egypt (particularly King Farouk) may be of interest:

www.levantineheritage.com/note137.htm

Or if you watch Bosch, you could go as Barrel (two of the detectives on the show are nicknamed "Crate and Barrel" ).

It is possible to gain significant weight from fluid retention. This is a serious problem that requires medical attention. With proper medical care, I’ve heard of people losing as much as 50 pounds of fluid in a few weeks.