Obese man who developed a binge eating disorder reveals how he embraced a healthy diet

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Beau Jacobson, 23, from Colleyville, Texas, was 6'3" and weighed 285lbs when he was in high school, but managed to shed 65lbs before graduating
In college Beau worried that he would gain the weight back, so he began starving himself during the week and binge eating on the weekends
Beau would eat less than 1,000 calories Monday through Friday only to eat 4,000 calories worth of junk food on Saturday and Sunday
When Beau's weight dipped down to 159lbs, his father hired him a personal trainer who helped him overcome his eating disorder
Beau now weighs a healthy 200lbs and is training to compete in a fitness competition next year

Published: 16:56 EST, 14 October 2015 | Updated: 17:03 EST, 14 October 2015

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A 23-year-old man who shed 65lbs from his overweight frame only to develop a binge eating disorder that left him at 159lbs has revealed how he overcame his issues with food and gained the confidence to sing publicly and enter fitness competitions at a healthy 200lbs.

Beau Jacobson, from Colleyville, Texas, was 6'3" and weighed 285lbs when he was in high school, but after seeing a video of himself performing a jazz show his junior year, he vowed to lose weight and dropped 65lbs before graduation. However, the former football player feared gaining weight in college, so he would starve himself during the week only to binge eat junk food on the weekends.

'People told me all the time, “You look thin” - and they didn’t mean it in a good way,' he told Yahoo Health. 'They were concerned.'

Amazing transformation: Beau Jacobson, 23, from Colleyville, Texas, weighed 285lbs when he was in high school (left), and now he is 200lbs and training to compete in fitness competition (right)

Taking it too far: After losing 65lbs before his high school graduation, Beau developed an unhealthy relationship with food in college and got down to 159lbs (pictured)

Beau started gaining weight when he was 11-years-old after his mom and dad remarried and he started a new school.

The singer explained that during this time he turned to food for comfort and would gorge on Little Debbie cakes, Lunchables meals, Oreos, Lean Pockets and fast food from McDonald's.

Beau carried his unhealthy habits to high school where he sang in the choir and played football.

'I loved football - I loved playing offensive line, and to play on the line, you have to be big. So weighing 280 pounds was viewed as acceptable because I was just "football big",' he noted.

Seeking comfort: Growing up Beau turned to food to deal with his parents marrying other people and starting new school

Athlete and singer: Beau, pictured far left, who was a member of the choir and a football player in high school, thought he was just 'football big'

However, after an 11th grade performance he finally realized that his weight was an issue, and he swore he would lose weight as soon as football season was over.

Beau continued weight training and started playing pickup basketball for cardio. However, he said 90 per cent of the changes he made was through his diet, and he lost 45lbs in three months followed by another 20lbs before his high school graduation.

When Beau started college at Texas Tech, he joined Sigma Phi Epsilon, stayed on top of his grades and kept up with his workouts. However, after thinking that he looked 'bad' in a picture of himself online, he grew terrified of putting weight back on.

He started an unhealthy cycle of binge eating in which he would severely restrict his diet during the week, only to consume massive amounts of junk food on the weekend.

Life-changing moment: During a jazz performance in the 11th grade, Beau (left) finally realized that his weight was an issue and vowed to get healthy

Wasting away: Beau's family and friends started to worry about his dramatic weight loss, which was brought on by him eating less than 1,000 calories per day during the week and 4,000 calories on Saturday and Sunday

'Over the next year, I started running three miles a day, hitting the weight room and consuming less than 1,000 calories per day Monday through Friday,' he explained. 'Then on the weekends, I would eat about 4,000 calories each day. Still, I was dropping weight.'

Beau's father asked if he would go see personal trainer, and after he started working with Justin Blevins, a trainer at the Hero Training Center in his hometown, Beau finally realized he had a 'messed up relationship with food and exercise'.

'I started eating seven meals a day, weight trained like crazy, and - most importantly - stopped binge-eating,' he said.

Now that Beau has overcome is binge eating disorder he weighs 200lbs, however, in order to maintain his who has ripped abs and a toned physique he follows a routine, so he is not tempted to stray from his healthy lifestyle.

Getting healthy: Beau started working with a trainer in his hometown who helped him overcome his eating disorder

Baller: Beau, who plays pickup basketball games with friends for cardio, is now working to compete the Men’s Physique division of the National Physique Committee in the summer of 2016

Every Sunday Beau goes grocery shopping and spends the afternoon cooking his meals for the week.

'If a meal is already prepared, it takes away any temptation to order a pizza or pick up Chinese takeout,' he explained. Beau also tries to work out as early as he can in the day so he gets off to a good start and writes motivational quotes in marker on his mirror to stay inspired.

Beau admitted that his diet is stricter than usual because he is training to compete in the Men’s Physique division of the National Physique Committee in the summer of 2016.

While training for the competition he eats five meals a day - one consisting of six ounces of lean protein, one with six ounces of fattier protein, one meal is an omelet and the other two meals are protein shakes. He also eats sweet potatoes, oatmeal, green veggies and fruit.

Hanging out: Beau posed with his friends at Disney World during their trip this summer

Amazing achievements: Beau can be seen receiving an award from his fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon

Better than ever: Beau, who is also a singer, released his album In Other Words on iTunes in June

If he indulges, Beau said he prefers to call it a 'reward' instead of a 'cheat' meal because he earned it during his workout.

'I would be lying if I said that they never make me feel guilty, but I’m still working to overcome every aspect of my mental struggle from my eating disorder,' he noted.

After overcoming his issues with food, Beau explained that he has started to feel better about the way he looks, and he noticed that he has a lot more energy.

'Over time I have gained more confidence,' he said. 'I sing gigs around town and now I’m not even afraid to step up in front of a large crowd and sing.'

In 2014 Beau auditioned for American Idol, and although he didn't make it on to the show, he released his album In Other Words on iTunes a year later.