A liver cancer patient who was given only six months to live managed to lose an impressive 76 pounds by following a specific diet.

A man from Durham, North Carolina, has transformed his life after receiving serious health information.

A report from SWNS states that Derek Barnett, 55, was diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 10 years ago.

At his heaviest, Barnett weighed 240 pounds and was a size 38.

A construction worker, Barnett, who is currently jobless due to health problems, dismissed his diagnosis, stating that he "didn't think much about it."

"Everybody’s got a type of thing," he said.

The man's condition deteriorated, eventually leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver cancer.

In January 2024, Barnett received a letter from his doctor with devastating news: his cancer could result in his death within six months if it continued to grow.

Reflecting on the moment he received the letter last year, he realized it was a turning point.

"I saved the note that stated, "If the cancer becomes aggressive, you have six months to live," and examined it daily, but it caused me emotional distress."

To regain his health, Barnett was advised by his doctors to lose weight, which motivated him to take action.

"He said, 'I was like, "OK, we can do this,"' to SWNS. He admitted, "I'm a fruit-aholic. I went on a major fruit diet basically.""

Barnett restricted his daily meals to small portions, consisting mainly of his favorite fruits.

"It’s about eating right, staying active and never giving up."

He stated that he could consume an entire watermelon in a day, but he also ate apples, oranges, and grapes, whichever was in season.

"I consume protein shakes as well. Although I'm not a vegetarian, I rarely consume meat due to its filling nature."

Barnett recently recorded a record-low weight of 164 pounds. He stated that he achieved this by following a specific diet, and that his results are impressive.

He stated that he hadn't weighed himself since he was likely 15 years old.

Despite still having work to do in building up his muscles, Barnett remains determined to keep moving forward and address the skin loss.

He said, "Although my clothes are a bit too big and baggy, and it's challenging to afford new clothing when you lose weight rapidly, I still feel great."

Despite his physical limitations, Barnett has managed to maintain a healthy weight by staying active.

"He disclosed that he has osteoarthritis in his right knee and requires a knee replacement. Although he is unable to jog or climb stairs, he does his best."

He stated that his typical workouts consist of sitting in chairs and utilizing small dumbbells.

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"I'm always busy, but I don't harm myself," he said. "Losing weight is mostly about staying active and finding ways to stay off the couch."

Barnett hopes to inspire others with his successful weight-loss journey, as he awaits the outcome of his prognosis in February.

"If I can accomplish this, anyone can," he stated. "I followed the doctors' instructions to the letter. It's all about maintaining a balanced diet, staying active, and never giving up."

"He said, 'I was 55 going on 90,' and now he's 55, going back on 20 again."

According to SWNS, Barnett desires to resume work and lead a "complete, lively existence."

"I want to ring that bell next time I see my doctors and inform them that I have completed it," he stated. "This is merely the beginning."