A self-described 'lazy and depressed' obese man from Richmond, Virginia, is documenting his attempt to lose weight with yoga.

Richard Widmark Jr, who at his heaviest weighed 669lbs, has been going to private yoga lessons three times a week for the past two months, and says already the changes have been 'pretty amazing'.

The 38-year-old posted an image of himself in the 'moon pose' on his Facebook page, The Raw Xperience, which he admitted was 'very hard' to do. But after 7,000 shares and 43,000 positive comments, Mr Widmark Jr says the response to the image has made him 'want to continue on this journey'.

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Richard Widmark Jr, who at his heaviest weighed 669lbs, has been going to private yoga lessons three times a week for the past two months, and says already the changes have been 'pretty amazing'

'My yoga teacher took this of me today,' he wrote in the post. 'When I look at this my first reaction is of disgust.

'I didn't see what my teacher saw. [She said]: "Look at your top arm and leg. The openness at your chest and hips is beautiful!! How straight your are able to get, and how you are supporting yourself and balancing on one arm and leg."

'Years of hating myself won't go away over night, but with the help of supportive friends I’ll get there. Yoga is for EVERY BODY,' he explained.

Mr Widmark Jr has also taken up juicing, and eats cooked vegan foods on the weekends as his 'cheat days'.

'I'm looking for a sustainable way to eat,' he said, adding that he would love to teach yoga once he loses more weight.

The 38-year-old has also taken up juicing, and eats cooked vegan foods on the weekend as his 'cheat days'

Mr Widmark Jr believes that it is hard for overweight people to start yoga, because of its 'beautiful body' stigma. 'I’d like to see this change,' he said

'I have found what I've been looking for this entire time, he said. 'I would love to one day be able to teach people what my teacher has taught me. Believe in yourself. You can do it. You can push through it.'

Mr Widmark Jr believes that it is hard for overweight people to start yoga, because of its 'beautiful body' stigma and its 'seemingly next to impossible poses'.

'I’d like to see this change,' he said.

'Yoga is becoming a major part of my life. I swear and sweat when I do it. I don’t do the poses perfectly, but it isn’t about perfection, it’s about growth...