(CNN) -- Doug Skinner held up the pants in the tiny dressing room and shook his head. There's no way, he thought. No way I'm at a size 48. 

This was 2004. Skinner was fresh out of college, recently married and just starting his career as a technology coordinator for a local school district. I refuse to go any bigger than 46, he thought vehemently. 

"Unfortunately, that day I did have to buy those [pants]," Skinner remembers. "But I didn't go any higher than that." 

Skinner always had an excuse for his obesity as a young adult. The self-described "stocky" man was just big-boned, he told himself. In reality, he weighed close to 300 pounds. 

"It wasn't like we were stopping on the way home at McDonald's every night -- it was just portion sizes," Skinner says. "The easiest thing in the world [for me] is to eat. I'm a food guy. I love food. I love dessert." 

But that day in a badly-lit discount clothing store in New Jersey, something clicked. He walked back over to his wife, Denise, who looked unhappy with her clothing selections as well. They decided right then to make a change. "We said, 'Look, this is it. Let's not kid around anymore." 

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The couple went home and borrowed a few Weight Watchers books from a relative and began to eat less. 

"The first month, I was starving," Skinner says. "After the first month it was easier. It's still not easy today, but it's easier." 
What was Doug doing
was it going well
When was this
Did he purchase the bigger slacks
was he always overweight
why does he have this problem
did anything important happen to him this day
who was his wife
What did they do after that
was it easy to diet
was it always like that
He was trying on pants
Doug Skinner held up the pants in the tiny dressing room 
no
no way, he thought. No way I'm at a size 48. 
2004
This was 2004. 
Yes
Unfortunately, that day I did have to buy those [pants],
yes
 In reality, he weighed close to 300 pounds.
He likes to eat
 I'm a food guy. I love food. I love dessert." 
yes
something clicked. 
Denise
He walked back over to his wife, Denise, 
Went on a diet
The couple went home and borrowed a few Weight Watchers books from a relative and began to eat less. 
no
"The first month, I was starving
no
After the first month it was easier. It's still not easy today, but it's easier."