A portly Russian cat, who isn’t too keen on dieting, is showing many how relatable the battle to lose weight can be.

Kroshik, which means “Little Baby” or “Crumbs” in English, is far from little, having enjoyed a bit too much pampering at his previous home. Although he remains adorable, his health is at risk due to the excess weight, and the Matroskin Shelter in Perm, Russia is determined to help him.

This sizable orange cat tipped the scales at a staggering 38 pounds when he came to the shelter, which is 28 pounds over the normal weight for a domestic cat. A big Maine Coon might reach around 25 pounds, but Kroshik’s size is not just due to genetics; he’s definitely not just a “big-boned” kitty.

‘Long and painstaking recovery’ ahead for Kroshik

“The potential for him to be among the five heaviest cats in the world exists, but all he really desires is to walk again,” said a message shared by the shelter, now translated from Russian.

The rescue organization noted they couldn’t even carry out a full health check on Kroshik because his layers of fat interfered with their ultrasound equipment.

<p”Kroshik faces a ‘long and painstaking recovery,’ according to the shelter’s report. Fortunately, the volunteers have devised a plan for him.

He is now following a tailored weight loss regimen that aims for a reduction of approximately 2.5 to 5.3 ounces each week. He has been placed in a rehabilitation facility where he receives specialized diet food, medical monitoring, hydrotherapy, and treadmill sessions.

Is he a fan of this new diet and exercise routine? Not exactly, but to be fair, who really enjoys that? Nevertheless, despite his visible reluctance, it’s effective—Kroshik’s latest weight is now 32 pounds.

Having lost 6 pounds, he still has about 20 more to go, but if Kroshik can achieve this, then there’s hope for anyone.