David from "David On A Diet" Blog

Country: Columbus, Georgia, USA
Age: 48
Weight before diet: 278 lbs.
Weight now: 227 lbs.
Target weight: 200 lbs.

Blogging is more than just a support system tool for David: it's probably the major factor in his weight loss journey. Being aware of the calories he's taking in--and knowing that the whole world can read about it--allows him to adjust his eating habits for the better. Personal and public accountability via blogging keeps him on the road that will lead to feeling good…once again.

 

-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program?
I saw a picture of myself. I was fat. Really, really fat. Still am. Just not as fat.

-What type of weight loss program are you following?
I'm blogging what I eat. It began as a desire to pay attention to my calories. Some call it "counting calories" ... but it's more of an awareness of calories. Yes, counting's involved. But, I'm not only counting up the numbers on what I eat, I'm also writing down the items I eat. That allows me to review what I ate and when. As issues with what I'm eating arise, I can adjust.

-Why did you choose this weight loss method?
It gives me motivation to do it. I'm putting myself out there ... in front of the entire world ... showing how successful ... or unsuccessful ... this weight loss program is going.

One thing I've done ... that I encourage everyone to do ... is to see a doctor. Now, to be honest, I didn't see a doctor about this weight loss program. Still, I saw a doctor, albeit for other reasons. But, he pronounced me healthy, but overweight.

I've had checkups since I began the weight loss. And he's pronounced me healthy, but overweight (although not as overweight). Many people have medical issues that can require a supervised diet. I'm fortunate. I have no medical issues (that I or the doctor know about). I'm simply eating what I've always eaten ... just less of it.

-How long have you been on your weight loss program?
Since January 9, 2006. At least, that's when I started blogging about it.

-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to help you lose weight and stay fit?
I don't like doing any. I do walk more. I take the stairs. But an actual exercise program? No. I know that I need to. And I'd lose more weight if I did. But I have managed to come up with enough excuses to not do it.

Actually, my plan is to start running when my weight gets to below 220. I'm close to that. Because of my age, I don't want to run with too much weight on these old knees. So, I picked 220 as a place to start. If issues arise, I'll wait until my weight is lower. I'm wanting to protect my knees. I can always lose weight more slowly. I can't always run to the store and get new knees.

-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
I like to snack. I still snack. Way too much. If I cut back the snacks, I'd be lots farther along. But, it's a struggle. Writing it down helps me know what I'm doing that's a bad habit. Now, I just need to do something about it.

-How do you keep yourself motivated?
Knowing how good I used to feel when I was slimmer gives me the impetus to keep on. I don't feel bad being overweight. But when I was fit and trim (yes, I actually was once), I felt good. It's remembering what it used to feel like ... and is now missing ... that prompts me to keep at this.

If I felt bad (as opposed to missing a "feeling good"), I'd probably be more intensive in my weight loss. As is, since I don't feel bad, but just miss that "feeling good" ... I'm taking it slow and sure. And, so far, I'm not getting the "feeling good" back. But, that's because the "feeling good" came after being on a regular fit schedule: exercise, eating right, etc. Once the exercise (particularly running) kicks in, that "feeling good" will return. And that's what I'm looking forward to.

-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
Gosh, the most important thing is ... why are you doing this? I don't believe in selfish reasons for things, let me say that. But weight loss is something that's personal. It's like wearing new clothes or a new hairstyle ... but it's much, much more. It can affect your health, which clothes and hair don't.

Do it because you want to. If you don't want to, you'll just make yourself miserable.

-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?
I'm trying to gradually change my lifestyle. That is, eating smaller meals. Being aware of what I eat. If I can replace the old habits with the new habits on a slow, sure pace, I think it will be easier to maintain the habits.

 

I'm not doing everything at once. I've not cut out snacks. I still enjoy cheesecake; just not every meal. I still enjoy ice cream; just not every meal. I still eat large meals; just not three large meals a day. Small changes will be easier to keep up.

-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helps or inspires you to lose weight?
My inspiration is of my own creation: DavidOnADiet. I'm blogging my own diet for me ... and the entire world ... to see.

The idea for blogging my diet was actually inspired indirectly by a couple of other sites. The most influential is Hog On Ice. He's a political pundit ... that cooks. And eats. He's published recipes and talked about his struggles with weight. That blog, along with one other blog (My Dwindling Space) that's since ceased to be, gave me the idea to blog this thing.