Exercise and a low-carb diet are the steps that Matt is taking on his weight loss journey

Matt-Man

Country: Springfield, Ohio, USA
Age: 41
Weight before diet: 255 lbs.
Weight now: 199 lbs.
Target weight: 185 lbs.

Inspired by the Atkins Diet, Matt is following a modified version of it in his efforts to lose weight. The decision to go low-carb has shown significant results, as has a greater involvement in physical activity. Having a sense of humor about it all sure doesn't hurt either!

-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program?
In all seriousness, when one finds that their socks don’t fit, it’s time to lose some weight.

-What type of weight loss program are you following?
I have been doing, what I call Atkins-Lite.  I only eat bad carbohydrates once or at the very most, twice a week.  Hey, I gotta have pasta once in awhile.  My portions of what I do eat are much less.  I eat quite a bit of soup and any and all types of beans.  Beans and most soups have some carbs, but most of that is fiber, so no worries there.  Lately, through the weekdays, I have an egg and coffee in the morning, water all through the day, and a can of soup for dinner.  So, that means I am not only cutting carbs, I have very little fat intake, which leaves a little cushion for the weekend!!  But even then I don’t go too overboard.  All snack foods, chips, pretzels, Cheetos, all of which I LOVE, no longer.

-Why did you choose this weight loss program?
One of my brothers did an all out Atkins and he lost a great deal of weight quickly.

-How long have you been on your weight loss program?
I have been doing this for about 16 months, maybe a little longer.

-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to help you lose weight and stay fit?
At first, hardly any because I was so darn HUGE, but now I walk, play basketball, and fish.  Fishing isn’t exercise you say?  When you are a lousy angler such as me, you move from spot to spot trying to catch fish and before you know it you’ve walked three miles!!

-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
Dear God, I do miss eating heavily buttered toast.  After actually motivating myself to start, the hardest thing is just dealing with the painful divorce between my mouth and certain foods.  Did I mention heavily buttered toast?  Portion control is no problem.

-How do you keep yourself motivated?
I don’t have them for you today, but I just need to look at a picture of myself from the time I started, and that provides plenty of motivation.  I also want to be able to see my son graduate from High School without the assistance of knee replacements and an oxygen tank.

-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
Probably nothing original, but this is what has worked for me.  Don’t hesitate to start a diet because you’re not in shape to exercise.  The exercise can come after you’ve lost a few pounds.  Remember, skinny people don’t jog to lose weight; they do it because they’re thin enough to do so.  Your time will come.  Always be moving, add a thousand steps to your day. When I talk on the phone, I don’t sit, I pace…Bottom Line:  Whenever possible MOVE. 

The phrase, "soup is good food" is not a joke.  It’s good for you and fills you up.  Just stay away from the cream soups.  Also, if you have a Kroger grocery in your area, buy their store brand soup, it is just as good and much less expensive than the name brands.   Water, water, water…drink it until you grow gills.  Don’t get down on yourself if you hit a wall.  I’ve hit several but carried on.  If you think the weight is coming off too slowly, just remember how long it took to gain it.  Have fun, and experiment with substituting meat and sauces with beans. 
 

-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?
No way.  I have been up and down my whole life; I think I have finally matured enough to keep it off.

-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helps or inspires you to lose weight?
Well of course my site: Bag Wine Ruminations.  I opine on my weight tribulations occasionally.

A site by Allie D. who has issues with her body: Memoirs of a Gouda.