After 6 weeks of Atkins, I found Body for Life.  I still follow the program, almost exactly as the book lays it out.  I've done all types of variations, but the basics remain tried and true.  Why mess with success?

-Why did you choose this weight loss program? 
Fate.  I happened to come across it while I was searching for a transition off Atkins.  Once you've made your serious decision to lose weight, you will find your path somehow.  If you're forever debating which program to choose, you're only fooling yourself.  To find what works for you, YOU must start.  Even starting down the wrong road is starting. 

-How long were you on your weight loss program?
Body for Life is FOR LIFE.  While I may change my "cheat day" to a couple cheats a week, or maybe carb cycle for a week, or whatever, I continue the basics; eat small meals often, protein with every meal, intense cardio and weight training for less than an hour a day.  Usually, my workouts are 30-40 minutes.  I continue to improve my health, muscle tone, and wellness daily.

-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to maintain your weight and to stay fit?
The elliptical machine has treated me well.  I get shin splints when I run, so I need low or no impact cardio activities.  Also, on days my legs are too sore, I'll hit the speedbag for 15-20 minutes.  You've got to be flexible, and make whatever you have available work.  Recently, I haven't been able to force myself to do much cardio, so I'm in search of a more stimulating form of aerobic exercise.  Row machine?  We'll see what comes along, but rest assured, I WILL find something.

Weight training, without question, is vital and equally important for weight loss.

-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
I had to change everything, which included my social life.  It's tough to leave people who you care about, but are no good for you.  However, if you care for yourself, you will do what it takes to change for you.  In the end, after going through some lonely times, I've found better, deeper relationships. 

-How did you keep yourself motivated?
I surround myself with people who would encourage me.  I am a loner by nature, and I had to find a group of people who I could share my experience with.  These are the people who are closest to me today.

Also, you MUST celebrate the small victories.  There will be days, sometimes weeks and months that go by where you SWEAR that you're making no progress.  Take pictures, as the mirror lies.  Take measurements, as the pictures sometimes lie.  Take your blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol, WHATEVER.  This is vital.  Sometimes the only thing you can feel is pair of pants just a tad looser than they were before.  Celebrate that more than you grieve over minor setbacks.  There will be setbacks.  Accept them, then put them in the past and carry on with your plan.

-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?
Easy?  Sure.  It's not hard to be a big fat slob.

I have far too much pride and self-confidence to go back to my old ways.

-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helped or inspired you to lose weight?