Podcasting and calorie reduction in Anna's weight loss regimen

Anna Farmery

-City & country: Leeds, UK
-Age: 41
-Weight before diet: 221 lbs.
-Weight now: 163 lbs.
-Target weight: 158 lbs.

07-13-2007

"Slimming is simple – eat less calories than you are using on a daily basis." These are the words that are the cornerstone of Anna's journey to lose weight. Here, she shares how watching her calorie intake and keeping herself accountable online through podcasting and blogging have helped her lose much of those extra pounds in less than a year.

-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program?
A fellow podcaster said she wanted to lose weight so I thought why not do this via the web – could be fun. It has been fantastic, nothing like weighing in online “live” each week to keep the motivation high!

-What type of weight loss program did you follow?
I haven’t followed a program I have just cut out “bad” food and alcohol.

-Why did you choose this weight loss program?
I cannot stick to plans, it makes me feel too restricted. At the end of the day, slimming is simple – eat less calories than you are using on a daily basis.

-How long were you on your weight loss program?
It has been 6 wonderfully entertaining months.

-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to maintain your weight and to stay fit?
Unfortunately I cannot exercise at the moment. I have had over the last couple of years quite a few operations – which had caused me to put on the weight – so I have had to concentrate on my food intake rather than burning calories.

-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome or are still overcoming?
When you hit a plateau and ensuring that you understand this is your body just adjusting. It is so easy to lose motivation – but you have to see how far you have come and imagine what it will feel like when you hit your target weight.

-How did you keep yourself motivated?
I blog every day and produce the podcast once a week, during which my fellow dieter – Heather Gorringe - and I weigh in. This gives us huge motivation as we have many listeners and you know how bad you will feel if you haven’t lost weight that week. I cannot stress enough how brilliant dieting on the web has been. I didn’t know Heather – we met via my main podcast The Engaging Brand, but the friendship has grown and that has helped the motivation. We share a similar sense of humour and that means I look forward to recording the show.

-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
Eat less calories than you burn – simple but true. Imagine and keep at the front of your mind what it will feel like when you reach your target weight. Break your weight loss down into small goals, I celebrated each 3lb lost.

-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?
I think weighing yourself every other day is important. Have a weight maybe 2-3lbs above your ideal weight that you will not go over.

-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helped or inspired you to lose weight?
www.middleageshed.co.uk
www.thedietpulpit.com
www.healthieroutcomes.com