Learn how Jonathan achieved his target weight and how he's focusing on remaining healthy

September 25 2006 

Jonathan

Country: San Francisco, California, USA
Age: 45
Weight before diet: 205 lbs.
Weight now: 148 lbs.
Target weight: 150 lbs.

Many weight loss strategies didn't do much at all for Jonathan and the results he wanted were realized when he took matters into his own hands. A quick fix isn't always the best way, that losing weight involves so much more than just shedding excess pounds. Jonathan shares with us the difficulties he experienced at first, and some words of wisdom on having a health-oriented attitude.

-What finally made you decide to start with a weight loss program?
As I look back on it, there isn't a particular incident or situation that springs to mind which was the 'last straw' in getting me to start losing weight.  It was more of a cumulative effect of clothes not fitting any more, a sudden inability to jog without severe back pain, and an overall sense of despair at how I looked and felt.  If anything, it probably helped that I started as a "New Years Resolutionary."  I had spent a week at Christmas with my family and returned home feeling bloated and uneasy from so much overeating.

-What type of weight loss program did you follow?
In the past I lost weight many times trying all kinds of strategies (none of them very healthy), but I always gained back the pounds (plus friends).  Having lost over 50 pounds in 2002, by journaling my food intake, practicing healthier eating habits, and exercising portion control, I'm now focused not on "weight loss" but rather on staying happy and healthy at my goal weight.  Another vital element of my strategy is support -- both by leading meetings, attending meetings, participating in discussion groups, writing a blog, and sustaining healthy, helpful friendships with others in the same boat.

-Why did you choose this weight loss method?
For many years I thought if I could just "diet" until I became thin that somehow I would be cured.  Naturally, every time I tried something that caused me to lose weight rapidly (super lowfat diet, restricted calorie diet, no sugar diet, etc.) once I went back to my old habits, my body weight would quickly return to an unhealthy level.  In 2002 I felt desperate and wanted to try something that wasn't about starving or practicing weird food patterns.   I chose to lose weight instead by making gradual, lasting changes, and not doing anything for short term results.

-How long were you on your weight loss program?
I took me about four months to reach my initial goal weight in 2002, but as that number was above the healthy BMI for my height, I then chose to lose more weight, which took me another few months. Since then, I've been maintaining fairly consistently.

-What kinds of physical activities do you like doing to help you lose weight and stay fit?
First of all, I didn't do any specific physical activities to LOSE weight.  When I was at my heaviest, I was already a regular gym-goer and took cardio classes and walked a lot.  What's so fantastic about living at a healthy weight is that now I can do all kinds of things that were hard or impossible before (running long distances, skiing, going on hikes).  This summer, for example, I went on a 90-mile walking tour of England. I continue lifting weights several times a week, and I run 2 miles every morning with my dog, but the key to staying fit is simply being active.  I take the stairs when I can, bike to work, do as many errands as I can on foot, and drive as seldom as possible.

-What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
First, during my initial weight loss phase I went through a physical withdrawal from the high-sugar foods I had been previously eating in vast quantities.  I felt ill, had headaches, and was "on edge" for a long time.  Fortunately that abated over time. 

Secondly, from the time I first started until today --and probably for the rest of my life-- I've found it difficult to "eat less" for emotional reasons.  Having used food as a source of comfort, entertainment, energy, solace, pain-relief, and safety, I've had to develop other coping mechanisms. Those mechanisms aren't always successful and so there is always going to be temptation to return to overeating.  Because I don't deny myself any kinds of foods, I still have daily treats, eat lots of chocolate, and enjoy a varied diet.  The challenge is to incorporate these foods without become re-addicted to excess eating, either for physical or emotional reasons.

-How do you keep yourself motivated?
For a while I used to say that I "needed support" in order to stay motivated.  About a year ago I realized that it's not about needing so much as WANTING support.  I seek support by remaining informed, by writing in my blog, by listening to others, and -equally important- by helping others as they look to make healthy changes for themselves.  In addition, I really love the way my clothes look and feel, which is a tangible daily reminder of why I keep doing this.

-Do you have any weight loss tips for our readers?
Just this:  from personal experience I can tell you that anything you do as a temporary measure for short-term rapid results is likely to fail as a long-term strategy.  In other words, the changes you make today should be realistic and livable.  If your goal is not just to "lose weight" but rather to maintain a healthy weight loss, consider making choices that seem do-able for the long run.

-Do you think it will be easy to fall back into your old lifestyle pattern? How do you prevent this from happening?
For the first year or so there were times when I panicked and thought my eating was going to spiral out of control and I would gain 50 pounds back.  What I learned, however, is that it precisely at the time when I have had a lapse, either overeating or gaining some excess weight, that it is NOT the end of the world and there's no value in giving up.  If there is anything preventing me from becoming overweight, it's the fact that I finally understand it's not about being perfect, it's about being better. 

-Do you have a favorite Web site or blog that helps or inspires you to lose weight?
Although I no longer actively participate in the discussion groups there, I have to say that without Dottie's Weight Loss Zone, I might not have made it through the first year.  Dottie and her Zonies are a powerful force for good!!  I read too many wonderful blogs to single out an individual one.  In addition, I discovered that writing and keeping my own blog, Jack Sprat's Journey, has actually been tremendously helpful, educational, humbling, and fun.