Would You Watch Me Lose 40 Pounds?

Byjoel

I’ve got a confession to make.

I am fat.

That’s not P-H-A-T as in “cool”.

That’s F-A-T as in chunky, large, and overweight.

On top of that, I am not physically fit.

It’s no surprise.

As an online entrepreneur who spends a lot of time in front of a computer, I’ve become sedentary.

It’s a fairly common story.

Once upon a time I was both slim AND physically fit.

In fact, you might be surprised to discover that I ran a marathon when I was a teenager. I completed a 26.2 mile run in Montreal in the late seventies.

In college, I stayed fit by doing aerobics.

But then it happened.

I got married. We had children. Life got busy.

And I put on weight.

In 2003, I got sick of being overweight. I peaked out around 215 pounds and thought it was time to do something.

Long story short. I got myself down to 180 pounds. I was feeling good.

And then I went on a Caribbean cruise. That did me in.

Since that time, I have ballooned up to 225 pounds.

Yikes!

I have been on medication for high blood pressure for a number of years.

And I get winded walking up several flights of stairs.

It’s time for a change.

After all, I’ve got the rest of my life ahead of me.

I want to be healthy for my family, for my business and for the work I have yet to do.

The bottom line is I need to lose about 40 pounds to get where I want to be.

And why exactly am I telling you this?

I’m not a fitness expert. I don’t aspire to be.

I’m not a nutrition expert. I like to eat foods that taste good and are bad for me.

But what I am is a regular guy who has the same struggles that many of you do.

My goals as an author and speaker have always been to inspire, to educate and to entertain.

I believe you must first inspire people in order to open their hearts so they can receive what you have to say.

Then you must deliver valuable content that can be put into use by anyone listening or reading.

And it helps if it goes down with a spoonful of sugar. This is especially present when I am on stage as I like to clown around.

Anyhow, as I have been thinking about the next step in my journey and realizing that taking care of myself must play an integral role, I have had an idea.

What if I made my quest for better health a public exercise?

I am considering using the web, video and social media to hold myself accountable to do what I need to do.

By broadcasting regular videos to you, I could accomplish a few things…

1) I would be “putting myself out there.” It’s one thing to make a commitment to myself. It’s another to know that many others are watching to see what happens.

2) My quest could be an inspiration to others with similar needs. That would fulfill the first goal of my professional career.

3) I could use this platform for others to learn alongside me. By interviewing experts and discussing the issues that revolve around better health, I would fulfill my second professional goal to be a source of valuable information. Topics would include everything from cravings for sugar and how to eat out, to setting goals and choosing the right exercise regimen.

4) I could encourage those who follow to help me in supporting a worthwhile cause along the way. That would fulfill my goal to “do good stuff.”

5) Finally, I think it would be entertaining and a lot of fun. How many New York Times Best-selling authors and international speakers do you know that would put themselves out there like this? Yes, it’s scary. But I see so many positive things happening as a result. I am almost feeling compelled to do it.

So there you have it. That’s the gist of what I am considering.

Here’s the question for you.

Would you be interested in watching me go through this process?

Would it be inspirational for you to follow along?

Do you want to talk about the issues surrounding health in today’s world?

Or could you care less what I do?

As I said, I am not trying to portray myself as a health expert of any kind.

I just know I need to make a change.

And I am going to make that change.

The question is do I want to invite everyone into the process.

If I do invite you in, who knows… it may change you as well.

What are your thoughts?

As always, I am eager to hear your comments.

Thousands of people read my blog and emails each day, but only a small percentage actually interact and leave comments.

Would you please take the time to share your thoughts with me today?

This would be a major step for me and I really need to hear from you.

Note: PLEASE do not use comments to pitch me on the latest diet fad or network marketing program. I am not looking for advice at this time, or another business to get into. I will not approve comments with links to MLM programs and such. Thanks for respecting this request.

With that said, let’s hear from you!

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187 Comments

  1. Hi Joel,
    Hi Joel,
    I am not going to give you any advice on how to lose weight. I don’t have any issue on it. I am 5:3 1/2 and 110 lbs and in the middle of a highly successful road tour promoting my book, Health Comes First.
    All I can say is this: Whatever you do, you must do it with your heart. With a passion. Don’t fake it. Do it for a cause, for a mission, not just for personal or family reason. And success would come easy.
    All the best.

  2. Go for it Joe. I wish I was in the same shoes that you are today. You are financially sound and can take out time to do whatever you want to. Health comes first. Do not ignore it. And do it the fun way, aerobics, zumba are few workouts that I enjoy doing.
    Good Luck!

  3. My Husband was about 100 lbs overweight. He ended up getting very very sick one night and going to the hospital. Long story short he seems to have developed an allergy to all fats, oils and alcohol. He dropped 95 lbs in about 8 months. I don’t recommend that rapid loss but in general just stock your house with foods that are low or fat free with lots of fiber and join a sport of find a way of working out that is truly fun. He played street hockey a few times a week with the neighborhood kids. Good Luck! Its a life change you need not a diet…..

  4. Hi Joel,
    I have a similar situation as you do. I can totally relate. I used to weigh 185 to 190 pounds and then I got into Internet Marketing about 20 months ago. I used to go to the gym about three times a week and workout for a couple hours at a time.
    Now, I am really driven to be successful with my Internet ventures and as a result, have become very sedentary, sitting in front of the computer all day long. I don’t want to use two hours at the gym when I can be working on my sites. If I am not on the computer in the evening, I watch TV to relax.
    I now weigh more then I have ever weighed at 225 pounds! I keep telling myself that I will lose the weight and I know that I can. I need to give my websites a break a couple hours a day to get exercise and also change my diet if I am going to successfully lose weight.
    What I eat is pretty health but I eat too much and also have grown fond of ice cream every night after dinner…
    I too need to lose 35 to 40 pounds and would be interested in following a program that would get me there. I just need to get motivated!!!!
    It is so easy to be sedentary and sit in front of the computer and then eat whatever you want to eat. It will be hard to break that habit but I am not happy with myself physically.
    So…go for it, and I may just follow along and lost the weight too!!
    All the best,
    Chris

  5. Joel,
    Hit the library and check out Engine 2 Diet by Rip Esselstyn. I dropped 30 pounds in six months and my doctor says my blood work numbers are “wonderful.” I dodged the Diabetes bullet. Here’s the thing, though. No meat, no dairy, it’s basically vegan, so not for everybody. (See Daniel 1:8-15 for inspiration.) Good luck!

  6. Hi Joel
    I’ve lost 50 Lbs in the past 12 months.
    I’ve lost weight before on “diets” but put it all back on again, this time it’s different. The key to my success is to realise there’s no hurry. Success comes from putting a healthy eating and exercise plan into action and sticking with it.
    If you rush to lose weight, cabbage soup diets etc, then the weight loss becomes the goal rather than your lifestyle. Make a healthy lifestyle the goal and enjoy watching the weight fall off.
    Avoid anything faddy, watch the carbs, watch the alcohol and do more active stuff.
    BTW – I just discovered kettle bells, what a great workout!
    Jon

  7. This would be a great idea! So many of us are becoming overweight and not really caring. That’s scary because there are so many issues that can arise from not being healthy. As you become heavily overweight, you’re body is prone to more damage and the slightest bump or smallest fall could cause serious bodily injury.
    I would so watch and help cheer you on. As an athlete back in high school, the changes of college helped me to put on some unwanted pounds, but I can say that I was inspired by others before me to get back in shape. I often look at different sites online to check out exercise moves to try in the comfort of my own home and occasionally a few friends and my sister will get together and try out these moves, go for a walk, a run, or bike ride together just to push each other. We all want to reach our goals but sometimes it is easier when you have someone there pushing you.
    None of us are athletic trainers, but we have all met some type of trainer or met a really healthy person who has helped inspire us (many who were once not as physically fit as they are today). So with that said, I would definitely check it out. Go JOEL!!

  8. Go for it Joel… it’s impressive that you’re willing to put yourself out there. Weight loss is probably a #1 in things that people can relate too. It’ll drive huge traffic for you too. 🙂

  9. Way to GO Joel!
    I agree with Jon (if it is THAT Jon then I’m following his advice)
    Also, Mercola’s body typing helps to give some rational personal support to what I’m doing. Perhaps you can use that as well. I’ve taken to shaving looking sideways in the mirror to keep myself from being too complacent. The scale can be an encouragement.
    And lastly developing the habit of non judgmental self observation is helping me dissolve unproductive habits.
    Good luck to you, and to us.

  10. Check out D’Adamo’s Genotype Diet, which is for your total health, and not a crash, calorie, drink-this-potion kind of thing! It’s based on YOUR metabolism, rather than that of a weight-loss diet promoter…

  11. Good for you! At least you recognize that you need to do this. Here’s a thought, why not try what some would call the most “extreme” diet around, not because it actually is, but because it automatically cuts out all the junk that you put in your body….try a raw foods diet. Or at least a vegan diet. And go in with the mindset that this will be your new lifestyle (whatever program you choose), not a diet. Because if you think of it as a diet (and once you reach your desired weight/result), you will ultimately go back to how you were…and continue that vicious cycle. If you look at it as a new lifestyle and implement new healthy eating habits, you will no doubt have greater chance at LASTING success….wishing you luck! Check out this guy who appeared on CBS “The Doctors” and lost 215lbs on a raw diet….lovingraw.com.

  12. Way to go Joel! I say do it! Let’er rip! I would be inspired to watch as I would do well to loose 20 lbs or so, myself.
    I love concepts like this… there was a guy on youtube that said he would sell a million records by the end of this year; now he’s got a following and hi might just do it.
    Keep us updated!

  13. I’ll be watching! Regular exercise and a healthy diet are of course the keys. But having the discipline to stay on track is the “x” factor. Getting others involved is an excellent way to keep the incentive alive. I do a lot of long distance, endurance cycling and do daily training for the events. For me, working out makes me feel alive and the social aspects of riding with others doing the same thing keeps me on track. Good luck!

  14. Oh, man… I think it’s good to publicly do these things (because it creates automatic accountability)… but there’s a pretty steep learning curve when it comes to health and nutrition.
    I say that only because there are so many conflicting opinions out there — and everybody has their favorite diet.
    Much of the advice you’ll encounter is highly contradictory.
    I say this as a guy who has read a lot of health and nutrition books and written some 200 articles about health and nutrition.
    Ryan

  15. It’s no big surprise really just put out more energy than you eat taking in. I can stand to lose 15 lbs. myself nobody’s perfect.
    There’s alot of fructose/sucrose in our foods … cut that out and watch the weight come off. Fruits, veggies and minimal meat and you’ll be looing like a Hollywood star soon enough Joel! You’re not too shabby right now!
    Good luck !!!

  17. Joel,
    If you’ve previously run a marathon then you probably have a decent idea of the path you need to follow for shedding that 40 lbs. Obviously starting to jog at 220 pounds probably isn’t in your best interests but walking/biking/swimming with light weight training is a good start until a few pounds come off and you develop a fitness level where you can begin enjoying jogging again. And, of course, the diet has to be more selective. But, again, if you’ve run a marathon you’re no fitness novice. Just a little out of practice.
    Best of luck!

  18. Great idea Joel to discuss this I have studied this for years and now now the truth I have proved it on myself. we need to repair our cells in our body with good quality Antioxidants to Ward off all the free radicals that are invading us and damaging our cells.when we get this done all the excess weight starts coming off we off course have to eat sensibly.All these amazing diets that abound all over the place are just money making concerns they do not address the cause. Great Health and Wellness to you and all.
    Andrew

  19. Hey Joel, if that’s you in the photo, you really have let yourself go; not only that, you could do with a shave as well. Seriously, if you are going to take on this challenge get yourself checked out first, then take it easy to begin with; after a while who knows, you might even run another marathon.
    Best wishes for the future.

  20. This is not, btw, anything other than my thoughts & experience.
    A few years ago I weighed 25 kilos (4 stone over here in the UK) and lost it merely by changing what I eat. Basically I reduced carb intake – target is less that 50gms per day. Cutting out pasta, cereals, sugar stuff and eating very little bread has done it for me. There’s a wealth of hard evidence that exercise is not the solution.
    I’ve just read about a woman with MS who’s wheelchair bound. She couldn’t weigh herself, but by shifting to a high fat, low carb diet, she has apparently gone down 3 bra sizes! Not that it applies to me. :o)
    If you’re interested, Google Dr Barry Groves. I’ve bought 2 of his books and have learnt a lot from what he says.
    I’ve stopped taking high-blood pressure tablets since I discovered my “high” reading was, in fact normal for my age (67). I manage my diabetes with diet – as does my wife. For a diabetic, the standard ADA high-carb diet is lethal. After all, the body converts all carbohydrate to sugar. Makes us fat.
    We both eat very well, btw.
    Best wishes
    Robin

  21. Hey Brother,
    I am with you. My weight is 235 but as you may remember, I am a lot shorter than you. Our children’s pastor lost about 160lbs. I know what to do, you know what to do. Equation: Gotta burn more than you put in!!!!!!! The first step is a regular fast to get your flesh in line. THAT is the key! Without the fast, it will be a vicious circle.
    Billy Rice

  23. Joel: I know exactly where you are coming from. I have been fat most of my life (and not just 255 pounds fat but more like 375 pounds fat. I am 6′ 2” tall, so it doesn’t look as bad as it sounds. I have been wanting t put my commitment to lose weight on my blog to give me the incentive to do it, but so far have been chicken to do it.
    After reading your post, I think the time has come.
    Thanks for the encourgement.
    Jim Hoag

  24. I see why you are such a success in Marketing!!!!
    Wish I could think like you.
    Good luck with the weight loss.
    Think of adding a good workout and a meditation session daily, and you’ve got it made in the shade.

  28. Joel, you can do it if anyone can. I’ve seen the resolve with which you face problems and also seen how you looked thin. It will be difficult, but, however you decide to go about it. We’re with you all the way.
    Sheila and Sonny

  31. Hi Joel
    I think that it is great that your trying to get back into shape. What you should remember is that you only need to lose a couple of pounds a week and exercise to keep trim as long as your doctor says it’s ok for you.
    And yes you can keep me notified on how you are doing. By getting other people involved in what your doing can also help them along the way.
    Koodo for you
    John

  32. 6’8″ 292, 47 years old.
    How do you know you are fat?
    When you walk and thighs rub together-fatty.
    When you tie your shoes, and the pressure on your gut and eyes, make you feel like you might pop-Fatty
    When you have a hard time fitting your fat butt all on the toilet-FATTY
    I started with Body for Life, love it, was at 310, now 292. It comes off in phases…..nothing…nothing…nothing…lose 3 pounds…lose 2 pounds. Something to look at.
    Everyone chooses to be a FATTY.

  34. Hey Joel
    I applaud you in this endeavor. I would also like to lose about 50 pounds. I will follow along with you and do the same thing. I am 61 years old so I am past time for this

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