I couldn’t have lost this weight without you.
All of you. Friends. Family. Strangers (but only for a little while). The comments and e-mails I receive through this blog have played and continue to play an important role in my weight loss journey. My wife and I have pondered the question before: “Would I have lost all of this weight if I didn’t have the blog?” We hesitantly, but then assuredly, agreed.
No.
With that being said, a blog certainly isn’t a requisite for losing weight and neither is a massive following. Up until March 2009, my readers and support system consisted of my wife, mother, and a few friends. You should feel free to create a blog if you’d like to chronicle your weight loss journey, but the blog itself won’t provide any additional firepower in your battle to live a healthy lifestyle. My blog 344 Pounds is simply a hub for my weight loss support system. I update the blog with my weight loss progress and in turn my friends and family read it and provide supportive feedback.
You don’t need to build a blog, but a support system.
Instead of a blog, consider managing your weight loss support system through e-mail, Facebook, or twitter. You can send out updates once a week or so to a small (or large) group of family and friends. If you’d like use something that was around before Nirvana created grunge, keep it simple and use the telephone, have a workout buddy, or just find strength through a close friend, family member, or spouse.
Speaking of spouses, my wife has been my biggest supporter through all of this. I love her with all of my heart. She’s sacrificed a lot throughout this journey, more than most people realize. Tomorrow (Jan 22) is her birthday.
Happy birthday, love. And thank you all for your support. I thought the following was a dramatic thing to say 8 months ago, which is why I haven’t said it since. But, I want to repeat it again because it’s still true today:
You all had a part in saving my life.
{ 63 comments… read them below or add one }
That is so awesome! And I would like to thank you, I read your blog all the time, and have found it to be apart of my support system in losing weight, the healthy way, the right way. I have lost 20 pounds in 4 weeks with the help and support of family , friends, and most certainly your blog. Thanks and congrats in advance for the next 11 pounds!
No, thank you Rachel! Thanks for being apart of my support system. 20 pounds in 4 weeks is FANTASTIC!
Keep it up! You have done great!
Thanks, Sam.
The support is incredible and happy birthday to your wife!
Your support is incredible, Andrew. Thanks for commenting relentlessly and being there for me.
I’m new to your blog, but I do have to say it is quite the inspiration! You’ve achieved what most people haven’t been able to (unless they go on the biggest loser of course).
Keep up the good work!
And happy birthday pretty lady!
Now that you mention it, I was even contacted by a guest on the first Biggest Loser — he said I (ME!) was his inspiration. He had regained some weight and was looking to lose it again.
I feel like my blog is really healping me to create a support group and maintain my honesty about my weight loss. I’m really glad I thought to have them all join in and watch. It makes me want to work harder. My husband has been my major supporter too. Our loved ones take on a lot when it comes to helping us make changes. Keep up your amamzing job!
Blogs can definitely do that. They can keep you honest and accountable, as I’m sure you’ve seen.
This is a great post! You are doing so well, and it is such a motivator for me to see someone succeed like this. Congrats on that!
I appreciate it, Ruby! Nice blog, thanks for the link!
Great work. Your an inspiration to us all.
And happy birthday to your wife, I hope she has a wondeful day.
I’m sure she appreciates it!
You are very welcome, but I owe you a huge debt of gratitude as well.
Your blog was a HUGE part of what inspired me to start my own, and I don’t think I would have accomplished what I have w/o the support system I have now.
So thank you :)
I’m glad to hear it. Your blog is doing pretty well itself, as is your weight loss, so congratulations.
Tyler I think you are such an inspiration to everyone on this weight loss battle. I have lost and gained weight several times,but this time is different-i’ve been eating healthy and exercising all within the past 3wks and only lost 2 lbs.
Just keep it up, Keisha! It takes time. You’ll lose that weight and keep it off, just stick with it.
I agree with everyone here. I started before your blog, but it inspired me to start mine to keep me on track. I think blogging your way through this journey you will have a record of where you once were, and where you wouldn’t want to return. Keep up the great posts.
Follow my journey at http://170lbstogo.com/blog
Tom
Nice blog, Tom!
Happy Birthday to your wife. My birthday is Monday so to a sister Aquarian I send my best. I am finding your blog a place of hope. You questioned if you would suceed after failing so many times before. I am there. I read your blog each night. I think my husband thinks I have something going on with FB because it has been pretty consistent since I found you. Keep it real. Thats your beauty! Regards, Kathy
I appreciate the birthday wishes, as well you reading the blog every night. I’m definitely going to keep it real! Tell your husband he has nothing to worry about, too!
In the short time that i have read your blog… your welcome, i only wished i found this over a year ago… i would have loved to “race” you in a sence to getting fit. Thank you for sharing your on going story with us all.
Thank you
http://www.facebook.com/#/profile.php?ref=name&id=1133221362
This is me. and all i can say is i am on my way. I will have to race your past self :) .. good thing you kept a good history.
-Ash
Thanks Ashley for being apart of the blog — I don’t mind, race my past self :)
Tyler I think you have been the one to support us, too. I remember the day I first saw your blog and read on it all day…then I started my own and my own lifestyle change. A lot of us have that same story, I’m sure so thank YOU!! :)
and happy bday to the mrs.
You read ALL of the blog? That’s like 200 pages man, impressive. I really appreciate the support, I love seeing you in the comments, Craig.
Tyler,
I think too you underestimate the power YOU have on others. You are a real, living, breathing person who we “know” that is making this incredible journey. That instills the belief in our heads that, YES, I too can do that! Every day on the various boards, people want to know why they don’t loose 15lb a week (Thanks to BIGGEST LOSER!). The perception and reality are entirely different. In real life, we all can’t ship off for 12 weeks to a weight loss ranch with trainers and nutritionists and pools and a gym to die for. But we all CAN make changes in our life. You did and continue to do that. I read one of your other entries where you discussed still eating chicken wings and Sunday brunch and worrying about what readers might think. WHO CARES? You are improving your health (which has a great side effect of weight loss). Who wants to spend all their time thinking about food…whether its how much, when, what, where or even should I eat this? Your progress is your scale. I know personally that more than not, others who are on this journey also want to know they too do not have to live their whole life without eating ______(fill in the blank with your favorite indulgence). Moderation and consideration is the lesson NOT deprivation. Keep up the great work!
I don’t like to think of the “affect” I might have on others. I’m just hear to lose weight — I’m not getting a big head about any of this attention or all the comments/e-mails. I’m just trying to lose weight and telling me story at the same time. If it helps people, then absolutely wonderful!
First time poster (long time reader) here. Awesome post!!! Very well said- So insightful and very spot on. Losing weight is hard. Losing the weight you’ve lost is extremely hard. Keeping it off is even harder. You simply cannot do something this amazing without the love and support of family and friends. Kudos to you for recognizing that and appreciating it. You should be really proud of yourself. I know everyone else is. Keep up the good work!!! XOXOX
Thanks for posting, Christine! I REALLY hope to see you in the comments from now on. If you have any questions, suggestions, or even criticisms with any future posts, let me know!
Thanks for all the birthday wishes.
Love you, Tyler. I’m very proud of you!
I hope you enjoyed your phone this morning :)
Thanks for being a big motivation. You have been motivation for me to eat better and to get back in shape and it is very refreshing to see hard work . Keep up the good work! I know you will make your goals happen.
I’m determined to reach them, it’s just a matter of time. It may take two more months or 10, but I’ll be at 194.
Congrats on your successful and speedy weight loss, very glad you got the support you needed. I get some support from my blog, but since I’m not dieting (and never plan to again), my weight loss has been slow (50 pounds in 1.5 years), and most don’t have interest nor patience for that. That’s all right, at this point, it really is a lifestyle change, support not needed so much anymore.
That’s it, it’s a lifestyle change. Not a diet or short-term deal.
I agree- you are part of my support system- a person who has done it (or almost all finished) who is honest about the struggles and frustrations, and celebrated the triumphs!
Family is not always along side- my kids resent some of the food choices I have now (no chips in the house for one) and they want me to be a short order cook for some of the foods we ate before i started this journey. I refuse. I am too worthwhile to give up on!
love ya!
Happy Birthday to your best supporter, your wife! May you both enjoy many many years together in health and happiness!
Don’t get me wrong, my family isn’t always “on my side” as you say. Sometimes my wife gets sick of the food I cook (ALWAYS on the healthy side) and sometimes my parents, sister, in-laws, etc., just don’t want to go somewhere that has a healthy menu so to speak. Sometimes I just have to stand up on my own.
Great job with what you have accomplished. And I am not just talking about your weight loss – which is phenomenal by the way – I am talking about the many, many people you have inspired to do the same. I am sure you know there are so many out there that read this and become inspired and may not even comment. I think they should make a new Nobel Prize category for you!
That’s flattering, Kevin. Thanks :)
Wow! New here – what a difference this has made for you!! Congratulations :) I know I need to really work on the exercise portion of wellness but have been working so hard at eating well. We eat all kinds of whole foods now and love it and I take my daily Vidazorb probiotic! Anyway- I just think it is great that you have done this in such a healthy way!! :)
I’m glad you stopped by, green mom! I appreciate the kind comments, and I hope you stick around to watch me reach my goal.
Tyler, what an encouraging post! I’m so glad you’ve found success and support at least in part through your blog. Congratulations on such a huge life change. Enjoy celebrating with your wife tomorrow!
We did, we went to Outback. Do you want to know how to eat 2,000 calories in a serving? Appetizer, entree, dessert. Delicious, but a calorie bomb for sure!
I loved this post! The last line gave me goosebumps.
Please remember that you’re also helping save lives.
Thanks, Candal.
I’ve lost around 20 pounds since I started my weight loss blog.. and I have another 40 pounds to go until I reach my goal.
I guess this accountability thing really works. Oh and maybe some diet + exercise. :)
Accountability, diet, and exercise. It’s the magic formula. Maybe they should put it into a pill and sell it for $19.95 and late night infomercials, I bet it’d make a fortune.
Hooray! Happy birthday, Mrs. 344Pounds!!!
She said thanks!
Nice post Tyler. Thanks for your blog too. I think you have inspired many….you have me:
http://drophalfofme.blogspot.com/
On day 12 now. Lost 3.5# in week 1. Blogging has helped, a lot! It’s weird, sometimes you just stumble onto something that works :-)
Happy birthday to your wonderful wife!
Best,
Two
Congrats on the big loss in week one! Nice blog.
Hi Tyler! Wanted to extend through you a Happy Birthday to your wife. Today (Jan. 22nd) happens to be my son’s birthday. Seventeen years ago, my wife, mother-in-law, and the mid-wife were in awe over the birth of our first child. And now he is waiting to hear from COLLEGES!! Life is precious. Enjoy every minute of it, regardless if you are 344 pounds or 219 ilbs! Congratulations again on the first step to a journey of a long a healthy life. What a great gift you have given your wife – YOU!
Happy belated birthday to your son! My daughter is already growing up so fast. One second she can barely sit up straight and now she’s almost completely walking!
Tyler,
I’ve recently started trying to lose weight. I’ve lost 6 lbs in 2.5 weeks by exercising on my Wii Fit and Treadmill as well as counting calories which I log on my iPhone ussing the LoseIt application. I’ve been feeling like I need some motivation and inspiration. I’m at work and decided to google weight loss blogs and came accross your blog. I am amazed by your results. Needless to say I’ll be reading your previous blogs and navigating your blog much more.
I’ve thought of creating my own blog but I don’t think anyone will care to read it. To the human eye I don’t look overweight. (unless the person looking is an expert.) My BMI is about 27% My goal is to lose about 30 lbs by my birthday in June. Wish me luck!
Thanks for sharing your journey.
~Amber from Grand Prairie, TX
The Wii Fit is an absolutely wonderful way to lose weight. I am so glad you found my blog, Amber. I hope you keep commenting and I hope you keep us all updated on your weight loss progress!
Tyler – I’m new to blogging, and I just found your’s today. I’m only about 3 months into my weight loss journey, and I can’t tell you how helpful and inspiring it is to see success stories like this. Thanks for sharing it with us all, and CONGRATULATIONS. What a truly amazing achievement.
That’s awesome that you found my blog, Chad. The nice comments are really, really encouraging for me.
Hi Tyler, You have created a great community here. I want to thank you once again for your reported successes and trials. Your blog was the first that I read that actually was posting losses on a consistent manner. I had read many blogs that were not making significant progress over YEARS. Or the bloggers were reporting the same 10 pound loss and gain. I couldn’t understand that. This is a once and for all for me. Otherwise why blog and why follow a blogger. Your’s was the first and then the flood gates opened and I found others along this path who had losses they would stumbe but ultimately they would develop consistent patterns in order to reach their goals. This gave me hope.
Thank you
I know what you mean, Shelli. Sometimes it’s hard, though. I can’t say I’ve got the best plan or the magic formula, I was just lucky enough to start losing weight, stay motivated, and continue losing weight.
Just like you, though, this is once and for all. I’ll lose this weight whatever it takes. I won’t allow myself to stop.
Congratulations on all the weight you have lost. You have saved your life and your health by blogging- but I believe you have saved others’ lives, too. Your story is out there and people are watching and thinking, Maybe I could do that, too….
Happy birthday to your wife!
By the way!!!!! Applebees has a GREAT menu of meals under 550 calories. I tried out the Chicken Dijon and Portabellos. TASTY and under 550. AMAZING! Great place to eat out at on the weekends and not be kicking yourself in the butt for it later.
Thanks man – I really have gained inspiration from you. I am 45 days in now, nd have went from 374 to 339 and it is still going. I have been following your progress, and I absolutely love the pics you post – it gives me a “what to look forward to” as I lose the weight. Would I have started this journey without your blog? No. It helps me to see someone who is in a similar situation doing this without excuses. Thanks man.