The Social Media Diet

To be clear, I’m not speaking euphemistically about the nearly non-stop over-saturation of social media in our lives. Instead, recognizing the ubiquitous presence of Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etcetera in our lives, I’m trying to figure out how I can put them to use in an actual diet… a Social Media Diet for the purpose of losing weight and improving fitness.

Like many of you, I woke on New Years Morning and thought, “Man, I really need to do something this year to get into better shape.” Okay, perhaps your first thought was more like, “I really shouldn’t have opened that third bottle of champagne last night.” In any case, as you stumbled off in search of aspirin, that dust covered bathroom scale in the corner taunted you didn’t it? Well, mine did.

Man on Bathroom Scales

Back when my wife first became pregnant nearly 3 years ago I joked about my “sympathetic baby bump”. Cute, right? Well, not so cute now 29 months after the birth of my daughter and confronted by it daily in the bathroom mirror! So what does this have to do with Social Media? Well, I’m thinking maybe YOU can help. As I begin a dietary and exercise plan I am going to share it here on my blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

I’ve decided upon a diet plan, though would love your input. I’ll tell you more about it soon in another blog, but suffice to say the kind of holiday treats I’ve been scarfing down these past weeks since Thanksgiving are not on it. I’m weighing myself daily (and will chart my weight loss on here), and I’m going to have blood work done by my doctor to set a baseline for things like cholesterol. So, can I count you in? Will you help me on my Social Media Diet?

The Social Media Diet

To be clear, this is not about vanity, though I’d be happy to look like Brad Pitt in a swimsuit this summer (not too likely). It’s about getting and staying healthy so I can be here for my family. My daughter is only 2 years old, and regardless of how self-sufficient my wife may be, as a father and husband I still feel the buck stops with me. I’m responsible for ensuring they never want for anything, and I can’t do that if I’m not here.

If you are willing to help, you can be my coaches, my advisers, my conscience. Collectively you have a huge amount of knowledge… and let’s not discount the guilt factor! I’m not going to be able to show my… um… feet around here if I don’t stick to it. I would be honored and thrilled to have your help… and also would be happy to help you in return if you’d like? So what do you say? Will you help me?

  • Leave a comment and tell me you know I can do it
  • Leave a comment and promise to taunt me if I don’t
  • Leave a comment with any diet/exercise tips you have
  • Leave a comment with your New Year’s resolutions
  • Leave a comment and let me know if you think this will help
  • Leave a comment if you think I’m just trying to get comments
  • Leave a comment for any other reason you can think of. 😉
  •  

 

 

p.s. I’d love to have you “like” me on Facebook, follow on Twitter, add me to your Google Reader or Homepage, Subscribe to my blog and/or follow me on Google Friend Connect. I know, it’s hard to choose. I’d just do all of them if you’re undecided. 😉 If you do any or all of the above please let me know so I can be sure to follow you back.


p.p.s. If you like this post you can also share it using the various links below. Thanks!

64 comments

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  1. I can be supportive on twitter and I follow your blog.
    Good luck to you!

    I’m trying to convince myself yoga would be fun. But I just can’t get my be-hind off my recliner.

    1. I appreciate your Twitter support… and for following my humble little daddy blog, Renee. Believe it or not I think it will help knowing you all are helping. Yeah. Actually the exercise part is what I think I’ll find the most challenging.

  2. Awesome! I will be watching you and looking for those updates..

    Good Luck

    1. Thanks, Alex. Wish me luck. It will help to know you all are watching and holding me to my commitments. I believe your boy is the same age as my little girl… so you probably understand the need to take care of yourself. Have a great evening.

  3. You CAN do it!!! I love you sweety- and I follow yo on here…and everywhere. Love you.

    1. Am I a lucky guy or what? Thank you so much for your help and support as I work off this sympathetic baby bump. As for following you… to the ends of the Earth, baby. Always and forever.

    • Barbara Lambert on at
    • Reply

    I don’t like to be mean to people (well ok, I love being mean to my older brother) but I will be supportive.

    1. Ah, well I was the older sibling and my younger brother used to push all my buttons as a child. Teasing the older brother is a time honored tradition, it seems. We get along great now, though. Thanks for your support. Every little bit helps.

        • Babrara Lambert on at
        • Reply

        Is it time for me to be supportive or mean right now? Pick one: great job, so proud, keep it up! or What, you ate what? come on!

  4. I have been saying this for a while now. I need to do something too. I am too old to let it slide anymore. Though I am not grossly overweight, I could stand to lose 15 or more pounds and definitely be much more healthy. For my son and for my wife.

    I know you can do this. I will follow your progress and hopefully pick up some inspiration of my own.

    Good luck man.

    1. Thanks, James. I can use all the support I can get. In my case I started gaining some weight slowly after getting married 4.5 years ago. I’d been eating my own cooking before that… which does discourage overeating. LOL. And then when the baby came I gained quite a few more pounds. I agree with you it’s important, if not for ourselves, then for our kids and wives to be as healthy as possible

    • Scott aka This Daddy on at
    • Reply

    Man you can do this. Nothing to it. I havnt had a drink in almost 3 years and still havnt dropped any lbs. So i did it. I go the gym membership and I have done the first 2 days so far to day being my second. Getting up at 5:30 am and going for an hour and then going to work. that way I can still have what little time i have at night for the kids. I got the year memebership that way I HAVE to go and if i think about quitting I cant since i would be wasting that money.

    I will bust your balls if you dont keep at it the same way you can bust mine.

    1. Scott, that is REALLY great! First of all not drinking for 3 years… I don’t know or care why you made that choice, but honestly none of us needs to drink alcohol. The purported health benefits of tiny amounts (6 ounces for women and 12 for men) are outweighed by the health risks if you drink more, and I don’t know anyone who just drinks tiny 6 ounce glasses.

      And your commitment to the gym and getting up early before work so you can be home at night for time with your kids says you’ve got your priorities in order. I’ve probably given you shit about not changing diapers, but this shows you really are focused where it counts. Hope it doesn’t sound condescending, but as one imperfect dad to another… well done!

  5. Good for you!

    I remember when I finally decided to get in shape – it wasn’t a resolution, or anything fancy. No special moment other than me hating the additional 40lbs I was carrying. I joined Weight Watchers, walked for a summer, and lost it all because I was so determined to feel good again. I hope the same goes for you. 🙂

    I follow you on Twitter and I have you in my Google Reader. I don’t use Facebook enough, but the other two? I check religiously. I’m definitely willing to give you that nudge when you need it and cheer you on even when you don’t feel like you deserve it. It’s a tough cycle to break, but it definitely gets easier once you start.

    Good luck!

    1. Hi Ashley. Thank you so much! I’m sure I’ll need the encouragement. I slipped and ate a bit of chocolate last night (but that’s more medicinal isn’t it?). Otherwise doing pretty good. My wife was thinking about Weight Watchers to loose a few extra pounds. So that worked good for you? Thanks again so much for your support, Ashley.

  6. Best of Luck!!!!!!! you can do it!!! and I promise I’ll try not to do any food postings on facebook like the ‘Im stuffing my face with ice-cream right now’ etc…. 🙂 ps Im not supposed to be eating sugar these days so I know how it feels to be cutting stuff out although I still sneak in the ice cream 😉

    1. LOL. I didn’t know you had to cut out sugar, Ann. I’m doing that, too, now of course. I’ll look the other way when you sneak that ice-cream. Is your beloved Bulmers still on the menu? I’m cutting out alcohol, though mostly because there’s no point in taking in those empty calories. Always wonderful to hear from our favorite Irish artist.

  7. Hi Michael,

    I am sure you can do it and they say making your goals public is a great idea as it keeps you somewhat accountable. Cannot get any more public than using all the social media you can, eh? 🙂

    I decided to get on a diet on Dec. 15th, 4 months before my 40th birthday. My reason is to be around for my baby girl for as long as I can, but also, I am her favorite person now, but in a few years she will start figuring out my deficiencies and I don’t want my extra weight to be one them 🙂

    After I started dieting quickly my mom, my husband, and my brother joined me, because I found this awesome tool through a former colleague and they are all excited about it: Loseit.com, but if you have an iPhone, the app is great. It helps you establish a goal, keep track of your calories throughout the day and also tracks your weight, send reminders, motivational messages, etc. The progress during the holidays was slow, but I still managed to lose 7 pounds in 3 weeks. My goal is 40 but if I lose 30 by my birthday, I will be very happy.

    Oh also, do you have a digital scale? I know weight fluctuates, but it is very motivating to weigh yourself every day and see the decimal number going down. 🙂

    I haven’t been able to do much of exercising, but changing of eating habits has already happened.

    Good luck and hope to see the “new you” soon.

    1. So great to hear from you, Yakut. Good for you taking of those few extra pounds. I have the same motivation… for my daughter. Had not heard of Loseit.com but will def check it out and the app. Great that your mom, hubby and brother are joining in. Helps to have others participating and encouraging you. Thus, my blog. Per your point about weighing myself, I plan to post my progress on here, Twitter and Facebook. I’ll also discuss what I’m doing diet wise (in progress as of this past week) and exercise… yet to really get underway. Really appreciate your support!

  8. Thanks for the follow! I’m totally following you back 🙂

    1. Thank so much, Jessie. I’m already following your blog and twitter. Hope you’ve had a super weekend! 🙂

  9. A simple, though difficult, tip…eliminate all sugar and salt from your diet. Completely, expect in those cases where a recipe calls for it. Sodium guidelines are 2000mg per day. Many processed foods have 50% of that in one serving.

    • JDaniel4's Mom on at
    • Reply

    I know you can. I know you can. I know you can.

    1. LOL. Were you a cheerleader at one time, D? Thank you!

  10. I think that this is a GREAT way to begin your weight loss journey! It’s kinda like with all the “eyes” on you, you’ll be pushed to do the work necessary to accomplish your goal. I have have followed you via GFC and I have “liked” your page on FB (www.facebook.com/mommydelicious). I love the feeling I get after a workout so I can DEF offer support on here and on FB! Cheers!

    1. I really appreciate your support, Alicia. I guess with your academic studies you might have some insights into what would work psychologically speaking to motivate someone. My wife went to university in NYC, too. Oh, and I’m following you on google, facebook and twitter, btw. Have a wonderful evening.

  11. I know you can do it! And if you don’t I will spread the news all over Twitter, Facebook etc. 🙂

    Currently I am in week 5 of Jenny Craig…trying to lose 30lbs. So far I’ve lost 8lbs! My tip would be to turn to Tea in times of cravings etc.

    Loose Tea comes in so many varieties now and you can find ones that are almost dessert like. It also fills up you quite a bit!

    Good luck! I’ll be watching! 😉

    1. The tea suggestions is a good one I think. I’m cutting out sweetened drinks (didn’t really drink many anyway) and also wine, so having a nice tea would be a good substitute, and as you say would help with craving, if nothing else because it fills you up. So how’s life with those kiddos in the city?

  12. I am loving this blog. Beautiful, poignant, and funny. I am looking forward to reading more. – A new follower.

    1. I’m a new follow of your blog as well. You write very well, and add more value to people’s lives than you likely know. I’m so happy to “know” you virtually speaking. Have a great week.

  13. I will fully support you in this awesome challenge.

    They say to drink about 2 litres of water a day, I however don’t because I can’t spend my life in the bathroom so I strive for 1 Ltr. lol Also, if you’re not already, you should join a gym. I know, “bah!” but they will motivate you and offer great classes. I’m not sure if you have a Goodlife Fitness Club where you are but if you do may I suggest the Body Attack class? It’s a high impact sport cardio “kick you in the arse and wish you were dead” kind of class but highly addictive.

    I applaud you for making this challenge public, this will definitely keep you on track and give you the motivation you need. I’m looking forward to reading about your progress. Good luck!

    1. Yeah, I’ve got some good friends that will either gently encourage me or kick my butt if I don’t follow through now… and that was the point. LOL. I actually do need to drink much more water than I do… I mean MUCH more. I’m horrible about that, and it probably would help. Thanks for reminding me of that. [heading to get a glass] I’m back. When I have been a member of a gym that has really helped me. I’m not right now. The elliptical in our other living area is great for hanging laundry. Thanks so much for your support.

    • Megan (Best of Fates) on at
    • Reply

    You can do it! You can do it! You can do it!

    1. Thanks, Megan. I knew I could count on you to jeer cheer me on. And I won’t make fun of your unrequited love of David Hyde Pierce. If anyone reading this doesn’t understand, they will just have to read your blog.

  14. There are numerous studies that have been done proving that journaling is VERY effective in weight loss. In my opinion, blogging about your weight loss is like journaling on steroids because you add additional accountability to the mix. And we all know that we need accountability. What I would recommend is to weight yourself weekly and measure yourself monthly and post the results here. I would especially make sure to post your feet on the scale again to prove your weight loss. Honestly, I think your waist circumference is more important than your BMI because it is tied more directly to medical complications: whether you will have them or not. If your waist circumference is over 40 inches, your first goal or one of them should be to get it under 40 inches. You can always post on Mondays. People do Mamavation Mondays or Motivation Mondays on that day. Good luck darling!

    1. What I would recommend is to weight yourself weekly and measure yourself monthly and post the results here.

      That is great advice. And I understand you are correct about the waist measurement as it applies to so many of the issues surrounding health complications of carrying extra pounds. If I had a pear shape, that would be less risky, but my Captain-Kirkesque (did I invent a word?) broad chest while looking manly actually carries more risk if it’s accompanied by extra fat. Thanks so much for your support, Leah!

  15. You can do it Michael. It may be a big help putting yourself out here for the blogging public to support you.
    You’re a brave man to do so.
    I am definitely contemplating making some changes in my lifestyle to better my health as well.
    It’s so hard because I tend to lean towards the path of least resistance.
    Best of luck to you on your endeavors!

    Liz
    Thriving and Surviving with Twins

    1. And per my comment on your blog, I support your “me” resolution. I think that’s an EXCELLENT idea. Good for you. Change can be challenging, but as they say once you’ve stuck with it for a bit it becomes a habit and feels perfectly natural… even weird if you stopped doing what ever it was. Have a lovely week, Liz.

  16. You are a breathe of fresh air and I look forward to following your blog!!

    1. Wow… thank you, Jenn. I really appreciate it, but if you’ve read any of my old blogs (e.g. 6 Ways to be a Better Dad) I try to make it clear while I may be aware of the many things I need to do to be a better dad, I’m quite human. I appreciate your support, though. And I’m very happy to have you following me. Be sure to leave your blog address if you have one and/or twitter ID so I can keep up with you as well. Have a lovely night.

  17. Happy to support…and yes occasionally guilt you if necessary! I’ve been following you on twitter — you can do it!!

    1. Hello Michelle. Just remember it goes both ways. 😉 How’s that running training going? I’ll be watching, too. I appreciate your support. Thank you.

    • Shelley (@momma_oz) on at
    • Reply

    You ABSOLUTELY can do this and I’m SUPER inspired by you! I’m looking forward to following you on your journey! if there is ANYTHING I can do to help, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m here and on Twitter and on Facebook so I’m always around!

    1. Thank you so much, Shelley. Your comment got stuck in my spam folder and I only just found it. I remember you from Twitter, of course… and your blog. Appreciate your support so much. I’ll need all the help I can get. I have managed to loose 6 pounds since since last Monday, but was a bit under the weather yesterday, so that might have helped (wasn’t very hungry). 😉

  18. I can withhold all coffee from you until your waistline improves

    1. Noooooooooooooooo! Not my coffee. That might work.

  19. Hello,
    I’m glad I’m not the only person that is not liking what is in the mirror either. My daughter as well is 2 years old now, and I have no excuse now for the packed on pounds and a less active life. I’m also headed into a lil boot camp myself. I would be more than willing to, follow you only your journey. Cuz, we all need encouragement right. I’m doing McFatty monday posts starting next week documenting my progress and maybe getting the dust off of my scale as well. Good Luck!

    1. Hi Kristina,

      Yeah, it’s that time of year, too, when we reassess things and figure out what to tackle next. Cool that you’re doing it, too. You definitely have my support. It must be especially hard after having a baby. As I guy I have less excuse for my “sympathetic baby bump”. I’m going to post my weight loss progress on my side bar (maybe today if I have time), and also post blogs concerning the diet I’m following and the exercise I really, really need to be doing. So far I’ve lost 3 pounds in a week. It’s a step in the right direction, but I have much farther to go. Thank you so much for your support!

      -Michael (aka: Daddy)

  20. I will do my best to encourage you – However you must know this comes from a big fat loser (and not in the sense of the show where they lose all the weight). I have 20lbs to lose, but seriously if I cannot stick to a diet for more than 5 minutes! It really is horrible. But maybe if I watch you be successful I will become more of the big loser in the sense of actual weight loss loser!

    1. Hey Jennifer. We can do it together. Now to be clear, I’m not being like that Cougar Hunter in your recent blog. I mean diet together. Plus I’m way older than you and VERY happily married, as I know are you. I appreciate your support, though it might not have been the best omen that there’s a link below your comment to a recent post with the world “FLAPJACK” in it? 😉

  21. I live with a health nut and absolutely can support you! Toss out the calls and we will bombard you with ass-kicking responses. 🙂

    1. Your metrosexual hubby’s a health nut? Cool. I’ll no doubt need some ass-kicking along with the advice and support. Thanks, Liz!

  22. You can do it!!!!!

    1. Thank you, Rebekah! I’m off to a good start, but it’s only been 10 days. Stay tuned.

  23. I can recommend smoking and coffee as a weight loss plan. Seriously, though, if you find an exercise program that you can do regularly, then you will do it.
    I find that just doing it does the trick. As an active father, you don’t have the time to put it off. Each time you start thinking about how you don’t have the time, get up and exercise. Do push-ups, situps, walk around the block. If you have problems fibding, say, an hour three times a week. Every little bit counts.

    1. Hey, Shane. You’ve quit smoking and I’m not gonna start. LOL. Thanks for the push. Exercise is the hardest part for me. Doesn’t take time to eat less (other than shopping for and preparing healthier food). But you’re right I can’t put it off. Doing the right things now will let me be vital and healthy when my little 2 year old girl grows up. And will set a good example for her. Thanks!

  24. Cut out alcohol for 30 days, lose 10 pounds.

    Can’t help you on how to fit in exercise though.

    1. I did in fact do that, thanks. They are certainly empty calories none of us really need. So when are you taking off your antlers on Twitter? I’d ask about Liz popping your cherry, but I’m not sure I want to know. Hope you have a great weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by.

  25. I am following you now just because I am curious on how you do it, if you doit… ummm… YOU CAN DO IT!

    1. Thank you for that lukewarm vote of confidence, Laura. Oh, and thank you so much for posting a photo of a brownie with a huge scope of ice-cream on your blog. Thank you so very much.

      1. No problem. I am here to help 🙂

  26. I just found your blog and wanted to cheer you on. I have stopped making posts about diet and weightloss plans because I am such a failure with this. I’m not overweight really but every time I make it a mission to lose weight or get in shape and talk about it publicly I just look like a loser. I keep thinking I’ll save a bunch of of posts and then if I actually stick with my plan for more than a week or two, then post them. LOL. I am pregnant right now so I have an excuse for the moment.

    Good luck to you!

    1. Yeah, being pregnant gives you a bit of an excuse for reasonable weight gain, Patty. Sadly (or perhaps happily) I can’t use that excuse. 😉 Nothing wrong with saving some post as drafts and posting them when you feel better about things. Sorry it’s been so rough. As you know it is for all of us. I will be posting some thoughts on diet that may be a bit new or different than what some might expect. Watch for that in the near future. Thank you so much for stopping by, and for your support!

    • Perfecting Parenthood on at
    • Reply

    Hey, I just found you from Dawning of January … Nice blog, I’ve liked you on facebook and added you to my feed-reader.

    Here’s a suggestion: Why don’t we start a half-marathon or marathon goal together. It is super easy to run a half marathon. I know you may think it’s not, but it is; I can tell you how for under 4 hours per week, plus those hours can be really fun and you can spend them with your child, so you’ll probably put in more? You won’t win, but you’ll finish no problem at all.

    All your fellow commenters here, yourself, me, could decide to meet up in some event in six months and do it together. I guarantee that you will lose tens of pounds of weight, even if you don’t watch your diet, just by the added running. Plus you will feel awesome!

    I run a marathon or two every year and my training is to run 3 times per week, total about 5 hours. I was taught by a 55 year old with a pot-belly and I didn’t believe it could be done.

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