A Unique Approach to Weight Loss Accountability

Bobby Caballero, the Dean of Students at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School in Columbia Heights, MD, pledged to peel off 100 pounds from his 325-pound frame by the end of the school year. His efforts have inspired the children to be more thoughtful about what they eat. The children chart his progress on the "Mr. Bobby-o-Meter" pasted on the wall of the cafeteria.

"The kids love it," said Linda Moore, the school's founder and executive director. "It helps that Mr. Bobby is a bit of a ham.''

Caballero said that it's a bit mortifying to go public to lose weight but that the attention from the children has helped him stick to his pledge. He has seen a difference: The man who could barely walk three blocks without feeling winded thinks nothing of taking an all-day bike ride.

Then there's this: Each month, students watch Caballero climb onto a white scale.

"Does anyone know what today is?" Caballero asked one recent morning.

"It's weigh-in day!" the students gleefully shouted.

As of May 21, 2008, Caballero has lost a total of 56 pounds.

Going public with a weight loss program can be extremely beneficial. Getting support, motivation, and just plain common sense advice is definitely worth it. But, putting yourself out there is a very personal experience. Several Healthy Lifestyle Bloggers put themselves out there everyday, letting us share their experiences:

TB has lost over 80lbs and is now working at maintaining his weight loss. He shares family stories and great advice about life before, during, and after weight loss. Great job, TB.

Metroknow is working his way to a healthy lifestyle via “Real” food. His blog includes book reviews, family stories, and a great writing style. He’s fairly new to the health blogoshere, but has already had an impact.

John, over at John is Fit, has been working and inspiring other bloggers for almost a year. Over the span, he has had his ups and downs, but shares both with a loyal group of readers, of which I consider myself to be in that lucky group.

Garbage That GOO, by Cynthia along with her Luna cat, keeps busy by riding her new bike, working on new habits, and letting us take a peek at her day to day life. Congratulations on your 34lb weight loss so far, Cynthia!!

How do you keep accountable? Are you going it alone or do you have a network of friends and family to support you? One of the main purposes of Iowa Avenue is to help support and motivate, because,

After all, it’s about a healthy lifestyle!

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Photo courtesy of ken ratcliff