Dateline correspondent Josh Mankiewicz recently shared his incredible journey of losing 70 pounds, revealing how he has permanently changed his eating habits and lifestyle. At age 69, Mankiewicz discussed his transformation in an interview, explaining how this time around proved to be different than his previous attempts.
Reflecting on a past experience in 1998, he lost 47 pounds on the Atkins diet but struggled to maintain it over the years. Mankiewicz humorously noted the challenge of leaving behind carbs, quipping, “It’s tough to say goodbye to carbs forever, particularly when your ancestors invented the pierogi.” Year after year, his doctor urged him to address his weight issues, leading to frustration with his appearance.
In May 2023, Mankiewicz decided to make significant lifestyle changes. “I didn’t like the way I looked. I didn’t like the way I felt. So I just decided to go ahead and do it,” he confessed. His approach wasn’t based on a specific diet but rather on cutting out foods he intuitively understood were unhealthy. This meant saying goodbye to bread, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and fast food while increasing his intake of green vegetables.
His doctor briefly mentioned medication options like Ozempic, a weight-loss drug, but Mankiewicz preferred the idea of achieving his goals through willpower alone. He stated, “I’m glad that I was able to do it just on willpower. But sometimes people need help, and there’s nothing wrong with that too.” By the end of the year, he had lost 70 pounds and felt great.
In addition to altering his diet, he also engaged in regular cardiovascular workouts on a Peloton bike gifted by his wife. Inspired by success stories from fellow users, he aimed for a personal challenge: completing 100 rides in 100 days. He excelled beyond that, finishing 184 consecutive days. “It was good to get into a routine,” he said, emphasizing the importance of community support throughout his journey.
Mankiewicz rejoiced in his new wardrobe choices, happily tossing out clothes that no longer fit. He humorously remarked, “Now when I turn on Dateline, I only flinch at what the murderers are doing, not what I look like.” As he approaches his 30th anniversary with Dateline, he’s excited about his new true-crime podcast, Deadly Mirage, which explores a captivating murder case that unveils deep secrets about human relationships. “It’s a new way of reaching the same audience, or in some cases reaching a different audience,” he added.
Source: People.com
