Snacker_Chris doesn't follow any of the commercial weight loss plans, but monitoring his calorie intake and exercising are working for him. So does keeping himself accountable to his Internet readers. Read on for some of Chris’s tips, and how he tries to help others with their diet and exercise lifestyle change.  He has lost 102lbs and is nearing his goal weight.

He contacted us through our Share Your Story feature and provided the following answers to our questionnaire.

1. What made you decide to lose weight this time?

After Christmas 2009 I found that my clothes were no longer fitting. I was at the far end of the largest size pants that I had ever worn and I was not about to go out and buy BIGGER ones! It was a typical New Year's resolution but I decided that I would at least keep at it until my clothes fit as they had for the last decade or so prior.

2. What other "diets" (programs, products, plans, or services) had you tried in the past?

I do not like failure so to be quite frank I had refused to attempt any diet or program in many years. I also despise prepared meals so I was never tempted to start most popular product based diets.

3. What changes did you make to your usual diet, activity, lifestyle, and attitude?

The biggest change I made was to deciding to do it. It was important to my success that I wanted to make it happen and that failure was not an option. I immediately began reducing my daily calorie intake and increasing my activity. Eating less and exercising more became my mantra!

4. How did Calorie Count help you to lose weight?

Calorie Count revolutionized my thinking patterns when it comes to food and exercise! Never before had I taken the time to count my calories and track the impact of my exercise regimen. I had used CC for food nutrition facts for some time before I finally took the time to fully utilize the full extent of the website. Once I did track calories with CC, it made my daily food and exercise choices make so much more sense. I saw results from the obvious balance of eating less and burning more calories.

5. What was most challenging about losing weight?

The most challenging part of losing weight for me has been finding foods that help feed my cravings without pushing me outside of my calorie targets. CC has been a big part of helping me find the right foods to eat at the right time.

6. How long did it take you to see results?

Because I had so far to go, I began seeing results very quickly. The basic formula of taking in fewer calories than you are burning on a daily basis really works and I am living proof.

7. When did you realize that you were a success?

I realized I was a success once other people starting coming up to me and asking me what I had been doing to achieve success. I finally set up a blog to help explain better what I have been doing and to share some of the foods that I have been eating to get me this far. http://fatboysnacks.blogspot.com

8. How do you prevent relapse?

Since I have more weight to lose in order to achieve my goals, I keep pressing on to get there. I have set my calorie targets at reasonable levels where I am not hungry and I feel that I will be able to sustain them for years to come. This makes my weight loss more gradual and hopefully more sustainable in the long run.  As a married father of three young children, I could also not do this without their love and support.  My wife and kids keep me motivated to be healthy and achieve long term lasting success.

9. How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?

I have far exceeded my initial goal of not having to buy larger clothes. Instead I have had to go several sizes down. I have also been able to stop taking medicine for both blood pressure and cholesterol. This has been a huge positive step that was never even on my radar when I began my journey. Now I am training to run my first 5K in December. I have more energy and more drive that I can ever remember having.  I am even working to motivate others to get outside their comfort zone and do the 5K with me.

10. What five tips do you have for other dieters?

• Use CC to figure out your targeted weight & set your calorie level based on where you want to be. Once you achieve eating on a regular basis at that calorie level, you have set the stage for your new life long eating plan.
• Exercise above the activity level you set for your calorie targets while you are in weight loss mode.  This way you are always creating a calorie deficit. 
• Eat foods that are high in fiber to help you stay full.
• Don't get stuck on one diet plan or another.  Choose whatever food selection criteria process you feel works best for you and stick to it.
• Have snacks readily available that fit your formula so that you are ready to conquer and eat when the need arises