Interview With Shauna Reid, aka Dietgirl

Today we're bringing you an exclusive interview with Shauna Reid, better known to many people as "Dietgirl". She's the author of "The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl", which was released in the US on 30th December 2008. You can buy it from Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

1. Hi, Shauna, and welcome to Diet Blog! You've been a dieting blogger since 2001 and you've come an impressively long way since then, losing half your body weight! How did it all start?

I figured with 175lb to lose I'd need somewhere to bitch and moan about the process. I'd been writing a blog called "What's New Pussycat" since 2000 but didn't want to bore those readers with my scale tales, so I started up a new, anonymous one. It made all the difference to my weight loss efforts - I had accountability, camaraderie and a place to work through all my food-related issues. I didn't know anyone in my offline life with so much weight to lose, so finding online buddies in similar situations made feel less alone and that change was possible.

2. I know you used Weight Watchers and later Weight Loss Resources whilst losing weight. How did these programs help you?

I started with Weight Watchers because it was the devil I knew - my mother used to be a WW leader so by the time I was 23 I'd done the program half a dozen times. It reminded me all the things I'd chosen to forget about portion sizes and nutrition. I also appreciated the support of the staff at my meeting in Canberra, Australia. I had no self-belief whatsoever so their cheers spurred me on - they even gave me reassuring hugs at my very first-weigh, when I bawled my eyes out upon discovering I weighed 351lb.

I moved on from Weight Watchers after a year as the meeting clashed with my gym classes. I discovered Weight Loss Resources awhile later, a UK-based online calorie counting tool. I'd been doing okay on my own but I loved having the online tools to tinker with and see my weight going down on graphs. There's nothing like cold hard data for motivation!

3. Thinking back to your 2001-self, what would surprise her most about your life today?

That I have boxing gloves, dumbbells, running shoes, assorted helmets and a wetsuit in my closet. Who is this sporty beast? And where did you put all her elasticized jeans?

4. What's the biggest mistake you've made with dieting? Or to put it another way, if you could go back and start all over again, what would you do differently?

I wish I'd known from the start that perfection is impossible. I truly believed that I'd simply rock up to Weight Watchers, obey the rules, and neatly lose a pound or two week after week until all the excess weight was gone. I even managed to go the first nine months without a single scrap of chocolate passing my lips but then I crumbled before a hot fudge sundae. I could have saved myself so much angst if I'd realised earlier that you don't have be a diet robot to lose weight. You can have your cake and eat it, so long as it's a small slice and not the whole cake.

5. I know from reading "The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl" that there were lots of ups and downs along the way ... can you share one or two of the high points with Diet Blog's readers?

Running my first 5K race was a huge high - it felt like a marathon to this reformed couch potato. Also buying my size 14 wedding dress - I couldn't believe I finally fitted into something from a non-plus-size shop.

6. I've been reading about your kickboxing on your Dietgirl blog, and it was great to follow your progress just before the grading. Why did you take up kickboxing, what do you enjoy most about it and how did it feel to get your orange belt?

I always liked the idea of kicking and punching. When I got down to a size 22 I felt brave enough to try Body Combat classes , which is kind of like TaeBo. Then years later my gym got bought by a national kickboxing champion and he started running classes. It looked like great fun to actually make contact instead of punching thin air. It's most hardcore workout I do but the calorie burn is secondary to the stress-killing fun! It was a proud moment getting my orange belt, as my previous sporting memories all involved coming last in races on school sports days.

7. What are your health and fitness goals for 2009?

I'm currently training for my green belt at kickboxing in February and if that goes well I might go for the blue later in the year. Currently I'm an orange belt which means I have the approximate skills to kick the butt of an arthritic 80-year-old, so I'm looking to improve!

I'm also planning to train for and complete the Sea to Sea cycle route, a 140 mile journey from West coast of England to the East, over three days. It passes through some really scenic parts of the country such as the Lake District, so it could be a nice but grueling holiday for a complete cycling novice like me.

8. Which parts of the Dietgirl book did you enjoy writing the most?

I had a good laugh writing about my two weddings in Las Vegas; I'd forgotten how ridiculous that day was. Gareth and I eloped in a brief ceremony but afterwards the chapel staff realized they'd forgotten to film it. I knew my Mum would kill me if I came home without video evidence, so we had to do the whole wedding again then and there. They threw in their best Elvis impersonator for free.

9. What do you do when you're not writing about dieting, health, fitness and yummy food?

Mostly likely daydreaming about yummy food. Aside from writing I like cooking, reading and rock concerts. I also like traveling - I've lived in Scotland for almost six years now and almost forget that I'm not from round here, so I'm making extra effort to get off the darn computer and explore the countryside.

10. You're very honest in the Dietgirl book and on your blog about the link between emotions and unhealthy habits. What are your tips for coping with bad moods without resorting to chocolate?

I try to create a diversion - phoning a friend to have a moan, or churning out an angst-ridden blog entry. Kickboxing is my best weapon - it calms me down and brings perspective to my problems. It also reminds me why I choose to eat chocolate less often than I may like, because being fitter and healthier feels so good. But sometimes, no amount of trickery works and I just have the darn chocolate, and try to sit down as I eat to really appreciate its lovely goodness, instead of just mindlessly shoving it in. I have my good and bad days like everyone.

11. And finally, if you could make any food calorie-free, what would you choose?

Chocolate Hob Nobs, the world's greatest biscuit (cookie) - they're deliciously oaty with a chocolate coat and perfect for dunking in a cup of tea.

If you enjoyed this interview with Shauna, why not check out her Dietgirl blog, or buy her book?