Josh Mankiewicz, the well-known "Dateline" correspondent, has recently shared his inspiring weight loss story, revealing the secrets behind his impressive 70-pound transformation. At 69 years old, Mankiewicz's journey is a testament to the power of healthy eating and regular exercise. He opened up about his motivations, strategies, and the positive impact his weight loss has had on his life, both on and off the screen.
Motivation and Initial Steps
Mankiewicz's weight loss journey began in May 2023, driven by a desire to improve his overall health and appearance. "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,” Mankiewicz explained. He was also encouraged by his doctor to get into better shape. This marked the beginning of a significant lifestyle change that would transform his health and well-being.
Dietary Overhaul
Mankiewicz adopted a straightforward approach to his diet, focusing on eliminating unhealthy foods and increasing his intake of nutritious options. "This wasn’t any particular diet, it was essentially just cutting out all of the things that we all sort of intuitively know that we’re not supposed to eat," he said. He cut out bread, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and fast food, replacing them with an increased amount of green vegetables. “That seemed to do it,” Mankiewicz noted.
This dietary overhaul wasn't Mankiewicz's first attempt at weight loss. He had previously lost 47 pounds in 1998 on the Atkins diet, a high-protein, low-carb approach. However, he struggled to maintain the weight loss long-term. “It’s tough to say goodbye to carbs forever, particularly when your ancestors invented the pierogi,” he joked. “So over time I put weight back on, and every year I’d go in for my physical, and my doctor, she’d be like, you have got to work on that.”
Embracing Exercise
In addition to changing his eating habits, Mankiewicz incorporated regular exercise into his routine. He began riding the Peloton bike his wife had given him. Inspired by a story about a man who improved his health by riding his Peloton for 100 consecutive days, Mankiewicz set a similar goal for himself. "So I thought to myself, could I do 100 rides in 100 days? So I did. I ended up doing like 184 days straight, which was hard being on the road as much as I am for 'Dateline,'" he shared. “I didn’t really think of it as being difficult at the time. But generally, once I start on something, I finish it. And I was able to keep it going. It was good to get into a routine.”
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Aversion to Ozempic and the Power of Willpower
When his doctor suggested weight loss options, Ozempic was mentioned. Ozempic is an FDA-approved injection medication for people with type 2 diabetes. Mankiewicz decided against taking the drug because the idea of giving himself a weekly shot "did not seem like something that I wanted to do," he said. “And the idea of actually changing the way I ate seemed like a better idea," he added. "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."
The Results and Lasting Changes
After a year and a half of dedication to his new lifestyle, Mankiewicz achieved remarkable results. “I lost 70 pounds, and I felt great," said Mankiewicz. He also emphasized the long-term sustainability of his approach. “Now, I’ve pretty much permanently changed the way I eat because I’ve managed to adjust to this pretty well in terms of not craving any of that stuff that I used to love so much,” he said.
The Impact on Confidence and Appearance
Mankiewicz openly admitted that his weight loss had a positive impact on his confidence and how he perceived himself on television. “Deep down, I’m shallow,” he told People. “I care a lot about how I look on TV.” He also enjoyed the process of updating his wardrobe to reflect his new physique. “I had to throw out a bunch of stuff, and that was kind of fun," he said.
The Importance of Support
Mankiewicz also highlighted the importance of having a strong support system throughout his weight loss journey. He credited the support he received from friends, both in real life and online, for keeping him motivated. “It definitely helps to have other people supporting you. All my friends here in Los Angeles all told me how great I look, which definitely helped,” he stated. “And I could see it on the air."
Mankiewicz's Background
Joshua Paul "Josh" Mankiewicz (born August 27, 1955) is an American journalist, who has been reporting for Dateline NBC since 1995. He has also reported for The Today Show and NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, and Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly. Mankiewicz comes from a family with a strong connection to media and politics. He is the son of Holly (née Jolley; 1925-2019) and Frank Mankiewicz (1924-2014). His father was Robert F. Kennedy's press secretary. His father was Jewish and his mother was raised Mormon but left the church. She worked with the Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP. He is the grandson of famed screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz and grand-nephew of screenwriter, producer and director Joseph L. Mankiewicz. He is the older brother of radio personality and Turner Classic Movies prime-time host Ben Mankiewicz.
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