The following is a reprint from the blog "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb":

The influence of blogging and those handful of people who are behind the blogs are actually making a genuine impact on modern culture as evidenced by Time magazine collectively naming them the 2006 Person of the Year. But blogs are not just about people's personal lives, politics, entertainment, and sports anymore. Weight loss has gotten in on the act, too.

That's the premise behind this Galveston (TX) Daily News story about the rise of blogging as an effective tool for losing weight. Sally Squires from The Washington Post wrote about weight loss blogs and whether they really work in a column in July.

Blogs have received a bad rap from much of the established media because they tend to look down on those of us who choose to make writing about what we are most passionate about because we are only mere amateurs in their eyes. To be honest, though, bloggers don't care about acceptance by the mainstream because blogging has never been about that. Instead, it has been a way for those of us who have struggled with our weight to be held more accountable so we can be successful.

With that said, there are at least SOME media outlets recognizing the work of health and weight loss blogs to educate and encourage the public. One of the highest honors my "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog received in 2006 was being named one of the Top 10 health blogs on the Internet by FOXNews.com. I was totally surprised by that, but appreciated the recognition for the efforts I had put into this "amateur" web site. :D A recent Pew Research poll confirms that blogging is a trend that's here to stay.

In the Galveston newspaper story entitled "Bloggers take dieting online" written by Sara McDonald, she discusses the rise of weight loss blogging as a tool for people who want to lose weight. Thanks to my friend Connie Bennett from the SUGAR SHOCK! blog, I was interviewed extensively by Sara for this story as was Connie. Sara cites both of us--LOW-CARB BLOGGERS BY THE WAY!--in her story. Sweet!

Here's a little of what Sara wrote in her column:

[Jimmy] Moore, the dieter behind the blog "Living La Vida Low Carb" lost 180 pounds in 2004 and began writing columns about his weight loss journey for another online publication.

When he reached his goal weight, he started the blog to offer support to other dieters trying to do the same, offering support, tips and feedback.

That alone has helped him keep the pounds off.

“It’s kind of hard, when 100,000 people visit your blog, to gain it back,” he said. “Now that I’m helping people, it’d be hypocritical to gain it back. So far, it’s worked.”

But Moore warned dieters not to jump on the blogging bandwagon if they aren’t serious about being held accountable.

“Only do it if it is a 100 percent commitment,” he said. “Otherwise, you’re wasting your time and other people’s time.”

Sara quoted me a couple more times in her column and was extremely receptive to everything I talked about regarding weight loss blogging in our interview on Thursday afternoon. You might even want to check out what Connie had to say about Sara's column at her blog today, too. I think it's pretty amazing of all the literally tens of thousands of weight loss bloggers that Sara could have chosen to include in her story that she selected two low-carb ones out of the bunch! YOU GOTTA LOVE IT!

Send Sara McDonald a note of appreciation for writing this story by using this contact page link. Creating positive news stories about livin' la vida low-carb is something worthy of praise, so let Sara know about it, okay? And be sure to share her fantastic column with others who need to lose weight in the new year!

12-31-06 UPDATE: Connie Bennett from the SUGAR SHOCK! blog sent me the following e-mail about the story written by Sara McDonald that featured our blogs.

Jimmy,

Congrats on being featured extensively in Sara's article on blogs helping dieters. Glad she followed up on my lead!

It's always interesting to me to see how we present two different takes on the same topic--in this case, Sara's great article. I always enjoy reading your point of view, too.

Have a happy and sweet new year--the same goes to all of your readers, too!

THANK YOU, Connie, for helping spread the word about how devastating sugar is to the weight and health of millions. Have you checked out her new book SUGAR SHOCK! (read my review) since it arrived the day after Christmas? If not, then go order it at Amazon.com RIGHT NOW! :) You'll be glad you did!