Maybe you’re like me and you need a change.
It could be a small shift—cutting down on sweets or just paying closer attention to what’s on your plate. Or maybe it’s something bigger. Like what I’m doing now: a complete overhaul of how I see food, how I treat my body, and what I let into it.
I started looking for a solid program. Something someone else had already built. Let them do the hard work—I’d follow along and wait for results.
What I found was a mess of hype.
Everyone claimed theirs was the best. “Cindy Lou lost 864 pounds in 3 weeks using this plan!” (results may vary)
It was confusing. There were too many. And it was all too much.
So I shifted gears.
I didn’t want another shiny, overpriced program. I didn’t want a meal plan that looked like it came from a photoshoot for rabbits. And I definitely didn’t want a coach who pampered me… or ghosted me.
What I wanted—what I needed—was a reset.
Something honest. Simple enough to follow. Interesting and fun enough to stick with. Something sustainable.
So I turned to ChatGPT.
My Surgeon (Dr. K) Said It Plain: Lose the Weight
Six weeks ago, I had back surgery. Dr. K didn’t sugarcoat it:
“You need to drop weight if you want to heal right.”
I knew he was right. I saw the scale—241 pounds. Gut punch. The heaviest I’ve ever been.
I had been ignoring the signs, masking the pain, justifying the laziness. And man, I was good at coming up with reasons not to change.
But this surgery became a life interrupt—the perfect chance to do something about it.
So I made a decision.
I didn’t want a comeback. That’s overdone. (And let’s be honest—Dave Dravecky already owns that word anyway.)
For me, this isn’t a comeback.
It’s a rebuild.
Gut Instincts Are Real (We Just Don’t Listen)
Here’s the truth: most of us already know what to do. Our brains and bodies whisper it all the time.
We just drown it out with distraction and dopamine.
We chase comfort. We choose easy. We ignore the gut feeling that says:
“This ain’t it.”
I was no different. But I’m finding my way again.
Enter ChatGPT: AI Partner, No Excuses
But who am I?
I’ve got no formal training in nutrition. I’m not a dietician. I’ve never written a meal plan.
But I didn’t want to pay for another program—I wanted to build one. One that fit me—my lifestyle, my values, my limitations.
Because deep down, I believed I already knew more than I gave myself credit for.
So I asked ChatGPT to help. And this thing (Chatty)—delivered.
We built a custom Keto(ish) plan—tight, doable, honest. We mapped out foundational foods, snacks, traps to avoid. We even started building a cookbook together.
Yeah, it’s rough. But it’s real. And I’ll be giving it away soon—for free.
I’m calling it Keto(ish).
Because this isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. It’s about listening to my body again.
Sounds a little “woo woo”? Let me clarify—this is about letting my brain lead.
Does what I’m about to eat help me or hurt me?
Am I eating because I’m hungry—or because I’m bored?
Those are the questions I’m learning to ask.
Confession Time: I’ve Messed Up
Since surgery, I’ve lost 7 pounds. Four of those came after getting serious with the plan.
Not exactly record-breaking, but I feel better. Clothes fit better. Energy’s coming back.
It’s not “on top of the world” yet—but it’s improving. And hey, I’m about to turn 55. That hits different than dropping 30 lbs at age 30.
But I haven’t been perfect.
I’ve tried to take over, skip the plan, ignore my AI accountability partner.
Self-sabotage? Yep.
But I promised I’d share the failures too—and here I am doing just that.
The win?
I keep coming back.
And I’m better for it.
Accountability Matters (No Participation Trophies Here)
This time around, I did a few things differently:
- My friend Phil is checking in.
- I built a “Simon Cowell” style ChatGPT coach—no fluff, no hand-holding.
(That’ll be a blog post of its own soon. It was a blast to train. That’s Baldman Studios territory.)
I need that. Not pity pats. Not participation trophies.
Truth. Grace. And course correction.
That’s what I built.
And just so we’re clear—I’m still at the beginning. No before-and-after glam shots here. I’m in the trenches. I’m working the problem, adapting, and sharing the journey as it unfolds.
You won’t be chasing a polished fitness model.
You’ll be watching a real guy put the pieces back together.
This Is the Rebuild
I’m not a doctor. I’m not a trainer. I’m just a guy who got tired of feeling tired.
Who finally got real about what needed to change.
Who turned to AI, Scripture, and a few solid people to help him get back up.
This isn’t a “last-day-of-school sprint to carbs” like last time.
This is a transition. Not an escape.
This is a rebuild. Not a comeback.
I’ve got 60 pounds to lose. It’ll take time. It’ll take grit.
But it’s happening.
Thinking about your own health reset?
Start with the tools you already have:
Your gut.
Your grit.
And maybe—just maybe—ChatGPT.
Cookbook coming soon.
Let’s go.
