Josh Mankiewicz, at 69 years old, has achieved an incredible feat by losing 70 lbs. and opening up about his journey for the first time. This isn't just about shedding pounds; it's a story of determination and lifestyle change.

From Struggle to Success - Josh Mankiewicz's Weight Loss Triumph

Section 1: The Initial Weight Loss Attempt

Back in 1998, Mankiewicz embarked on a weight loss journey using the popular Atkins diet and managed to lose 47 lbs. He was initially pleased with the results but found it challenging to maintain over time. "It's tough to say goodbye to carbs forever, especially when your ancestors invented the pierogi," he quipped. This initial success and subsequent setback set the stage for his more significant transformation.Even with the weight loss, his doctor was constantly urging him to work on his health. "Every year I'd go in for my physical, and my doctor would be like, you have got to work on that," he recalls. This constant pressure became the catalyst for his latest and most successful weight loss attempt.

Section 2: The Decision to Change

In May 2023, Mankiewicz finally decided to make some serious lifestyle changes. "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," he tells PEOPLE. He didn't follow a specific diet but focused on cutting out all the things we know we shouldn't eat. He gave up bread, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and fast food, and instead increased his intake of green vegetables.The NBC reporter also mentioned that his doctor initially suggested Ozempic, an FDA-approved injection medication for people with type 2 diabetes. However, he preferred to change his eating habits through willpower. "Giving myself a shot every week did not seem like something that I wanted to do. And the idea of actually changing the way I ate seemed like a better idea. 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."

Section 3: The Role of Peloton

In addition to dietary changes, Mankiewicz regularly rode the Peloton his wife gifted him. Inspired by one man who was able to turn his health around by completing 100 rides, he set a 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 continues. "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."Mankiewicz emphasizes that plugging into a community, both online and in real life, helped him stay 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. And I could see it on the air. Deep down, I'm shallow," he admits. "I care a lot about how I look on TV."

Section 4: The Continued Journey

Mankiewicz plans to continue his weight loss journey but is already happy with what he has accomplished so far. "I got a whole new wardrobe," he says. "I had to throw out a bunch of stuff and that was kind of fun. And now when I turn on Dateline, I only flinch at what the murderers are doing, not what I look like."He is also celebrating the release of his new true-crime podcast, Deadly Mirage. This six-part series examines how the murder of a California father unearthed deep secrets about sex, friendship, and religion. "It's got some mystery and it's got some betrayal, and it's got a love triangle. It also has some sort of what's an essential element to a Dateline story," he says. "It's great to see people responding to it. It's a new way of reaching the same audience, or in some cases reaching a different audience. And it's great."