Jackie Rehwald

JREHWALD@NEWS-LEADER.COM

Over the next six months, David Fleming wants to improve his life. And he wants you to hold him accountable as he makes changes.

The 41-year-old Springfield man is creating video blogs every day about his self-improvement efforts and uploading the videos to YouTube for the world to see. He is working to improve his fitness and finances, to be more social, charitable, organized and creative.

Joining Fleming in every video is Cork, a puppy he recently rescued from the Bolivar pound.

"Somebody decided they didn't want him. That was terrible of them but great for us," Fleming said in the first video in which he introduces himself and his "My 183 days" video project.

Find his YouTube channel at my183days.com. As of Friday, he is about two weeks into his project.

Fleming said he came up with the idea for making major life changes over a six-month time period — or 183 days — because that is how long it took him to lose weight and get in shape a few years ago.

"I weighed 220 back in 2012. I got to the point where I said this is not the weight a 5-foot-9 man should be," he said. "I got serious about dieting and I got to 159 (pounds)."

During a different six-month period of his life, Fleming went from being a non-runner to a marathoner, having completed the 2013 Bass Pro Marathon in just under 4 hours and 53 minutes.

"That put the idea in my mind that I could make pretty dramatic changes in my life in six months," he said. "I thought if I put these things online, at least my friends will keep me accountable or laugh at me when I fail."

Fleming doesn't shy away from videoing his "naughty" moments. In one video, he admits to having drunk too much wine the night before. In another, he enjoys a plate full of delicious calories at City Butcher and Barbecue.

Still, he's said he's trying to eat better and has been biking a few times. On June 18, he cycled 57 miles — a personal record.

When he started his video self-improvement project on June 16, Fleming weighed in at 196. On Friday, he weighed 190 pounds.

This time around, though, Fleming wants to focus on more than just his weight and fitness.

"I'm not the most irresponsible person, but I could be better organized, be better prepared," he added.

Fleming said he is including Cork in the video project for a couple of reasons.

"It would be boring to watch me shirtless, standing on my scale every day," he said. "And Cork is a puppy. Cork is going to change a lot in six months too. It' will be fun to watch him get bigger as I get smaller."

After being contacted by the News-Leader, Fleming said he's even more motivated to stay focused on making positive changes.

"I want everyone to know that they can improve themselves if they can stay focused," he added. "I think you can do a lot in six months."