Did you climb the problem if you started by stepping off a thick pad?

I will say yes, but if I can I always start from the rock, just because make me feel more onest with myself... My 2 cents opinion..

My two cents: as long as you are using the correct start holds, it doesn't matter how you get established on the problem to start. I'm shorter than most, so I think it would be stupid to say you must start on the ground, as I may be perfectly capable of climbing the problem starting at the same spot as a tall person.