The 50 Million Pound Blog

Oftentimes we get so caught up in our own journey, that we forget about others who're in this fight with us...

The truth is, we need each other. Sharing our stories -- the good, bad, and ugly -- bond us, and pick us up as we strive towards our goals.

So we thought we'd share Diana D'Abruzzo's story with you all. As a member of a Wilmington, NC news staff, she regularly wrote about her weight-loss journey in a column for over two years, where she lost 150 pounds! 

She's since moved to a different paper, and the column stopped running. Naturally, followers of her story grew curious of how she's doing. So, her former team caught up with her.

You can click here to read their conversation.

Diana's story is honest about the ups and downs she's still dealing with. It's easy to relate to her and be reminded that we're all in this fight together.

We wish Diana all the best as she works to drop more weight and reach her goal. You can also reach out and leave comments for Diana on the story.

Try to bring at least one meal to work with you every day. It’s all about maintaining better control of your food environment and reducing the temptation to stray from the eating plan. By planning a meal (as well as your snacks) and bringing it with you, you know what you’ll be eating and won’t have to search for what you need to meet the meal’s eating requirement.

Packing your own meal means throwing out of the window the excuse, “I had to eat the French fries because that’s all I could find.”

Best.

~ Dr. Ian

We've run across some interesting articles in the news lately. Here's one that we'd like to share with you...

The Washington Post ran an eye-opeing article on the amount of money that's spent in advertising in the fast food industry.

The Challenge is not for individuals under the age of 18, but this community can still make a difference.

We're the ones who can help our kids understand the messages delivered through the advertising.

We've all heard Dr. Ian speak or write about the powerful influence we have on each other. And, this community is a testament to his point.

Living healthier is about making the right decisions. Our fight is against the health trends that are shortening the lives of our loved ones... and our example and guidance can help guide the next generation to a better life.

Let's step up to the plate to better our children's future as well.

How've you helped? Please, click here to leave your comments.

Lekicia Young was selected to be on of the Challengers to be featured on Ebony/JET.

She has a great story, and it was picked up by a local Florida paper as well.

Here's an excerpt:

"Being a single mom (of a 1-year-old), working and with the weight I'd gained during pregnancy, I just didn't know how I would start to lose it," said Young, "Dr. Ian's book is awesome. It's so easy to read. Very straight-forward and it makes sense."

Click here to read the full story! 

Click here to post your comments!

My husband is a huge Cavs (and Lebron) fan and he told me about it.  I started a healthy diet and exercise plan faithfully a little over a month ago.  I bought a scale, started keeping a food and exercise diary, and I have my husband measure me once a week.  Every morning, I step on the scale to see my progress.  It is exciting to see the pounds just drop off!  To lose the weight, I work out everyday - sometimes just walking my dog for a mile or two, sometimes working out to Fit TV, and sometimes walking 2-3 miles to go to the library or the local video store - it saves gas and it gives me GREAT exercise!  I try to eat at least 4 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and I strive for upwards of 25 grams of fiber a day as well.  In just a little over a month, I have lost 17 pounds and a pant size.  I wish I would have done this a long time ago. 

I don't eat past 7:00 p.m., and if I do, I eat a serving of fruit or a sugar-free chocolate pudding.  My weight loss goal is to lose 100 pounds total - to weigh 140.  I keep a spreadsheet that tracks my inches lost, I keep a food diary into which I write EVERYTHING that I eat as well as my weight that day, and I also write my weight on a calendar everyday so that I can see my progress more clearly.  I was motivated to join the challenge and to start losing weight because I was tired of not being able to shop at the cute, trendy stores because they don't carry a size 18W.  My goal is to be a single digit clothing size, whether it is an 8 or a 2, whichever is my healthy size.  I know I can do it!!!  The picture above is of me and my husband, taken at a friend's wedding about a week before I started eating healthy and exercising.

Click here to submit your story and be featured on our site!

A fellow Challenger runs her own blog called YBP Guide.

She recently had a baby and is committed to dropping the weight she gained. She has reached out for tips that are working for you.

Here's an excerpt from her posting:

"Is anyone out there doing the challenge? Anyone out there who has thought about making the move but hasn’t yet? Mid-year resolution anyone?"

Please click here to visit her blog and share your advice and encouragement!

This is what our community is all about.

There are some great stories and tips related to healthy living out on various blogs we run across.

While we may not agree with all the issues bloggers write about, we still want to share information we come across that can be helpful to you. 

Not to mention, we all learn from each other as we strive to make healthier decisions.

That stated, click here to read a good post on how one Challenger was inspired by research to use her pen and paper to help her reach her goal.

And, click here to leave us your comments as well!

Click here to post your comments!

Well...on May 16 I decided that I wanted to lose weight because I was 238 lbs and unhappy. I knew that for my 25th birthday, I wanted to get baptized, and I was also starting a new career in radio broadcasting. These things combined let me know that my life was changing in a positive way, and the only negative vibe I was receiving, was in regards to my weight, and health. In addition to that, my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and his doctor made it clear that it was time for him to lose weight as well, so that was all the motivation I needed.

I joined the challenge, because of my previous employer. A weight loss campaign was implemented and I wanted to be a success story. I am now down from 238 lbs, to 185 lbs and still dedicated. I have stopped eating red meat and pork. I drink water regularly and I try to exercise at least three times a week. Thank you Dr. Ian for believing in all of us, and I wish everyone luck!!!

Click here to submit your story and be featured on our site!

We want to hear from you, and other Challengers do too...

 

The best way for us to get through this Challenge together is to learn from each other. So, we added a new feature to the site called 'Poll', and you'll find it on the right-hand side of of the blog homepage.

The questions on the poll will examine different aspects of healthy living -- motivation, tips, what works and what doesn't work, etc.

You'll see how other Challengers answer the questions as well, so you can see how you compare or pick up some advice along the way!

 We'll update the poll every couple of weeks, so stay close to the blog!

Click here to post your comments!

Let me just start off by saying that growing up, I was always the chubby kid, or the cute little plump girl, and in my family healthy eating was not encouraged. Every meal was prepared with as much fat and flavor as possible, and I loved it. Throughout high school and college I tricked myself into believing that I was ok with my weight. At 16 I was diagnosed with arthritis of both knees and my right hip, my doctor encouraged me to loose weight, but I felt that everything was ok, because I had done diets I would loose weight and hear others tell me I was getting "too skinny," and I'd go back to eating.

But that pretend confidence and self love began to fade for me in the earlier part of 2007, when my weight ballooned to almost 300 pounds. My grandmother died in April and as I sat preparing for her funeral, I realized that it was a struggle for me to bend over and put on my shoes. It was embarrassing to have a friend work the shoe onto my foot and then buckle it. I was still stubborn; it took me another few months before I decided to make a change. My true breaking point was when I had to stop half way up the stairs to my apartment to catch my breath, I knew then I needed to change.

I work for a small medical practice and one of our patients who works for a popular weight loss program would talk to me about joining and I ignored her. That was until I knew I needed change. The best day of my life was the day I walked into the meeting.

At the same time I had just read about Dr. Ian's challenge, so I figured I could do both and be extra motivated to loose the weight.

I encourage everyone, drink your water and make sure you log what you are eating; you'd be surprised at how that encourages you in your weight loss journey.

Initially I joined both with the mind set that this would not work, but I slowly saw the pounds coming off and I knew that I could do this. I am not at my goal, but just loosing the first 50 pounds I felt as if I truly was a winner. I still have quite a way to go but each day that I can walk without having to stop and I can put on my shoes without help, I know I made the right decision.

Click here to submit your story and be featured on our site!