The 50 Million Pound Blog

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I learned of Dr. Ian and The Challenge thru a newspaper article that I saw a day too late - it was about a meeting of the Pembroke Pines team that was held the day before I read the article.

I had retired from work at the age of 61 due to stress, and unfortunetely I eat from stress.  I retired on a Friday, and started a new eating and exercising program the following Monday, which was May 4th.  The first week I couldn't get going, still too stressed out, I lost nothing.  Then I put it together and by June 25th when I joined this program, I had lost 25 pounds.  Three more pounds the next week puts me at 28 pounds overall.

I am probably one of the biggest people doing this, I started at 387 pounds, and am down to 359 at the moment.  I am 61 years old, so with my high weight and age I have to be carefull about how I go about this.  I am eating approximately 1400 calories a day, and all healthy foods.  I walk in malls every other day, and the days I dont walk, I exercise for about 30 minutes with light weights and rubber stretchy bands that fit over a door.  I will gradually work into more exercise, but can't stress my body too much at first.  I also just did a complete blood test and will see my doctor soon for the results which I expect to be good.

I am out to prove that at 61 years old I CAN lose weight like a young person, and that I CAN do it without the operation that so many have had.  I have seen people with the operation put a lot of weight back on after they lost a ton, and their life is also not easy, with food sticking, and throwing up frequently.

I now must battle a tough time - in 1-1/2 weeks my wife and I leave for a trip up north to a few cities as we have two weddings to go to that are 3 weeks apart up there.  It will be very hard to be eating out for over three weeks and stay to 1400 calories a day, and exercise will be tough too.  I will be tested, and I will do my best, and my goal is not to lose, but to stay the same, however, even if I can keep it to just a small weight gain, I will knock it off as soon as I get home and then continue on my journey.

I think one key to dieting successfully is to eat ONLY things you enjoy, don't be forced into eating foods you do not like.  I eat oatmeal, pickled herring, bananas, almonds, peanuts, Lean Cuisine dinners, veggie burgers, frozen fish patties, gefilte fish, crab meat, corn, carrots, bagels & lox, etc.  I eat small quantities, but I ENJOY what I eat.

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I have done them all: the diets, the programs and the classes. I’ve have read the books and hired the trainers. I’ve gone up and down on the scale. My clothes have ranged in sizes from 14 to 22.  I too avoided the mirrors and the outings. My refrigerator became my closest friend and confidante. 

It amazes me, how something like weight can have so much control over your life for so long. 
I decided I wanted my life back. 

I wasn’t ready to just give up.  I knew the likely outcome of being obese for so many years was diabetes and heart disease.  I didn’t want this for myself.  Furthermore, I didn’t want my children to have to take care of me years from now due to health issues.  Finally, I wasn’t going to be on the stage with Dr. Ian Smith wearing a size 22 anything! My goal was to be in a size-14 dress by the 14th Annual Sisterhood Showcase. 

To date, I have lost more than 50 lbs. and I can wear a size-14 dress.  I started working out at least four days a week and began to watch what I ate. We all know the formula for weight loss is exercise and calorie reduction, but to make it fun, I’m trying new recipes and spices this time around.  Also, I’m participating in spinning classes, and working out with friends. 

Maintaining your weight is an ongoing process, and the challenge is more mental than anything.  We all know what to do.  We just need to do it.     

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More than 36,500 women attended this year's Sisterhood Showcase in Memphis, TN.

Hundreds joined us in the fight to regain control of our health, including the ladies of the Healthy Church Challenge.

Thank you to everyone who met up with Dr. Ian and The Challenge!

Summer is as good a time as any to win some extra money!

So, take a minute to track your progress, and you'll be entered to win $1,000 VISA® Gift Card!

Check out the Update Today, Win Tomorrow page for a word from Dr. Ian and more details on how you can win.

Give up the pounds, not the fight!

The 2009 Sisterhood Outreach Summit & Showcase is on for the 14th straight year, and Dr. Ian will be joining the celebration!

He'll have some time to address attendees, sign books, and will accept a donation of pounds from the participants of the Healthy Church Challenge to add to our ever-growing total.

This year's showcase theme is "Navigating Change". Dr. Ian will engage this timely message with a voice of hope by representing our stories of healthy, nutritional change.

Please come out and join us if you're able to attend!

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I first learned of Dr. Ian on The Yolanda Adams Morning show.  I was pleased to hear of a program where I could actually change my eating habits, loose weight gradually, and maintain it the lifestyle.  After looking at the shopping list and daily menu's I decided this was something I could do. 

My goal:  140 lbs by age 40.  I started my new lifestyle on Dec. 31st, 2008.  My starting weight was 256 lbs.  I have lost 20 lbs as of today.  The thing that motivates me the most is being happy with me.  I have finally at age 38 found happiness in being the woman that I am...weight and all.  When I look in the mirror I smile at myself everyday.  I embrace every pound on my '5-4" frame.  Having said that...I realize to truly love myself is to take care of myself.  It's important to take care of this temple God has given me.  It's important to seek a healthy lifestyle not just for myself, but for my loved ones. 

I watch what I eat and the amount I eat.  I drink plenty of water & beverages that are low in calories.  I eat whole wheat everything.  I eat lean cuts of meat and periodically red meat.  I hate eating vegetables...so I blend most of them up into a smoothie for breakfast and as a snack.  I eat a minimum of 4 meals a day.  I exercise 5 days a week.  I have increased my workout gradually to 45m-60m of cardio & alternate toning different areas.  Before I couldn't last 3 minutes on any given machine.  I joined a gym to keep the motivation and to vary my routine.  When I'm too tired to work out...I do it anyway.  The most important thing...when I fall off the wagon one day...I get back on the next.  I am never defeated.

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I've seen Dr. Ian on television, I believe this challenge is great way to help motivate people and I'd like to share my story:

I consider the healthiest way to lose weight is through diet and exercise.  After all, we consumed the food that made us heavy right?  Then it should be our responsibility to correct our bad behavior and teach our bodies a healthier way of living.  I started my journey in April 2006 at 297 lbs and I currently weigh 190.  For the first six months I walked everyday and tracked every item I put into my mouth.  After a while I started choosing healthier options on my own, my body started to crave healthier food, a healthier lifestyle and lots of daily activity.  I have about 30 lbs left to lose before this part of my journey is over.  I love my new wardrobe and I don't even mind my picture taken nowadays =) However,  the best reward is the fact that I am now living every single day to the fullest, I know I can achieve anything I set my mind to and my size will no longer get in my way!!!

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I been on diets before but never this long have I been so serious about changing. I gained this weight when I was pregnant with my son. I became so overwhelmed being a single mom, working, and tring to make life easy for my son. I forgot that taking care of myself was one of the most importante things I had to do to be here for him. So at 263lbs I decided I'm not getting any younger and this weight will not just magically disappear. I love my son more then anything, so I'm going to be here and teach my son how to live life heathly from my own experience. I know now what my biggest fear was is to have people treat me different or look at me different. When actually it wasn't about them it's about me and how I feel.

So I had a conversation with myself and I said Starr how can you teach your son how to live heathly if you (meaning myself) are not practicing what YOU preach exspecially about how someone protrays you because people will always have something to say. Thats the day I decided to start my journey. I spoke with my friend about it and she kept saying you should get in with the 50million pound challege. I just ignored her for the first couple mouths. Then one day, about three months after I started, my friend said I'm telling you Starr to do it. So here I am so happy to be a part of something so wonderfully life changing. I'M GOING 2 MAKE IT!

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The impact of our stories is truly remarkable.  Just this morning, Essence.com posted the story of one of our Featured Challengers -- Pam El.

Please take a minute to read Pam's inspirational story on Essence.com, and leave your comments of support and encouragement.

Let's show the readers of Essence what the powerful influence of our community is all about.

Don't forget, the major news next story could be yours!

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

Acclaimed gospel recording artist Marvin Sapp is joining the The Challenge and taking his quest for healthy living on the road with his U Made It tour!

Many of us enjoy and connect with Marvin's passion, work, and talent. Now we can all connect in Marvin's journey to set better examples by living healthier and wiser.

“I have struggled to lose weight all my life and have finally decided that enough is enough.  I want to alleviate health concerns and set a good example for my family and church, so I am happy to have the support system and resources of Dr. Ian Smith and The 50 Million Pound Challenge to successfully create a healthy lifestyle,” says Sapp.  “I will be talking about my efforts with my fans and supporters online and on tour.  Together, we can improve our health and lives.”

Join Marvin's team today and catch the inspiration in a whole new way.

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As a result of watching Celebrity Fit Club I found out about Dr. Ian's Fat Smash Plan. The thing that attracted me to The Fat Smash Plan was the ability to transition this type of plan into a lifestyle.  Over the years I have discovered that many of the diets currently out on the market yield quick results that do not last.  My goal was to lose 40 lbs. but more importantly to implement and maintain a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and daily physical activity.  Being 38, I wanted to remove the potential to develop any diseases that could be a direct result of excessive weight (and age).  I implemented the Fat Smash Plan and have now reached my goal weight. I was 210 lbs, I am now 145 lbs.

I continue to exercise daily including cardiovascular and resistance training. Surprising, the small things really do make a difference, such as parking further away from the Mall entrance instead of driving around for 10 minutes looking for a closer space.  Now I actually return the grocery cart to the cart return instead of leaving it in between the vehicles. In the past I have been on diets that eliminated complete food groups only to regain the weight. I now incorporate all food groups but in smaller portions.  I stick to fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains.  I enjoy the occasional treat but limit the portion size.  If I want a special treat I will have it when I go out for dinner instead of buying it to have at home where the tendency to overeat exists. 

In addition, by making yourself accountable to your friends and family you are more likely to stay on your plan instead of cheating. I have developed a team at work where we "check" one another if we see the oth er "back sliding." Instead of smoking breaks we take "walking breaks" helping our lungs instead of hurting them. Our team collectively has lost over 400 lbs. We rewarded ourselves with new clothes and shoes! Not food! The most important thing to remember is to choose a plan that you can maintain as a lifestyle, which the Fat Smash allows you to do! It took me a long time to "accept" that the quick fix diets are just that..quick... but "slow and steady"  does win the race!  I look great and feel even better!  Kudos to Dr. Ian and the 50 million lb Challenge! Keep up the good work!

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