The 50 Million Pound Blog

Need some tips on adjusting my meal plan, the portions are too much food and I also wanted to know if what to measure a cup of (cereal, fruit, vegetables with. Thanks

i get mad at my self for eating so much when i get angry i want to see my self as a go getter i want to look in the mirror and see something wonderful please i need some help.....

Dr. Ian
I would like to join this fight for a healthy
life style but is so hard please help.

Dr. Ian

Why is the last 20 pounds so hard to get rid of?

This is a great blog for those that make the excuse of not having time for breakfast.

I'am so proud of myself for joing this changelle I have alwaays been the person in front of the tv getting all teary eyes when I see the success of someone else and always felt that it was easy for them but not me or wouldn't work for me, but not this time the Changelle came to Memphis this past weekend and I join and was very excited. I plan to do my very best and not think its for others anymore and not myself, I deserve to see myself win over my weight issues as well.
Thank for the MillionPoundChallenge

Hello, New to the Challenge (just signed up). I have a few concerns. I am limited in what I can spend on grocery (single parent--tight budget)and so much of what is good for you is expensive. I am willing to particiapte, but still need to feed four growing boys. I need insight into balancing my finances and health. I am looking forward to exercising (just walking around my neighborhood), and am wondering if there is a way to combine diet and execise for an optimal effect. Someone once mentioned that exercise should be added once you "plateau", as a means of helping out your metabolism. Any truth to that? Thanks

I'm 37 and a mother of 3 boys and have gain several pounds since my oldest was born. I can't seem to get any of this weight off of me. I keep gaining and gaining, I have tried several diets and I can't stay focus on them. I need a lot of motivation and help. I watch the celebrity fit challenge every Sunday to try to get motivated.I know that you will be able to help me.

Okay, I've signed up. I really, really really need to lose about 30 - 36 pounds. So I hope you can help me Dr. Ian. I'm a mother of 6, yes 6. Ages 20 to 16 months. And I believe I've carried about 6 to 10 pounds from each kid. I do walk two to three time out the week. I use to walk with my husband. But he started loseing way to much weight. He's at his goal, I'm not to crazy about him right now. HELP, HELP HELP

Hi Dr I i had gastic by-pass 3 years ago and i have lost over a 120 pounds but the last 20 pounds i have not bee able to lose,i work out 5 days a week cardio,weights,and on sat i walk to the beach.i have not had any plastic surgery and if i do that,that will be my 20 pounds i need to lose please help nasa(florida)

I am new to the 50 million pound challenge but not new to the 100 pound battle of my own weight. I have been overweight all of my life but since adulthood have been obese. I have lost and gain then lost and gained again. My three major problems are eating healthy regularly(as I sometimes eat only once or twice a day), eating junk foods (I habitually eat chocolate and candy bars often), and exercise (It's hard for me not to consider it a chore because I dread it so badly). Some people say they hate exercising in the beginning but when they are doing they are glad they did. I can't say that. The entire time I'm exercising I'm watching the clock and can't wait to finish. I don't know what will make me just go for it and get on the right path faithfully and indefinitely. If anyone understands my plight and have the answer I NEED it. Although I know the answer lies within myself and I know the things I must do to rid the pounds, I just don't know how to make myself get up and do it. I'm looking for a change within me but haven't found it yet.

Dr. Ian
I have a 2 year old and a 3 month old. I have never been a "little" person... after haveing my first child I lost the baby weight right away. The second pregnancy, in less than two years, has took a toll on my body. I am having a real problem losing the weight this time. I am always hungry, and I know I am choosing the wrong foods. I am breast feedng...how many more calories can I consume each day?

I would like to say Thank you to Sammi Maldonado for sharing their eating and exercise experience. I need a starting point and the fruit in the morning and then a simple lunch is something I can do. Also the 75 rule seems a great place to start with my exercise.

Thank you

Dr. Ian,

I am on my fourth day of Phase one of the Fat Smashers diet. It has been a little rough, but not nearly as difficult as I thought. I was tired for the first two days, but I pushed through it and worked out every day. In the book you say not to weigh yourself until the morning of day ten. I cheated and got on the scale this morning and I hadn't lost a pound! I have been following the plan to the letter and have drank over 100 oz of water each day. Should I be concerned or am I being a little impatient?

i am new to the challenge my problem is excericise i need to be motavated i start then
i stop please give me some encourging words.

I am new to the challenge and I noticed that there is no reference to eating seafood. It's summertime and my diet usually consist of consuming a great deal of seafood. Can you tell me if it's ok to contiue eating seafood?

I too am a diabetic and heard about this challenge thru the Steve Harvey morning show. I joined in search of some new and refreshing meal ideas. I've been managing my diabetes thru exercise and diet for four years and so far I've been successful because I'm not on any medication at all. But I'm always looking to freshen things up as not to get bored or frustated. I've managed to loose 40lbs. So I hope this will help me reach goal.

Dr. Ian,

I need help I'm having a hard time, I've been following your information and tips in your book The Fat Smash Diet. But there's a week within the month (menstrual Cycle) where I am eating to much chocolate. I think this is why I'm having a hard time losing the weight. I workout 5 days a week, but not the one week of going through this moment. Would you be so kind to tell me what can I do in fighting the chocolate cravings.

Thank You and Have A Great Day!
Chell3

How are quaker oats instant oatmeals? Are they any good. I prefer the strawberries and cream since i hate oatmeal with any other flavor.

Dr. I
I am a diabetic and always looking to bring my weight down. I starting using Byetta shots one year ago to assist with my appetite but the nauseated feeling you get with it was enough for me and I needed to start something else. I heard about this program and decided to work with the world. I work out 3 times a week for at least 30/60 minutes and I need something quick for a morning meal. I hope these suggested meals will be helpful to individuals like me. Thanks for caring.
Sis in Christ.

i used to skip breakfast and eat junk for lunch. i've never been "overweight" but i do feel like i could stand to lose about 5 pounds...and if not that, at least eat better.

for breakfast, i've been eating a small bowl of special k with a sliced banana, and 1 cup of fat free milk in the cereal. it seems to hold me over pretty well until lunch time.

for lunch, i've been eating a lean cuisine everday with a small piece of fruit, usually oranges.

in between lunch and dinner, i try to have a small snack of fruit, salad, or nuts. sometimes i'll have a granola bar that is usually about 100 calories.

my dinner usually consists of something like a salad with grilled chicken pieces and a low calorie dressing (something that i can see through like red wine vinagerette). if it's not a salad night, it's chicken from the grill, grilled squash, and a small salad.

my main goal is to try and stay under 1200 calories a day. when you cut out the junk food, sodas, and make substitutions with healthier choices, it's really simple.

remember too, it's not JUST about what you eat, but also about how much you exercise. i've set goals that i KNOW i can accomplish. 75 crunches in the morning, 75 at night, 75 "bicycles", and 75 squats. (i do these in sets of 25) i've lost 5 lbs in two weeks. i really don't NEED to lose any more, but if i do while i'm practicing better eating habits and exercising frequently, i won't be upset. :)

i hope this helped some of you who are looking for things to eat or need help planning your meals.

My breakfast at 3-4 days a week when seasonal berries are available is 1 cup of oatmeal with 1/2 cup of blackberries and sliced strawberries. This combination sweetens the oatmeal without adding sugar, syrup, or honey, and it actually tastes great. I also have 2 egg whites scrambled as my protein source for a delicious and satisfying start to the day!

I have been having a problem with my weight for the last ten years. Before then I was very disciplined with my eating, I weight trained 3 times a week, and I did cardio 5 days week. I went through a period of depression and totally stopped. I gained more than 70 pounds and it has been a struggle taking the weight off, because I have a problem controlling my appetite. What can I do to keep my appetite under control?

I am just starting on the diet challenge and would like to know if you could add a daily meal sample, because having all the the do's and don't of what to eat doesn't really put a meal together for me and i don't want to get off the tracks before I see the light at the end. Please help. Thank you.

Bananas have no fat in them. They do have a lot of sugar, and a lot of diets restrict the portion size, but they also offer Potassium. Potassium is essential for muscle contractions. Maybe just cutting half a banana in your cereal would be good. You can cut a large banana in half and share it with your daughter.

A good carb is a "complex" carb. It's anything like whole grains, and it is simply less refined. These are things like whole wheat pastas, whole grain breads, and the such. You will notice a differene in these things because of the texture of the products. Because they are less tampered with, the textures are a little more "grainy" (for lack of a better term). Along with that same idea, these are going to stick around in your digestive tract a little longer, causing you to be less hungry after eating.

Bad carbs are called "simple" sugars. This includes stuff like cookies and cakes. When you eat these things, your blood glucose skyrockets, giving you energy for a short amount of time. When all the sugar has been processed, your blood sugar drops, causing you to be hungry again faster.

Stick to the complex carbs as much as possible!

I am currently ungoing radiation treatment for breast cancer. I am also under direction of an Endocronoligist after my Thyroidectomy found two nodules cancerous. In each case the cancer is gone. Unfortunately I have gained so much weight since 2004 60 pounds. My osteoarthritis makes it difficult to stand or walk at times. Any suggestions.

what's the difference between a good carb and a bad carb? i'm having a hard time figuring that out.

Breakfast is going to be hard. I rarely go into my kitchen at all, much less for breakfast! I think I am going to try to do cereal and fruit because it's quick. Wish me luck!

I've heard different things about bananas - are they healthy or not?!? They are good, and my daughter loves them, and they make a great breakfast, but a friend told me they have a lot of calories and maybe fat too. What does everyone here think? Anyone know for sure?

I'm trying to have a bowl of fresh cut fruit in my fridge at all times. I'm hoping that if I get the munchies I can grab something healthy as easily as something bad for me! May save a few minutes in the morning, too - I hadn't thought of this for breakfast. Good story!