The 50 Million Pound Blog

I HAVE BEEN SEARCH FOR ALONG FOR AGOOD BUDDY SYSTEM TOO HELP ME ALONG MY PATH GOOD LUCK TOOEACH AND EVERYONE, READY SETLET'S GO

I joined the "challenge" in April after I heard Dr. Ian on the Steve Harvey Morning Show. Coincidentally my quest to lose weight began a couple of weeks before then when I had a physical and the nurse told me I was 242 lbs. I thought omg I have to lose some of this weight. I've never been as big as I was and after the birth of my second daughter I stopped caring because my figure has always been nice, big hips and thighs to boot and I didn't mind. However, I wanted to be healthy most of all. Since then I have loss 21 lbs. I went from a 20 in some pants to a 16. I'm involved in this "change of lifestyle" plan (our nick name for dieting) with my grandmother and my aunt. We eat healthy foods and exercise daily. I can feel the difference in my mood by cutting out the simple things like fast foods. It feels great to start and continue something that positively changes me and my loved ones. My grandmother, whom we call our fitness guru has lost over 70 lbs since she started almost one year ago. Thank you Dr. Ian, State Farm, and Steve Harvey Morning Show for all that you've done and contine to do to encourage people like myself to not only lose weight but live a better life.

I join the challenge today. Hello everyone

Hi, everyone I just joined this program. 6 months ago I had a child and gained about 50 pounds during my pregnancy. My normal size was 10.I just lost about 13 pounds when i decided not to eat anymore fried foods and stick to mainly eating fruits and vegetables,but i find it difficult to lose the rest.i finally realize my weight was more serious than i thought when i began to fit into size 18 and my knees began to bother me. my self-esteem was low.It is also difficult for me to prepare meals with 3 children.(any ideas?)

good luck everyone!

It was Feb.8,2007 i I started researching diets and reading books about dieting and looked at what i had done to gain 217 lbs. I started walking 4 to 5 days a week,for a hour a day. I worked out on my ab chair every night 5 to 6 days a week.The first month i lost 12 lbs. After that i got the hang of things again and my weight started falling off. I had some help and still do now my prayers got me to where i am today.I also started drinking water which i hated to drink. Now im drinking one gallon of water a day with a appetite supressant and a multi-vitamin a day. I'm pleased to say that i now weigh 174 lbs. and still losing.My goal is to get to a healthy weight of 135 to 140. That falls in the healthy weight for my height.

To date, I have lost 35 pounds and counting. I decided that I would weigh myself once a month. My next weigh in is scheduled for the end of July.

I joined the challenged because I have been overweight my entire life. One evening as I lie in bed, I could hardly breathe. I decided that evening that I could no longer carry the weight. I'm sure all the foods from my past taste the same (good);however,I don't have a choice but to choose life.

Thank you Dr. Smith purchasing your book has helped me tremendously. Thank you. Thank you.
I hope others like myself get the message before it is too late. Let this testimony serve as your beginning. Don't forget to exercise. I have been exercising everyday. I am truly committed to change.

Until next time, be blessed.

Antoinette Wilson

hello i became a member on may 7 and i have lost as i 6-28 17 pounds i started a weight war at my job we pay 5.00 a week an for every pound we gain we pay an extra 1.00 ,so we weigh
in every monday,it dont seem like much weight lose to me but when people tell me that the see me getting snaller ,it is a big plus for me my mother is in heart disease,she is a diabetic,and she has a breathing problem,my cousin died at 22 years old from heart disease
me and my husband took her kids my whole family
has it plus i already have high blood presure
in Jesus name i will live and not die if i can control it with weight i am 5'4 223 started at 250pounds my goal is to get down to like 170lb no less i do not desire to be skinny just fit and healthy, and if any one is in forth worth
texas please email me @g0d4me1968@yahoo.com maybe we can get a group going in the dfw area
thank you Dr ian and state farm lisa

I am a 39 year old female who just joined the challenge. I have been doing hip hop abs since the end of April and watching my eating and I have lost 12 pounds and 6 inches off my waist. I am currently at 167 and want to be around 155/ 160 . I have dropped from a size 14 to a 10 and would like to maintain a healthy lifestyle as I will be hitting the big 40 real soon.

I am a 31 year old woman 5'9, and wife that has struggled with her weight for the past 8 years. Last year was a wake up call for me when I tipped the scales at 215 lbs. I was tired of being this way my weight was always fluctuating from 195 to 215lbs my heaviest weight so I had a total lifestyle and mind renewal about weight and living a healthy lifestyle. I started my own challenge Last may, I reached my goal weight of 175 in august of 2006, and lost 3 more pounds after that, I have maintained my current weight of 173 for 10 months, August will be 1 year, and I still have 9 more pounds to go! and I am doing it with the 50 million pound challenge. Sisters you can do this!!I think the 50 million pound challenge is phenomenal!! I've been telling all of my friends and co workers about this!! Don't give up my sisters!! stay motivated and dedicated and you will reach and your goals!!!

Two weeks ago I found out I have Diabetes, Since then I have changed the way I eat,and I excersice everyday. I was listening to the Steve Harvey morning show, I heard them talking about the 50 million pound challenge. It really got me motivated. I have heard so many positive information. I have lost 7 lbs. I feel good and I'M SO HAPPY. I will not give up. I wont let my sitation stop me. I don't have Diabetes, Diabetes haves me!!!

hey challenge family,

we can do this. let's make the decision to make a life style change. i don't want to lose 94 pounds and gain it right back, what a waste of time and energy.

let's fight to take the weight off and to keep it off, let's make a life style change forever. TODAY. WE CAN DO IT!!!!

Well I have been a big fan of Celebrity Fit Club and Ian Smith. I hold high respect for him. Especially after this season of the show. When I saw 50 million pound challenge I knew I had to start up with it. My family had a hard blow when my husband was diagnose with type 2 diabetes about 1 month ago. That changed everything in my life. I say that was the start of a change in my lifestyle. I hate that it took that to change the way I think about my weight but it did. I guess because I always hold myself high in looks I didnt think I needed to lose weight. But I know I do. I want to encourage everyone to keep writing comments. You never know what will help someone. I know I read a comment about the Fat Smash Diet and I am on the way to get it tomorrow and start on it! I want to thank everyone for their comments. It really helped!

I'm a 33 year old woman, wife of 3 years, 2 year cancer survivor, and mother of a 1 1/2 year old. My life has been very busy here lately. I'm going to give this weight loss thing a try! I need to do it for my health, because I want to be around for alot of years for my family. I lost 7 pounds in one month by just stepping away from the sodas. Give it a try, because it really works!

I am a 24 year old women who has dealt with weight all my life..started out as a chunky child..was slim around 8/9 years old..gained my most weight at 11/12..then i was in a car accident physically hit by a car at 13 years old and lost all my weight about 50 pounds and was 125....then i gained weight at 15 about 25/30 lbs...then lost it again at about 19/20...this time i worked out hard with taebo..and weight training and limited my eating..and i must admit that was my best weight and built at about 135 lbs...then again unfortunately gained more weight at 22years old to about 178..lost again at 23 to a ugly miss shaped 125..from lack of eating and dehydration and living a fast life...then once again at 24 i have gained substantial weight to a 165 pounder...never really realized how much of a weight rollercoaster i am on till now...i need to lose weight and keep it off...i feel as though at this age in my young womenhood i should be at my prime...i have some menstraul problems that affect my weight..told to me by my doctor..but when i do put my effort in which i have seen in the past i can look sexy and amazing....my goal for now is to reach back to a healthy 135lbs....i am exactly five feet tall...and i should be about a 125....i have experienced this and not too happy about that weight...but i will be getting that 135lbs...my taebo works miracles..i purchased a bike to help me also...and i find myself losing the weight mainly when i still basically eat what i want but in a minimum..but i cut out sodas and sweet cakes.. (mmmmm)...please wish me luck....and pray for me...as i try to be what i want to be...and where i should be....

Lee7 I am in St. Louis too and I would like to get involved with the event. Please let me know if you find additional information. Thanks!

I have just started the program this Sunday. My husband and I have just had a baby in November and WE are trying to lose OUR baby weight :) We have done Dr. Ian's Fat Smash Diet but got off track and now we are trying to eat healthy again. So far I have only lost 3lbs but I am very excited. So far we have just been watching what we eat like cutting down or out sweet and salty snacks, eating tons of veggies and fruit, and trying to avoid eating bread and cheese, and only a diet soda maybe 2 a week. Wish us luck! Good luck to you all!!!!

I started a diet and exercise plan with a doctor on Feb. 8th. when I started I weighed in at 254lbs. The doctor told me I was a candidate for high blood pressure and diabetes if I continued on this track. At 23 years this scared me so i gave up soda, cut back on carbs, started to exercise and drink more water and as of today June 27th I have lost 32 pounds and I now weigh 222. My goal is is to lose 86 pounds total. I have 54 more pounds to go before i hit my goal of 168. Good Luck to Everybody.

i need help with consistency and overeating. anything that is a carb tempts me to overindulge.

Hey, I am currently on a casual diet; where I do not eliminate lots of cardohydrates out of my diet. Instead I prefer to focus on small meals and lots of vegetables and fruits. Of course I have encouraged myself to exercise on as a daily habit and with in a week I have lots three pounds I am happy and I will not stop.

HI, Im a 36 year old female who has been struggling with my weight over the years. I'm always starting a diet then stopping. Well I was at my daughter's open house this pass saturday, and I took a look around at the family and I was the biggest female there, at that moment I decided I no longer wanted to be the fat girl in the family. So I knew I had to do something about it and I started to eat right. I haven't started excersing yet, but after watching THE MAIN EVENT ON BET and seeing the 50 million pound weight loss challenge I decided to join and my goal is to lose 50 pounds. To all my people struggling, remember all things are possible through GOD who strengthen us. GOOD LUCK!

Hello fellow challengers:

Today I signed up for the challenge. Three years ago I weighted 230LBS. I got serious lost 65LBs went from a size 22 to a 10. Three years laterI quit smoking and gained the 65+ lbs back!!!! I know I am ready MENTALLY to lose the weight for good. For me it has to start in the mind and the body will follow. I have been working out for an hour a day on the treadmill. MY only pep peeve is now as in the past is sweating out my hair!!!!!!! But I am hyped and excited. Stay tuned good luck everybody! Lets do it for our love ones

I started fat smash 2 days ago and am trying my best to give it my all. I eat my breakfast in the mornin and snack on fruit all day with yogurt for lunch. But I am still sooo hungry during the day. No amount of fruit is filling me up. What should I do

Well I started back losing weight on March 25, 2007. I dont know what made me want lose the weight but I think it was the way I started viewing myself. I started out just doing Taebo and lost about 7 pounds. Then back in April I started Weight Watchers and then thats when I seen a change in my weight drastically. By doing both Taebo and WW, my eating was finally in check. Back in March I weighed 291, now I weigh 270, a 21 pound weight lost. My clothes are starting to become lose, along with my new attitude on life. Back in May is when I joined the 50 million pound challenge. My short term goal is to get down to 256, which will mean I have lost about 10% of my body weight since joining weight watchers. I think the best thing for alot people, including me, is to set mini goals and go from there. The small accomplishments are what is going to push u to keep going...GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL....
SHAWNDA

Well, I have struggled with my weight my entire life, even though I was a very active teen. When I was young, video games still weren't the craze they are now and my brothers and I were always outdoors getting into trouble. I swam for hours everyday, jumped on the trampoline, ran, biked, I was even involved in organized sports at school. When I was 9 I remember weighing 120 lbs and I gained 20 lbs every year for three years and. My weight peaked at over 180 when I was only 12 years old and about 5'5". I had always been big and didn't know why, my mom told me to wait and my body would regulate itself. With the onset of puberty 20 lbs melted off and I was 13, 5'6" and 160 lbs.
My weight yo-yoed out of control after this. Without trying, I would lose 10 lbs in a week or gain 10 lbs in a week. I actually started calling it "the curse of the 10 pounds." It was horrible. I remember I had a pair of jeans that I used to put in the dryer so they would shrink and be more fitting. Monday, I wore the jeans. By Friday, they wouldn't even come past my thighs, I had gained 10 lbs!! My weight continued to yo-yo until I met my husband. The week I met him I weighed 167. 7 days later, i weighed myself and I weighed 157. My whole life all I ever wanted was to step onto one of those metal tall, manual scales and not have to move the bottom ticker to the 150 mark to weigh myself.
It was always so embarrassing at the doctors office. They would start with the ticker on the 100 lb mark and move it up all the way to the 50 on the top, then realize that it wasn't enough weight, then they would have to adjust and say "but you don't look that heavy": thanks.
Anyway, he was a great guy, attractive, bright, funny, and I decided that I wanted to look great for him (he never pressured me to lose weight, he liked my size). So, I ran every other day, walked in-between, did some sit-up's and push-ups every day, and I also cut out all sweets and lost 1 lb per week for 8 weeks at reached my goal!!
I lost another 2 and was solid at 147. I felt great! However, I don't understand how some older people tell me "It must be so easy for you to lose weight" The easy part for me has always been gaining and never losing. I maintained 147 for about 9 months, and gained 5 in the last 3 months. So, I started again. More determined then ever. I enlisted the help of some books. My saviour was "The Way to Eat" it is a WONDERFUL book and kept me motivated. I worked out like a fanatic and really watched what I ate for one month and was able to get down to my lowest ever: 142. I was stoked. Again, I maintained that for about 9 months, then I went back on birth control and gained about 5 lbs in 2 months, right before my wedding. I was bloated and round and unhappy.
Since I am 5'7" I have read that the IDEAL weight is actually aruond 135 for someone of my height so that is my new goal. I would like to be 130 however, since i seem to have an easy time putting weight back on.
I read some of the other blogs and i agree with the "slow and steady" mentality. If I could lose 1 lb per week for 14 weeks I would be so excited. I have been on it now for 4 days and lost 3 lbs. Mainly water I believe. I have been riding my bike, eating around 1000-1200 calories per day, jogging and walking. My secret to success is definitely my husband. He is so wonderful and sweet to me. I feel like I want to be around forever. I don't want to leave this world early because I couldn't resist a bag of chips. I want every moment with him to be fun and active and wonderful. It also is nice being able to shop for smaller sizes in some cute outfits. I like to look nice for him and I want to be healthy for him as well. Also, I think about when we have children, I want to be able to be a positive, healthy role model to my children and show them how to live and eat healthfully and happily.
Good luck to everyone who is trying to lose weight. I think it builds character. Some might want to lose 100 lbs or just 5 lbs. Every little bit helps. Not everyone's body is the same and not every needs to lose the same amount of weight or weigh the same for their lifestyle demands. Some people tell me that my goal is too low, my BMI is healthy at that weigth and I also know that at my current weight, my clothes don't fit and I feel sluggish and unattractive. I think a goal, as long as it is in within a healthy BMI range, is all about personal preference.

Hey everybody, I'm so excited about being on this weight loss journey. I am a 34 year old mother of 4, I started out weighing 220 at 5'4 and am now down to 212 since two weeks ago. My biggest motivation is my 35th birthday, and my daughter who is 12 and weighs 203 pounds. I decided that I would set a goal to lose 35lbs by 35years. My daughter and I are currently members of the Hope and Healing Center in Memphis and we go to the aerobics classes every M-W-F-S and walk to and from her camp daily which gives her 30min and me 1hr. I have started making better food choices, but don't deprive us of the things we want, just do it in moderation. I work at my desk all night so when I get bored I try to walk or nibble on ice or fruit. I also learned that if you take your current weight add a 0 and subtract 500 from that, you come up with the amount of calories you should consume daily eg;(2200-500=1700cals), which has been a good tool to aid in keeping track of calories. Keep in mind though women should never eat less than 1500 cals and men no less than 1200. Oh to help you get moving Yvoneai, just tell yourself, "If I can't give myself 30 min a day then something is definately wrong, schedule it in your day just like any other appt., and stick to it. Remember this is an up hill journey and we all got to start somewhere. I used to laugh at people who ordered a big mac and a diet coke, but guess what they have 270 cals they saved in that meal by not drinking a regular coke. Keep in mind,its the little things that we don't think about that make the world of difference, cutting something is better than cutting nothing at all. Another good tip is to get a buddy and learn a scripture every week, then quote that scripture every time you weigh yourselves (this way you'll be getting full off of spiritual food, because you'll be eating the word of God which we all know is the "BREAD of Life". Good luck everybody, and hang in there. Like my best friend always says, " If you mess up, as long as you've got breath in your body, you can always pick yourself up from where you are and start again, you don't have to give up cave in and quit just because you ate some cake, for Gods sake just don't eat any tomorrow!" Take care and God bless, next weigh in is July 9, 2007....we'll keep you posted on our progress. Chow

I can do all things with the help of the Lord who is the head of my life and in him alone will i depend,i to use the fiber 35,i also use the alli,and i have both of Dr.ian books my kids and husband eat the same healthy food i
eat that helps and i clean for 5 hours a day
thats a work out in itself i need to start back walking and i only it out so that i keep up with how many calories and fat grams in everything i eat,and you only can have 15grams of fat per meal with alli anyway i join may 7 and have lost like 15 pounds and i wii keep it up my parents are sick and i dont want to follow in there footsteps,i start off like 242 and now i am 227 i dont want to be skinny but iam 5'4 and i like being around 165lb and i will drank to big glass of water befor i eat and i always eat my meat last so if i get full it will be off of veggies,bread sweats can do with out them i might eat bread twice a month and i havent had pork in about 18 years and have cut out beef,just sea food turkey,fish chicken breast for me,may God help us all with a new way of life so that we may be fit to serve him.how can we go out and tell the God news of Jesus if we are tired and cant breathe,we are to serve with are whole body and heart and soul ,anyone in forth texas

Well... I have been fighting my weight for the longest. I am only 21 so I guess fighting early is a good thing. But I was weighing 245 pounds in the 9th grade and was only about 5'2, 5'3. I lost weight down to 220 when I turned 16 by only eating protein. Then there was the fat flush diet when I turned 17 and I went down to 160 pounds, which was beautiful. But then when I went through a few boyfriends between 18 and now, I gained back up to 217 pounds and grew a few inches to 5'4. I tried juice fasting and that was too hard, then I tried some other things and the weight just stayed. I'm a nibbler, so dieting is tuff, but I found out that eating only raw foods and drinking plenty of water really works for me. It works because I can keep on nibbling and snaking and not have to worry about calories. Plus it keeps my emotional eating in check. Even though I have only been committing to raw foods for like a week and a half, I have more energy to work out, feel way better throughout my day, and my weight dropped 5 pounds already since my last weigh in. Plus I work out twice a day, but I think I found what does for me and my age.

Where do you start? I am motivated to lose, but not to move. I know that sounds crazy, but it is the truth.

Somebody help me!

i'm new at this myself...the thing that helps me control cravings is gum, crystal light, and sugar free creme savors...they taste just like the real creme savors...

Hello Fellow challengers!!!

I am so excited about this Fat Smash Plan it is just what I need to knock off my last half of pounds. I just completed the first week and lost 4-5 pounds it is so great and I experienced more energy than I've had in a long time.
In January 2006 I weighed 240 pounds and climbing. I joined weight watchers and lost 43 pounds still quite a journey a ways from my goal weight of 135... I became a little bored with the whole weight watchers flex plan(not to mention the $12 offering)and hit a stumbling block with my weight flucutating between 207 - 197. I needed a new healthy eating plan I just couldn't see myself counting points for the rest of my life.....And thank God I found Dr. Ian 's Fat Smash Diet it is just perfect for me!!! It is so simple and I am totally a fan of the simple things in life.
The fuel that keeps me perserving over the mountains and through the valleys is knowing that I'm not alone when I am weak I can draw on the strengh of God, family, & friends but the main thing is me realizing that giving up on a healthier ME is NOT AN OPTION!!! It is time for us to take care of our bodies on the inside just as well as we do from the outside!!! I wish the best for everyone!

I am just signing on to the challenge today. I have been on the Weight Watchers' Flex Program for the past 6 months and have lost 40 pounds. I still have another 60 pounds to go, but it is going well. I am joining this challenge to keep myself motivated. I am also wanting to set a better example for my daughter. I want her see me as a healthy African American woman.

FIRST DAY

Today is my first with a serious plan. I've never really tried to lose weight . . .Always said that I was going to but never seriously put my mind to it and gave it much effort. Today is the start of a new me and a new attitude!

I am a 33 year old female with some heart related issues. I suffer from TGA a birth disorder. Have you every seen the move "Something the Lord made" with Mos Def? Well anyway, last year I required the aid of a stent and pacemaker but God is good for I am doing fine now and married the man of my dreams. My husband and I will celebrate our 1st anniversary next month. He is a Marine and is in good shape! We received approval from my doctors several months ago that I could workout. I've tried dieting several times and even two weeks of working out. But I can never seem to keep it up.

So, today is a new day and a new attitude. I am beginning a workout plan that my husband has designed for me today.
This morning I weighed my self and took my body measurements. . . . Of course I woke up too late to workout so, I'll workout this evening. Our plan is to weigh in monthly.

The hardest part for me is going to be eating right. My hobby is cake decorating and baking! So, you know this is going to be really hard for me. I made peach cobbler last night hoping that would satify me for the next 30 days.

I'll let you all know how my workout goes this evening and if I get up early enough in the morning.

If anyone can provide me with some recipes I would greatly appreciate it. According to my husband abs our 90% what you eat.

Help!!

Hello!

I signed up for the challenge June 9th and I'm down 10 pounds. I feel like i've put my body through so many failed diet attempts over the past 4 years, and I hope that making this lifestyle change is finally the right solution. One major key to my success, this time around, is to take things easy and just try to get through one day at a time. In the past, I was constantly counting (minutes on treadmill, calories in food, days on a diet) and now I just remind my self that this is my life and there is no need to rush.

Hopefully I will become the healthy, athletic person that I used to be.

Good luck, everyone!

Stuck in a rut that won't budge no matter what!

How do you fit in any kind of workout plan if your job
is a desk type job and even though you move about in
the day, you really don't get to move that much. At
lunch time eat only salads and fruits, lots of water
but it almost seems as if I am gaining contiually and
not losing. I am a 40 year old woman who once was very used
to working out about 5 years ago, now no matter what I
do, I can not seem to get it to come off unless I
don't eat at all for about 2 days which I know is
horrible for your body. I have had five children and seems like no matter how many situps or stomach exercises I do, that belly fat will not move even though it is hard underneath! I am gaining weight and it is not muscle, cellulite is NOT my friend right now! What can I do to get my body
to step it up without using pills or supplements etc?
Also I am very very tired and very thirsty all the
time it seems lately, any suggesstions directly for
me?

In the past I've lost 70lbs but gained some of it back. I was going to the gym 7 days a week for 1hr and 30 mins. I was dedicated and committed totally. The thing is I got bored with it and quit. With my body type I know I'll have to work out for the rest of my life, not like its a bad thing but now after certain events occured in my life I'm totally committed again. This time I know I'm not going to quit, I've been working out for 40mins, since May 23, 2007. I go to the doctor June 29, 2007 to get a check up and I'll report back to tell how much weight I've lost. Since June 24, 2007, I've risen the bar for myself and worked out for an hour. I'm proud of myself so far, but I know I have ways to go. Good luck to all thats getting in shape and getting healthy.

On most weeks, I work out at least 5 days a week. But I think the real keys to my success are drinking mainly water, eating fruit every day for breakfast, and making sure I have a green vegetable with my lunch and dinner.

I do stray every now and then, but having something other than water to drink or not working out 5 days is the exception, not the norm.

I would say that if it seems overwhelming, start with one thing and then incorporate others as you conquer each goal. For instance, start with only water. After you achieve that for 3 weeks, incorporate another thing.

My goal is to change my life, not just lose the weight and thus far my lasting success has come through the changes that I plan to maintain for the rest of my life.

One more thing, when I eat - I eat until I'm no longer hungry, not until I'm full.

I had been watching what I eat and exercising for the last 2 years and had lost about 25 lbs. I still have about 5-7 lbs to go. That may seem like a small number; but I've been trying to lose that 5-7 lbs for about 9 months. I have lost my motivation. I signed up on Dr. Ian's program three weeks ago. I've only lost 2 lbs. It's my fault. I wasn't giving it my all. After reading your comments, I'm motivated to really follow through on losing weight.

i'm just getting started,i have my wife to help me stay motivated,hope i succeed!

I read and enjoyed the posts. I have just lost about 60 lbs. in a year(almost half of what I plan to lose) using SparkPeople.com. It is totally free and has everything you need to get healthy--articles on nutrition, fitness, motivation and wellness plus food and exercise trackers, recipes, message boards and a lot more. I hope you'll check it out.

It is best to lose 1-2 pounds a week in a healthy manner. Making small changes that you continue will help keep you from the cycle of yo-yo weight loss/weight gain. It is also important to take measurements because the scale doesn't give the whole story and I read some comments that show you can be doing good and the scale isn't showing it. Muscle weighs more than fat so if you are building muscle the scale won't show that you have lost but the tape measure will! And don't worry because muscle burn more calories than fat so the scale will start showing a loss but the measurements will show your true success. Good luck and God bless each of you.

i started on my own because i really didn't have any one to work out with. most of my family members are over weight and my mom past 2yrs. ago of dm-2/htn/obesity and i have 3kids and i just want to be around for them and break the family cycle of being overweight. i keep my self movtivated by telling my self my body is a tempo and that it was not meant to be overweight and if i don't love myself who will so i must keep that in mind love your self enough to stay healthy and live a long life. here's a tip i also use a super dieter's tea it helps it gives you that cleansing and that extra push look it up on google.

Hi everyone,
I am a 5"10, single 27 year old mother of 4 kids. During my last pregnancy I became ill with congestive Heart failure and was always skinny no matter what I ate. Thank the lord I made it through and ended up weiging 230 pounds almost 4 years ago. I started on a diet and exercise program and dropped 60 pounds really fast. Then I became lazy again and ended going back up to 190. I started this plan on 4/5/07 and now weigh 156. I am a size 8 and still not happy with myself yet. So I am going to push forward in hopes that I will soon be 145 pounds (my goal). I just have the problem of working out and looking in the mirror praying that I will look like my old self overnight.
Well good luck to all of you, Its hard but once you start seeing the results you will feal so much better about yourself and your life.
I also realize how contagious weight loss is, I have talked to my family and friends. Now my mother is on a diet, my sister who is shorter than I (we always compete) and I just made a new friend in the neighborhood who is jummping on board. I love to eat especially when Im bored or just at home now I spend alot of my time outside "away from the fridge". lol

Hello ALL....The one strategy I have found that truly works is not giving up. I started exercising last January in '06. Incorporated a new way of purchasing, preparing and consuming foods. All of which benefitted me tremendously, although I have a tendency to fall off the track, I still am able to bounce back on again. It's much like the bible when it reads: "A just man falls seven times and sevens times he gets back up and back in place" The good thing is I have not put back on the weight I had lost. We all must bare in mind that losing weight is part of healthy living and healthy living is a way of life. You'll go through many obstacles, hurdles and plateaus just stay with it and stay in contact with people that have the same mindset. Now, the only thing that I know truly works is getting more fiber in your diet, one item to try is the Fit35Fiber product line, you will find it at better/natural health food stores, but if you can by all means increase your intake of fresh fruits and raw veggies (w/o the dips). Getting as much fiber in your diet really assists w/ cravings and feeling hungry.
ADW

I have just signed on to this challenge. i have been healthy now for over three years. I commit myself to running regularly as well as eating right. I am up for eany challenge. I cannot wait for the results/ All I need is 25 more pounds adding to the 42 pounds pounds that i have lost thust far. I have lost these pounds using only my will. It has taken me three long years slowily. I know that I can keep it off. Good luck every one.

What can I say, I am here again on the weight loss path. Dr. Ian Smith's book, "Fat Smash diet" is actually VERY good, it's a great lifestyle change and not just a quick fix. I went through the first 9 days called detox a few months back and i swear to you, my clothes fit better in those nine days and i had lost 6-7 pounds. I lost weight for my wedding in 2004, gained it back on my honeymoon and then some, had a baby a year later, only gained 15 pounds throughout my whole pregnancy. My son is now 15 months and i have about 30 pounds heavier than i was when i got married. Mind you, within 2 months after my son was born, I had lost the 15 pounds i gained during pregnancy, so where did this extra weight come from???? It's easier to eat junk food, than it is to eat healthy.

This time I plan to do a few things differently:

1. start a journal or continue to write and read this blog for support and to lend my support where I can.

2. i will not tell anyone i am on a diet or anything...i need to do this for me and my health

3. take time to prepare the right types of food

And, there's more, but this is my first entry and the first step in saying, I want to be a part of the 50 million pund weight lose group :0)

I have learned that the best way for me to lose weight and keep the weight off if to eat proportions that are "just enough." I used to eat so much and over stuff myself because the food was soo... good! But, eat the right portions, drink water, fruits, vegetables and exercise at least 5/7 days a week.

I lost 161 pounds i feel great now

I am presently undergoing a full and complete body cleansing using "The Master Cleanser" by Stanley Burroughs. This program releases all the toxins within the body. I have cleansed in the past (March '06) and found this program to be very effective. It requires total discipline, determination, and dedication. The results have been stagggering. I lost 13 pounds in 15 days and lowered my total cholesterol from 177 to 137. Lowered my bad cholesterol (LCL) from 127 to 89. Good cholesterol (HDL)went from 39 to 36, optimum is 40 or higher...I need work there! My blood pressure went from 120/80 to 113/72. I worked out 5 days a week while following the program. Cardiovascular exercises minimum 40 minutes daily utilizing an elliptical machine, stationary bike and treadmill on alternating days. Resistance training (weights) 25 minutes per day working different muscle groups everyday. My energy level went through the roof while eating NO food, just consuming the lemonade as directed on the program. My recommendation is to research the program, get an undersatnding of "The Master Cleanser". Google it! Experience an amazing difference in the way you feel and think. Your body will respond to discipline and determination. I will lose 13 more pounds in the same timeframe while exercsing in the same manner. I am on day 7 down 5 pounds.

I've learned to be patient as it concerns weigt loss, slow and steady wins the race. Initially when I would diet and exercise and wouldn't lose the weight I desired in the time frame I'd given myself, I would soon feel discouraged, but not anymore. I will continue until I get to my desired weight. I have only lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks however it's a loss and not a 4 pound gain (thank God). I continue to work on the foods I eat until I can completely wean out the bad foods and I wake up 5 mornings a weeks at 4:15 am and work out for 1.5 hours ( cardio dance and walking DVD's)With small changes in my diet and exercise that I committed to Jan 1st I've lost 24 pounds since the beginning of the year.

For many years I have struggled to lose weight, even though I'm very tall, but during all my weight gain I now have high blood pressure. I got tired of the yo-yo effect. So this time before I started, I prayed to God and told him I could not do this by myself; I need your help to keep me going. After several days of praying, I started reading about the great benefits of losing weight. Then I gradually started my program watching my portions and excercising daily. This paid off big time for me since May 9, 2007 to June 22, 2007 I have lost 17lbs. I will continue in prayer, excercise, and eating right. God is my Key to Success. Let him be your trainer. My blood pressure is now at a Normal level.

I don't know what else to do or am I on track. I started working out about an hour a day. I checked my weight June 8 and again today June 22. I have only lost 3 lbs in two weeks. My clothes are fitting much bigger but the weight loss is not what I expected. What is the average weight loss you should have every week?

The key to my success is my determination to succeed. I have not only changed my choice of foods and incorporated more exercise in my life, but I have great support team in my children and mother.
So I encourage everyone that I meet to do their best to be in the best health they can be in, because everyone wasn't created to wear a size 6 or 10.
If you've started on this journey to a better lifestyle, don't give up when it seems that nothing's happening. Just continue to do (better eating/exercise), be consistent and persistent. It will pay off and in the end not only will you benefit, but your family and friends will too.

Caryl42

Today I am committing myself to becoming more healthy and active. I've made this promise before but in this place and at this time the difference is that I now realize that I am overweight. I don't know how I could do this but I look in the mirror everyday but continued to see the me that I was in high school. In high school I was active and I was fit. In some cases I can still fit some of the clothes I wore in high school yet I'm 80 pounds heavier. I no longer wish to be this heavy and have also come to realize that I'm using food to hide me. I'm running away from my power and hiding my inner and outer beauty from the world afraid to spread my wings and fly. Well, I'm tired of hiding. I want to fly. I want to be the best me I can be and be a help myself and those in community. I recently found out that I have a severe milk and diary allergy and this is important because my diet of the past five years has been overwhelmed with these foods. I now have to learn how to eat and my goal is to burn at least 3600 calories a week. I want to lose 65 pounds. I have been trying for four years now. I'm really looking forward to seeing if blogging, sharing and exchanging my experiences with others will better help me. I am also committing myself to eating breakfast every morning which I don't do. I love cereal and wish I could eat it but I can't so I will develop a love for waking up early to make my morning smoothie and oatmeal. I look forward to talking everyone. Have a wonderful evening!

Well,

I am excited about a more fit and energetic body. Right now the weight loss is coming along slowly. It has been two months since I I have basically given up bread, potatoes and white rice. In addition I joined a fitness group that trains for marathons. I have been out with them running twice. Tomorrow we start training on hills. I am excited about the idea of running a marathon. I am exercising a biblical truth. As a man thinketh so is he. So I think I can complete this goal. Thanks for the support and keep your eyes on the prize.

I am on the Weight Watchers Flex plan. This is my third and final time on the plan and I am loving it. It's my second week and I've never done this good. My whole mindset has changed once I walked into my first meeting. I don't think of it as a diet, I think of it as a change to my behavior. I'm drinking 6 glasses of water, eating my fruits and veggies, grains and protein. It sounds like a lot of work because it is! I'm worth it though. If you think of all the food you HAVE to eat (what I said earlier), there is hardly time to think of your old foods. Plus, I don't deprive myself of my favorite foods, I just have a smaller amount. Good luck to all of you in the fight!

Help!!! I have gained weight instead of losing. I am walking more and strength training. I feel better and look more muscular, I seem to be eating more and not losing weight.

I live in St. Louis and would like to help out with a community event. How do I find other challengers? Lee7

Hi! I am on a wonderful, yet scary new journey in my life. I know that I need to lose the weight. Not just for myself, but for my daughters. You see, my husband of 15 years died one year ago this month from cancer. He was only 33 years old and I am all my girls have. I want to be able to be the young mom that I feel inside and I want my body to go with my young energetic mind. It's scary because I don't have my best friend to cheer me on, but you know what? I will cheer myself on! My daughters will also be in my corner, and to top it off I have the Lord to keep me going. So I'm praying for all of you who are endeavoring on this journey as well. For the first time, I cannot wait to be called a "Loser!"