The 50 Million Pound Blog

Dr Smith, i am 50 years old and i really need to lose weight. I had a hysterectomy about 1 year ago and besides gaining weight, i don't sleep, i don't know if it is stress or what. i have a history of cancer in my family and i refuse to use the hormone patches. my hot flashes are pretty much gone but the 50 pounds are still there. what can i do. i stopped drinking sodas, slowed down alot on fried foods. i am stuck

My 5 yrs granddaugther has always been a normal weight for are age and size. She started school in September and to date she has gain so much weight. Lhara is growing out of her clothes with in weeks. she is not that type of child that sits in front of a TV she runs jumps and love to play outside when I bring her to the playground she never wants to go home and doesnt stop while there. when at home she is always doing something playing house or dressing up. Lhara just turned 5yrs in May and is 71 pounds we have taken her to the doctor who just say lets watch her...I am thinking we are watching and something bad may happen before something is done.

Lhare is not a big candy eater a little icecream once in a while..

because this weight has come on so fast and so much in a short time frame with no family changes Could this weight gain be a medical reason not a lazy child who eats to much reason. please help us

Hello Dr Smith

I weight 371 pd and I am a diabetic and have high blood pressure. I am 5"10 1/2 tall. I am being considered for weight loss surgery,but I am really scared going under the knife. I have tried so many times to lose it by myself,but It's really difficult for me. I am very desperate for your help or advice if you can give me some.

Dear Dr. Ian my name is alexandra im 25 years old and i weight 219 pounds something that im not proud of at all i always say i will always be a size 8 and keep it that way but some how down the road everything came crashing at me lost my grandmother, a year after my cousin and a year and 2 months i lost another cousin both were sisters and its been so hard dealing with it i turn to food sometimes i know im not hungry but eat anyways cause i feel that, thats the only thing that makes me happy i have a boyfriend that i been with for 8 years and god bless him he loves me with every breath in his boddy but all i do is push him away cause of the way i look , i wont go out with him cause i feel that all eyes on me cause his fit and im all out of shape , i really need your help cause the last time i went to the doctor he told me if i dont fix my weight im going to have high blood preassure and thats the scariest thing for me right now my father died from that and so is my grandmother it runs in both side of the family . I was surppose to get maried this december but there is no way im walking down the church with 219 pound so i cancel everyhing so i really need your help doctor ian thank you and god bless.

Sincerly, Alexandra from miami florida

HI. Dr. Ian my name is Charlene a housewife and mother of five beautiful kids.I have tried every diet you can think of to help shed pounds.My husband tells me all the time that I am not fat (god bless him),but I am.I'm tweenty four years young by the face and forty years old by the waist.I know you get letters like this one all the time but,I could really use your help.I have very big arms the size a newborn and legs with unattractive cellulite.I truely not happy with my weight and it's bringing me and others around me down.I watched a couple of weeks own the Tyra Banks show,you really did your thing with those two women.I Wish I could be made over,up,down and sideways like those ladies.Love always, Desprately skinny.

Dear Dr. Ian Smith,

My name is Caprice Hayes and I am interested in this weight loss challenge because after having three children and birth control, I have become overweight. I exercise and try to eat right but the weight does not seem to go away. When I was younger, I weighed 110 pounds. My clothes fit, and I was very energetic. But now, my weight has doubled and it is very uncomfortable. I’m not as energetic as I used to be and that makes it hard to play with my grandchildren without me running out of breath I’m ready to live my life in a different way and my first step is to lose weight but I need help. I’ve tried for over a year with the help of my loving husband but now it seems my weight is at a plateau. Do you have any suggestions to help me jump start my metabolism? Thank you for taking the time out to read and help me with my problem.

Sincerely,
Caprice Hayes
.

Hello, my name is Eulanda and im a 37yr old single mother of 4, suffering with high blood pressure, severe migranes and im a diabetic and im also considered over weight for my frame. Although I have tried everything, without success, im desperate because I am all my children have and I would like to be here for them, the father is absent from thier lives in all aspects of it. I seriously need help because no matter what I do, eat right exercise, nothing helps, I continusly gain weight and unless I can lose weihgt and control my health issues, im afraid I will not be around for them and they have suffered enough loss in thier short lives. Please help!

I was listening to Tom Joyner, I heard Dr. Ian announce Fit Club for everyday people is casting and I wanted to apply.

I am 27 year old single mother. I have a six year old and a 9 week old baby boy. After losing 35 pounds at the begining of my pregnancy, I managed to pack it all back on maxing out at 241 pounds. I must say that I consider myself confident, "wonderfully and fearfully made", but the changes in my body are affecting me. Coming from being the model type to my current weight has taken its toll on me mentally. I was once very active and fit and now I find myself constantly suffering from knee and back problems. I just want to fade into the background, not wanting to be seen or heard. I have tried diets, and I am afraid of excercise! I am afraid to fail at it. I need help adjusting my life style, so that I be here for my children.I would love the opporunity to do things the right way, and change my life for the better. I am at the lowest point in my life, and I need a breakthrough.

Thanks,
Melodic79

Aloha Dr Ian, just want to let you know that you are very much invited to bring the challenge to Hawaii. Please don't forget about us! keep up the good work.

Mahalo,

Lennette

Dr.Ian,I need help badly i'm not happy with myself.I'm 38yrs.old with 2 daugthers,I'm 240lbs.I would like to be 170-180lbs.I'm here in Louisiana,will you every be coming soon?Please if it's possible for you to email me I need help on this problem.

Dear Dr. Smith-
I am excited to write to you about the 50 million pound challenge
to America. Like so many other people, I seem to have struggled with my
weight most of my life. I enjoy exercising and I don't frown on
healthy foods. So what is my problem? I'm still trying to figure it out.
In my childhood/teen years, I enjoyed sports. No matter what it
was, you could count me in (I even won Sportsman of the Year in 8th
grade!). For the past few years, I've been telling myself that because I was
so active in my younger days, that my body adjusts to exercise really
fast so if I don't do something extreme, then my body doesn't respond.
I'm 37 yrs old now and I think that excuse is getting really old.
There is also that (as of today still undisputed) myth that a woman
cannot lose the belly that accompanies a caesarean birth. I want to
dispel that myth and prove to myself and others, it can be done without
surgery-I hope.
Thank you so much for reading my story, and thank you for doing a
show to help the everyday person. I hope I will be chosen to be a part
of the show. (By the way, the link to email you the story doesn't work)

Almost Desperate,

Heather

Dr. Ian, just wanted to share that I just completed Phase 1 of The Fat Smash Diet and lost 8.2 lbs. I am starting Phase 2 today!! I tracked my weight loss as well to be added to the 50 million challenge. I find The Fat Smash enjoyable. Is there a website where you can get answers to some questions?.. The book is very detailed but some things can be left to read between the lines and a cheater will read it the wrong way, so I just wanted to know if there was a place to get some clarifications.

Hello Dr. Ian, I currently watched your show on t.v. and everything you say is right on point. I just wanted to tell you a little about me and my struggle with weight currently. Well I am a mother of two boys and I just had a baby a year ago, the weight the first time was so easy to drop because I was active and I also played sports in college and also in high school, my body fat was like 7%, it was crazy and now it has jumped to about 30% which is so horrible. I also do not have the motivation to work out like I did because it used to be so intense that now I don't care for it. I also was in the Army so I know what a good work out is like. But I just wanted to ask you what is a good motivator and what are the best exercises to do in a small amount of time? Well thanks for reading my story and I can't wait to hear from you.

Thanks
Marie

Dr. Ian -- I have always been obese and I come from a culture that celebrates curveous women. I am an African living in America. I need to loose weight because its taking a toll on me mentally and physically and it would be an example to the continent that obesity it not HEALTHY. I need to look FLY too.

Hello Dr. Ian My name is Karen Davis I am 51yrs old. When I first sgined up for the challenge I was 232 now I am 242, I didn't do anything I couldn' get focus I was going through follow up treatment do to my cancer I am a 1 yr survivor as of May 15,2007 this is my second time I was a 8yr survivor the first time, I had some more surgery on April the 15th. I've been healing. On July 9th I start the challenge I've been walking everyday eating very good, so I've been feeling good about everything. You guys should do a series instead of celebrity fitness do one with common folks like me. Thanks Dr Ian.

Karen Davis

Dear Dr. Ian my name is Katrina. I started your 50 million club back in April. I am glad to say that I have lost 27lbs. I started this program because I almost died from a asthma attack. The funny thing is I didn't even know I had it. I had noticed that since I had gained weight that I had gall stones, and now asthma. Since I started eating right and exercising I haven't had any problems with my stomach nor have I had another asthma attack. I have watched celerbity fit club since the beginning and I am so impressed with your techniques. I would like to thank you on behalf of myself and all the people that you have inspired to lose weight. This is a life changing situation that can be tackled. Thank you for caring. I plan on keep this change for the rest of my life.

Hello Dr Ian, I was trying to email you my story to be on the "everyday-people fit club" after listening to you on Tom Joyner yesterday morning. However, everytime I try to email you from your website my email gets returned citing an unknown host so hopefully, you'll read these posts and consider them for entry.

Thanx!
Shikena Jones
Columbus, OH

Dear,Doctor Smith

My name is Erika an I am a 25 year old Single mother of a two year old boy. I lost his father when I was six months pregnant and it was really hard on me and all I did was ate and I gained 85pounds during my pregnancy. I am all my son has left and I am afraid if I dont get my weight under control he wont have me either. I already have health problem coming from my weight and I am not even 30 yet. Please help me....

I heard your announcement on the Tom Joyner Morning Show yesterday. Magic 102 FM. I lived thru 2 trouble years of chemotherapy follow-up by surgery & radiation therapy. The chemo, radiation and surgery left me with lymphedema which effects my weight gain. I perform autopsies for a living, working with the dead everyday is a constant reminder of my cancer orderal. Give me a chance to see beyond the dead and loss my excess weight.

PS. I'm ready for the live challenge.

Let Today be Your Monday

I've heard many people say, "I want to lose weight, but I'll start fresh on Monday." Oftentimes, that Monday never seems to come. When I first heard about the challenge, I was excited. I went straight to my State Farm agent and got a starter kit. I read Dr. Ian's Fat Smash Diet, and made a trip to the grocery to store to stock up.

Somewhere along the line though, I lost steam...Okay, I flat out stalled. When I heard Dr. Smith encouraging challengers to come back to the site, I knew he was talking to me. I joined the 50 Million Pound Challenge April 15th, and have not been doing as I should. At this point, although I am ashamed to say, I have a loss of one pound.

And so, on this day I am putting myself on blast. I have returned to the site, and logged my weight. Today may be Friday, but to me, it's my Monday. When is your Monday going to come?

Be inspired, be healthy, be your best!

Hi Dr. Ian I heard you on the Tom Joyner show on 7-12-07. I would like to be apart of your fit club to lose weight. I would have sent you my message earlier but this mailbox was full. So this was the time I could get through. Please pick me, I will not disappoint you.

Good evening,
My name is Denitry Green and I finally became motivated for myself. Let me first mention that after hearing you this morning on the Tom Joyner Morning Show advertise for the 50 Million Plus and the New Celebrity Fit something came over me. Now to answer the question why I would want to be on your show; my heart is crying on the inside and me on the outside. As a former athlete and active person I now am considered what most might call a couch potato. From running miles a day to aggressive basketball playing I now find it difficult to walk up one flight of steps.

After the birth of my son in 2000 it seemed as though all my activity stopped and it should have been the opposite. Now my son is in an age where he wants to run, play, and participate and sports. I want to get out there and be able to assist him and show him how I did things back when but it is very difficult to me. I want to gain myself back so I can feel healthy and encourage my family to do the same.

I think about all the medicines my mother currently takes for high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, I also think about had my dad taken his meds how he might still be here in life. I do not want my health to get to a point where medications have to control it. I WANT TO BE IN CONTROL!!

Sincerely,

Denitry Green

Hello Dr. Ian. I am in the process reading your book "Fat Smash Diet. Also I heard you on the Tom Joyner Morning show today(7-12-07. I want to be apart of the fit club for regular people. I feel this diet willwork great for me. Hearing you on Tom Joyner gives me new hope and insoiration to concur my weight problem. If I am chosen In believe I can only succedd with your help.

hello dr.ian,
i herd you on the tom joyner show today(7/12/07). i stopped smoking at lest 9 years ago and i have gained quite a bit of weight.i have been retired for 4 years , i am having a problem with my foot and knee. i do not drive i walk everywhere i go and since i have this foot pain i have become very stressed. i have been trying to lose a few pounds which always made my knee and foot feel better.
i would love to be a part of your challenge.i want to live a healthy life to enjoy my grand & greatgrand children. my baby sister died of
a massive heart attack a few years ago at the age of 37 after giving birth she never made her 6week checkup.
so please pick me to be a part of your challenge.

DEAR SIR:
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HOW WONDERFUL TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS ON THE TOM JOYNER MORNING SHOW WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. I HAVE DECIDE TO JOIN THE MILLION OTHERS AGAINST THE BATTLE OF THE EXCESS WEIGHT LOSS,AND WILL ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME. SELF-ESTEEM IS A MAJOR PART OF A PERSON'S LIFE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEIR SELF ESTEEM BECOME LOW DUE TO UNWANTED WEIGHT GAIN; YES I AM SPEAKING FOR MYSELF. MY SELF ESTEEM SEEMS TO FALL SHORT OF HOW I ONCE FELT ABOUT MYSELF, BUT SINCE GAINING THIS EXTRA 25 LBS AND HAVING A HARD TIME FITTING MY CLOTHES, AND NOT FEELING LIKE A BEAUTIFUL BLACK WOMAN, I DECIDED SOMETHING NOW MUST BE DONE, ESPECIALLY FOR HEALTH REASONS AND LIVING A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE, LOSING THIS EXTRA WEIGHT WILL HELP!!!! THANKS SO MUCH DR.IAN FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT AND MAYBE ONE DAY HAVING THE HONOR OF APPEALING ON YOUR TV SHOW TO HELP WITH THE WEIGHT LOST.
THANKS AGAIN.....
SINCERELY,
P.O.RIVERS,RPH.

I was listening to you this morning on Tom Joyner when hearing about the "Everyday People Fit Club", which I’ve always thought you all should have. I wanted to sign my mother up, every since she found out she had Sarcoidosis she hasn't been motivated to loss weight, not to mention the medicines they've had her on, took a toll. Also this evening I took my niece (8yrs old), staying here for the summer, for a walk after dinner when I realized I need to try and get myself on the show as well, my niece is over weight, with Downs Syndrome and we can't let her think it's ok to be overweight. I also have a cousin 14yrs old who could benefit. Our family is entertaining and corky and would be a great fit for your show.
Kai, Toni (mom), and Koko. Sign us up we are ready for the “Challenge”.

Dear.Dr.ian

please send me a email if you recive this
i started this i was like 235-240 pounds now i am like 223*222 i am some what happy but it is a slow thing for me i will be 39 in nov,and i have 3 kids by birth and my little cusin died
at 22years of age she like half of my family
have congestive heart failure,so me and my husbant took her two kids and we also have my uncle son because his mother is on crack,my last birth child finshed school,i need to live and be fit so i can raise the other kids God has Blessed me with,i just want to be like 165lb thats it no smaller i am 5'4 i know God has plans for me'an i have been thu some things but i made it,i have been 21 years and my husband says he love me big or small but i no what really best for me i have to be able to walk or run a mile so that i can spread the Good news of our Father Amen i will never give
up.lisa walker 5000 wilmington drive fort worth texas 76107

Dr. Smith, I heard you on the TJMS this morning and I want to tell you why I would like to be on your new fit club show. Most of my life I was an active, avid athelete. I played all kinds of sports and never worried about what I ate. In my late 20's and early 30's, my activity level slowed down and I began to notice some weight gain. In my late 30's, I admitted to myself that my weight was a problem. Now, three kids later, I'm 40, 5'4" and weigh 220 pounds. I'm healthy now, but I know medically I'm considered obese. My children are young (2,4 & 8), and I don't want them to grow up without a mother because my health failed. I also want to feel comfortable participating in sports with them. I've tried dieting and exercise but never put my all into either one. I need something to motivate and challenge me; something that will make me tow the line and work hard to lose weight.

Charlotte
Richmond, VA

Dear Dr. Ian
I heard you this morning on the TJMS. I am in need of your help. I am a LT in the US Navy Reserve and according to their standards I am 20+ pounds over weight. I have struggled with my weight for the past year and could possibly be discharged if I fail to meet weight requirements this year. Please help!!!

Hello Dr. Smith,

My name is LaTashia Bryant and I heard you this morning on the Tom Joyner Morning Show about a Fit Club show for everyday people. I have been struggling with my weight for the past six years. I have tried alomost every diet know to man. I have also gone to Quick Weight Loss but it was so expensive I had to drop out. I lost about 20lbs a year ago but it all came back with an additional 15lbs. I just can't figure out what I am doing wrong. Both my grandmother's have suffered with strokes and I know that is due to diet and exercise. My other grandmother has diabetes, arthirtis and congestive heart failure. I can't just not eat not to mention that I am 5'8 and weigh 245lbs with a BMI of 30+. So what is a person to do? I feel like I would be a good candidate for your show.

i would like to be considered for the everyday challenge. i have been tring to lose weight for years. i now weight 208lbs and i would like to be about 160lbs. i have tried several diets and will lose 5-10lbs but nothing more. i like to workout but i also like to eat. it didn't get any better when my sister died last year, i just kind of lost control. i have never been this heavy,i need help! i need to do this for my husband who has given up on my weight loss efferts but and for my self.

Hi Dr. Ian
I joined the challenge last week after hearing you on The Steve Harvey Show. The reason I joined is because I have been small for years (5' and 110 lbs). Now all of a sudden in a period of three months I have gained 16 lbs, out growing all of my clothes weighing 125 lbs. I don't know what is going on, I feel like I have a full body now, but I look like I am 4-6 months pregnant. I am 33 years old, so I don't know if this is the 30 year old spread or not. If it is, why do I have to look like I am with child. I have not changed my eating habits either. Can you please help? I hope I do not have to be obese to be on "Fit club", please consider me for your next Fit Club.

I heard your announcement of a fit club challenge show for everyday people. My first thought was "about time". While I have enjoyed watching Celebrity Fit Club this past season, I often wished there was something on the air that focused on "everyday" people like myself. I am a 39-year old mother of two. My oldest will begin college this fall and my youngest will begin her junior year of high school. Now that the children are older and I have more free time, I have discovered the sad fact that I am more woman than I used to be. I have gained quite a bit of weight over the past 5 years...from 115 lbs to 160 lbs. Although I have managed to lose about 18lbs by changing when I eat, I still have far to go. My family has a history of heart disease and Diabetes, including my mother who is a diabetic. Dr. Ian, I want to join your show and lose these pounds for not only my health but my self image. Everyone deserves to feel good about themselves inside and out.

Dr. Smith,
Heard you this morning on the TJMS and I would like to be considered for the everyday challenge show. I would like to be considered simply because I know that for this reason alone "My Weight", I have been unhappy for a long time. Not only unhappy, but loss of energy, excitment, desire, ambition, and getting worse each day. I feel tired all the time and unhealthy. I am an ex-professional athlete and I know what I need to do but for some reason, I just keep going downhill. This is why I need your help. Please consider me for your next "Fit Club".

hi dr ian,
didn't get to here the challenge this morning but love you anyway and what you are trying to do. i'm 44 mother of a 23 yr old young lady trying to loose the rest of my post weight lose surgery so far so good lost 5 lbs so far. take care and hope to hear from you soon

Hello Dr.Ian,I was listening to the Tom Joyner Show this morning and I would LOVE to be a part of the "The Regular Fit Club".I had two casareans and just recently lost another baby in March 2007.I hate my stomach because its so big and flabby.I hate to look at myself in the mirror because I'm not satisfied with my weight.Since the lost of the baby I have really been through alot with other emotional issues and have really been depressed.I am an estimated 5'0 feet tall and weigh 200 pounds.I've been trying different diet pills and teas to help me lose the weight but nothing seems to be working.Please consider me for the "Fit Club".That will surely lift my spirits and help me get my life back on track for my two beautiful kids.

Hey Dr. Smith I was actually half sleep when I heard your challenge this morning and me and one of my friends had just said about a week ago we wished there was a fit club for regular people I really need help getting back to my old size 12.

Dr. Smith I was listen to Tom Joyner this morning when you were on there and I respect what you are (trying/and will success in doing) for our community. I am a fitness fanatic myself but I still register on the 50 million pound challenge website to show support and lose a little weight myself my goal is to lose 5 to 10lb. But the reason for this email is for my sister and I would like for you to consider her being a part of "The Regular Fit Club." We lose our mother in 2002 she was 53 years old due in part to a lot of health problems. My mother was a heavy set woman but she was very active for her size. But not realizing how the bad eating habits over the years contributed to the high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol just to name a few to her health problems. My sister is 32 years old weight between 230-250lb and I am afraid that she is going down the same path my mother did with a lot of health problems waiting for her. Also, my sister is getting married next year and I would not think of a better wedding gift. So, please if you would consider her for, "The Regular Fit Club."

Dr. Ian,

I heard you discuss your weight loss challenge on the TJMS this morning.

You know what frustrates me are the diet challenges for the obese. I've been 20-30 pounds overweight for a good part of my adult life. And, that is just as frustrating if not more as being severely overweight. You are always in a plateau sort of state.

When I ask for help, whether its a doctor, trainer, or specialist like yourself, I've always been told, "You are not BIG......enough". Because you do not see a hugh weight loss success story in people my size, we are shunned away! If your program really works, let me prove that it works for people who don't have much weight to lose, yet need to lose the weight to maintain good medical vitals.

Thank you.

Dr. Smith,
Heard you this morning on the TJMS and I would like to be considered for the everyday challenge show. I have been overweight (obese) all my life. I am currently considering optifast the medically supervised diet to get the weight off. I know it is a "quick fix" but at this point I am desperate. I am taking medicine for high bllod pressure and want to be off of it very soon. I have been called to preach the word of God and can not do it out of breath (although most pastors do) and I have huge man boobs those don't help either. I need your help real bad.

Dr Ian i would like to lose 50 to 100 lbs. I am 42 and i weight 235 lbs at 4'11. I have problem sleeping at night. I am ashame of the way I look. I would like to lose for my health I have blood pressure problem. I need help.
I have two children 15 and 21 I want to be here to enjoy grandchildren someday.

Dr.Ian I heard you about the fit challenge show, I have recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure and been threw a messy divorce my 17 year old daughter has also put on alot of weight since me and her dad split I would like to choosen with my daughter if not I would my daughter to be choosen her last year of high school will be next year she is not enjoying and doing the things she should as a teenager I know it is because of her weight, she is a straight A student and I want her to be happy this would be a great experience for her and I , but if it onlt one please let it be her.

I decided to participate in the 50 Million Pound Challenge because I desperately need to lose weight.
My family has a history of obesity,diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
I am hoping this keeps me motivated to make healthy choices in eating.

I would love to join this challenge. We as black people needs to take better care of ourselves. At this very moment, my brother-in-law is having open heart surgery from clogged arteries. This is a wake up call for me. Im 5'8 and weigh 186. I will be successful.

Dr. Ian, I heard you this morning on The Tom Joyner show.If you are still looking for people to be on the everyday people fit challenge show.Iwould sure like to try. I've gained weight due to a thyroid problem, I've started exercising and have changed my eating habits(a little) and still am having problems losing weight! HELP!!!

Dr. Ian

I heard you this morning on Tom Joyner regarding Everyday Fitclub. Quickly, allow me to tell you my story. Knowing that being at a healthy weight is important, I worked very hard to loose 70 pounds. Unfornutately I gained it back due to a pregnancy which resulted in a miscarriage. Also contributing to the regain was depression. Thanks to 50 Million pound challegne, I'm more committed than ever to loose the weight again. I'm a single mother who is taking her only child to college and now it is time for "me" time which I plan do by getting to a healthy weight. Being a participant of Everday Fitclub would only help me make that much more!

I heard you on Tom Joyner this morning and wanted to elaborate on being a part of "The Regular Fit Club." I think that I would be an excellent candidate to be a part of the regular fit club because first of all, I really want to and have the will to lose weight. I purchased your book, "The Fat Smash Diet" sometime ago and I am interested in getting started. My weight has soared out of control which has me with various medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and to top it all off, I have an underactive thyroid. My weight is 260 pounds and I'm only 5'2" tall and I know once I lose the weight, my blood pressure and diabetes will be at a normal level without taking so many pills. I am currently taking 4 pills for my blood pressure alone. My weight depresses me but I have the energy and will to eat right and exercise. I just need some help to get started. On a side note, I use to take Herbalife to lose weight. It worked wonderfully!! However, once I
stopped, the weight piled back on and more than I had lost. So, please consider me for, "The Regular Fit Club."

Hi, I'm La Tonya. I think you are so inspiring. I watch you every season on Celebrity Fit Club. I just had to get that out. Ok, I'm 29 years old. I weigh in at 200 pounds and my goal is to weigh i at 125. Because I am diabetic, losing this weight would mean a healthier life. My doctor says that if I lose the weight, I wouldn't have to take my pills anymore, but that is not why I want to lose those 75 pounds. I love children, but I don't have aby yet. I want to start trying to get pregnant for my birthday next year. I'd like to be more energetic once I do have a child. I want to be able to play with him or her, but most of all, I'd like to be there to watch him or her grow up. I know getting healthier might add some time to my life. And besides, I'm just tired of being fat. What made me join the challenge was this. I was listening to Steve Harvey's morning show this morning, and I listened to you talk about the challenge. I listened to how happy Shirley was after losing fifteen pounds and I wanna feel that. I also figured if Steve and Tommy agreed to join, then there was no reason for me not to. To stregnthen my resolve, I spent a half hour on a cross trainer and a stationary bike. My legs hur at this very moment, but I think in's worth it, so thank you. You, and Steve's crew are my inspiration.

Dear Dr. Ian - I am so happy to be a part of your diet plan I have read all the information about losing weight and want to be a part of the challenge. I am a diabete and have been told my sugar levels ranges from 230 to 409 and my cholesterol is over 200, my Acl is level 10 and have been told they should be 7 I have now started to watch what I eat and will be following your diet daily plan. My form of exercise right now is: I go to the track every evening and walk about 1 hr and 1/2. I am watching what I eat and every morning after breakfast I walk about 15-20 minutes around my block. I am really trying to lose weight. My BMI is 34.8 currently obest. I weight 222 pds and my goal is to be 150 pds again. Please help to encourage me as I am eager to be small, healthy and active. Thank you so much for your motivation. I will see you at our State Farm event on August 25th at Washington Park. Keep me in your diet prayers. Thank you for allowing me to respond.

i heard you on tom joyner this morning, my current weight is 256 lbs. i have high blood pressure and high cholestrol, i've tried everything to drop these pounds, i've watched celebrity fit club and the way you handle the people on that show i'm positive that is the approach i need. i am 51 years old and would like to live longer than my mom did.

Dr. Ian I am a 33 year old woman who is 6 foot tall. I heard about your 50 million pound challenge this morning on the Tom Joyner Morning Show and I was inspired to join, but I wanted to send this email first. I am proud to say that I lost approximately 20lbs in the last 3 month’s. I did this by diet and exercise. I do crunches in the morning and 280 reps of speed jump rope either in the morning or at night. My waist has shrunk from a 40” plus to a 36” or less, and I’m fitting into clothes that I haven’t worn in a few years. I initially started to lose weight for my 16 year high school reunion thinking that I couldn’t go weighing almost double of what I used to weigh because when I graduated in 1991 I weighed 130lbs. Well, the reunion has been canceled, but I’m not giving up on being my ideal weight at 185lbs for my height. I wanted to tell you that watching your show “Celebrity Fit Club” has re-inspired my faith that this is not an instant process, and that it was going to take time and dedication on my part to reach my goals instead of taking diets pills or some other easy way out. Thanks for the inspiration!

p.s. I haven’t stopped eating the foods I love either, I just watch my portions and eat the Nutrition Data’s recommended serving size. I feel great!!!!

Dr. Ian I have struggled [like many] for years with my weight, but what I can't seem to get past is the depression that comes along with the weight and trying to lose it. I don't have the resources for professional help, but I know now that it is an issue. What can I do to get help with it and get soome support to lose the weight.

I heard you on 98.3 FM Tom Joyner Morning Show. I have been struggling with my weight loss since 1992, after attending college, this was the first time in my life, I heard the words “obese” and I stared at my doctor—what is that? I went from a size 7 to 18, now up to a 20-24. As years passed, I weighed as much as 260. I have tried Weight Watchers, read so many books and different exercises to lose. I have been on the rollercoaster of losing/gaining since I was 18 now 33. It appeared that we gained weight all together! It is a family affair and we are all struggling. It is more embarrassing to say that I use to be an athlete; dancer; and had a brick house body—now it is a mansion!

Since the weight gain, I have knee problems, unusual pain that doctors cannot figure out, and acid reflux (digestive problems). I would love to see my family: father (diabetic/high blood pressure from weight), mother (acid reflux, kidney stones), sister, and self on the show to really see results (family affair)…and we will feel whole again and maybe get someone to love us to!

Dr. Smith,
I am 29 years old and recently lost my husband in a car accident. I felt like my whole world had come to an end. So, I turned to food as my comfort and has gained over 20 pounds. My little sister recently lost over 30 pounds on your fat smash diet and told me about your book. I started on Monday with the detox and it's not to bad. The kicker for me was hearing you on the radio this morning with Steve Harvey. I miss my husband but no amount of food will help ease my pain. Therefore, I accept your challenge and I will lose over 20 pounds because I have to now live a heatheir life for my son, he deserves to have a heathy mother.

Hello Dr. Ian

I am a 41-year-old mother of 3 teenage boys. I have done every diet imaginable. I weigh 256 pounds and I am 5'6". I really would like to lose this weight and change our lifestyle forever.

I feel one of our biggest problems is that my boys are football players and are told they need to be big, so my entire family is big. I do enjoy exercising when I get a chance, and I walk regularly. I am so busy with work and driving my sons around, that I find very little time for myself. Dr. Ian, I would love to be on your show, and feel that with good leadership I could do this. I bought your book yesterday, after watching you on the Tyra Banks show. I said, if they can do it so can I. After hearing you on the Tom Joyner Show, I said, I would love to be on your show.

This morning I was listening to V103 and Dr. Ian came on and said what I have been waiting to here for the past 3-4 yrs, you can be on a fitness show, I have been wishing and praying for this moment to come my prayers has been answered, I heard Dr. Ian say it on the Tom Joyner Morning Show (7/11/07). I feel that I would love to become one of the cast members because I am at risk of becoming a Diabetic because it runs in my family I am the youngest of 10 children, My mom is diabetic and watching her over ther years give her self shots just to stay alive is something I would not like to do, I have watched every series of Celebrity Fit Club and I would love to Challenge my self at what I could never coquer on my own and that is to get in the best shape of my adult years not only to look great but to feel better health wise. You have know Idea how bad I would love to join you Fitness Challenge. I am 38 years old and, I want to feel like I did when I was 25, Please help me.

Laverne
Chicago, IL

I am retired U. S. Navy sailor and I am Married with 2 Daughters. When I was in the Military My weight was acceptable however since retiring I have gained weight. I have grand children that I would like to be around too enjoy there presence. Please help me get back to a healthy weight. I continue to exercise however I am not losing weight.

I joined the 50 Million Pound Challenge a few months ago. I started my weight loss jorney in March after being denied for weight loss surgery. I had already completed all the requirments for weight loss( 6 months) and was still denied. At that point I got so mad and decided I can do this with out weight loss surgery - all I need is the Lord, daily exercise and to stop eating unhealthy. So I joined the YMCA and I work out everyday except Sundays ( water class 3x week, weights 3 x week along with working out on the bike, elliptical machine 30 min each time 3 x week and the stair climber). I started eating more fruits, vegatables and lean meat (I still have fried fish on Fridays - just less of it)
To date I have lost 40lbs. I want to help other people droup those pounds. It made me feel so good when a teenager said to her mom Miss Maureen has lost a lot of weight if she can do so can I. I am so excited !

Hello Dr. Ian, My name is Qiana Gray and i have recently lost 100lbs within the last year or so. I'am a 28 year old African American female who once was 362lbs now i'm currently 262lbs(no surgery) just the good old fashion diet and exercise. I think what your doing for your community is wonderful and lets not leave out very motivating. I would love to be considered for your everyday fit show. Thanks!

I have decided to do this 50million pounds, due to the history of hear attacks in my family. My grandparents died of hear disease, and my uncles.Heart attacks is the number one killer in my family.I have an Aunt who also has heart problems. I'm doing the power walk in honor of them.

Hello Dr. Ian, I heard you on Tom Joyner this morning and I want to be apart of fit club. I had three C-Sections in the past and my stomach really needs reconstructive surgery but the funds are not available. I believe fit club can help me get rid of this unwanted fat around my stomach. PLEASE HELP!!!