I have to take a moment to share what happened this weekend at a small, spirit-filled church in South Central LA…
 | Reverend Daniel Williams and his wife, First Lady Toni Williams, have been leading their 150 member congregation through the Fat Smash Diet over the past 3 months. They invited my team and me out because they were falling off the program and they wanted to re-start their commitment to health—collectively—by joining The 50 Million Pound Challenge. |
The Rev. and First Lady Williams, along with a few members of the congregation, had already picked-up some Challenge kits which is exactly what you and anyone else can do by visiting www.50millionpounds.com. So they were getting ready for our visit. But, no one was ready for the powerful love, spirit and emotion present in Divinity Christian Church yesterday!
I wish there was a way for me to share with each of you the warmth and spirituality of the church members. We experienced a sense of what our journey together is all about…and that is hope.
I need each of you reading this, and each of you involved in this movement, to believe something… you are a precious and unique creation. Each day we are given an incredibly powerful opportunity to change our lives and the lives of the people we love in our own, unique ways.
The decision to live healthier is, without exaggeration, a matter of life and death.
You are creating habits to eat properly and exercise. You are changing a culture. You are generating a spirit like the one my team and I experienced yesterday in South Central LA. And, I hope you realize the power of your influence.
You’re not just making the change to eat right and exercise for yourself… your friends and your families are influenced by the example you set. Commit, on a daily basis, to your decision and fight to be a healthy example to those around you.
We are a strong community, and we’re growing every day. Together we will reverse the deadly trends of obesity. We don’t have to wait our turn to live with type II diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc. We are making a change and a choice to live.
 | Little did anyone know, but I needed to be re- I share this with you because I read your Believe in a strength that supports you when you |
I pray that each of you understands that we’re involved in something greater than ourselves… this movement saves lives. Your involvement keeps me going, keeps your friends and your families going.
I learned this weekend that you can only keep up the fight when you keep your hope.
Best.
Dr. Ian-
Comments (8)
DEAR DR IAN MY NAME ARE CHARLES PALMER AND IM TRYING TO JOIN AND BE ONE OF YOUR 50 MILLION POUND PARTNER ITS ABOUT TIME I EAT HEALTH FOOD SO I CAN BE AROUND TO SEE MY GRANDCHILDRENS GROW UP AND LIVE A LONG LIFE I NEED YOUR SUPPORT BY ENCOURAGE ME THAT EVERYTHING GOING TO BE ALRIGHT THANKS FOR EVERTHING YOU DO P.S CHARLES PALMER
Posted by CHARLES PALMER | May 8, 2008 10:19 PM
Posted on May 8, 2008 22:19
I saw your advertisement on TV ONE and was moved to join your group. Recently, I find myself weighing more than I thought I ever could. The women in my family are or were always heavy, but I was the small one. I remember when I was young, my mother told me that I might get fat some day. I told her I would kill myself first. Well, here I am at 51, 192 pounds that seem to come out of no where. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and lost both of my parents in the last three years from all of these and more. I look forward to heaven, but not before my time.I have a beautiful granddaughter, and a lot to give. I want to live. I need your program and this community for the support you offer. Thank you for giving something back to a people in such need of your (or God's) timely gift.
Posted by Valerie Wilson | August 25, 2007 4:05 PM
Posted on August 25, 2007 16:05
God Bless You Dr. Ian!
I read this post a few weeks ago, but didn't get a chance to say how it really impacted me. I needed this to go forward and not fall off the path. I've lost 20 pounds in the last 7 weeks and it is partly due to this challenge but mainly the need to be healthy and live the good life that the Lord has blessed me with.
Thanks for all that you do!
~Chandra
Dallas, TX
Posted by Chandra | August 25, 2007 2:27 PM
Posted on August 25, 2007 14:27
Thank you!
For what, you ask? For caring.
I am more than 100 pounds overweight and I'm tired of carrying this body of death around day to day.
I accept this challenge because I want to live and not die. I'm exercising hope and not despair. I honestly believe that I can change my lifestyle and get the weight off without resorting to surgery of any type.
It's not about looking good; it's about living good!
God Bless You!
Posted by chosendiva46 | August 20, 2007 2:43 PM
Posted on August 20, 2007 14:43
Dear Dr. Ian (Smith),
I am very grateful to you for taking the time to come to Memphis and meet with the community at the Civil Rights Museum.
I have lost 11 lbs. since 6/09/2007. I had been trying very hard to do so. I have friends at the Hope and Healing Center, who support not only myself but others in their endeavor to lose weight, improve our health, become more active, by doing cardio, strength-training and stretching exercises.
As adults, we know the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle, poor eating habits, but why do we not change? I am one who tried, but could not change until you came.
Dr. Ian, I have not had that much fun in a long while. I danced; I saw old acquaintances, I ran the bell (my stage name) I got cool gifts. I was literally in heaven. I lost track of time and was living in a wonderful present. I could hardly believe the celebrities giving their time and talent to us and did we move, groove and were uplifted. You are a savior as we would leading a toxic life, eating toxic-food and it was literally killing us.
I had prayed and I serve a true and living God. Thank God for you.
I am still laughing, dancing, exercising to music, cleaning my house to music, praying and meditating. I have changed jobs and am taking a trip for the first time in a long time. Not only have I started to lose weight; but, I am living.
Take care and I hope to see you again.
Love,
The Bell
Posted by I. Jo Street | August 14, 2007 2:14 PM
Posted on August 14, 2007 14:14
Dr. Ian,
This brought tears to my eyes - not tears or sorrow, but tears of pride.
Be proud of what you have done. YOU did this. You had help - but this is your dream that others have adopted and are making it come true!
Be proud that you recognized and had the courage to fight for what you believe. Clearly others believe that as well.
This is a good thing.
I agree with the last poster - this isn't a fad diet like the ones we've seen in the recent history of this country. This is truly a life style change and a culture change. Not just for African American's, but for all of us. When we change the way we live, we change the lives and futures of our children. And they will set the example for their children.
Be proud Dr. Ian. Stand tall - lead us - we need you and we love you unconditionally!
Posted by Topps | August 12, 2007 9:32 AM
Posted on August 12, 2007 09:32
Dr Ian,
I just want to say thank you for your support and care,I have lost 23 lbs. since you guys came to Memphis on 06/09/07 and it feels great Ihave a long way to go to reach my idea weight but I know that tommorrow always start a new day. Nay God bless you and keep you.
Posted by shelia | August 12, 2007 5:15 AM
Posted on August 12, 2007 05:15
Dr. Ian, I hope that I may one day meet you. Be prepared for a great big hug!!! :)
I've been a fan of Celebrity Fit Club for years, as I've tried to lose weight. Because I have several chronic illnesses, it's been hard.
But when I thumbed through the Fat Smash Diet, I got *so* excited. It made so much sense to me, moreso than any other "diet". I bought it, talked to my husband, and on July 5th, we began.
It has been amazing. I've lost a total of 13 pounds so far (we're 1 week into Phase 3) and he's lost 16. I have such a long way to go but your diet is more like a Lifestyle Plan. And it has changed my life forever. I love exercising. I love the new way we eat. I'm already getting compliments on how I look ;)
Thank you, and God Bless you. You truly are an Angel from God.
(((((Hugs)))))) until I can give you one in person ;)
Posted by Angel | August 11, 2007 1:38 PM
Posted on August 11, 2007 13:38