The 50 Million Pound Blog

Support is critical for us attain our individual and collective goals. We rely on each other through so many other good and bad situations—now imagine a loving and supportive community focused on living healthier lives. 

 Check out and use the Teams feature on the site and learn how you can:

• Create a team and invite those close to you to join.
• Join as many teams as you like, search for one by zip code, name or category.

Become the hopeful and supportive community we all need, and keep up the fight… together!

The one meal you should never skip is breakfast, yet this is the meal that most people omit. Eating something for breakfast is critical because it gives you the energy you need to start your day and it prevents you from snacking on fattening, unhealthy foods.  

Your body needs fuel first thing in the morning to handle the new challenges it will face. Skipping breakfast only increases your hunger and leads to the consumption of larger meals throughout the rest of you the day. Not fueling up in the morning can also slow down your metabolism.  

Remember the old proverb: Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper. Commit to eating smarter, and you will hit your goals! 

Best - Dr. Ian 

* For more tips and healthy diet advice like this, also check out my new book, Extreme Fat Smash Diet, available online and in bookstores everywhere.

Have you seen the videos we’ve been posting on the site?  

We’ve filmed and posted stories from celebrities and fellow Challenge participants alike. Taking the time to watch a couple of these clips is a great way to stay motivated and a reminder that we’re all in this together!

POST YOUR COMMENTS HERE!

My name is Nashanna Madison.  I am a 29-year-old mother and wife.  In High School and all through college I was always athletic and competitive participating in sports like basketball and volleyball.  I must honestly admit back then my popularity and true measurements (36-24-36). 

When I had my first child 7 years ago, the weight piled on and stayed on.  After having my daughter, Kristian, my weight skyrocketed from 145 lbs to a whopping 250 lbs and in clothes, I was wearing a size 24.  I was so ashamed to be shopping in the plus-size area and would try on smaller sizes hoping they would fit.  When I looked in the mirror, it felt like I was trapped in someone else’s body.  Depression set in and I gave up on getting back to my normal weight.  My confidence, self-esteem and happiness went out the window.  I developed high blood pressure and severe swelling of my feet due to almost being 300lbs.  Being on blood pressure medicine at such a young age, made me realize that I did not want to live the rest of my life like taking pills to control what I needed to control myself. 

Dr. Ian Smith came out with his book, Fat Smash Diet; I purchased it in a hurry with hopes of changing my life and getting back to my normal self.  In the first phase, I lost 8lbs.  It was so hard to let go of meats, but after a few days, I got used to it.  Weight loss is really a mental thing and your mind really has to be made up if you want good results.  I walk 2 miles a day 5 days a week and work out with a personal trainer on the weekends.  I would say my younger sister Ricketa & cousin Patricia encourage me every day letting me know that this weight loss battle can be conquered.  My sister has been overweight since childhood and used to be almost 500 lbs.  We stepped up to the plate together and joined the 50 Million Pound Challenge.  Dr. Ian Smith has changed our lives, gave us hope and is teaching us a healthy way to take care of our bodies and it’s FREE. 

My sister and I recently met Dr. Ian Smith in Birmingham, AL.  He is a wonderful man and has truly been a blessing to me.  He really listened to us, made us feel good about what we were doing, and offered advice that will guide us for the rest of our lives.  Since joining the 50 Million Pound Challenge, I have lost 28 pounds.  I recently purchased the EXTREME Fast Smash Diet and the next time you all see me, BRICK HOUSE will be playing in the background.  Thanks Dr. Ian Smith and State Farm for creating awareness among the African American community and teaching us how to eat and live healthy lifestyles.

Nashanna Madison, Birmingham, AL 

So many of you are hitting your goals and attributing your success, in part, to The Challenge… thank you! Your stories are the reason we’re growing, and the reason we’ll reach our ultimate goal. Let’s keep sharing the stories of our transformations… we don’t quite realize the power of our influence. This community’s commitment is making a difference in the lives of the people closest to us. Let’s keep up the fight, together! 

Please continue spread the word and have your friends sign up to join us.

Whether it’s juice or whole fruit, it’s best to eat your foods as fresh as possible. Canned fruit and juices have a lot of additives and sweeteners that pack in unnecessary calories. With fresh fruit you save on some calories and benefit from all of the natural vitamins and other nutrients the food contains.

What food do you think of when you read about “fresh” food? I can’t imagine that images of combo meals from you local fast food restaurant enter your mind! Take the time to hit your local grocery store and pick up fresh food. The flavor is better, and your body will respond with the energy it needs to get you through your day. Make smarter choices to take care of your body and you’ll see the results.

Best - Dr. Ian

The 13^th stop of our kick-off tour is heading to Oakland this weekend. Come out to Lake Merritt and join us if you’re in the area. The entire event is FREE to you… so be part of it and experience what we’re all about as we’re winding down the tour.

Click here if you're looking to join Team Philly and give up the pounds... together!

A special opportunity for the folks around Philadelphia, PA... you can receive a $10 online gift card for joining Team Philly. 

The teams feature is a great way to take advantage of the benefits of getting healthy as a group.  You get support, motivation and are more likely to reach your goals.  It's time for the "city of brotherly love" to band together and start making a difference!

The first 200 people to join Team Philly will get an email with a special code they can redeem on line for $10 worth of merchandise from hundreds of online retailers. 

Here's how you can join: Click on this link to go to Team Philly's page, then click on 'Join Now'.  It's as simple as that. The first 200 people to join Team Philly get a $10 gift card.

 Check out the rules and regs for details.

• Continue to update your weight in your profiles, and
• Get people to join us by sending them an invitation.

Keep up the great work because it may be you and friend of your choice joining us in New Orleans!

One way to lower your calories and increase the nutritional value of some of your foods is to switch to soy. This low-cost protein source has been consumed in Eastern cultures for centuries. Soy contains fiber, minerals, and isoflavones—nutrients that can be beneficial in fighting chronic disease. Try a soy patty instead of a sausage patty and you’ll cut the calories in half and more than double the nutritional punch. Good sources of soy include: tofu, soy milk, and soybeans.  

I know some of you think I’m crazy for recommending soy. The truth is that soy is delicious when it’s used properly. I understand it’s an unusual alternative for most, but soy is a smart choice when you consider all of its nutritional benefits. Making healthy lifestyles changes is adventurous, and sometimes you have to go for it! 

Best - Dr. Ian

You were a great host this past weekend, Oakland! Thank you for taking on The Challenge. Please spread the message, keep your profile updated with your weight loss, and invite your friends and family to join us!

Dr. Ian and Baron Davis discuss health on stage in Oakland.

J. Anthony Brown gets the Oakland crowd going.

The soulful Kelly Price sharing her heart with the Oakland crowd.

Keep joining us Oakland!

Be sure to check out our latest video interview... this one features Da Brat! Watch and listen as she discusses her commitment to The Challenge.

Please take a moment to stop, think about, and celebrate what we've accomplished as a community who's lost 900k pounds!

Hitting a milestone gives us all a reason to celebrate, because many of you are hitting your goals, or you're getting that much closer. You're in the fight and you're doing great!

Please continue to keep your profile updated, and remember this community is with you every step of the way.

Congratulations Challenge Family!

October 31st is the last day your name can be entered into the Bayou Classic sweepstakes! We're ready to celebrate the end of our kick-off tour, and hopefully crossing the 1 million pound mark, in New Orleans. And, you can win a trip for two to join us!

This is your last chance to enter the sweepstakes by:

• Updating your profile with your current weight, and
• Getting your friends, family and/or random strangers to join us!

We've been saying it since the sweepstakes began in September... we want to see you strut your stuff at the Bayou! Hope to see you there!