The 50 Million Pound Blog

i'am a 41y.o single african american male who has struggled with weight my whole life and never could never stay motivated long enough to do anything about it until that one night i seen dr.ian on the celeberity fit program and i just wanted to try to lose weight when i heard him talking to some of the participants and giving them motivation for real the truth is i wanted to be on the show so i could get help but we know that just don't happen in real life i even tried ways to contact him so i could get some help and tips on what to do but again that didn't happen so the morning i heard him on the steve harvey show and heard his words of inspiration i made a conscience decision to change my lifestyle and regardless if i met him or not he was going to help me without even knowing it because he is a motivator to me and i needed that when i started out i weighed 350lbs and as i write and tell you its a struggle i'am down to 262lbs my goal weight is 210 and trust and believe i won't stop until i get there dr. ian if i never meet you in real life i want to say thank you because you have helped make a difference in my life without even knowing me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i'm 27 years old and have an eight year old. my weight issue started when i was pregnant i'm 5'8" and was weighing 173lbs. before i found out i was pregnant during my pregnancy i was active working two jobs and going to school full time. yet at the end of my pregnancy i weighed in at a wopping 291lbs. i was misereble i went through many personal issues during my pregnancy and because of the weight depression set in big time afterwards, and hung around for quite some time. i was always considered to be a pretty girl but my weight said otherwise. i did almost every yo-yo diet you can imagine,. this past january i lost my dad due to diabities complications and he was only 48. that was a wake up call for me. i learned of the challenge through a magazine and realized that was what i needed to give me that extra push. although i'm an one woman army i know i'm ready to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle. since februaruy ive lost 13lbs. and i currently weigh 226lbs. one day at a time is my motivation. i know i'm well on my way to reaching my goal of 170lbs.

I am a 46 year old woman that for along time never had to worry about gaining weight. I use to make fun of my sister and tell them that it wasn't that hard to loose weight if they wanted to. Recently, I have experience alot of medical problems which have caused me to gain alot of weight from alot of the medicine that I am taking. I am taking it off slowly, but it is alot harder than I ever thought it would be. I have nueropathy(nerve damage from the waist down to my feet) it is very painful. I have a gym in the complex that I live in and I try to walk on the treadmill, but I begin to have muscle cramps in my legs, I have tried to work out with a sweating to the oldies cd, but it causes me to have alot of pain in my lower back. Over the last 7 months I have been able to loose 16-lbs. I now realize that when a person have health problems that it takes a lot of will power and a desire to loose weight. I have changes alot of my eating habits and still working on eating more healthy every day. I would like to loose at least 100-lbs over the next year. Keep me in your prayer, that God will continue to bless me with a will to continue to loose the weight.

I do hair for a living. So I see my face everyday.My chin started to hang way down. I decided that was it I am doing something about it. I get 4 children on a bus and take them to there daycare. I started walking from the daycare to my work. It took me 45 minutes at first, now I can doit in 30-35. I have went from almost a 22 to a 16. I have started eating smaller portions and eating more often. I was eating almost everything I seen. If I can do it you can do it too. Don't give up, with God all things are possible.

I gain a lot weight in this past 2 years for 127 to 164, I had arthritis and hernia disc on the lower back plus and alergic to all sea food. I tray all diet also exercise but I don't loose the weight I love to due Tae-bo but because I had arthristis on the lower back i can't due any exersice only walk or ride on the bike, I'm desperate plus in this moment I don't work no benefic and every where you had to paid and don't have the money.

I went on this challenge for myself. I made changes in my life...Mind, Soul, Body. And in that order. Getting my body in shape was the last step to making me complete and whole again. To date I have lost 20lbs. and began my weight loss in Jan. 2008 shortly after becoming free of some very difficult life challenges. To date I am happy, love the way I look and feel and would not change a thing! Im strong and determined to keep this new life style. I want everyone to find something or someone that will encourage you! It's not easy but it can be done!

Thank you for the regular updates. Unfortunately I did not focus on weight loss and healthy eating habits. As a result, I have gained 10 extra pounds, went up a size and a half and is having difficulty managing my blood sugar level. Seeing your updates have renewed my desire to make healthy changes and I have started eating right, making lifestyle changes, and exercising. It has only been two weeks, and I have not lost weight, but I do feel empowered by knowing that there is a support system and true benefits by keeping up with your website and the recommendations.

Since the beginning of 'Spring', I've been walking downtown three times a week. I've lost 10 - 15 pounds, and I have alot of energy to do just about everything that comes my way. It's like I've been reborn.

I have been battling this weight issue for years now, on the see-saw type, and it is getting worse. I have a chemical imbalance, no metabolism, and now severe lower back disk/cartilage erosion. I need to loose some weight in order to start exercising, I am currently going through an episode that is disabiling right now (I picked up a heavy box and threw out my back), its difficult to walk/standup or sit for long. Also, I only eat fish, as far as protein is concerned, so many of these diets are hard to follow.
In a nutshell - I need help to find instructions on exercise I can do now that doesnt involve too much movement while standing. And I need help in finding things to eat that are not high in carbs considering I dont eat a lot of meat. I eat brown rice, 7grain whole wheat breads/eggos/pasta etc, but it has not made a difference on my weight at all.

I have been on this body makeover lifestyle for 1year and 6months and at first I could see the changes on the scale but know that I have gotten into the sport of bodybuilding (8mths)the scale has gone up however I look better than I have ever looked in the last ten years. So for all those that are trying to change there life around dont just look at the scale look at your inches and your clothing an how they are geetting to big and that can let you know that you are loosing fat and gaining musle at the same time which is not a bad thing.

Sorry, for my English for I had a stroke and I lost a lot of my ability to faction with my writing ability I have been on a program since July and I have been doing well. When I look on at my weight and see that it was 221 I said that was not good enough, so I took matter into my own hands and started to work out, not only that I suffer for very bad headache, memory concentration and focus problem but I find something to work on and my body was it. So I guess I will be working on it until I get my body at it until I get it to 165lb.

I saw Pattie on the Today Show and I was interested in joining the challenge. Unfortunately there is no participating State Farm Agent listed in the State of Rhode Island and also checked nearby cities in the State of Massachusetts. Is it possible to get the challenge kit via snail mail?

Hello to all, I just enrolled in the challenge, but for the last three months I have been changing my eating habits and exercising by goin to kick boxing aerobics. I can't tell you how much better I feel and look. To date I have lost approximately 18 pounds and I enjoy eating fruits and veggies. I watch my sugar intake and make sure I drink plenty of water daily. I love myself and found a new reason get my life started again. Losing the weight has made me feel confident and I enjoy looking at my reflection in the mirror, as before I couldn't stand to see myself from the face down. This is a healthy lifestyle that I am sure to continue.

I just want to encourage everybody to keep up the good work and wish all continued success.

Dr. Ian--please accept my apology for not enrolling sooner. I feel so awful. But I think I have made up for my wrong and I am now enrolled and up for the challenge, at least continuing with my own personal challenge. Today(11/8), I registered with a weight of 159lbs, but on August 12th my weight was 174lbs. For the last 3 months, I have been working very hard to lose the weight the right way--with diet and exercise. I would have the ability to do the exercise and would do some activity, moderate to high intensity at least 3 times per week. But I was not controlling "the fork", simply put-controlling portions . I have now added more fruits and vegetables along with more whole grains to my diet and I feel great. I feel so bad that my 15 lbs could have been included in the current weight loss. I strongly encourage anyone who may read this and are considering joining --to do so. Trust me, you will see small changes but changes and they will add up. Take your time, pace yourself, do what works for you and you will see your body change. My motivation has been for a healthier lifestyle and just feeling good, having energy and not allowing poor eating habits(bad choices) and non-activity to contribute to poor health. Dr. Ian, please press on, education and awareness yield results. I truly enjoy your passion as it is conveyed on the morning talk shows. Keep talking and people will keep listening. I did and registered today. Prayerfully--I now we can decrease and eliminate this epidemic.

Regards,
Mrs. D

I finally met my team leader and I'm really excited. This is first for me to have a workout partner. She is young and motivated and has lost 30 lbs which is motivating to me!!

This is not a story so much as a question. I was doing well then I had a severe asthma attack and was, again, put on Predisone 60 mg twice a day for two months and was weaned down to 10 mg which I still take daily. Which to me is success in managing my asthma. The problem is I gained back most of the weight I lost. I am struggling to lose it again, but my weight is stuck.

I seem to crave anything sweet. I tried artificaly sweeteners but they give me a headache.

What steps should I take now to lose the weight again or to keep from gaining more.

HELP.

Ps: I am allergic to Stawberries, Bananas, shellfish, grapefruit and tomatoes.