The 50 Million Pound Blog

You really did a awesome job keep up the good work

YOU GO GIRL! I have the same name and I want to lose some weight too. i'm 5'2 and about 160. I am used to being 110 (since I was 12) but 3 kids later (2 n 3 were the problem pregnancies) @ 28 it's not looking too good. I have back problems (surgery) and neck problems (chiari malformation of the brain) and can't work out like most people can. Wish me luck!

Hi Michelle,

You are truly an inspiring person. Keep up the good work.

Denise

Hello Michelle,

Your story is exactly what I have experienced all of my life. I too have been overweight since I was a child. About a month ago, (after tipping the scales @ 267 lbs), I decided that I needed to make a change to improve my health. I began walking on my 4 yr old dust collecting treadmill for at least 30 minutes - 5 times a week, eating better and drinking only diet sodas. For me this was a challenge, until I really began to feel better, physically and mentally. Then a I had a setback (severe pains in my hip and thighs). Since my physician has given me the go ahead, I decided to start over again with the 50 Million Pound Challenge. I will assume that the aches and paines are more muscular than anything else, and reducing my weight can only help this problem. I intend to succeed this time, because I am in this for the long haul.

Good Luck to you in meeting you goals.

Great Job!!! Keep up the good work.

I would like to take time to thank my family, friends and others who have supported and left comments for me to read. First of all, I have lost a total of 125lbs and I am almost at my goal, I wish they would have worded it differently..I also want everyone to be realistic when it comes to losing weight...Not everyone can lose weight extremely fast like they do on the BL, but with determination, motivation and sacrifice it can be done!!! Take one day at a time, write down what you eat, change your eating habits, get in your exercise...also if you have one bad day, Guess what...you can start all over the next day...Never, ever give up on yourself...If I can do it, anyone can do it..As the saying goes , "Give up the pounds not the Challenge."

You did a wonderful job you make me not want to give up, because Im 5'2 and the shorter you are the wider you get, it really shows more than being tall. Im 226 and I want to be at least 140 by may 09. God can do all things but fail.YOU GO GIRL.

Hello Michelle, Since we spoke when you were last here in Madison, I have only thought about weight loss. It's time! Thank you so much for sharing your story and Information you are a true Queen, I'll be in touch because I will need you:-). In the gym everday? Oh yes I'm going to need serious help!LOL. Just some hometown love coming your way.
Niki

You go girl!! I told ya I'd get on here and support you. If anyone deserves this you do!! I have fought my weight on and off for my whole life too so I know the frustration!! You Look Marvelous Dahling!!! Keep it up!! Heidi

Michelle,
Congratulations & Thank you for your story. I am 4'11'' & currently weigh 165. The heaviest I've ever been was 175. I joined the challenge in September but didn't get serious. This month I decided I would no longer put it on hold. I have a trainer come to my home 3 days a week & I do Yoga the other two. My goal is to drop down to 125 lbs. I haven't weighed myself before I began or since, don't want to discourage myself. I do feel like I have lost some weight, my clothing fit differently. I have changed my eating as well. I take in more protein & vegetables than I ever have. I've always enjoyed water so that was never an issue. I gave up soda this past January & haven't looked back. I FEEL GOOD about MYSELF & my weightloss. God Bless.

Congrats sis....

From your baby bro Jason

DAUGHTER, I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU AND OTHERS KNOW HOW PROUD I AM OF YOU TO TAKE ON THIS CHALLENGE AND SUCCEED..EVEN IF YOU DON'T WIN THE VOTE REMEMBER YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A WINNER FOR YOURSELF,YOUR HEALTH,SELF-ESTEEM,AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,MY GRANDSONS..I HOPE YOUR STORY WILL INSPIRE OTHERS TO DO WHAT YOU HAVE DONE..
LOVE, DAD

Hey girl!

Your picture looks awesome! You know I'm here to support you in any way I possibly can. Keep up the great work....125 is just around the corner!

Lots of luv and support 8-)

Girl you got it!!! Keep it poppin!!!!

Congratulations!!! Keep it up. I am lost a total of 90 lbs so far.

Congrats!!!!! You are a great inspirations to all your frineds and family.

Hi Michelle, I didn't forget just got a little busy, but what can I say about a women who sets the example for her well being and health. Her inspiration and determination sets the tone for others how inspire to be just like her. I knew how hard she worked to to get to where she is now and the sacerfices she made for the betterment of her health. Keep up the good work and remember all those lives that you have touched are pulling for you as well.

I really think that it is great for you to have something to look up to and guide you through on helping to lose weight and being healthy keep is going.

Keep up the GOOD WORK! GOD BLESS

you go michelle im so proud of you im glad you are gonna reach ya goal keep it up and you are gonna win muahhz amber

Way to Go Michelle. You are such an inspiration.You are going to reach your goal sooner than you think. God Bless You! From your fellow sparkie!

Michelle I am so proud of you! Keep it up, you are an inspiration to us all!!!

Michelle,

You are not only motivating but encouraging. I admire you because you did this the right way, the safe way and the healthy way. You didn't take any shortcuts and that makes it all worth while! I wish you much success in reaching your goals because I know you will do it! Keep doing what you are doing and Be Blessed!

Cheryl

I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished. Not just physically, but mentally as well. I have known Michelle for 13 years and have seen all the struggles she has faced, she is my inspiration. I started Weight
Watchers in May at 316 lbs., and dropped my first 20 lbs. But then Michelle showed me the importance of exercise and that losing weight was not a diet, but a lifestyle change. She got me in the gym and has me making low fat lasagna, six months later I'm down 55 lbs. Chelle, if it wasn't for you pushing me and standing firm with me I wouldn't have made it to where I am today. Love you girl!!!!!!!!!

Hey Michelle,
You already know how proud I am of you! You look so good. I know you will reach your goal because you have the fire and determination that inspires us all. Good luck on this challenge and I will continue to vote! Love you, key

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have not reached my ultimate goal yet, but I am still motivated, and staying the course to do so..I have made a new date of july 25, 2009 as my goal. Wait til you see my updated pic coming soon!!!

Hi I am sitting here reading all of the comments and I am inspired! I am 5'3 and 248lbs and so frustrated..... I do believe with faith,prayer,consistency,drive and major support of one another we can and will Achieve our goals. We have to claim it! I am starting to eat smaller portions every 2-3 hours and drinking lots of water working my way to 100oz but doing what I can nonetheless. Its funny how a lot of the our stories are similar yet you feel like you are the only one with this battle with yourself. This challenge is a great idea and I encourage us all to look at food in a different light...maybe not so much as a comforter but more as a necessity to get us from A to B.

Thanks for letting me share
Sherise

Congratulations Michelle. You inspire me to stop making excuses and get back in the gym. I have been yo yo-ing back and forth in my weight, but like you I am determined to get back down to a healthy weight.

God Bless,

Hi I'm very proud of you losing the weight it's a challenge. About a year ago my docter had approve me for surgery. I decided against it. After hearing about the 50 million pound challenge over and over again I decided to start listening. I just started on march 3rd and I already lost 20lbs I still got a long way to go and hearing your story even encourage me more. I know 20lbs in less than a month sounds like a lot but I work out 2 times a day and eat smaller portion all day.

We have so many things in common. My name is Celia and I just joined the 50 Million Pound Challenge. I am 4ft 11in and I weight 174. I recently had my second son. My kids are 17 months apart, so I have had a little bit of time to pack on the pounds. My goal is to loose 50lbs in the next six or seven months. My goal weight is 124, which is about where I should be for my ideal weight. It is just nice to see someone who has the same weight problems as I do. One month ago at the end of my pregnancy I toped the scale at 206lbs. I never want to be there again and I know I am going to have to work hard at making my goal a reality. So keep up the good work.

Truly a blessing. This is my first day and I am reading all of your inspirations hoping I can be where you are now. For years I have been battling with my weight. I've started and always stopped, never been able to follow through. You have truly been an inspiration to me. I am currently 5'5' weighing 236 lbs. When times get tough I will always think of your story and how you continued through your journey. I too was thinking of gastric bypass, but it is worth the fight and sticking with it. Thanks for your words of encouragement and please if you have any further ideas or tips please pass them along. Thanks.

Michelle,

Just want to say keep up the good work and God Bless.

Congratulations Michelle!!!!

Thank you for sharing such valuable information and keep up the great job that you are doing.

Wow! I just read your testimonial and I saw myself. I am up early this morning just thinking about things I needed to do. Losing weight is one of them. I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. I am 47 years old. I didn't think that I would have to deal with any health issues at this point in my life, but here I am. I know alot of things can contribute to the problem. Not eating right and not exercising are just two of the reasons. I am not doing either one of them. Your story has inspired me. I said I would WAIT until Monday. I know now this is something I need to start today. Thank you so much for the push. I wish you much success and God Bless.

Thanks Michelle and congratulations on what you have accomplished thus far. I am a 56 year old female who just had Hip Replacement Surgery last year. I've been through Physical Therapy, where I had to learn how to walk again without Crutches. They were great. They showed me how to stretch, use weights, heat or ice and bands. All in order to keep my hip aligned. I was doing great because being still for almost a year trying to recoop from the surgery, Of course I put on some extra pounds. Then, WHAM !! I developed nerve pain in my feet and ankles, right after I signed up for the challenge. I have become very depressed because I know my progress will not start as soon as I wanted it to. I have Diabetic Neuropathy and the medicine I was originally given for the pain made my feet swell so large it felt like someone was squeezing them as hard as they could or like a balloon ready to pop. If you ever had a rubber band around any part of your body too tight and it cut off the circulation, that's how my ankles feel. The pain is another story in it self. I can only say is I can feel some of My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ pain that he suffered on the cross. You just can't describe it, but I am determined to fight and to begin again on this 50 Million Pound Challenge because I know I'm not as healthy as I should be. I just got a new granddaughter and I plan to be able to bend over and pick her up. She is my first granddaughter out of four other grandsons. Thank you and so many other challengers and Dr. Ian Smith for your genuine concern for healthier Black Americans. Like Arnold said: "I'll Be Back"

What an inspiration!!! Wow! Your story has truly motivated me to finish what I started! I am 46 years old and at 5'2 and 186 pounds I am overweight. It doesn't look like it because my weight is proportioned but, I don't feel good about it and would like to achieve my goal weight of 145. I was originally 206 pounds last summer but as usual as soon as school started back for me(i am also a Ft nursing student)I fell right back into my bad habits of eating out everyday to keep from starving and not eating the right foods. I am presently walking 4-5 days a week for 30 minutes and keeping tabs on what I eat not necessarily limiting everything(because i don't do well with restrictions) I have seen a drop in my weight but i just pray everyday for the strength to continue. I would like to be about 15 pounds lighter by the time july comes around. Anyone wanting an email buddy is free to email me at terri10960@msn.com. we could all use the encouragement and best wishes to Michelle!

Thank you all for your inspirational words. Last year I was diagnosed as a diabetic, I weight about 155 and I know to some of you that is not a lot, but I am only 5'3 and it seems as though I can not pass up on sweets. My weight may not be a great issue, but me eating white food is! Sometimes I wake up and check my sugar level and it is rediculously high and I haven't even eaten? Usually, that means I porked out late at night on all the wrong things; such as my favorite a whole small loaf of french bread with munster cheese and I don't stop until I eat it all, then I eat a peanut butter sandwich with milk, then I'll eat some ice cream, then I go to bed...and I have the nerve to wonder why my sugar level is so high in the morning! I just wonder what's it going to take for me straighten up and do the right thing? I have a lovely son, who someday I hope to see grandchildren from and he needs me now, but sometimes, I just can't go on... But, I keep going on, because Jesus loves me and he needs me to be an inspiration to my brothers and sisters! Peace and Love to each of you, please, please learn to love yourselves...I have and it does make a difference! The reason I don't weight a lot more is that I walk 3/4 miles about 5 days a week and exercise about 2 times a week. I have a girfriend who I walk in the mornings with and she also has a personal trainer who comes to her house 3 times a week. I have another girlfriend who I walk in the evenings with and she also goes to an exercise class twice a week. Having a partner makes a world of difference and also combining your activities with other activities and/or other people. I don't have a problem exercising, my only problem is I can't seem to change my eating habits :=(

Michelle,

First I want to congratulate you and I know your story will be ab inspiration to many. For years now I have been doing my best at eating the right foods and exercising as often as I can. I am the mother of 5 and people don't belive me when I say it. Currently I am a sz 8/10 and my main goal is toning but I would still like to lose an additional 10 pound. Sometimes I think that my body had gotten so used to my habit because I am at one steady weight. I am currently enrolled in a 12 week program at my gym and a trainer is advising me on the right exercises to reach my goals. Keep up the good work and you will reach your goals also.

yes, my name is annie and would like to take your 50 challenge,because im over weight and i really want to lose this weight, because i have a grandson who loves me and is always asking me to play ball with him and it kills me so to not be able to play ball with him,and when the teacher call me to school to talk to me,he says grandmom dont come today come so other time, he tries not to hurt my feeling,but i know what he's saying, dont come because you're over weight.And also if you're over weight peoples see in a different way.they dont see what's in you're heart they see the weight. and i learned something also that when your husband say's i dont care how you look,please dont listen,he will lose all interest in you when you pui on thst weight.and im the one that determine my worst not no man. and i want to make a change from this day forward.let my life begin. thank you for helping to see that i can do it. thank you

MICHELLE,

YOU ARE A TRUE INSPIRATION FOR A SISTER TO STOP BEING LAZY AND START BEING ACTIVE. SEE, I MYSELF HAVE BEEN MORBIBLY OBESE FOR 14 YEARS AND I'M ONLY 28. I HAVE MADE EXCUSE AFTER EXCUSE THAT I'M TIRED OF MAKING. READING YOUR BIO HAS MADE ME THINK THAT I DON'T NEED SURGERY IF I COULD JUST BACK AWAY FROM THE TABLE AND LISTEN TO MY BODY WHEN I'M FULL. I KNOW NOW THAT IF I WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT BAD ENOUGH NOW I CAN AND I WANT TO THINK YOU SISTA FOR FEEDING ME THAT INSIGHT.

THANK YOU,
CANDUSS

I picked up the cd package with the pedometer and was all set to start the program until I realized that this is a program that targets only African Americans. I didn't see any color when I picked up the package but I saw one when I started to read the information packet. Can't everyone be included no matter what race they are? I'm not saying I'm not African American, Asian, Latino or white. I have friends of all colors and I never see a reason to cook white foods for my white friends or Asian foods for my Asian friends and so on. Can't we just stop the racism?

First, I would like to start by saying congrats Sophia. I have been overweight all my life. During college is when I gained the most weight. In college, I only ate once a day and it was fast food. By doing so I slowed down my metabolism and gain a lot of weight. After finishing college 2 years ago and getting married, I still did not pay attention to my weight. Then I tipped the scale at over 300 pounds and I am 5'11. My friend at work lost over 75 pounds from May 2007 until now. She did it by counting calories. I decided to try the same thing. I started 2/12/2008, which is the same day I joined this site. Today is 3/5/2008 and I have lost 13 pounds. I am so excited. I know the weight loss will slow down, but for now I am happy. If anyone needs tips I am glad to share my routine. My email is vicky-golden@hotmail.com

Hi my name is Sophia just moved to Pittsburgh Ps. I'm 37yr old and weighting 218lbs. I've been struggling with weight sence my first child. 4yr. ago i was at 250 and lost til i was down to 195lbs I was happy because i had reach my gold but now, i'm slowy gaining the wight back and that's not what i want. Reading everybodies stories made me really want to push myself to lose weight agin. But i can say that it's going to be hard agin. But that's okay. The first thing i'm going to stop doing is drinking pop and eating junck food, and start drinking more water. So wish me luck.. Oh and keep up the good work.
MUCH LOVE
SOPHIA WILLIAMS

I have been "VERY" motivated since November of 2007. I have stayed focused, exercises daily, watched my diet and I concentrated on living better. Now as of March 4, 2008 I am 268 pds. and back in November 2007 I was 311. GOD is good:):)

I find your story inspiring, as I have been trying to lose weight since the birth of my baby in May 2007. I weigh 154, but this is the biggest I have been in my life, only being 5'2. I've also had blood pressure issues. I am trying to concentrate on being healthier, changing my habits. I too go to the gym and I walk with my baby once or twice a week. Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us, and keep up the good work. Reading your blog keeps me encouraged. Good luck to all of us who have taken Dr. Ian's challenge to heart. I want to become the woman I was when I met my husband. He tells me I look good, but if I don't feel it, then it's up to me to change it. Let's lose the weight in 2008! God Bless.

I am very inspired. I just joined 3/3/08 and will try my best. After reading her 4 points to losing weight...I feel inspired to do it too. I weigh 260 and am 5'10". My weight should be somewhere around 175 lbs. At 175 I wear a size 10 and am considered at the high end of my ideal weight. I would love to NOT be obese by the time I'm 40. Which is 9 months away.

Hi my name is LaShaun I'm 22 years old 5'3 and about 265 pounds. I have always been overweigh but now I am trying finally do something about it. I have a son who is 1 and I want him to have a healthy and beauiful mother and I want to grow up healthy as well I don't want him to grow feeling unhappy I did. I hope this time it works. I have tried alot of diets and nothing has worked so far so I am praying that this works. Thanks for listening and many blessing to all.

I wanted to also say I weigh around the same amount as you did when you got started. I weigh 248 pounds. My goal is also to weigh around the same amount which is 135 pounds. I am 5feet and 5inches tall. Your goals and the time frames you put on your goals are definetly helpful and something I am now going to try to go for . Thanks again and God Bless Everyone and thank you Dr. Ian for this opportunity.!

This featured story and this program as a whole is such a blessing. I just joined the 50 million challenge in the middle of february 2008. I feel real hopeful about this program. Thanks for sharing your testimony.

Michelle:
I want to say congratulations. I know this has been a struggle. I pray that you keep up the good work. I have seen my weight increase over the last few years, and I have decided to fight back. I work out on 4 week days and on the weekend, weather permitting, I have committed to walking 10 miles on Saturday and/or Sunday. It has helped quite a bit. I can do this in about 3 hours. It helps to have my MP3 player. Time flies by.

I've been on my own weight program since mid-october of 2007 and i lost a total of 51lbs. i never felt so happy about anything in a long time.

Isn't it amazing when you don't have to result to surgery?!! Keep uo the good work and you will continue to see great results!!

Just wanted to say that you’re doing great and keep up the good work! Your beautiful!

Michelle, I love your testimony-similar to mine.
It would be wonderful if you would email me.
we are the same height. I would like to know if you had a double chin and if so, how did it disappear? I want to get rid of mine.
revej2003@yahoo.com

Congratulations on your blessing!

This isn't my first time attempting to change my eating habits and of course not sticking to them. I'm hoping that with Dr. Ian's plans I'll be successful with my weight loss. Right now, I weigh 168lbs. To many that's not bad, but for me it is because I know where I can be and how I feel with this weight on me. I feel out of breath going up/down stairs and feel uncomfortable sitting down because of my little "bicycle tire" around my waist. My goal weight is 150lbs by May. I truly thank God too for sending Dr. Ian to us to educate us and help us realize that we don't have to completely give up everything, just learn to eat in moderation and in some cases sparingly. I encourage everyone to continue to strive to your goals.

this comment is for Latasha...whatever you do, DON'T GIVE UP!! What I learned during my ups and downs is that sometimes it is time for a change..try adding an incline when on the treadmill, or perhaps try making your workouts longer..if you do 30 mins on both try increasing the workouts by 10 mins and etc.

Michelle,

Applause to you on your success! I look forward to looking back on my weight loss in the near future with joy. I am a stroke survivor of close to four years and believe me I do count my blessing. Now I am making small everyday changes to meet my goal of 145 to 155 pounds. This year I will take off 50. So keep me in your thoughts. Keep on keeping on!

Regards,
Teri G.

Hi , I have never been as heavy as I am now I am 4"11 and I have always weighed about 175 which for my height was still heavy but I always had a nice shape so I didnt worry about it much until I went to the doctor and he said that I was borderline diabetic and put me on a medicine called Metformin (Glucophage)I lost about 30 pounds eating right and drinking water and now I have went way past the 175 mark I am at 243. I was weighing 250 when I registered with 50 million pounds I am thankful for all the information and insight that I get from doctor Ian's nutrition tips and exercise tips it is very helpful. Part of the reason I have gained all the weight is because I used to walk all the time on the pier at the park's and I have been diagnosed with lumbar stenosis (arthritis in the lower back )and when I walk for 20mins at the end of those 20mins I have to stop and sit down because the pain is so excrutiating .I have since then just been praying and doing my best to eat right and walk a little daily I am determined to lose 100lbs but I have not put a date on this I try not to weigh myself all the time so that I dont get discourged but I will weigh in at the end of march . Until then I pray for everyone's success in losing the weight so we can be healthier and try to live longer ; God Bless Jeanna

Keep up the good work and continue to remember to take one day at a time.My family and I just recently joined and we're under the name of Nubian Kings & Queens. Before we joined my cousin Brenda and I had both joined in the biggest loser on both of our jobs.So we kinda got a headstart,we've each have already gone down size in our clothes.To make a long story short I tell my cousin all the time, we did'nt gain it overnight, it took years,so keep on keeping on, keep doing your thang,do what you do. You are a big encouragemant to myself and my family and I just wanted to take this time out to say THANK YOU MY SISTER WITH LOVE FROM NUBIAN KING AND QUEENS

Michelle,

U know I am SO proud of you girl! The BEST feeling in the WORLD is to loose weight they healthy way! UR such an inspiration and I am SO glad that we because cyber buddies! I am SURE I have met a friend for LIFE! I started this challenge but because of Sparking never kept up. But I am going to re-familiarize myself!

Keep up the great work!!!!!

TTYL,

CF

way to go daughter....keep it up ...I'm so proud of you

I would love to work out with you. I live in Moreno valley and I think
I have talked to you on the phone if your the same lady who does daycare. And if so I live right by you. Let me know my Email address is
LJCRUZ@ROADRUNNER.COM. I think it would be alot of fun. Congrats and God bless

Congratualations!!! Michelle, on all of the weight you have lost, thus far. My prayers are with you and your family. May I suggest one thing? If you are a spiritual person or not, the bible has many scriptures regarding food and nutrition. Here are few, if you are interested:Genesis 3:16, Psalm 78:25, Proverbs 6:8, 2 Corinthians 9:10, 1 Timothy 6:8, and James 2:5, just to name a few.

I too, was obese as a young teenager (12-14yrs), but as I got older and after having 2 kids, the weight was kinda hard to keep off.

My name is Jonita, from Arlington, Texas and I will continue to pray for you and all who are involved in losing weight or living a healthy life.

I want to personaly THANK GOD for sending Dr. Ian Smith to us. Dr. Ian has been very inspirational and committed to this program.

I've been working out and dieting for about a month, now the first month I lost weigh quickly just by treadmiling and a stair climber, this month things have been slow and my weight has been fluctuating up and down what can it be am I doing something wrong?

I started June 2007 cutting back on my food intake, and just chaging my eating habit. I have lost a total of 46lbs.Weight was 243lbs and now I am at 197lbs. I feel good, I just need to start working. When I amd at work I take the stairs instead of the elevator three flights.

I personally know this lady, and I'm saying that she has worked very hard in getting off all of those pounds, I'm glad that Dr. Ian, has such viewers, in a lot of magazines, Michelle, you do your thing, and I'm very pround of you, and support you all of the way, I also want to Thank, Dr. Ian and keep on teaching everyone how to look at themselfs, in a different way. v/r