The 50 Million Pound Blog

hi
after reading the stories of some of the challengers, i can relate. i have been struggling with my weight since my first child 18 years ago. i have a major problem with overeating when something tastes good and i tend to order more than i need. my biggest issue is with sugar. i love cookies and ice cream more than anything and i find myself over doing daily. now that i am in my mid thirties i am starting to feel the pain. of my poor eating habits. my knees aches all the time and so does my feet. i have been in and out of the gym and i am back i again. i always start strong but get burnt out really fast and then i find myself just sitting in front of the tv watching fit tv, celiberty fit club or the biggest looser and wish i had the motivation of the participants. any suggestions.

The biggest change I had to make is with my diet. Several years ago, I had digestive problems, skin problems, and a host of other issues.

I went to an acupuncturist and it was figured out that I had candida, excessive yeast. Candida feeds off of sugar. So I weaned myself off of sugar.

I used to eat candy during the 3 p.m. lull while at work. I used to drink coffee, with sugar, and donuts. I gave it up. It wasn't easy and I went through withdrawals.

But now I have been off sugar for 2.5 years now. No cake, no donuts, no candy bars. I read labels carefully, and try to avoid foods high in sugar, and definitely stay away from fructose and dextrose.

It's not easy because food is communal, and desserts are a treat. I just say no, and I'm the brunt of the "no sugar" joke now. I try to lighten it up and laugh and say I don't want to make my little yeast happy.

To eat it, I know it's not worth it though. I know if I start up it's all over. With this change of diet, I lost 10 pounds in a short period of time and think I'm at my ideal weight now.

I'm may be small framed, and don't have alot of weight to lose, but that doesn't mean I don't have to sacrifice because of my health, too. Good eating helps me to stay healthy and keep PositivityINFOCUS.com

My name is Christine.My height weight was approximately 292 pounds. When I found out and joined the 50 million pound challenge I weighed about 250 pounds. I lost about 4 more pounds since joining in February 2007. I am like at a stand still. I thank God for Dr. Ian and this challenge and all the people taking on the challenge and/or supporting the challenge in any shape , form, or fashion. I love the saying Give up the weight and not the fight. My goal is to weigh 135 healthy and to feel and look beautiful from the inside first to the outside.

Hello all
My name is LaToya Hines. I decided to make a change in my life. Last year, April 5th, I lost my grandmother to lupus and cancer. Exactly eight months later I lost my other grandmother to Alzheimer. I just found out last week that my dad had a heart attack 2 months ago. I then decided that it was time to change my whole outlook on life. My mom has Congestive Heart Failure and Cancer runs on her side of my family. Then there's my dad he has sleep apnea, sugar diabetes, asthma, and a bad heart. I have so many things against me that I need to change things so that I can lower my chances of getting any of these things. So I'm in it to win it. I have three children to live for and I want to be around to se them grow up.

Hi Dr. Ian & Fellow Challengers,
I believe that maybe,... possibly,...hopefully
today is the first day of the rest of my life. I am so lost right now, but i know that I have to pick myself up and start a new journey. Let me explain. Six months ago I lost my youngest son to violence, and have been distraught, extremely depressed, withdrawn, over-whelmed & question everything. I can't seem to get past or around these feelings, especially since it was a random act of violence. My son was 28 years old, and the father of two little boys, now ages 2 and 1. Realizing that since he can't be here now, My grandsons need me (& their papa)more than ever. I need to get healthy. I have to reverse my health conditions(diabetes type II, hypertension, & obesity. I am a teacher & have returned to work, but how can I motivate, stimulate, and prepare myself for this up-hill battle? I would appreciate your prayers, ideas & any suggestions offered. (My family and I are also suvivors of the Hurricane Katrina devastation (New Orleans), so the losses just seem to go on and on. I desperately need help & guidance!!

Keep up the good. Take your time and remember not to compare yourself to anyone else when measuring your success.

Have fun!

I have had a tough last year things seemed so rough I lost focus on evertyhing I had set goals on then oneday it hit me you can sat around and feel sorry for yourself or you can change the reality so that is exactly what I did I got up off the couch and started to work out and this made me feel better stronger and free when I started I weighed 206 this is my second week of actually keeping track of my weight and now I am at 190 my goal is 140 by july I am so focused and I already see my self in that size 8 I am reaching for on my journey I know it won't be easy but as ling as I keep the faith and push myself a little more each day I am already a winner in the game of life.