The 50 Million Pound Blog

Did you know that those challengers who are on a Challenge team average 25% more weight loss than those who are not? 

Being a member of a Challenge team provides an excellent opportunity for you to feed off the energy of the group. 

You can compare your weight loss to other team members and work hard to pass that person in front of you. 

Challenge yourself to lose weight and watch as you advance towards the top of the team, one person at a time.

Being a part of a team also allows you to receive encouraging emails from your team leader. 

You can search and find teams that are located near you and then work to set up community walks and other group exercise events in your area. 

With over 10,000 teams currently formed you will be sure to find one that fits your style.  If not, start your own team and lead your fellow challengers to a healthier lifestyle. 

Let’s work together towards a healthier you, a healthier life, and a healthier tomorrow! 

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OR START A TEAM TODAY!

Eat multiple small meals and help increase your metabolism. It doesn’t sound right at first, but eating can actually speed up the metabolism that burns calories. It’s called the thermogenic effect of food (TEF), and it simply means that food requires some amount of energy to be digested.

Protein-rich foods tend to have a higher TEF which means they speed up the metabolism more. So eat smaller, multiple meals and burn more calories than you would by eating the traditional three larger “square” meals per day.

Best ~ Dr. Ian

Click here to check out the diet and exercise tools available on the site.

Click here to post your comments!

Hello my name is Christopher McCray.

I was diagnosed with type II diabetes in 1999. Since then it has been an up and down battle with my weight.

Coupled with the diabetes, I suffer from Hypertension for several years as well.

I believe I hit rock bottom when I topped out at 345 lbs.

I made a new start moving from East Orange, New Jersey to Atlanta, GA in 2005, but we all know what that great Southern cooking can do to you. 

I am 41 years old and on October 5th of 2007 I was engaged to my High School sweetheart and best friend since 9 years of age.

Our marriage in May of 2008 is what motivated my decision to change and get healthier or else I wouldn't be here to enjoy the beginning of rest of my life.

In Novemeber of 2007 I started my weight-loss program by first cutting out sugar and my intake of starches and 5 small meals a day,basically eating like someone who had gastric bypass surgery. I then began a juicing and a cleansing program to get rid of all the old junk inside me.

Currently, I workout at the Gym and home 4-5 times a week.

I love working the eliptical machine for about 60 minutes each day and strength training at least 3 days a week.

I can't stress how much water, water and more water has been a key to my success.

I am now weighing 295 and more active and feeling better than ever.

I know I have a long way to go but this time it feels like I've changed my eating habits and life forever.

 Click here to submit your story and be featured on our site!

Goal setting is a like a sharp and emotionally divisive double-edged sword. In one corner of your mind is a strong and unbreakable hope that envisions nothing but success. Then, the other corner is possessed by a chilled, doubtful cynicism that pessimistically scoffs at your goal.

Regardless of why you’ve set a goal, whether it’s success in your career or trying to get back into those size 8 dresses, the battle between hope and doubt exists in each of us.

I had a recent interview with Carl Bialik, “The Numbers Guy”, a blogger from Wall Street Journal (WSJ.com) that brought the reality of this tension to light. The story he wrote is insightful as he examines the 50-million-pound goal of our Challenge.

His story is posted and I’d you to take a look at it. Just click on the title, Trying to Lose 50 Million Pounds, to bring it up on your computer.

There’s always been a problem with the numbers in goal setting, and our Challenge is no different. But reviving our commitment to this cause of health and spreading the word proves, yet again, that hope and hard work crowns a champion.

I’m realistic enough to know the loftiness of our goal. Like you, I put on my gloves daily to beat down the doubt and cynicism in my mind that says we can’t achieve success.

And, I still believe the real “wow-factor” of this large number makes a profound statement. Each time you update your progress on our site, we grow closer defeating the pessimist in the dark corner of our minds.

Trust that you’re never alone on this journey. And believe that we’re making history together.

Yours in the Fight.
Dr. Ian ~

 Click here to post your comments!

I have felt like I have been struggling with my weight all my life, but in retrospect, I have been struggling with a negative self image that later became a weight issue.  I have been blessed with the most wonderful fiancé anyone could ask for who has been supportive of me throughout my many ups and downs. One day in summer of 2007, he called me from Pittsburgh and told me that he heard a spot on the radio discussing Dr. Ian's 50 million pound challenge and told me to check out the website.  Since I was busy studying for the bar exam, I briefly checked it out and joined the site.  Then on July 26, 2007, the day after the bar exam I got on the scale and was horrified by what I saw 242 pounds! I realized what a sad way this was to start my new life as an attorney and eventually as Mike's wife.  It was at that point that I decided to buckle down and get my health and body together.  I made a promise to myself that by our wedding day May 10, 2008, I would be at least within ten pounds of my goal weight and I am on my way! 

Along this journey I have joined one of my sorority's teams, and created two others for the undergraduate chapter that I was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and one for my chapter of which I am now the Vice President, Gamma Chi Omega chapter.  We are using this as an avenue to satisfy both the health targets of our sorority as well as making 2008 a year that we ring in with healthy habits and positive attitudes.  With the success of passing the bar on the first attempt and the joy of marrying the man of my dreams, I want to start this chapter of my life with the right foot forward.  By entering my marriage with a healthy lifestyle, we are setting our future family up to have healthy habits.

I am proud of my progress, blessed to have found this avenue to make myself accountable and excited both for myself and all others who are taking this challenge seriously...because I know for me this is a "Serious Matter."

After gaining A LOT of weight living the sedentary life of a student, and eating my way through bar study, I passed the bar exam and began the practice of law.  During that time I also became engaged to the love of my life and began planning our wedding immediately post bar exam.  I knew that I had to make some HUGE changes in my life in order to start our lives as one on a healthy foot.  I changed my eating habits, added regular exercise and quickly began noticing changes in my energy and clothing.  I found a buddy to walk/run with, started healthy cooking habits with my now-husband, and got my chapter of AKA involved with the creation of a team on this site.  I was able to lose 45 pounds by our wedding date and have continued my journey to good health and healthy living!  I plan to make my goal weight in 2008 and am well on my way!  Thanks Dr. Ian and the 50 million pound challenge!

The Challenge partners with Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is one of The Challenge’s most active champion organizations. Collectively, AKA has formed about 90 teams with more than 900 team members. These teams have lost more than 5,000 pounds. Last month, more than 50,000 members of participated in a synchronized walk for Emotional, Spiritual and Physical health – called the 1908 Global Centennial Walk. Like the Challenge, the walk helped AKA raise awareness about the importance of fitness.

Click here to post your comments!

Let me just start off by saying that growing up, I was always the chubby kid, or the cute little plump girl, and in my family healthy eating was not encouraged. Every meal was prepared with as much fat and flavor as possible, and I loved it. Throughout high school and college I tricked myself into believing that I was ok with my weight. At 16 I was diagnosed with arthritis of both knees and my right hip, my doctor encouraged me to loose weight, but I felt that everything was ok, because I had done diets I would loose weight and hear others tell me I was getting "too skinny," and I'd go back to eating.

But that pretend confidence and self love began to fade for me in the earlier part of 2007, when my weight ballooned to almost 300 pounds. My grandmother died in April and as I sat preparing for her funeral, I realized that it was a struggle for me to bend over and put on my shoes. It was embarrassing to have a friend work the shoe onto my foot and then buckle it. I was still stubborn; it took me another few months before I decided to make a change. My true breaking point was when I had to stop half way up the stairs to my apartment to catch my breath, I knew then I needed to change.

I work for a small medical practice and one of our patients who works for a popular weight loss program would talk to me about joining and I ignored her. That was until I knew I needed change. The best day of my life was the day I walked into the meeting.

At the same time I had just read about Dr. Ian's challenge, so I figured I could do both and be extra motivated to loose the weight.

I encourage everyone, drink your water and make sure you log what you are eating; you'd be surprised at how that encourages you in your weight loss journey.

Initially I joined both with the mind set that this would not work, but I slowly saw the pounds coming off and I knew that I could do this. I am not at my goal, but just loosing the first 50 pounds I felt as if I truly was a winner. I still have quite a way to go but each day that I can walk without having to stop and I can put on my shoes without help, I know I made the right decision.

Click here to submit your story and be featured on our site!

We want to hear from you, and other Challengers do too...

 

The best way for us to get through this Challenge together is to learn from each other. So, we added a new feature to the site called 'Poll', and you'll find it on the right-hand side of of the blog homepage.

The questions on the poll will examine different aspects of healthy living -- motivation, tips, what works and what doesn't work, etc.

You'll see how other Challengers answer the questions as well, so you can see how you compare or pick up some advice along the way!

 We'll update the poll every couple of weeks, so stay close to the blog!

Click here to post your comments!

Well...on May 16 I decided that I wanted to lose weight because I was 238 lbs and unhappy. I knew that for my 25th birthday, I wanted to get baptized, and I was also starting a new career in radio broadcasting. These things combined let me know that my life was changing in a positive way, and the only negative vibe I was receiving, was in regards to my weight, and health. In addition to that, my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and his doctor made it clear that it was time for him to lose weight as well, so that was all the motivation I needed.

I joined the challenge, because of my previous employer. A weight loss campaign was implemented and I wanted to be a success story. I am now down from 238 lbs, to 185 lbs and still dedicated. I have stopped eating red meat and pork. I drink water regularly and I try to exercise at least three times a week. Thank you Dr. Ian for believing in all of us, and I wish everyone luck!!!

Click here to submit your story and be featured on our site!

There are some great stories and tips related to healthy living out on various blogs we run across.

While we may not agree with all the issues bloggers write about, we still want to share information we come across that can be helpful to you. 

Not to mention, we all learn from each other as we strive to make healthier decisions.

That stated, click here to read a good post on how one Challenger was inspired by research to use her pen and paper to help her reach her goal.

And, click here to leave us your comments as well!

A fellow Challenger runs her own blog called YBP Guide.

She recently had a baby and is committed to dropping the weight she gained. She has reached out for tips that are working for you.

Here's an excerpt from her posting:

"Is anyone out there doing the challenge? Anyone out there who has thought about making the move but hasn’t yet? Mid-year resolution anyone?"

Please click here to visit her blog and share your advice and encouragement!

This is what our community is all about.