The 50 Million Pound Blog

Chris,
Good job at loosing weight. I honestly was just looking for my brother Christopher McCray's page and you had popped up.I dont know you in anyway shape or form im just a soldier serving in the US Army right now. currently deployed in Iraq. I took time to read your profile and im proud of you. Your pics look great... I must admit water is a BIG key to success with working out as much as you have. It keeps you hydrated and water is good for your skin, being over here thats pretty much the only thing we drink because its so hot!! Good Luck with your future plans on with loosing weight. I hope you meet your goal!

Thanks Chris;

Just what I needed another success story to make me say. If he did it I can too. Well guess what I'm trying again. My mother used to say keep trying until you get it right. This time I have the 50 million pound challenge to help me through this. I went and got a membership to the gym down the street and a dvd from the library with workout routines, so just in case I don't make it to the gym I won't have an excuse. I am determined to join all of the success stories I read on this site and nothing will stop me know. Thanks for the encouraging story and you look great!!!!!!!!!! Your wife must be proud.

Chris, like you I am a 300 pounder and suffer from hypertension and sleep apnea. Diabetes is prevalent in my family as well. I have not been diagnosed yet but I realize if I do not start doing something now then it will be too late. After reading your story I can identify with you and more than likely how you felt each and every day carrying that amount of weight. I am determined to lose and keep off this excess weight, my BMI is 42.5 and has been for quite some time. People always complimented me on my size i.e. you're a big guy, do you play football? or you carry your weight well for your size; you're not fat just big. That way of thinking kept me in denial. The time has come for me to take charge of my body. Thanks for your story!

Chris, you are the bomb! After seeing you in Wally World. I had started and slipped. Before slipping I lost 15 pounds (in four weeks). But I slipped and gain back 5lbs (in 1 week) . Feeling like a loser, I came here to get a boost. And so I'm back in the race. You look great by the way! I know what a challenge your health has been for you and know how important this is for you. Keep it up.

Hey Chris , it's me Charlotte ...Look at you, Look at you - You look Great, GOOD JOB and Congrats! You inspired me and I also joined in hopes of being as successful as you! Jersey is pulling for you ! GOOD LUCK : )

Hi Chris,
I enjoyed your story and admire your efforts. What an inspiration.
I just started tonight, so though 29 lbs is not much, it is a challenge. I am southern and love southern foods -- greasy, fried, buttery, my goodness it's a weakness.

YOU STATED: "I then began a juicing and a cleansing program to get rid of all the old junk inside me." HOW DO I GO ABOUT DOING THAT? IS THAT SOMETHING ON THE CHALLENGE OR DID YOU DO IT ON YOUR OWN.

THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS ... YOU, CHRIS ARE TRULY ONE OF THE MANY WINNERS HERE.

Hey Chris,

Great job keep up the good work. I am allways routing for you and will allways love you.

Vanessa McCray

Congratulations Chris you look great!!

You go!!!!!! I am very proud of you. I have currentlly lost 32lbs. I was at 240 and I feel great and skin is glowing. It is like a natural high.

Continue on your journey to a better life.

Keep up the good work!
Your other "MOM" Josie

How do I vote for you, Christopher??

Hey Chris! Great job, Can't wait to hang out. Wonderful Story, I'm very Proud of you. Got my vote.

You have a great story and you've inspired me to lose the little weight I have to lose. I only need to lose about 20lbs and have put it off for about 3-4 years now. I feel bad knowing that there are far more people out there that have to lose more weight and have the motivation and dedication to lose it, while I give excuse after excuse to not exercise and eat right.

Thanks for your story and continued success with your marriage and weight loss.

I too live in little Hampton, GA so that is another plus. You have my vote.

great job! keep it going

Chris just to let you know i will be voting for you.Your story has just inspired me instantly. I too am currently 343lbs I have a husband and 3 children I also got married in May 2nd of this year I dont have any health problems as of right now I'm 31 years old I love to cook for my fammily wich makes it really hard for me because I dont have the finances to allways buy the healthier foods.I'm just fed up and I know I have an addiction I dont know if you can relate but when i was a child iwas allways told to clean my plate and my grandmother was very strict and she did not play if that plate was not clean she would go off she was so bad that when we would go to buffet and you fixed your plate you had to clean it just crazy i mean buffets are where you just sample but we were made to feel guilty and punished to the point that now that i'm an adult i dont stop eating until my plate is clean i did not realize i was doing this until my cousin made me aware of it because she does the same and we were raised together.Well anyway i want to make a change your story just touched me and i'm proud of you and i know your wife is also congrats! and keep up the good work.

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.

I am sooooo proud of you. You have encouraged me not to give up.

CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTOPHER ON THE WEIGHT LOSE. YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ME AND A GOOD FRIEND. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU AND KNOW IF YOU SET YOUR MIND ON IT YOU WILL GET TO THE WEIGHT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE AT. I LOVE YOU AND WILL ALWAYS BE HEAR TO LISTEN IF YOU NEED TO TALK. AGAIN YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ME.

WAY 2 GO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK KEEP THE FAITH!!!!

Jersey is in the house!!! You look great. I met you years ago in Hoboken, NJ. I was friends with Gatling. I'm also in Ga now.

Let me tell you, once you pass the Mason Dickson Line, everything drops! I hit this heat in GA and everything swole up!!! Even my daggon feet! LOL I am taking the 50 Million Pound Challenge myself. I want to drop 25 lbs.

I need motivation. It's crazy being in Ga. because I left my entire family behind and all of my friends. So, I don't know many people and I've been kind of down. If you could offer me some encouragement, that would be great. I go to work, I come home, and I plop on the couch. Not like me at all. Anyway, you look great. Email me words of wisdom and encouragement please.

Take care and God bless!

chris I am so happy that you are keeping true to what you had been doing. Keep up the good work!!! I am so proud of you.
Ny

Thank you all for your comments. Your words of encouragement further motivate my life changing weight lose efforts. For Vette and those who would like to know my new eating habits they are as follows:(No meals greater than 500 cal or snacks greater than 100 cal)

Breakfast (500 Cal) Whole Oats, Skim Milk, Egg White Omelet, and Cottage Cheese

Snack (100 Cal) Apples, Pears, Cherries, Carrots, Celery or Cottage Cheese

Lunch(500 Cal) Chicken or Tuna, Salad with Balsamic Vingerette or other Low Calorie Dressing (Non-Mayo Based)

Snack (100 Cal) Apples, Pears, Cherries, Carrots, Celery or Cottage Cheese

Dinner(500 Cal) Chicken, Fish, or Pork, and Green vegetable

Snack (100 Cal) Apples, Pears, Cherries, Carrots, Celery or Cottage Cheese

Water Water Water Water .....

great to see u taking control of what u can in your life. too bad i wasnt able to warn your bride about the one gloved wonder i once knew.brothers 4ever in hummer

wow, you look great and blessing on your up coming marriage.

Chris,

Talk about inspiring! You are making it happen. I am just starting my journey to weight loss, at 41, and would like to know what you're eating to help you along. I can work-out the 4 to 5 times per week. It's the eating that sometimes gets me. You're doing great.

Way to go keep up the work for living. We are so use to eatting food filled with fat, (Soul Food) we can re train the brain to eat Soul food the healthy way. Keep in up, and don't give in.

Go Chris, Go Chris!!! Congratulations on your new life with your wife and your new lease on life with yourself! You can do it!!!

Tamara, keep up the good work. Half the battle is making up your mind to do it!! I'm glad your husband stepped up to the plate! 15 pounds is awesome!! I've only lost 3 so far, but have lost inches. I am now putting on clothes that I could not even pull up past my thigh 3 weeks ago! I did not say I would wear them in public, just yet, but the satisfaction of being able to get the on is amazing. Maybe I should invest in a new scale!

Keep up the good work! It's well worth it!!
Lisa, Union City GA

Great job!!!! Im so happy for you beacause I live in Alabama and I know how it is being around all that good southern cooking.ITS HARD!but KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!!

Chris you are an inspiration to many. I would just like to say, "you go boy"!!!

Stay in the fight!

Chris, I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of you and how wonderful you look! The change is remarkable! Because I saw your story here, I have joined and started on my own journey. I have about 80 extra pounds, but you let me know that I can do it! You are remarkable!! Enjoy the new you and congratulations to you and your family on your extended life!!

Way to go! You are an inspiration!

Why dosen't this site track exercise or have a tracker to download to write down progress. If you can see what you ate, and see what exercise you did or in my case didn't do, it helps with the goal. I track what I eat and when I work out, but logging onto this site, well I don't do a good job as I work for a company that blocks certain web pages.
Also, can the site supporters(IT) update the site to include more exercise tips that are easy and quick? That may help me. I am at a plateau and need some new tips to help me get to my goal. Good Job for all of the other participants who are on the way to the goal! Keep up the commitment, continue to execute and success will be realized.

Congratulations Chris on your incrediable feat. I knew you way back when and must say I am so proud of the significant change you made in your life. Surly you have been blessed with a marriage that insprired you to change your eating habits for the better. Best Wishes in your union with your lifelong friend. Keep on doing it and don't stop dancing that always helps! Take it one day at a time!
Love Paulette (OPP)

You go Chris!!!! I have watched your transition from our first meeting in 1994 to now and I must say........ there is a big (or should I say smaller) difference in you. I am sooooo proud of you. Though tomorrow is not guaranteed, there is a better chance of seeing it when you take care of yourself. Stay focus and keep up the GREAT work. You are truely an inspiration to others.

I just read the WSJ article and it forced me to post a question that I've had since starting with this challenge. Do we track weight gain and loss or only our "success" (a new weight low)? For example I've weighed as much as 215 lbs and as little as 193 lbs but until I'm lower than 193 lbs again I have not been updating the tracker and therefore pounds lost is skewed and not in your favor. While trying to reach a new weight low, I'm still in the challenge, exercising, eating healthier than ever, have signed up with a trainer, am more focused than ever on healthy living and have lost inches and body fat but I haven't dropped below 193 yet so I haven't updated the tracker. You need to clarify what is expected of the participants. I've heard a number of my peers in the challenge say the same thing - they only update when they've reached a new lower weight (the zig zag is embarassing while the down slope is motivating but it may be hurting the cause).

Congratulations Christopher!!!! What an inspiration. I am going to share this with my mom; she is a type II diabetic and feels that she can't change. I hope your story can give her a push to get moving. Each time I see another person working toward attaining better health I feel encouraged. I too am a fellow/featured challenger and I know first hand what the opposite end of the spectrum is like. Keep up the GREAT work and know that we are all in this together!

Your sister in the fight!

CONGRTUALATIONS! Christopher on your life changing decision as well as your weight loss. You and your story (I choose to call it a testimony) because we can not do this with out God as our strength. You are an inspiration to other men who are fighting the same battle. Continue on your journey to a happier and healthier life with your weight loss and your beautiful wife. By the way we have a few things in common I too am a featured challenger, I am 41 years young, and I am also a newlywed. Once again congratulations and God bless you.

Lawana

Hello, my name is Tamara and I am from Youngstown, OH and I am overweight! I can truly say that now without feeling down on myself or feeling like going to eat everything in my refrigerator. I signed up here in Feb and even though in my heart I wanted to lose weight, I didn't have it in my mind and soul to do so. Well, the day I decided to make it a mental thing and get started, one of kids broke my treadmill and it quickly discouraged me. My lovely husband saw the hurt and he felt me losing interest in my weight loss, so he did what any husband who hates to see his wife hurt would do, he spent the next two days tirelessly repairing it. He did and let me tell you, I don't think I let it get any rest since. I have been steady on my treadmill and weights for the last two weeks straight, non stop. I have conquered that inner demon that kept telling, "You have five kids and you are over 30 so why are you trying to look good and lose all that weight?" Well, that very question was my answer. I have gained over 100 pounds since the first child and am suffering from fatigue, aches and pains and depression. Although, looking at me, you could never tell how much I actually weighed because of my body shape. (I carry it all in my hips, thighs and butt). You could still see my wonderful shape with a few jiggles and pokes of fat and that's what hurt. I am glad to say that in the two weeks since starting with a renewed determination, I have lost 15 pounds and am feeling more energetic, not as many aches and pains and my mental status has become more and more positive. My husband and children have been very supportive and have even started asking me to participate in family sporting activities. They are still amazed at how well I can shoot the basketball and swing the bat. I still have a long way to go, but if losing only a few pounds can make me feel this good, I can just imagine how I will feel when I reach my goal weight. I am aiming towards a total weight loss of 65 pounds and with the continual support of my family and Dr. Ian's challenge, I will do it! I am always up for a challenge and this is the best one that has come my way in a long time. I know it will be a struggle but if I can raise five children, keep a happy marriage for twelve years and overcome the crazy situations in my life, then this is a piece of cake *well lets say a piece of fruit*. Thanks Dr. Ian for challenging me on something that I couldn't even challenge myself on. You're on!!!

I would like to encourage everyone who is trying to lose weight and let them know it is not easy but it can be done. I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2003 along with various other illnesses in the same year, causing me to have to stop working and apply for disability. Just getting out of bed or everyday task was a struggle for me. This year I was officially taken off the list as a diabetic and the glaucoma cleared up also. I still have to continue to exercise and watch my diet. The year of my diagnosis I was 182 pounds at 5 feet 3 inches tall. Some may say, "I can't afford to eat the healthier foods on a limited income." I am hear to let you know that you may not be able to afford more healthier brands of food but watching what you eat and exercising makes a big difference. I am not a person that likes to tell my story and my physician told me that I should be proud of my accomplishments and I needed to let others know that through hard work you can change or improve your health. I am now trying to get back into the work environment after 5 years of battling health problems. Having a support system is a good source of encouragement. Take one day at a time and stick to your plan. She tells me that I have to stay between a certain weight and it is hard but I know what it means to me and my health. This is a way of life for me to keep my health under control so I have to work at staying positive one day at a time.