The 50 Million Pound Blog

Hello.
I need help with the challenge, I'm a vegetarian and alot of the meals on the plan require meat. I do not eat any meats (turkey, beef or pork)I only will eat the ocassional salmon. No other seafood. Im allergic to shellfish. Does anyone else have this situation? If so please advise. Thanks

When I started the challenge I was 216 lbs now I am at 223. I feel so depressed at times, I know I should do better but cannot get motivated. However, I am not giving up, I am trying again. My brother is a diabetic and is on dialysis 3 times a week (404 lbs), my sister has high blood pressure and diabetes and is over (300 lbs). My aunts and uncles also have diabetes, so I need to really watch my weight and exercise if I want to stay healthy. Sometimes life throws you some curves and you feel like you can't get up. But I am asking God to help me thru this and every other area of my life. Dr. Ian thank you for giving us a place to express our feelings and share with others!

I am interested in starting a new life and loosing weight to be healthy.I have artharitis in both my knees and it is very hard to work out.I get very discourage because I cannot get around like I use to. I am only 43 and days I really hurt to where I don't want to leave home and that can be depressing.Please give me some advice on what I can do to get physical fit and heart healthy.......

Thank you,
Alice in Atlanta

Well this is my second attempt to lose this weight again. Don't get me wrong I'm determined but a little bit scared, because I lost 118lbs when I was 21 years old. It was very hard for me to do,but once I had lost it I kept it off for 3 years. I was happy and healthier, but when I got pregnant with my daughter at the age of 24. My life totally changed for the best and the worst. I was very happy to be pregnant but I packed on the pounds quickly during my pregnancy. When I was 7 months pregnant the doctor stated well Cheryl you have gained a total of 80lbs thusfar. I was like WHAT!!! I felt hopeless and as though I was a loser gaining all that weight back. Two days before I went into labor I visited the doctor and he told me that I had gained a total of 100lbs since first seeing them. I was floored!!! Don't get the doctor wrong because they were trying to help me not gain to much weight by putting me on a certain diet and telling me to walk one mile everyday.But... My head was hard and my tummy was always hungry. I guess I used being pregnant as an scape goat to me eating badly again and not walking like I use too. After having my daughter I lost 40lbs in that first month,but again my bad eating habits came back once my appetite came back from having a c-section.On top of that six months after giving birth to my daughter I was told by my family doctor that I had developed high blood pressure. I felt ugly,horriable and with my life on the line here I am a BIG LOSER once again. Not only did I keep on the 100lbs from being pregnant but also gained an extra 25lbs on top of that. I was thinking about having surgery to lose the weight but it scares me to think of the after effects and the life long meds and doctor visits. So I said to my self...SELF...you did it once before so get up off of your lazy butt and DO IT AGAIN!!! Well self here I go...Wish me luck cause God knows I'm going to need it..

Iam a fairly large women with big bone structure and my height is 5'9 so I seem to hold my weight fairly well, however I am very secure with myself and self image, however I have hypertension along with Cholestrol and for the sake of my health I know I need to have a healthier life style and eat healthier.
I went for a routine physical in July and found out that I weighed in at thirty-five pounds more than were I was when I was weighed in back in January of this year I completely lost it, I was outdone with myself yet I cant see where the weight went at, yes my pants here lately was a little more snugger than usual, but I just assumed that Im going through menapause and that's the sort of thing that just happens, you get depressed and start gaining weight. Now I am trying very hard to eat right and I excersice everyday I do a thirty minute workout in the morning and I take a walk in the evening for about an hour, I have kicked all sweets to the curve, I snack on graham crackes(Honey) more fruits like watermelon, honeydew, and ricecakes I research all the ingredients in the foods that I eat now I eat salads and boneless chicken, along with more fish and plenty of water trying to drink at least a gallon and a half everyday at work I keep the gallon jug right by my side as a constance reminder to drink plenty of water. I would like to lose about fifty pounds that would be a drastic change for me only because i have been at this weight for quite some time my weight goes up and down, but I really need to lose the weight for me and my younger children
I am so inspired by the articles that I read here on your website, some of those stories sound a lot like my own issues and I can surely relate, please keep up the good work and I read a story everyday for motivation and it seems to work I am very impressed and any feedback that you can give me about my progress please send me an email.

Thanks for your comments. I never wanted to keep a food journal until now. I'm to the point, I breath while talking. You know the fat girl spoken word. Heelllooooo!. So starting today I keep a food journal. And I guess I'll use it.., I mean I'll try to ...., no I'll use it everyday. No oxygen to the brain. Today I'm motivated. 235lbs, 5'5", breathing funny, developed sleep apnea, asthma's getting worse, hypo-thyroid problems, hypertension,plus a few other things.
I need help badly. I'll take of someone else before myself. don't ask why, I still don't have the answer.

I 've been working since Jul 10, but I joined on the computer August 2. I can usually lose 10 pounds on my own, then I start to gain back and then more. I've yo-yoed around 180 for about 10-15 years. I know what to do, and exercize like a maniac. I can't seem to stop craving the fats, sugars and junk foods. Being accountable might be the thing that does it. I want to eat right, because it's right. I believe my body is a temple and needs to be treated as such. I eat emotionally. I'm going on record to do something else when I feel the need to eat.

Hi Everyone,

I was a featured challenger in the month of April and let me tell you....writing down my food intake has been a tremendous help. I have lost 117 in only 11 months! I write down my exercise and my food intake DAILY...even on my "bad" days. I highly recommend this to everyone trying to become a healthier person. It only takes a few seconds to write it down. I have learned to love water and exercise! I wish I had started so long ago but knowing what I know now.....I will NEVER turn back!! Continue to fight and lets hit that 50million pound mark together.

Your Sister in the fight,
Charmen Daley

In order to loose excessive pounds and shed fat, it is imperative to drink alot of water and decrease food with mega fat in the contents; staying active, whether walking, jogging and/or pilates will also increase your ability to shed the pounds. My biggest problem was candy, I have learned to intake fruits and organic snacks when I crave sweets; in addition, frozen fruit drinks always help those cravings.

I was 24 years old and weighing 250 pounds easy. I was depressed and plain disgusted with myself. Before having my son five years ago I had always weighed no more than 160 pounds. My weight had spun out of control and all the yo yo diets over the years was not helping.

On march 10, 2008 I decided to make a life style change. I started working out five times a week and cut out pork and red meats. I drink only water and occasionally treat myself to a green tea. I have lost a total of 55 pounds and 35 inches in 3 1/2 months. I have made a challenge for myself to lose another 35 to 50 pounds by the first of the year. I never thought i would do it but hearing all the compliments from people on how good i look only motivate me to keep this new life style up. My husband has supported me through this and it really has made a difference that he wants me to look good.And what Dr. Ian said about eating more smaller meals really do help, because i eat 5x's a day and I average about 10 pounds a month. I am glad to see that Black people have decided to get healthy and get in shape.

Thank you Dr. Ian for convicting me. I attended the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Boule in Detroit where I was blessed to hear
you speak.

I will keep you posted on my progress...
I am determined to be transformed both physically and spiritually. I first gave
up all sodas (diet pepsi was my preference).
I included lots of water, salads and fruit in
my daily meal planning. I am consistently building up my exercise regimen.

I am looking forward to checking in with my
Sorors for accountability and fellowship.

I have lost 70 pounds since March 2, 2008. I started by making minor changes in my daily life such as parking some distance away from my office (this forces me to walk 10 minutes from my car to my office). Additionally, I take the stairs rather than the elevator. After one month, I start a workout program. My work out program includes 3 to 4 mile walk/run on the treadmill and circuit training. I workout 4 to 5 times a week; on days I do not workout I am confident that my 20 minute round trip to and from my car and my four flights up and down the stairs is sufficient. I use to think I had no time to workout but I made myself a priority.

I used to forget to eat (go figure); my problem used to be that I skipped breakfast then failed to eat anything until about 1 or 2 PM. When I ate, I ate a lot. I would eat the value sized fast foods meals (with an apple pie), Krispy Crème, and then go home and eat dinner. Before retiring to bed, I would have what I thought was a little snack. I plan my meals; I eat 6 small meals daily. I feel like I am eating all the time. I’ve incorporate fruits, vegetables, and other healthy options. I have taken on much of grocery shopping responsibilities (my wife appreciates this greatly) for our family. And, I participate in the preparation of family meals. Bottom line, I am a better husband and father.

My Non-scale victories
1. My sons’ arms can reach all the around me when giving me a hug
2. My wife loves the improved version of me
3. I’ve lost 12 inches off my waist
4. I can walk without feeling tired
5. I no longer need an extender seatbelt when flying to conferences or meeting
6. I look and feel better in my clothes
7. I need smaller suits (I refuse buy new suits now b/c I have more weight to lose)
8. While I love my job, it no longer has a “strangle hold” on my life
9. I am more productive at work and home
10 I sleep better
11. I no longer wake up with headaches
12. I drink about 100 ounces of water daily without complaining
13. I do not have to shop in the big and tall section
14. My self confidence is back
15. I am no longer morbidly obese.
16. Bottom line: I really love the improved version of me.