The 50 Million Pound Blog

Hello,
I'm going to start the 30d, I totally like the way it is planned out for you, however, 4 meals and two snacks is alot for me, do I have to eat all 4 meals and is it ok to have scrambled tofu, can't do eggs or whites.
I'm very excited and ready to get going.
Thanks for the feed back.
Kiki

I just printed the 30 day meal plan. How do you get all that food in in one day when you are at work and in meetings and talking to employees?

Hello, I read your story and I feel the same way. I have had a bad back for most of my life. I can tell you one of the easiest ways is walking..

However, I also discovered water aerobics. Wow, the pressure is taken off the back and you think you really not working that hard, but the next day you will know that you worked out.

Hey Billy,
Just read your story. I hurt my back in 2002. I couldn't get out of bed for 2 years. About a year and a half ago I met a Chiropracter who has totally given me my life back. I would never trust anyone else to touch my back. I've come a long way as far as pain goes. I gained a lot of weight being inactive and feeling sorry for myself. I started walking 10 minutes three times a week in August 2007. I am now up to 1 hour 6 days a week. You can definatley do it. It may take a lot of time if your back is as messed up as mine was. When your back feels better and the weight starts coming off, your spirits will lift as well. Thank you for your service to the good ole USA! Good luck and I truly hope your back pain diminishes as well as the weight coming off.

I am a physician, and would like to add a few comments to the blog. First, I want to thank Mr. Skelly for his service to our country, almost 8 years now without an attack is a tribute to our service men and women.

Second, I myself had to face up to the fact that my career makes healthy living extremely difficult, and as a result I put on 25 pounds and got incredibly out of shape in just a few short years. I had to teach myself many of the principles that Dr. Ian lays out. I joined the challenge and have lost about 22 pounds since September. To put my own "spin" on things:

1. Eat as often as possible during a 24 hour period, but the total calories consumed should be about 300-500 less than what you burn in a typical day. Try to never go more than 3-4 hours without eating SOMETHING. For reasons that are very complicated to explain, if 2 people eat the same amount of calories in a day, but one person eats all of the calories in one meal, and the other person eats the same calories in 6 different meals, the second person will easily lose weight, the first person will likely gain weight. If you keep the calories about 300-500 (spread out) less than what you burn, you will gradually lose fat weight and it will generally stay off.

2. DON'T try to achieve large calorie deficits in any single 24 hour period, it will cause your body to go into a starvation mode and will actually SLOW DOWN your weight loss.

3. Do a mix of weight/strength training and aerobic training for optimum weight loss. You do not have to do extremely strenuous aerobics to lose weight. In fact, my daily running actually slows down my heart rate (currently about 46-50) to the point where weight loss is difficult. I compensate by lifting weights more aggressively. I would suggest that Billy get a personal trainer to design exercises he can do that won't damage his back further (I would need to know the particulars of his back problem to make recs).

4. Alcohol is extremely high in calories, over 7kcal/mol, which is almost as much as fat (butter/oil etc). Keep it to a minimum.

5. EXPECT set backs. Heck, I've fallen off the wagon multiple times over the past 5 months, especially around christmas, (I didn't workout for 4 weeks!), but get back on it, and within a work out or two you'll be feeling better.

6. Aerobic exercise (running, ellipticals, etc) has been shown to be a POWERFUL antidepressant treatment, better than any of the medications out there if done regularly and vigorously. Just an added benefit.

7. Finally, it is almost impossible to truly lose more than 2 pounds of fat per week. If you lose more than that it is almost certainly a mix of water, muscle and electrolytes. Its simple math. One pound of fat has a little over 3000 kcal of energy in it. That would mean it takes 6 days of short changing your body 500 calories to lose ONE pound of fat. That is why INCHES are what really matters, not weight. Measure yourself around the widest part of your belly fat, with your abdomen muscles relaxed. That is where the "money" number really is. Just one inch lost off of a large belly represents a very impressive amount of fat loss, and a significant reduction in risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and much more.

Good luck Bill, hope this helps, and keep us posted.

"Doctor B"

Hi Bill,
Just got through reading your story. Yes unfortunately I can relate to the back pain although mine was from running.

But you have done quite, quite well and should be commended on what you have done. I hope
things continue in a positive light and things
continue to go well for you! :-)

Hey Bill..... DO YOU LIKE CHOCOLATE?
choco1

Good luck Bill

With a mind set as you have, when you believe you can it is amazing all that you can achieve!

I love the meal plan as that I find it really easy to integrate into my grocery list and budget. I do have one question though for anyone who might be able to offer some much needed advise. What is the best way to integrate this diet into a night shift job life style?

Hi Billy! Just wanted to tell you that I know what you mean with your back injury. I got hurt on the job back in 2007, and have dealt with it since. It has not been easy AT ALL, and like you said, I noticed that I gained a lot of weight during that time! I have been on Dr. Ian's meal plan for almost 2 weeks now, and have lost 6 pounds. I work at State Farm Corporate, so I don't do a lot of walking at my desk during the 10 hour's that I'm there, LOL! I do, however, walk A LOT everywhere else. I never really thought that my diet had a big part in my weight, because I didn't really eat that much or that often. I ate when I was felt hungry, not on a schedule. I really thought that it was the exercises that were getting me. But, once I started the meal plan, and continued the exercises (plus some), I started melting those pounds! Just a 15 minute walk a day can do wonders, and stabilizing your blood sugar is the best diet tip ever! Before I started the meal plan, I was pretty sick (I felt Hypoglycemic, and was pre-diabetes no doubt) and weak. I thought that it was because I was overweight, but it was actually due to my blood sugar being out of whack because I wasn't eating the foods and portions that my body needed. At the same time, I had no energy, because my body didn't have anything to spare. So, keep your chin up, follow Dr. Ian's advice on the dot, and walk! Best of luck to you, Jessica!

Good luck to you Billy! I truly understand what it is like to be overweight. Once upon a time I was a size 22. In my adult life I have gone up and down. At my smallest I was a size 4 and now I am a size 10...175 lbs. I just don't feel as good as I used to. I have a very hard time with giving in to temptation. I am hoping that by joining the challenge I will find the motivation and will power I need. I like having the support of others out there. I wish you the best of luck. Just remember that there is a whole support system out there for you:)

wow - thank you to all of the people that are commenting on my story... i really do appreciate the support!! "dee" how can you say that no one cares about you?? i understand how you can feel like that sometimes but it is entirely not true - i dont know who you are and have never met you but just keep pushing through...life is worth it... -- and "sixxfooter", i also used to work graveyard... it's rough to keep te pounds off in that situation - my advice is that you do need to get out in the sunlight once in awhile - try to make that a daily habit!! and your diet is everything - you are what you eat!! try to eat healthy small meals and limit your portions... listen to Dr. Ian, the dude knows what he is taking about. -- Idon't know how long I will be a featured member, so if you would all like to contact me outside of this - please go to: www.myspace.com/kingrockentertainment
or
www.myspace.com/billybeans22

thank you all and just keep pushing for your goal!!

Bill,
THANK YOU for your service to our country!

You are not alone in the weight loss battle. You can lose the weight with determination. A back injury can be devastating, but with patience you can overcome any disability it may have caused. You are a young strong man. When you lose more weight you will regain the confidence and stamina you once had. Keep trying.. you are with friends.

I would join but I'm not giving anyone my birthdate. We've been burned before with identity theft so have a real fear of giving out that info

Good luck Billy! And yes we can and will!

Hi Billy, Just want to recommend the Walk Away The Pounds DVD series by Lesli Sansone. I have arthritis in my lower back and fibromyalgia which is really acting up now. It is a gentle exercise but will keep you moving. A girl I know went from a size 26 and down to about a 20 and still going, said this series made it pretty easy. Best of luck to you.

Carole

I am a 32 year old female and I just cant seem to loose the weight it's a struggle. I try to participate in activies but the weight wont come off. I GIVE UP. No one cares anyway if I die.

I have just started the challenge. I weigh 220. I am very tall 6ft. so I hide it well. But my but is too bIG for all my jeans.

I want to get my body back and get heathly. I have started walking 2.5 miles at work daily and I also walk when I get home aprox. 3 miles. in the gym. I am feeling better and sleeping better. I want to keep up the fast walking and then move to an aerobic exercises next month in march. Wish me luck. I look good now but want a healthy heart and want to look good naked. Thanks Dr. Ian. for the inspiration.

i was reading your story and and thought to give you my input, most of this is what you eat believe me i started to eat lots of chicken and green veg.and yes i walk on tread min( 40 min)you dont have to do hard exercise.i lost 19 lb i started the first of the year. and sundays is my cheat day i treat my self to cookies oreo.lol.i wish you all the best

I am behind you 100%. You'll do it; just be patient and stay motivated!

Today, is weigh in day. I would have been on the plan for 1 week. I weighed in this morning and have lost 5 1/2 pounds. Unbelievable! The meal plan is so easy to follow. Doesn't require the purchase of extravagant foods. Foods like wheat bread, chicken breast, turkey, chicken, and honey ham lunchmeat, and vegetables were staples in my kitchern. However, things like beans, non-creamy soups, and brown rice weren't. I had to run out and stock up on these items, but instead of purchasing the white rice, I got the brown, instead of purchase scalloped potatoes and pasta side dishes, I got a variety of seasoned beans made by Glory (mmm mmm good!). It seems I just needed to make a few minor adjustments with what I was eating and when I was eating it to see some results. I look forward to next week. I bought a bicycle and plan to spend a few days bike riding and walking in the park. Check in with you all next week.

My issue with losing weight is that I am working grave and have been for about a year now. My eating schedule is really off I usually eat and go right to sleep or I don't eat at all and than I know that I have cut down on the amount of daily exercise I'm getting. I need to come up with a eating, sleeping, and exercise schedule that works for me and my family. Any sugguestions.

Billy I wish you the best in your weight lost endeavor, your story is very inspirational, being that I also was in the military and received an illness due to being in, I have a lung disease from jogging daily on the flight line in Germany. I do my exercise to the best of my ability and am so tired of others seeing me as fat. I am on a mission to be better no matter what others may say. I am deserving and doing this for myself. When you do it for others it doesnt work. But when U TELL YOURSELF YOU ARE WORTH IT!!! And do it for yourself, it works out better, my focus is a lot better. I am more motivated to get out of bed in the early morning hours and work IT!!!!!! I hope you stay posted weekly I will! GOOD LUCK!!!! GOOD LUCK ALL-JOIN MY TEAM adlene2007. STAY BLESSED.

Awesome!! Great way to keep yourself motivated! I also take pictures about once every couple of weeks to track my progress. Keep it up! Our goals are closer than we think :-)!

wow - yeah so that's me... this is really embarrassing to have myself featured like this - but hey maybe it will inspire somebody -- i'm trying extra hard now, knowing that Dr. Ian is waiting for me at the drive-thru window... -- hey if i can drop the weight - anyone can... i was over-eating, indulging in too much beer drinking... partying too hard -- so now all of that is taking a back seat to living a healthier life - i own a record label now and i don't want to be known as "the fat guy that owns that record label"... so hit me up and let's go work out - anyone from pasadena ca. wanna go work out?

Billy,

I want to personally thank you for the sacrafices you have made for our country. To me, you and everyone else currently serving in or retired from the military are my heroes. I am so glad there are people out there that make that ultimate sacrafice for our country's freedom. We appreciate it. I have faith that you are going to make your weight loss goals. We can't live under the scrutiny of what everyone else is thinking or saying. Some people are just mean in saying, "Well he's just fat...he can't do it". You've got to NOT listen to or worry about what everyone else is thinking or saying. What do they know? NOT MUCH.

All that really matters is YOU. FOCUS on you and everything will fall into place. Good Luck Billy and God Bless You. You can do all things thru Jesus Christ who strengthens you.

Good luck, sir, and thank you for serving! Keep up the good work.

Keep up the good work, Billy! We are all proud of you and know that you can do it! Looking forward to many more years with a healthy, thinner best friend.