The 50 Million Pound Blog

ann you're an inspiraton for everyone to keep on going. I was diagnose with borderline diabets weigning over 180pounds at 5feet 3 inches when I join the the challenge, I was depress and sluggish all the time. Now I'm feeling good about myself I'm down to 166 pounds and I have more energy to play with my son outside. Keep the faith and keep working towards your goal.

Ian your an inspiration to many! You should have a weight loss show for every day people and include some organic food that is locally grown. That way people can be fit and eco-friendly. Keep up the good work. Visit www.planetgreen.weebly.com and leave a message on our blog

Ann,

Thanks for sharing your terrific story, it
has motivated me to get started and start
today.

I am 66 years old, and I'm not wasting anymore
time. I think you look wonderful and I plan
to use your 2 cup, 1 cup theory.

Keep up the good work,

Carolyn Niday
Houston, Texas

Hi, I have tried so many times to loose weight it tires me to even think of trying one more time. There's a part of me that says "here we go again" and that makes me feel like a failure coming out of the gate. But there is that tiny little voice that whispers "yes you can - don't give up" so, yep, here I go again. I haven't figured out how this site works (I'm seriously computer challegned) but if anyone out there has any words of encouragement or advice, or who just wants someone to journey with, give me a shout.

deltamaid@aol.com

Thanks Ann for your story. I can see myself reaching my goal but was starting to wonder how I will maintain it once I get there. The 2 cup , 1 cup method sounds like a good plan. Portion control has always been my downfall also. Thanks again.

Ann, I love you for sharing your story. You remind me of someone I used to work with. You look marvelous. The faith you have in yourself shows the faith in the program as well. I commend you for giving everyone at 50millionpounds inspiration and hope. My friend helped me realize wearing the right under garments plays a big roll in what we all are striving to do... look and feel better and live healthier lives. You are amazing! Thank you again for your story and your pictures. You can email me anytime. Here's to you Ann!
mochabrown

myreshape@yahoo.com

Ann,

Your story is very motivational. Thank you so much for sharing! This weight is a big issue for a lot of us and to see positive outcomes with the tips and insight into someone else's struggles and journey are priceless.

Thanks again,

Thanks to the program I have shed 27 lbs. since Sept 08. This past week I lost my focus, but this morning I saw Dr. Ian's fast food commercial and I laughed my way back to the journey. Thanks for the support

Bonnie

Thank you Dr. Ian! You got me and my husband started and we are still going and it is working. Last week I wore a suit to church that I could not fit before I started. My weight was between 147-150 which was over weight for 5'3" I am back in healthy zone at 135!!!! yea. Now we have to work on maintaining and toning up.

Oh My Gosh Ann you look fabulous! 50 pounds is a huge acomplishment and it shows inside and out! i just wanted to say that you look terific! i want to look terrific too, my journey just started but boy oh boy you sure do give me encouragment heh =) Congradulations on lsing the 50 pounds!

Ironically I heard about this diet on CNN while I was on an elliptical machine. :) I am impressed with the idea and the excellent website. I congratulate all of you and the Dr. for creating any weight lose program that works for people.

I have maintained my desired weight now for about 20 years. Yes, I exercise a lot... very important! For me lots of variety of activities keeps me going.

The main thing I wanted to mention is that I think many diets including this one don't make it clear how little food some of us need. Also, I have found I have to limit 2 food groups that are usually included in these diets... grains (including pasta, rice etc.) Any grain is a rare exception, a treat on my life long "diet" plan. Also, dairy products are limited. I do eat cheese (because it is one thing I have a very hard time resisting)and occasionally yogurt. But I can tell I am more likely to gain weight when I do. Mostly I eat fruits, vegetables nuts and small amounts of fish or chicken. Basically this is a Paleo diet. I do indulge in dark chocolate at times (only "dessert" food I'm likely to have). At this weight now, I don't say I will NEVER eat most things but over the years lots of foods have become very rare treats and I really don't even miss them.

I know this probably sounds awful but the benefits are in order of importance...

1. At 64 I am very healthy.
2. I feel very good and energetic!
3. At 5'4" and 120 lbs I can look in a mirror and feel fairly good about how I look.
4. I can keep up with most 40 yr. olds

I have been overweight and I know how hard it is to loose even a few pounds so I don't want to be there again. I hope this is encouraging to people and not discouraging. But for many of us it is not a diet fix but a life long change of attitude. MOST IMPORTANTLY THOUGH IT IS WORTH IT!!

i started 2 years ago ive lost 146 pounds i was 356 pounds now im 209 and i work out and eat right its not a diet its a change of life for me i love my new life

keep up the good work i love your idea about 1 cup 2cups.im going to give that a try.i lost 20 pounds and been stuck over the last two months not loseing anything and not gaining any so that might just work for me thanks again.good eatin

I just celebrated my 38 birthday. For the past 20 years I have been struggling with my weight loss (after the birth of my first child). I under went back surgery 4 years ago which left some complications and makes exercise even more of a task. My family history includes HBP, Diabetes, and High Cholesterol. Thank God I don’t have any of these illnesses, however I know if I do not start taking my weight loss seriously I am just making my chances of having these illness even higher that it already is. Right now I suffer from different aches and pains, which I am sure my weight, poor diet and lack of exercise all play a vital role in. I have been on the weight loss roller coaster, up, down, up, down. For the last year I have noticed that it has been even harder for me to get the weight off (the old metabolism slow down). I am carrying 211 lbs. on my 5’9” frame and need to shed at least 36 lbs. My wonderful husband and I have both been trying to get the lbs off. We have a daughter who is also over weight, we try and push her to get the weight off and tell her how it is important because of health issues that run in the family. But, how can we tell her to get the weight off, if we are struggling our-selves with weight issues and unhealthy eating. I know I not only need to do this for myself but also for my daughter and husband, and pray I can start new, good, and healthy eating habits in our home. I read the information about over eating and learned on a health show that it takes our brains 15 minutes to realize that we are full, this is part of the reason we over eat. This is my first time joining any time of weight loss challenge on line I hope to gain the extra boost I need to stay focus by reading (and sharing) others struggles and accomplishments in their weight loss challenge. It is inspiring to hear how people like Dennis James and Ann Wheet have been able to accomplish their weight loss goals. Congratulations to the both of you! I pray one day I to will reach my weight loss goals.

Hey,
I have been fighting being over weight all my life. At the age of 12 my sister went shoppng for a Christmas dress for me. She brought a dress to the dressing room and it fit perfect...(it was a maternity dress) unknown to me until years later. This is a daily struggle. I would like a buddy to help keep me on track. I have 20 pounds I would like to lose. I ordered Dr Ian's book yesterday. If anyone is interested please email me. I have been and still am a very healthy person, I exercise daily, however just need that extra something to keep me on track and to help me get into and know the correct way to stay on this new healthy way of eating. Thanks and good luck to all

Carol

Hi i wanted to say Congrats to everyone your weight loss stories are very touching. I to have a weight problem and have since 1993 when i had my oldest child, when i had my 4th and last child in 2002 i weighted 325lbs. In 2003 i went on a diet and in a year and a half i lost down to 190 (lossing 135 lbs). Since 2005 i had gained up to the weight of 235 since Jan 2008 i have lost some and gained it back i really want to get back to lossing. I would like to get to 160, but first i need to get back to 190 where i was 6 yrs ago.

Lossing weight is harder then gaining and i praise everyone who is lossing and trying so hard at this long and hard road we must take to get there.I hate the fact that i was so close to my goal and i let myself down.I am trying very hard to get where i as and i wish you all success. Michele McCaslin

I really want to believe that this meal plan will work, but 4 of my co-workers put in different weight and height, two of them being male and we were all given the same meal plan.How can this be? For me it looks like too much food in one day and I don't eat that much.I'm over weight because I know I eat the wrong things.Please explain how the same meal plan will work the same for all these different people.

OK! I signed on several days ago but didn't decide to go the distance until today. I've gained two pounds since then and decided to get on board. My goal is to lose 35 pounds if possible. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Annette, I totally understand your struggle. I hope you come back to this site and read this note. Let me start with CONGRATULATIONS!! You're here with us. What a great start. I'm sure it seems a bit overwhelming with such a busy schedule. Can I offer a suggestion? There's nothing wrong with starting slowly. If you're interested, I'd love to work with you as we both work towards our goal. E-mail me at annwheet@gmail.com. YOU CAN DO IT!! I KNOW YOU CAN!!

Not feeling too hot today. Had a procedure done on my back and the meds made my sugars go skyhigh.
I haven't been able to control my craving for sugar yet. If anyone out there has any suggestions...please help.

I have tried to stick to my diet and it is very hard. I eat once a day and I know that this is not good. I have worked sixteen hours a day and I guess my body has adjusted to that one meal. Since working over time I have gained weight and cannot exercise due to lack of energy. I hope to find some time to take care of myself.

Hi Ann, what you have done is great and very motivating. I am just starting the challenge and I have found it so hard to stay focused. I make lots of excuses, but I realize the time to stop making excuses is now. I want to be healthy and lose this weight. Thanks for giving me inspiration to get started.

People,

You are going to think I am crazy, but I have been doing something that works for me. Before this whole thing started, I had lost about 8 pounds. Since this program and shortly before, I have lost a total of 35 pounds overall.

Right before I began losing weight, I played in a softball league. I tore both of my hamstrings and had to go to physical therapy. You want to talk about pain! The kind of pain that hurts so bad, it makes you sick! So in order to help my hamstrings, I had to do something. So I began using weights and also began riding an exercise bicycle.

I noticed with the exercise bike, I was always stuck on watching the clock or watching TV at the same time. It had always felt like a chore or a tedious job. So something had to change...

So my secret? Video games! Yes, that's right video games. I pull the bike up to the TV, hook up the video game system and play video games at the same time. I set the bike far enough back that I can see the screen. Someone suggested, I get a wireless controller which I never thought about before. I am not going to lie. It does take some getting use to and it does take coordination which I didn't have at first. But now, I ride at least once a day for at least 30 - 35 minutes. Some days, I go an hour or more. The bike has various programs so I also change the programs up in order to vary the workouts. But I always make sure I go longer than 30 mintues at a steady pace. The great thing is, I love doing it now. The video games actually help because it takes my mind off of that clock! I am no longer watching the time. I am playing video games I like to play and time goes by faster. When I want to play video games, I want to ride the bike! It's great!

Some days, I get home from work and I want to just wind down. We all do right? The minute I sit down to play a game I feel guilty because I know I could be riding too. So before I start to play, I run up and change clothes. Then I get going on the bike and just ride.

Don't get me wrong. I am also watching my diet, cutting down portions, eating better, eating out less, making better decisions when I do eat out, lifting weights, walk on nice days, etc. With eating, I have focused more on eating healthy foods that I have always liked. I just eat them more often then before. I eat less hamburgers and steak. Instead, I eat more chicken, fish, turkey, etc. Traded french fries for something else. Or we might get the smallest portion of fries and split them. Before, we used to just eat our own orders of fries. We are not necessarily depriving ourselves. We're just not making those foods our everyday meals!

So if you can find some activity you love and can somehow tie it into exercise, do it! It will not feel like work!

I never posted comments maybe if I had I wouldn't have become so depressed and gained some of my weight back. I glad to say I'm back on track and looking forward to being healthy. Blessings to everyone and I pray you all reach your goals.

Sharon

i would like to say congratulations on your journey, keep up the good work. this challenge has done wonders for me i thank God for Dr. Ian Smith and his book for helping save us all for ourselves. i thank him for having a heart as pure as his is to want us all to live a healthy and successful life. to anyone who is a part of this challenge and life changing event i would like to say keep up the good work.

Ann;

I’m really proud to hear what you’ve done, like you I strive to be healthy, something that’s not easy, it takes commitment and dedication to oneself to be healthy. Like yourself I’m on the 4 day diet and I love it already, this is only day 3 for me, I’m on the induction module; but I love it and one thing I like most about it is Dr. Ian Smith has found a way to control that hunger signal. After eating the recommended foods and it’s not a whole lot of food either, I find myself completely satisfied by bedtime. My goal is to complete all 7 modules Ann; much success on all your endeavors to be healthy and keep up the good work please continue to post your success we need the motivation.

Tglenn
Detroit, MI

THANKS to you all for your kind words. For those of you taking the journey with me, remember I'm here for you if I can help in any way. For my Relay For Life buddies and my dear friends, THANK YOU for your continued love and support! I couldn't do this without you! Ann

I started the challenge monday 3-09-09 although I signed up last week. Only 2 days have gone by but I think I feel better now. Have a long way to go,150 Lbs. Just hope I can get my mother-in-law to keep her 2 cents to herself.

you know it is always good to here something positive.because we have peoples faceing all kinds of challenges everyday so when you hear something good then you give think to it.that is what i like because stories like this one tend to help you be better than who you are. everybody know that loseing weight is so heard. ad the crave for food just want go away we see it eveyday. i have lost weight so many time and gain it back i just could not keep it off. i dont have know problem loseing it. my problem is keepig it off.i am dieting for the fifties time. i am not a young man anymore i will be 51 years old this september.and i am tried of being fat i want to be able to go to the beach and show off some of my big sexy before i get to old this is why i join 50 million pound challenge. so i can get with peoples who are feeling like me .and is trying to do somrthing about

I just started this program today and your posting are encouraging. I try to avoid diets because when I don't suceed I feel like a failure. However, if I don't at least try, I am a failure. I ask for your prayers and keep the encourging commets coming. I'm going to need all the help I can get.

I met Dr. Ian Smith at the 2008 Delta convention. He shared a story that really hit home for me. It actually moved me to tears. I made up in my mind that I would change my behavior for me as well as those who love me. Like many others I have been on this roller coaster to lose weight. At glance I may not appear to be very large to others but as a 5"11 female who enjoyed the benefit of being thin and feeling healthy for year, I too began to struggle after having my thyroid removed. I absolutely loved to eat! I still do. Unfortunately, I can no longer indulge as I have in the past without it reflecting in the way I look and more importantly feel. I have developed all types of health issues that may come with aging to some extent but are exasperated by my weight. I hated feeling bad all the time! I would deprive myself for a short period by fasting and would lose the weight only to end the fast and regain all if not more weight. Since tuning in to the 50 million pound challenge I know it is more about a lifestyle change and I have made a commitment to do just that. I now eat reasonable... enjoy many of the things I like to eat but in moderation. I eat breakfast now when I rarely ever did. I look at food content- caloric intake as well as fat grams whenever I eat most things. (there are times when I will reward myself without the guilt but on "special occasions) In addition to these changes in eating I walk 5 miles at least 5 days a week and very recently started to introduce weights into my daily routine to tone. I am feeling MUCH better physically as well as feeling better about myself. I must admit it is difficult at time as I am a stress eater. My job can be stressful just by its very nature so I had to make a decision to control the eating or allow it to control me!. I chose the former! Now it is becoming second nature. I set a realistic goal and now that I have reached my goal I had added 10 more pounds. My current weight has me in the healthy BMI category but I see a few areas that could certainly still use some work so IT ON!

Great Job Ann!

I myself had weighed 335 at my heaviest, I lost all the way down to 253! Then because I just gave up I went back to 300! So here I am, I joined the gym here locally, I have a personal trainer here who reminds me a little of Gillian from "the biggest loser" but its awesome! I go to the gym in the morning and at night, walk the track and use the elliptical machine. I wasn't much of a smoker but I still smoked a little bit so I quit that too, and its amazing how everything smells better and food even tastes better! Hmmm is that a plus? LOL Well anyways Congrats Ann! My goal is to lose down to 235ish... so I know I can do it and if anyone else is reading this and is sore from working out or think your goal is to far... STOP THINKING THAT WAY! You can do it... correction WE can do it! :)

Thank you, Ann, for giving us the "7 Summits Challenge!" I have been inactive for so long, but this challenge felt like something I could do. I also convinced my husband to join in. We have both reached Everest, and we feel better. It has inspired me to eat better, too, and I have lost 18 pounds! Thank you for being our guide, our cheerleader, and our inspiration! Keep up the great work for yourself!

I am very happy to say that you have inspired me. Usually, I read something like this, and say, "That's nice", and keep on going. But, this time I felt like saying, "I want that to be me!"

I'm in your boat: I'm 46, and I have twenty-something kids, and I want to be a triathelete, but never thought I could (really). I want to do the Three-Day Walk for breast cancer this summer, and I really can't wait to starttraining now. I'm doing Dr. Ian's plan to get myself on the right track. I just went out and bought all the food and printed up my menu for the week and wrote in my journal. Next, I'm going to look for a team. I know I can do this now!

Wow I am so impressed with everyones efforts. Are you on a team or going it alone. I have had trouble setting up my team. The team does not appear when searching. Does someone know what I am doing wrong. I Really what my friends and to get in and get active. So far I have lost 20 pounds. I need the support.

Ann, Paula was right. Your personal story prompts me to tell you my story. Today I went through a three and one-half hour heart test. This test will tell me the health of my heart. Please keep up your good efforts with the challenge in front of you so that when you are in your fabulous sixties that you won't have to spend time and money on weight related illnesses. Your loving, Mom and Dad

Hello I just started the 50millionpoundchallence today so please pray for me I have never done a diet before, I am 62 will be 63 this year and went to the doctors and the scale said that I weighted 181 pounds that really hit me hard. so I figured I better do something.

Hi Ann, I'm just getting started. I'll be 50 in July. Due to lots of family drama in my life, I've let myself go big time. Your story is truly inspiring. I have just joined a healthclub w/a friend at work. 5am workout and today was my 1st day, boy am I tired! I really need to get it together with my eating too, I'm an emotional/boredom eater (which means I'm always eating). I have a son that's the light of my life, he's 9 and I need to get healthy so that I can spend more time with him and hopefully my grandkids someday. So many diets none of them work, maybe this will, at least I'm determined to exercise You keep up the good work and you look fantastic! Blessings!

You Go Ann!!!!! what a great way to fight back ~ so happy for you. keep it up!

Ann you are such an inspiration. The transformation you are undergoing is truly from the inside out. I cheer you as you continue to strive and reach your wellness goals.

Ann you are such an inspiration. The transformation you are undergoing is truly from the inside out. I cheer you as you continue to strive and reach your wellness goals.

Ann,
I'm so proud of you and your efforts to Fight Back! You are an inspiration!

Keep On Keeping On!
Amy from PA

A truly inspirational human being. Keep it going Annie !!!!!

Wow. This is a great story. I am working on my last 20 pounds. Keep inspiring others and remember stay positive and get thin.

I'm feeling ecstatic today.
I signed up for the challenge back in 05/07 but never started trying to lose weight. My husband bought "the 4-Day Diet" book and I started my "lifestyle change" (better than the word diet) with the "4-Day Diet" book on 03/02/09. The week prior I started cleansing and eating in moderation instead of cramming and I lost 5 pounds on my own. In the first week of my lifestyle change with the book I lost exactly 6.5 more pounds. I still smoke cigarettes but I know once I meet the new me, I will no longer indulge in this nasty habit. I'm already starting to dislike them and can't finish a whole cigarette. I am so proud of myself and so is my family. They have been extremely supportive and even though they all love me just the way I am, they know I would feel better about myself once I take off this extra baggage. I'm going to be in a bikini by June (a once piece) and feel sexy while I'm soaking up some Florida sun! I feel fantastic.

HI DR.SMITH I'M WRITING TO LET YOU NO THAT I STARED WHEN THE STEVE HARVEY FRIST COME ON THE AIR WITH THE 50MILLION CHALLEN I'M HERE TO SAY THAT I FILL SO MUCH BETTER .I LOST OVER 100LB. MY SUGER IS AT 103 NOW IT WAS AT 231.NO HIGH BLOOD ANY MORE.I'M MORE HEATHERY.SO DR KEEP UP THE GO WORK THE WORLD NEED MORE DR.SMITH FROM THE BIG GUY 417LB DOWN TO 292LB. MY GOAL IS TO GET DOWN TO 240LB.BY JUNE 2009 BY FOR NOW 50TH FLY AND SEXY.

Congratulations Ann!! I often find myself in similar situations--motivating others but failing somehow to do it for my self. You are definitely on the right track--thanks for motivating me with your story. Keep up the good work!!

Hey all. I have lost over 100lbs, 108lbs to be exact. My starting weight was 364lbs and I am currently sitting at 256lbs. I am looking to start a new team of members preferably those who have lost 50+lbs of weight. The reason for the weight being so high is I want others to understand what its like to be so overweight and how wonderful it feels to loose a massive amount of weight, and how much better they feel after it's been dropped. Please send me an email at seriousdude5@yahoo.com if you would like to join.