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Linda Richmond is our Featured Challenger!

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Linda Richmond
I first learned about Dr. Ian by watching Celebrity Fit Club.  I was ecstatic to learn about the Challenge!  Finally someone was taking a proactive approach to raise awareness around preventable diseases.  Education regarding diseases such as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes is long overdue in our communities.

As a result of watching Celebrity Fit Club I found out about Dr. Ian's Fat Smash Plan. The thing that attracted me to The Fat Smash Plan was the ability to transition this type of plan into a lifestyle.  Over the years I have discovered that many of the diets currently out on the market yield quick results that do not last.  My goal was to lose 40 lbs. but more importantly to implement and maintain a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and daily physical activity.  Being 38, I wanted to remove the potential to develop any diseases that could be a direct result of excessive weight (and age).  I implemented the Fat Smash Plan and have now reached my goal weight. I was 210 lbs, I am now 145 lbs.

I continue to exercise daily including cardiovascular and resistance training. Surprising, the small things really do make a difference, such as parking further away from the Mall entrance instead of driving around for 10 minutes looking for a closer space.  Now I actually return the grocery cart to the cart return instead of leaving it in between the vehicles. In the past I have been on diets that eliminated complete food groups only to regain the weight. I now incorporate all food groups but in smaller portions.  I stick to fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains.  I enjoy the occasional treat but limit the portion size.  If I want a special treat I will have it when I go out for dinner instead of buying it to have at home where the tendency to overeat exists. 

In addition, by making yourself accountable to your friends and family you are more likely to stay on your plan instead of cheating. I have developed a team at work where we "check" one another if we see the oth er "back sliding." Instead of smoking breaks we take "walking breaks" helping our lungs instead of hurting them. Our team collectively has lost over 400 lbs. We rewarded ourselves with new clothes and shoes! Not food! The most important thing to remember is to choose a plan that you can maintain as a lifestyle, which the Fat Smash allows you to do! It took me a long time to "accept" that the quick fix diets are just that..quick... but "slow and steady"  does win the race!  I look great and feel even better!  Kudos to Dr. Ian and the 50 million lb Challenge! Keep up the good work!

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Comments (42)

Merreca Thomas:

Het there Ms Lady...
I remember the up & down then up again weight challenges you faced you always are on top of being the best you can be. Love everything your doing and call me so you can come visit.

Take care

Lynna Carroll:

Linda, Good job !!! I am next, you watch me !!!

Linda Richmond:

Thanks Challengers for all of the comments and Support! I really appreciate your well wishes and comments!!If you have questions that you want me to answer or want to chat about tips and suggestions that I have..leave your email address for me. I wish you all continued success...Warm Regards...Linda Richmond

Kim R:

Thats great! I just started the 50 million pound challenge and hearing your story is very inspiring to me. I is great that we have the 50 Million pound challenge support group.

Laulah:

jeavon chapman and robin......We have similar goals.... 170 trying to get to 145......lets do it together.......I think i would be easier if we do it together...... hey linda...u are motivation if u can I can....Am starting June 1st if u are interested you can join my group.....its called the 30day challenge...we cant loose it all in 30days but we can start.........Come one lets go

Laulah:

OMG!!! My goal weight is also 145.....Right now i weight 170.....How long did it take you....Right now you are my motivation....

rose:

You look amazing, i can't wait to be your weight!! You are my inspiration! Thank you! I"m going to do it tooo!!!

you look amazing and great keep it up gurl if you can do i can do it.

I just join and feel encouraged by your story, I am 210 and want to be where you are. I just recently was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I want to reverse that by weight loss. I want to live a healthy life and be able to give back to others. Wonderful to see your story! Thanks Tracy

Trena:

I am so proud of you. I am in the same situation I am 212lbs and I am 4 11 that's to big I have had 3 children over the age of 31 and i've came along way i was weighing 300 plus pounds my youngest child is 4 and i still have so much weight to loose to get to my target weight of 135-145 can you tell me what i am to do. I eat healthy, i work out, i fast, i eat small portions and Even though Ive lost alot I am still not pleased with the thighs and the gut. i am detoxing, and antioxing my body now and everyone says i look great but im not please im use to have a coca cola body and now its not right after going from 140 to 3** I lost so much but now i can look in the mirror and not be sad but this must go

shelina johnson:

U r a inspiration! When i first stated this new way of life in January i was ashamed to put my weight up on the chart but i would follow the meal plans; in April i joined a team weighing 268, now its May and im down to 257 but i was feeling a little down and im not going to lie i felt like eating a bunch of junk not because im hungry just because!! But when i read your story it gave me that nodge i needed to stay strong you are where i desire to be!!!!Thank you

mechelle williams:

you really make me believe i can do this ihave being trying to do this four almost a whole year and this story reall makes me say to myself enough is enough get your stuff in oder and loose 50lbs .

Donna Bouknight:

You go miss lady.....you are looking good..may God continue to strengthen you. My goal is to go from 260 to 190.

Marcella:

You Go Girl you look good, I am at 165 and want to get down to 125, I know it will be hard, But I know it can be done and most important I know I can do it, thanks for the inspiration and the strenght.

Keep up the good work

Anonymous:

You are where I want to be almost exactly! I hope I can say what you now are saying soon. Keep on moving on.

Zsa

AprilMay:

You Go Girl!!!! I am so proud of you... You have given me a new look at myself. I am were you were at now I am trying to get to were you are at, the Top. Keep up the good work and bless you.

Susan:

Hi, yesterday I was listening to Steve Harvey with Pam on telling her story, I decided to down load Dr. Ian's 30 day meal plan. my co-workers and myself have been dieting for a few months, and we're doing good, but it is getting hard trying to find different foods to keep up with our diets. I've down loaded Dr. Ian's 30 day meal plan but I have a question about meal 1-4? I am assuming #1 is breakfast, #2 lunch, and #3 is dinner, what is #4 suppose to be.

jones:

You really look good and it's not how you look. It's how great and health you feel as a person. God bless and keep up the great work.

Latoria Thomas:

Linda,

Great job, my hat goes off to you, you have inspired me and many others!

Sheila Carthon:

Linda, This is a great accomplishment and you have inspire so many others to take the challenge. You look great!!!! KUDOS to my friend.

Felita Carrasco :

Linda,

You look great. I just had a baby and feel very ugh about myself and reading your story showed me that I can lose 45 lbs. You did it then so can I. Thanks for your share you story and again you look incredible.

Britney E. Archibald:

Sis!!!
I'm so proud of you! This is a huge accomplishment. I'm back on track thanks to you!!

Lisa:

Hello Linda,

You do look great and I commend you. It's always nice to hear an encouraging story like yours when getting started. I decided to start today, my weight is at 185 and I want to lose 60 pounds. Wish me luck, and kudos to you and keep it up.. thanks.

Linda-
I thank you for sharing your story it helps to keep me motivated. I started off a little heavier than you did and have already dropped 7lbs at just more than two weeks in. I too have a goal of 145lbs.(67lbs to go), you look great and I know what I have to look forward to!! Thank you soooo much for the inspiration!

D. K.:

Thank you for sharing your story. What an inspiration you are. I have one question, How do you stay on track. I have been trying, trying and trying some more. I need to lose 83 pounds. I started the challenge February 12, 2008 and I lost 11 pounds and thought I was on my way. I am right back where I started. Any suggestions? I can't give up, but this is really hard for me.

Mrs Patterson:

Linda you are definately an inspiration to all of us out here struggling with weight. You look fabulous and I can't wait to the day when I can say I have reached my goal and maintaining it as well. KUDOS to you for being strong enough to do what you have set out to do and for not giving up!!!!

Anonymous:

Im frustrated right now....but THANKYOU. Your story has inspired me again to get back on the bike. wish me luck.

PS You are super sexy!Go GURRRL

amanda johnson:

Linda-
When i saw you in the gym that day I did not recognize you! You look amazing and are an inspiration for me to keep going. Congrats!

casahponder:

You look FAB!!!!!!! I love the reward system (shoes and new clothes!) I am beginning today. I need to loose 48 pounds, and I hope to have your determination as well as your end result. Thanks for sharing your story.

delilah ventura:

Linda,you look great. You truly are an inspiration. Any time you get the opportunity to "plant the seed" of wellness and education, you do so....To this day I still recall our conversations about sugar in foods and what is the min and max amount of sugar we should have in a day"...which has resulted in me being an avid reader of labels on "everything"-----ty

Erika Wallace:

You look good girl! We all know how hard it is to lose the weight and to keep it off you go girl!

heather roessler:

linda you look great! u have worked so hard for this and the results show! u are an inspiration to all!
boo to south beach!

Ashley:

Congrats.... one step for you and our community. Keep up the great work.

robin:

Congradulations sis.
I have type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure and I believe I can beat this by loosing weight. I have to loose 10o pounds and I know I cando it. Keep being strong , you are a great inspiration.

Jeff K :

Linda!!WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!! You look great! You gave a lot of people inspiration to succeed! You have my vote for featured challenger of the year!!! Keep up the great work!! And again WOW!

Keri Socker:

I know Linda personally and just want to say what an amazing woman she is. As a Cancer survivor, I have had some struggles with eating properly and knowing that if I want to continue with my second chance at life I need to change some things and Linda gives me daily reminders (at work) when she sees me doing something I shouldn't and she has actually gotten me addicted to her famous "Yum Yum' salad! :) I love her dearly and am soooo proud of her! She is an inspiration to many!!

Robin:

Linda you look great and you're such an inspiration to all of us..., Keep up the great job! You are beautiful, inside and out!

jeavon chapman:

Girl you look great, please e-mail me. I have so many questions to ask you. I am 170 pounds and i want to get to 145. i just started the plan today and I am not sure how i will do. i love to eat but i am going to put my best foot foward.

hope to hear from you god bless you.

jeavon chapman:

Girl you look great, please e-mail me. I have so many questions to ask you. I am 170 pounds and i want to get to 145. i just started the plan today and I am not sure how i will do. i love to eat but i am going to put my best foot foward.

hope to hear from you god bless you.

Anonymous:

Linda,
You look great and your story is inspiring.
Thanks for sharing

Andriene Pickett:

Congratulations on your weight loss. I am fighting that struggle right now. you are an inspiration for me. My goal is to get to 140lbs from 235.

Patty Cray:

You look amazing. You are an inspiration and it gives me strength so I know I can do it too. Thank you.

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on April 12, 2009 9:40 PM.

The previous post in this blog was In the News: Celebrating Teamwork on CNN!.

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