The 50 Million Pound Blog

Hi, my name is Peg and I just joined about a month ago but had not done any thing as of yet but am looking forward to starting and interseded in what others are doing.And good luck to those who are trying to get started also.

i have just join the team and i am very happy. looking forward to great things.

Arnie, you and I are in the same age bracket (I am 56), and your blog is certainly an encouragement to me. Today is my first day on the program, and my goal is to lose 140 pounds, one day at a time! Thank you for allowing me to read about your journey.

I want to congratulate you on your courage to embark on the change that you are now making it your life. It's never too late to make a change. I want to encourage you, especially as you travel, to keep your eye on the prize. You can make smart decisions, even if you are eating out.
Continue to love yourself and to make smart decisions, for YOU. Blessings.

Great Story! And may your successes continue! I'm also a member of the 50 million pound challenge and a Networker as well, I've lost 40 pounds to date and I continue to be active by helping others lose weight on a daily bases:) Thank you Arnold for sharing your inspiring story.

Wfaison

Hi,
I have been on this weight loss journey all of my life but, june 1 i started again and this time I will not stop until I reach my goal weight. I have been eating around 1500 calories and walking 5 to 6 miles 6 days per week, but for some reason the weight is not coming off I lost about 10lbs the first 3 weeks and nothing has come off since. I was watching a talk show and heard that if you don't eat enough calories your body will store the fat. I am really confused as to why the weight is not falling off. I need some advice.

Go for it Arnie!
Let me know when you are ready for a tennis match. We will celebrate your loss (I mean weight loss) with a can of anchovies.

This is my first blog. I'm am just starting out. My current weight is 245. I am a single mother, full time worker, and soon to be return student. I have neglected me for so long and now it time to get back. I have tried losing weight before and did it. But like most the weight came back times two. So here we go.

I want to say that this is the first day...but honestly I know it isn't. How far do I need to go before I realize that I am at an unhealthy weight...which I know...which I promise myself to take control...but here I am still saying and not doing.

I was on weight watchers and lost about 30 pounds in six months...I was proud of myself. Then something at home came up and I could not attend the meetings. After a while I did the on-line but soon lost interest...I gained back the weight plus an extra 10 pounds. I hate myself...I hate the way I look. I wasn't always heavy and I need to wonder what happened. I know...I know...I ate myself to this weight and stopped walking and exercising. I am not blaming anyone...only myself...but enough blaming and starting. Please tell me...why can't I just start...I know I must. I am feeling this weight in my hips and legs. I am always tired and depressed. Isn't this enough to wake me up...how much further must I go before I finally take control of my life.

I will begin the program on Monday, July 13th. I need to get control of my life. I have printed my 30 day meal plan, and only have one problem. I cannot, will not eat rice of any kind. Is there a suitable substitute?

Your stories are inspiring - thank you

Hey Cedar Falls IA I need a work out buddie (jogging buddie)

I was watching television when I saw that commerical about taking the challenge. I'm so fat I'm afraid I don't have what it takes but I want to try. I'm not feeling sorry for myself honestly. I've done so many different diets in the pass including diet pills. I've only gotten bigger! But I want to be happy. I believe this will only come if I feel and look healthy. I'm tired of looking in the mirror and not liking the person I see. People are always saying if you don't like who you are change. But if you have tried everything according to your budget and still you have had no success what do you do then? I guess thats why I willing to try this challenge. I do hope who ever is reading this can relate to the way I'm feeling. Weight is such a touchy issue. It takes you on a personal emotional roller coster ride. Hopefully one day I can post my weigh and feel good about it. But since this is my first day This is my way of getting started. I must add I enjoyed reading all the positive comments. Right now the comments I've made about myself might not sound so positive but in time I hope that will change.

I've recently joined 50millionpounds.com and in reading the beginning information, one of the things that I read was to make time for exercise. So I thought, how can I remind myself in such a way that I will remember and quite possibly feel guilty if I don't. I decided that the one thing that would help is to put a reminder in my phone. So I set up an alarm to go off at the same time every day, a time that I knew I would be home to remind myself it's time to exercise. I love it, and so far it's working. I set my alarm to go off at 8a.m. everyday and all it says is "Time to Exercise" I just wanted to share. I hope it helps...it's helped me.

Hey Arnie:
You look like Nolan Ryan.

Arnie, I am very proud of you. Losing weight and keeping it off is all about value. You are important and being healthy is important. There are no other options. Stay the course and see you at the wedding.

Go Cuz!!!!!!!

Maybe you will inspire me!

This is to answer the post by Ann on July 5th stating her and her husband felt like it was too much food.

I have a personal trainer I see 3x a week and he has pounded it in my head to eat 6 times a day. I kept complaining that it was too hard and too much food and I wasn't hungry. He told me to eat before I was hungry, if you feel hungry---you have waited too long to eat. By eating every couple of hours, you maintain a higher metabolism and the higher your metabolism is/stays, the more calories your body burns (everyone knows that each time you eat, your metabolism spikes to help digest your food). Also, keep in mind that when you only eat 1-3 times a day, your body "thinks" it is starving and holds on and stores all of those calories and fat because it goes into a survival mode. Another tip he gave me is try not to eat after 6pm and don't eat CARBS!

Your body does need calories and carbs for energy so if you are working out moderately, taking in too little calories also isn't going to make you lose weight any faster. When I first started with my personal trainer, I was consuming about 1,200 calories a day, working out 5 times a week, and I was on average burning 1,000 calories every workout and I burn 1,600 at rest (not doing anything at all--see your doctor for a test). I did this for a month straight and didn't lose ONE pound--no joke. So if you did the math, you would think that burning 2,600 calories a day and taking in only 1,200 would make me drop weight like a woman dropping money at a shopping mall, but it was only opposite. My body, again, went into survival mode. I wasn't giving myself enough calories to sustain the workouts I was putting it through so it stored everything I put in my mouth.

Not everyone can follow a cookie cutter diet/eating plan and lose weight. Some people have to watch their carbs to be able to lose ANY weight and some people all they have to do is watch calories. You have to find what works best for you.

So back to Ann, no, it's not too much food (but it is a lot to get use to). Food is fuel for your body and if you break it up throughout the day and are doing some sort of exercise, you will lose weight.

Desirae

Thanks all for your comments. By the way, my blood tests DID turn out okay as I had hoped for.

To Audrey above, all you can do is reduce your calorie intake and have a good attitude, your exercise will have to come when you can do it. At my weight and age, I cant exercise as much as the average person here, but I am doing what I can, and its working.

To all who wonder about eating multiple times a day, I can only say that it works for me, I spread out my 1400 calories into 3 small meals and a few other snack-times inbetween. The more times you eat each day, the better, as long as you stay within the guidelines, which for me is around 1400 calories as I said.

Congrats Arnold,slow and steady is the course you want and I have followed. I too did not want surgery,as an OR nurse what we are doing with Dr. Ians help is the best. Us your journal daily it is a wonderful way to support and talk your way through it. I started last Jan with a girlfriend and have lost 50lbs. I love this web site and love my new health. Off blood pressure meds and blood sugar is great. Just jogged a 4mi run for the first time. Keep up the great work Arnold, slow and steady.

My wife and I began our food plan today and she is convinced it is based on my height, weight and metabolism. Does anyone else feel this is alot of food? We ate four out of five meals today and would be over fed to have eaten the fifth which included five ounces of fish and a cup of vegetables.

remember that you can do all things threw christ jesus who strengthens me read phillipians and pslams when you feel your at a weak point keep striving keep the faith you can do it!!!

Hi

I am starting over. I had spinal surgery June 3rd. Activity is not a option at this time. I will have to reduce my calorie intake and see if that helps me loose weight. Between the medication, the pain, and the surgery I am eating and gaining weight. Please give me some incouragement.

THANKS AUDREY

I've always been between 125 -135 even after 5 children.when I got married it all went south I'm now 165 and I just can't get it off I plan to take this challenge I want to lose about 25 pounds I will talk to you soon with a update