The 50 Million Pound Blog

I am a middle age, married, unemployed woman who started gaining weight at age 42...I am now 56 and need to re-energize myself. I never had a weight problem until middle age depression set in. My husband hates fat people and constantly says cruel things about me being "twice the woman he married".. I have got to make this work, lose at least 45 lbs., and get a job again...anyone else with similar experience?

I do not like fish. What can I substitute on the days fish is on the menu?

Hello Dr Ian my name is Erika, I'm 40 years old. I recently married back in June. I lost weight for the wedding but seem to have gained it back plus more. I am currently 250lbs, I want to be out of the 200's by my birthday which is November 15, 2009. I thought it would be possible from watching the Biggest Loser show, I was going to join their club, but they want you to buy this and that in order to join, thank God for you, I joined this site for free, and you give so much information, thank you. I just want to know is it possible for me to loose 50 something pounds from September 19 - November 15. Anyway I'm going to try, starting today, I'm eating lean meats and veggies, drink plenty of water and I am choosing walking as my form of exercise. I have a Leslie Sanson 3 mile walk at home DVD, it worked for the wedding...so I am going to make it work for a life change. I will keep my journal updated on your site with my progress. God Speed to everyone trying to live healther.

Just starting the 30 day meal plan. This is a lot of food? How does somebody who works all day (and not in a sedentary position) fit all this in? How far apart should these meals be spaced? Also, I don't eat meat (just fish on occasion). Is it alright to substitute beans, tofu, or other meat substitutes for the meats?

I have started the 30 day diet plan and so far have lost 4 lbs (week 2). The problem is that I work at night and its getting harder and harder for me to fit all my meals in. I exercise with a brisk walk or go to the gym from 8:30am to 9:30am. I then tend to sleep from 10:00 to 2 or 3pm and then I lay down again at 8:30 or 9pm before work. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Just joined today and so excited.. I have 30 to lose to get back into a siz6 6 (118)... Now am at 148.. UGH... Are we allowed any red wine on this diet.. and if so how much per week?

Love red wine with my dinners....

Hello Dr. Ian,
My name is Tasha and I am a 35 year old single mother. I will get straight to the point. We had a biggest loser going on at our office. I was constantly going up and down on the scale. I started out at 244, the final 3 weeks I started your 3 week(cycle) fat smash diet and lost 10 lbs. All in all I lost 20 pounds and 8.5 inches (thank you Jesus) over the course of the biggest loser. The week after I went to Maryland to visit family, i don't think I did too bad. Two days I had a loaded baked potatoe and a pecan salad from Ruby Tuesday. The following week I returned to work and we began another biggest loser. I started the 30 day meal plan on 8/17/09. On Tuesday 8/18 I was 224.4 today 8/21 after 4 days of the diet I am 225.6. Is this normal for me to start gaining because I switched from the 3 week diet to the 30 day plan? Can you please respond so that I will know if I am doing something wrong. Even if you can't respond..please have someone from your staff respond. I am really enjoying my health and weight lost; and desire to get to my goal of 180lbs. My mother passed at an earlier age due to diabetes and I will live and not die to declare the wonderful works of my God. I don't want my children to go through what me and my brother went through losing her so early. Thank you and I look forward to a response.

Tasha

I started the 4 day diet plan on June 6, 2009.
M\I weighted 155lbs when I started. I now weigh 138lbs. I am very happy with this program. The weight really did just fall off. I started with the 30 day diet and then went into the 4 day diet. The hardest phase was the induction, but my theory was. It is only for 4 days. I have completed all of the phases. I am back on the 30 day diet, but I feel the first week is too much bread. I am not eating as much as I use to. I also love ice cream, I have had ice cream only three times since I started this life change. I am happy about how I look, but I am having a hard time losing the last three pounds. I do work out at leat 3 times a week. Sometimes I work out 4 or 5 times. Mostly cardio, but I found that I am adding resistence weights to my workout. What do you do when you have completed all of the phases, just to maintain your weight or to lose those last stubborn lbs. Thanks Bonnie

My mother and I completed week one of the 30 day food plan. She lost 3 lbs and I lost 5 lbs, we are both very excited and very full! Our question is, once we finish the 30 day food plan, what do we do? Do we start all over, what do we follow? Love this plan, thank you Dr. Ian for designing this for those of us that have been fighting the diet devise for many years.

I started the program 12 days ago and I have lost 8 pounds so far!!! The program is very easy to follow and I am very happy with the results so far. My problem is that I am having terrible gas pains and bloating every day. I have resorted to taking Gas X and Beeno, but I am not prepared to do this for time immemorial. I would like some suggestions on a variety of vegetables that do not cause gas. I love cauliflower,broccoli, and carrots but they have not been kind to me. Help!!! Thanks.

I am so frustrated! I seemed to lose the weight pretty quickly in the beginning 4 months. But now with 15lbs more to go, (and and that's not what the charts say I need to weigh, they say about 30 more to go, but that doesn't bother me!) it has been such a slow process! Progress never the less, but so slow...! I need some type of booster, the exercise and watching what I eat is not quite enough in my eyes anymore!

Dr. Ian,

I am planning on doing the plan but am allergic to seafood and wanted to know what can I substitute for those items?

Dear Dr. Ian Smith:

I need your help on getting the word out on "How can we get our Black Men to start Taking Better Care of themselves?" I wrote and started this discussion title on Facebook under a group called BEAUTIFUL BLACK WOMEN. I know you are concerned about all people becoming healthier and this is great.

Please have someone on your team, if you can't personally write something,post some suggestions on how we can tackle this problem and bring others on board as well.

We must start focusing on this issue because, as Dick Gregory once said, " THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!"

Thanks,

Sophie

I started this plan a week ago today.. and thus far have lost 5 lbs..woohoo!! My only problem is I have toddler syndrome..I can only manage to stomach very few veggies which is a major down fall!! Not to mention the ones I can eat are from a can.. i.e. mushrooms, beans, corn etc.. any suggestions on how to help make this portion of the diet more feasible???

Please & Thank You,
Kelly

Congratulations, and thank you for sharing your story. It's these type of stories that are a source of encouragement. I look forward to posting my own story in the future as well. Great job.

I just went thru the induction phase of the 4 day diet and did not lose one pound.Maybe my body is still detoxing and getting the waste out before the weight loss starts.I just hoped I would have lost at least 2lbs..something..some glimmer.

I am at the plateau stage; HELP!!!

Well, this is my first time ever doing a blog but I figured it's better late than never. lol I am a 21 yr old college student. I am 5'10 and i weigh 337 lbs. I tired of being big, fat whatever you want to call it. I will be graduating in May 2010 and I would like to lose about 87 pounds by then. That may be far-fetched I don't know. My conflict is that since I still live at home and I only really work part-time, I don't have the resources to buy the food that is posted on here that should be ate and my family eats alot of unhealthy foods and doesn't seem too concerned about losing weight as I am. What can I do to start this journey on an extremely tight budget?

Hi! I am a new-comer to this Journey with you. I have tried weight loss routines and diets before with minimal success. But, that was my fault - I got bored and lacked consistency. I have been sticking to my exercise routine but am having problems with my food category. So I will remain consistent with both now with you and Dr. Ian.\

Thanks for welcoming me!

why is my weight the same week after week i eat right and exercise? this feels like a forever battle help

I have reached the 30-day meal plan mark, what happens now? Do I request another 30-day meal plan or do I continue using the same plan I was given the first time?

I need to loose 70 pounds I am 5'4 and weight 225

I have a personal trainer. The days I work out with him I feel great but I lack motivation to work out all the time. I only want to lose a few pounds, but I can never seem to get over the hump. I am now at the lowest weight level I've been in forever (141-144) but I can't seem to get to my goal of 135. Please help!

I am someone just starting out. I have reached an all time high of 269. I just had my second child and I need to get this weight off. I just don't feel like myself. I know its unhealthy and its not the way I want to live my life. Between this site and reading about people in the Essence Magazine I have confidence in it getting done without surgery. That is something that I do not want. So I need the tips and support. To those of you who have worked at it and are currently working at it I commend you. I want to have my own story to tell. Very soon!!!!

I seriously need help with losing 15 pounds. I'm 42 and it seems like my body has decided to take a turn for the worst. I'm 5'7 and weigh 185 pounds. For my frame, I'm good at 165 or 170. I've heard of premenopause and difficulties with extra fatty tissue after turning forty but nothing that I do will get it off and keep it off. I work out five days a week and eat mostly fruits and veggies or low carb/high protein foods but Ive started craving sweets during ovulation and cycle and it's strong chocolate cravings. Can anybody help me come with a plan for Black women over forty?

WOW! That is an amazing lifestyle change!! Great Job!! Keep up the amazing hard work!! I am proud of you and I don't even know who you are I just know I am in the same "RUT" it sounds like you were in! I know I am tired of it and I don't even want to take my clothes off in front of my husband of 15years that I love so much because I hate the way I look and I am doing something about it. He tells me all the time I am beautiful and I Love him for that but I don't feel pretty! I want to be that sexy lady he married! I only have 21 more pounds to loose but I've lost it and gained it lost it then gained it the same old cycle and I'm putting an end to it!! Thank you for your uplifting encouragement!! Your a beautiful person Thanks Kristie

I just signed up for the challenge/meal plan and noticed that most breakfast menus have cereal and I am allergic to wheat and most grain products. Do you have a gluten free menu?