Cuisine Noir is excited to introduce Healthy Living in partnership with The 50 Million Pound Challenge created by Dr. Ian Smith and sponsored by State Farm. While we are all about the enjoyment of food, we are also committed to helping our readers live healthy lives.

Each month, we’ll feature a Challenger who has successfully joined the 50 Million Pound Challenge to not only lose weight and but maintain a healthy lifestyle. Making healthy choices is important in the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes which are all prevalent in the African-American community. Join us as we work toward creating healthy individuals, communities and countries.

To learn more or to join The 50 Million Pound Challenge, visit www.50millionpounds.com or look at the video by clicking here.

To read our story with Dr. Ian Smith, please click here.

As we join Dr. Ian Smith’s quest for Americans to lose 50 million pounds, we’ll provide a monthly update on the program’s status. For daily updates, please visit www.50millionpounds.com.

Pounds Lost As of December 1, 2009 - 5,142,696

Challenger: Marilyn Winters Hometown: Chicago, IL Year Joined: 2007	Starting Weight: 267 lbs. Current Weight: 150 lbs. Weight Lost: 117 lbs.

Her Story:

In 2007, Marilyn Winters was preparing to take a trip to Jamaica with friends. Her close friend, who was also her “eating buddy,” decided that she wanted to lose 30 lbs. Although she didn’t think about dieting before, Winters didn’t want to be the only one not in shape on the trip; so she decided to lose 40 lbs.

In the beginning, she started watching what she ate and then one day changed her life. She heard Dr. Ian Smith talk about The 50 Million Pound Challenge on various radio and TV shows and decided to join immediately and the rest is history. She left for Jamaica 60 pounds lighter.

Making the Change:

Before joining the Challenge, Winters’ diet mainly consisted of sweets, fast foods and other foods high in fat as her career as a hospital administrator kept her very busy and on the go.

Winters started by making changes to her daily food intake. She was not a big fan of breakfast in the past, but now it is the most important meal she plans for. A protein shake, fruit and vegetables are always on the menu. In addition, she is big on what she calls “filler foods” which are healthy foods she can enjoy through the day before dinner.

As for her fitness routine, she began working out with a personal trainer three days a week. And now maintains a weekly workout schedule of 5-6 days. She runs a half marathon every month and just completed the Chicago Marathon in October 2009. Her goal…. to have the body of a Gladiator.

Her weight lost of 117 did not come overnight and was not easy. But she knew her dedication and patience would soon pay off. She notes “when the process starts to work, we have to belief in it even when we don’t see the results.”

Support and Inspiration:

By joining The Challenge, Winters gained the support of Dr. Ian Smith and the thousands of other Challengers. But she also credits her success to having an amazing network of personal friends, co-workers and family who cheer her on each step of the way.

In addition, the more weight she lost, the better she felt about herself. That alone was a big motivator for Winters to continue her journey. She also learned that “if you treat your body right, your body will be good to you.”

Winters is featured in the national TV commercial for The 50 Million Pound Challenge. To view, check here.