Krazzy you won't believe this.....today today I'm starting this

How One Sister Lost 125 lbs in 9 Months




Tamara Harbison is a huge loser and proud of it. The 27-year-old waitress from
Morrisville, North Carolina, shed a whopping 125 lbs in 9 months with the help
of Dr. Ian Smith's book "The Fat Smash Diet: The Last Diet You'll Ever
Need" (St. Martin's Griffin). The dedicated southern belle who has been
maintaining her new weight since January followed a strict regimen of healthy
eating, regular exercise and good ole fashioned hard work to get slim and trim.
"I originally had no real expectations for this diet. I simply followed
Dr. Ian's diet and exercise plan 100 percent without cheating because I was so
impressed with my results. The fat seemed to melt away day by day," says
the former teacher. Harbison shares with ESSENCE.com how she said bye-bye to
fast food, her new favorite places to shop, and why she was in denial about her
weight.

ESSENCE.COM: Was this your first attempt to lose
weight? If not, why do you think it worked this time?

TAMARA HARBISON: No, this wasn't my first attempt to lose
weight but my attempts were few and far between. This time I think I was really
motivated by the results. I went into the diet with no expectations. I really
thought that I was genetically built to be large. The weight fell off of me so
quickly I figured something must have been right about it.

ESSENCE.COM: How did you find out about the diet?
HARBISON: My mom brought the book to me. Her beautician was
dropping weight and she asked her what she had been doing, and that's how I
found out about the book. I learned of Dr. Ian through the television show
"Celebrity Fit Club."

ESSENCE.COM: In addition to the change in your eating habits and
exercise routine, did you stop dining out as much?

HARBISON: Oh yeah, I started doing a lot of cooking at home
myself. But what is so great about Dr. Ian's plan is that he doesn't keep you
from your normal lifestyle routine. Like, if I had a birthday party to go to, I
would go to the birthday party and there were things there I could have. You
just know your limit. It's all about portion control.

ESSENCE.COM: When you look at older pictures of yourself at your starting
weight or look at your old size 24 clothes, what goes through your mind?

HARBISON: I never actually viewed myself as large as I was.
Looking back at some of the pictures, I sometimes just sit and stare at them. I
knew that I was large but I never viewed myself as being obese. I never
considered myself as having crossed over to that realm but I was there.

ESSENCE.COM: Is there anything you can do now that you couldn't do
before you lost the weight?

HARBISON: It's been fun buying more clothes. It's also been an
adjustment knowing which stores I can go into, because I always had it in my
mind that I couldn't go into Banana Republic because I can't fit anything in
there, or oh, I can't go in J.Crew, and now I say, oh yeah, I can. (Laughs.)
Another thing, I had gotten to the point where I couldn't reach down to buckle
my Maryjane shoes around my ankle. So I would put my shoes on and have my
sister buckle them when I got to church.


http://photos.essence.com/galleries/meet_biggest_loser_tamara_harbison?xid=032509-Enews-Wednesday-tamara-robinson-imglink

Time For A Change

Tamara Harbison is a 27-year-old waitress from Morrisville, North Carolina,
who recently lost a whopping 125 lbs. in 9 months. That’s right; you read
correctly…125 lbs. in 9 months! No surgery, no pills; just regular exercise, a
sharp change in eating habits and a little motivation from a doctor you might
have heard of. Click on to learn all about Tamara’s amazing transformation.

Dreams Do Come True

“I weighed 260 lbs., and typically wore a size 24. Now I weigh 135 lbs. and
can wear a size 4!” Harbison says with delight.

The Way We Were

“I started Dr. Ian Smith’s Fat-Smash Diet on April 4, 2008. I was never a
big dieter prior to that. I do remember doing Weight Watchers when I was a
teenager with my mom and grandmom, but I was a little too young to understand
the concept of dieting,” recalls Harbison of her former dieting habits.

Big Splash

“Exercise? There was none. I actually used to joke with my coworkers that
the only way that I would run was if something was chasing me!” says Harbison.

“And where I live, you don’t really have the option of walking to many
places. Morrisville (North Carolina) is not designed for you to use your feet
and be active to get where you need to go—you drive everywhere,” she adds

In My Genes?

“My grandmother is plus-size and my mom has always been a heavier woman. We
all had [large] hips and butts so I thought, this is how I’m genetically made,”
reveals Harbison.

Slow Down On Fast Food

“I would usually eat twice a day, and there would be some days when I would
only eat once a day. It was the things that I was eating. I ate a lot of fast
foods. If I did cook it wasn’t anything healthy. It would be something like
spaghetti or fried chicken and I would eat late. I would go long periods of
time without eating. So I would wait until I was starving and then eat much
larger portions than I needed to eat,” shares Harbison.

We're Almost There

“I was at 160lbs for awhile and I was thinking, ‘Okay, 160lbs. This is where
I’m gonna stay.’ But there are tools that Dr. Ian teaches you in his about what
you’re supposed to do in these types of situations like changing up your
exercise routine. It helps you get over that hump,” Harbison explains (pictured
here at the halfway mark).

A Little More to go ...

“Dr. Ian’s Fat-Smash Diet is broken into four phases. The first phase is a
detox phase that lasts for nine days. You mostly eat fruits and vegetables. The
second phase is when meat is added back into the diet. There were specific
meat, fish and poultry that I could have but only 4 ounces a day. The next phase
was when he brought more complex carbs back into rotation. And the last phase
is basically the maintenance phase and he calls that the phase for life. It
basically helps you transition the foods you used to eat back into your diet,”
explains Harbison (pictured here during the halfway mark of her diet plan,
summer 2008).

Keep It Fresh

“I have a little lunchbox that I carry my snacks in, like grapes. And I
always have snacks like granola bars in my trunk. I keep an apple or pear with
me too. People often fall off [their diet routines] and get fast food when they
don’t prepare,” warns Harbison.

Working It Out ... We are close!

“I hated exercise when I first started. It was at the very bottom of my list
of things to do because I thought it was boring. Dr. Ian stresses in the 50
Million Pound Challenge and in the book (The Fat Smash Diet) that exercise
shouldn’t be a chore; you should make exercise part of being active. Taking the
steps instead of riding the elevator and taking the escalator, those were all
small changes that I made to my lifestyle. Sometimes I purposefully park far
from the mall entrance just so that I can walk a little more,” says Harbison,
pictured here in summer 2008.

Water Works

“Before Fat Smash, I was drinking an average of one to two glasses daily.
And I was drinking a lot of juices with a high suger content. But now I drink
six to eight glasses of water a day,” explains Harbison.

No Pain, No Gain

“I did not join a gym. I actually live in an apartment complex that has a
small gym and I took advantage of that. There were times that a neighbor of
mine and I would toss a football back and forth for about 30 to 40 minutes, and
that was our arm workout. Dr. Ian suggests that you do something different
every day and add variety to your workout plan. So if I got on the treadmill on
Monday, on Tuesday I would play tennis, on Wednesday I would go ride a bike,
etc.,” shares Harbison.

Staying Focused!

“I have been maintaining this weight of 135 lbs. since January 2009,” says
Harbison.

Living Well

Haribson shares, “I am extremely proud to say that I have made a conscious
decision to continue to eat to live instead of living to eat. I reminded myself
throughout this process that I’ve experienced a lifetime of eating what I
wanted when I wanted with no control. It was time to give my body a new menu
filled with healthier choices.”

A New Attitude

“Before I lost the weight, I lived in fear. I was afraid of the taunting
reminders of strokes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes that plague
my family tree. I love my newfound energy, will, and drive to live a healthier
lifestyle,” shares an excited Harbison.

I posted this on my ice box...if she can loose so can I damn it.

wow..she skeleton in the closest...

bellah wrote:

wow..she skeleton in the closest...

whatever, she looks fine to me

Grat job!! But her head looks kinda big to me

What did she do with the balance of the cow skin..? lol

Geyla Queen wrote:

I posted this on my ice box...if she can loose so can I damn it.

Yea that's a great inspiration GQ!

GQ, morning sis. this is womnderful but aye...dey week na start again. like this woman, i scarelor exercise. i tell myself, i will get up at six and walk for 30 minutes. at six, i switch on the TV. in any case, sinc ei greedy, i will have salads for lunch for the next three weeks...no cassava leaves and palm butter...no rice. and i will follow Traveller style...rice on the weekends. let's pray i don't eat five cups.

all you haev to do is watch what you eat. simple.. dont starve yourself...

i hear u, ma. easier said than done.

krazzy wrote:

i hear u, ma. easier said than done.

i know right

The Fat Smash Diet

By Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature

Reviewed by BrunildaNazario, MD

What It Is
If Hollywood glamour is your thing, the Fat Smash Diet could be exactly what you're looking for. Ian K. Smith, MD, used this diet on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club, where Hollywood celebrities followed the plan and competed to lose weight.

The Fat Smash Diet is not meant to be a quick fix, but instead a lifestyle approach focused on eating healthful, filling foods, and getting lots of exercise. Smith offers an easy-to-follow, low-calorie diet plan, including long lists of foods to enjoy (and those to avoid), plus more than 50 recipes and tips to help dieters change unhealthy behaviors. Smith claims this will be the last diet you'll ever need, regardless of whether you want

" Dieting should not be complicated, painful or unrealistic. The Fat Smash Diet is a simple diet that is easy to follow, and teaches people how to choose the right foods to foster weight loss," the author says.

Smith's promise is that you will change your relationship with food and see results in nine days. "On average, most people lose 6-8 pounds in the first phase, then it slows down to a few pounds a week in the other phases as you increase calories," he says.

If you're fond of junk food and need help learning to eat right and boost your exercise, the Fat Smash Diet may be the diet plan you're looking for.

What You Can Eat

The Fat Smash Diet is a 90-day program divided into four phases. Smith is adamant about not counting calories in this plan. The only calories you'll see are associated with the more than 50 recipes.

Phase 1 of the plan is a nine-day "detox" period designed to cleanse the impurities from your system and rid you of all your bad habits, so you can begin to prepare your "temple." Calories are significantly
reduced and water is used to flush the body. You are told to eat four to five meals, whether you're hungry or not. Skipping meals is not allowed at any phase.

In the first phase of the Fat Smash Diet, food choices should be eaten raw, grilled or steamed. Fats are limited to a maximum of 3 tablespoons, with 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil per day. Allowed foods include unlimited fruits and vegetables (except white potatoes or avocado), chickpeas, lentils, tofu, and beans. It also permits limited amounts of brown rice; low-fat, skim, or soy milk; oatmeal; low-fat yogurt; egg whites; and herbal tea. This is the total menu for nine days.

Phase 2: Foundation is a three-week period introducing additional foods, maintaining the schedule of four to five small meals throughout the day, and enjoying them simply prepared as defined in phase one. Foods allowed in limited quantities in this phase include avocado, lean meats, seafood, whole egg,
cheese, a variety of whole-grain cereals, granulated sugar, butter, fat-free mayo, coffee (10 ounces a day), fruit juice, diet soda, lemonade, and club soda.

Phase 3: Construction is a four-week period embodying the principles of the first two phases, with the ability to add more foods into the plan. Portions are a little larger but still limited. Pasta and bread are introduced for the first time, along with one dessert per day, chosen from a short list of acceptable sweets.

Phase 4: The Temple is the final stage and one that the author promises will last a lifetime. In the phase wine, beer, pizza, and potatoes are now included, accompanying the guiding principles of exercise, portion control, not skipping meals, and eating four to five times daily.

How It Works

The Fat Smash Diet is designed to change your relationship with food and get you hooked on regular physical activity for the rest of your life. At the end of the 90-day period, you should be making better food choices, eating fewer calories, exercising regularly, and losing weight.

During the detox phase, cravings are suppose to be smashed, and the nourishing power of fruits and vegetables reintroduced to your diet.

Because there is no calorie counting in the Fat Smash Diet, Smith shows you how to seek a balance in your food choices and change your relationship with food so you won't overeat. "Diets require a change in behaviors and you must learn how to deal with cravings," he says. "Have a small cookie but if you want more, try frozen grapes, because fruit is healthier and will help you satisfy your craving and control calories."

Throughout the four phases, Smith intersperses diet tips to teach dieters principles of eating healthy. Each phase comes with a laundry list of allowed and forbidden foods. Indulgences such as beer, wine, sweets, and coffee are kept to a minimum.

What the Experts Say

"A simple, easy-to-read book loaded with tidbits and nuggets of useful information, recipes, and workout ideas," says Tara Gidus, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

Although the Fat Smash Diet is a sound diet book in the advanced phases, Gidus dislikes the use of the first phase description. "Detox is a strong word, suggesting a serious addiction, and the word turns me off and may affect dieters the same way." She thinks the first phase is too strict and may be difficult for dieters to get through.

Additionally, Gidus believes starting a new diet is challenging enough without creating a list of "forbidden" foods. The plan would be easier to follow if restricted items such as coffee, wine, sweets, and favorite foods were added in earlier phases, says Gidus. For example, 10 ounces of coffee per day could be the Achilles heel for many dieters. "This could be a tremendous challenge for lots of people, and there is no reason to limit zero calorie beverages if you drink them in moderation," she says.

Gidus does believe that phases two through four "are nutritionally sound, encouraging lots of healthy foods, and plenty of exercise, which is a winning formula for weight loss."

Unlike many plans, the Fat Smash Diet emphasizes fat-burning aerobic exercise. Smith, however, recommends waiting to incorporate strength training until the last phase. Studies show that resistance or strength training -- even with light weights -- is beneficial for balance, bones, and muscle strength. "Strength training should be part of the program from the beginning," says Gidus, "and I worry that waiting to incorporate this important physical activity until the last phase sends out the wrong
message."

Food for Thought

The Fat Smash Diet's initial focus on detox may sound gimmicky but, for some people, wiping the slate clean may be a good way to approach a new diet plan and start over with a healthier lifestyle. If you can make it through the plan's 90 days to the last phase, you are no longer on a diet but living a
permanent lifestyle. The changes to the way you eat and exercise should keep you trim forever.

According to Smith, the Fat Smash Diet is suitable for many types of people because it is widely adapted to any lifestyle. Gidus thinks the plan is best suited for anyone who does little to no exercise and is a junk-food junkie.

"Anyone who is already following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise may not get results from this diet," Gidus says.

I'm doing phase one now...it's been 3 days....so far so good

I got her back oh....supporting her thru out...

yeah its hard in the beginning, esp when you see that nice cake and wanna delve in....
thank God i got good excuse to eat like a pig.. hehehehe

bellah wrote:

I got her back oh....supporting her thru out...

He has, soon people get ready to put something in their mouth…he can be like "you suppose to be eating that"….Chay

candygirl wrote:

yeah its hard in the beginning, esp when you see that nice cake and wanna delve in....
thank God i got good excuse to eat like a pig.. hehehehe

Candy it is about "will power" too (which I lack)...but I'm determined this time around.

Geyla Queen wrote:

bellah wrote:

I got her back oh....supporting her thru out...

He has, soon people get ready to put something in their mouth…he can be like "you suppose to be eating that"….Chay

right now , its cute.. just wait one day when you really hungry or craving something.. soon you pick it up to eat, he will be there asking you...." you supposed to eat that...?" thats when you will letch him.. hahahahahaha

candygirl wrote:

Geyla Queen wrote:

bellah wrote:

I got her back oh....supporting her thru out...

He has, soon people get ready to put something in their mouth…he can be like "you suppose to be eating that"….Chay

right now , its cute.. just wait one day when you really hungry or craving something.. soon you pick it up to eat, he will be there asking you...." you supposed to eat that...?" thats when you will letch him.. hahahahahaha

I know right

Geyla Queen wrote:

candygirl wrote:

yeah its hard in the beginning, esp when you see that nice cake and wanna delve in....
thank God i got good excuse to eat like a pig.. hehehehe

Candy it is about "will power" too (which I lack)...but I'm determined this time around.

me, i am not even condoning that word in my dictionary right now... will what?? hehehehe

Geyla Queen wrote:

..............soon people get ready to put something in their mouth…he can be like "you suppose to be eating that"….Chay

Huh???

there will be things that he will not talk abt...i can assure you! let me stop following Traveller yah...

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!