Black Weight Loss Success

The Official Blog of the Black Women Losing Weight Community. Tips, articles and weight loss resources for African American Women.

Join Our Email List:
We respect your email privacy
You are here: Home / Archives for Ajima Jackson

Ajima Jackson

Brittney lost 113 pounds with weight loss surgery

by 2 Comments

Proud mom Brittney Joy lost 113 pounds with gastric bypass weight loss surgery.  Check out her transformation photos.

Brittney weight loss

“In March 2012, I started my weight loss journey. I had the gastric bypass surgery. I weighed in on the day before the surgery at 255 pounds. That is my weight in the picture to the far left. The middle picture shows my 6 months to a year progression were I weighed 160-170 pounds. My final picture on the far right is my most recent. I currently weigh 142 lbs. I eat and exercise! I find that when I eat often, my metabolism allows my weight to stay steady. I’m so happy at this point. Don’t plan to lose anymore. Ive fell in love with myself and moved on to the next chapter in my life. ……..SISTERLOCKS!!!!”

Hayet lost 90 pounds

by 2 Comments

Weight Loss Success Story:  Hayet lost 90 pounds.  This Instagram diva and proud Ghanaian shared her weight loss story with the world was able to inspire ladies here and in the motherland.  This is yet another example of how telling your weight loss story can be powerful. Here is what she shared with us:

HayetApr14

“I was always overweight but I actually wasn’t miserable. I was a curvy Ghanaian woman who spent 20 years building rock solid confidence to go with it. In 2010, it all changed when I underwent gall bladder surgery. The experience in itself was a big change for me and I decided to try and lose just a little weight. It took me 5 months, and I dropped about 40 pounds. Once again, I was completely satisfied and spent the next two years simply maintaining a 245lb average.

In 2013, it all changed. I got bored and wanted to make a change again. I knew there were two things I loved – taking pictures and sharing my life through them … and there was no better place to do it than Instagram!
A colleague once told me that when you make something public, you have to go through with it! And that is exactly what I did! In May of 2013, I announced my journey to a healthier body and started sharing my journey with my Instagram followers.  From time to time, I would post recipes, workout photos and my favorite gym clothes. To me it seemed like I was talking to myself, but the joy came when I went home to Ghana in December 2013 and people actually recognized me!  Women told me how my posts really changed the way they viewed fitness … apparently I made it look easy!!!! HA! The positive responses, the likes, the comments, the shares and the reposts have been the fuel of the entire journey. Since returning, I started a few groups on WhatsApp that have brought women in Ghana together to live a healthier life! The women get to ask me questions and together we learn to navigate the seemingly foreign concept of being healthy!

My eating habits in itself have been a journey of their own – I continuously change them as a way of challenging my body. When i first started off, my biggest challenge was putting fruit or veggies into my body. I fell in love with smoothies and my life has changed.  In terms of what I stopped eating, I would definitely say that I cut out all non-natural food products. Most importantly, I started to cook even more. I believe that when you cook you develop a new relationship with food, it is no longer the enemy, as weird as it sounds.

For excercise I joined lots and lots of group classes. Everything from Zumba, bootcamp and kickboxing. I make sure to go to the gym at least once daily…even if one of the sessions is 20 minutes.

In terms of my weight, I never really weighed myself. I didnt want to know. I would say I was pretty close to 290 lbs. At my most recent weigh in was at 201 pounds.I have lots of women who depend on me to post their routine so that gets me in there all the time! My instagram name is @hayetrida you can also see my posts using the #hayetisonadiet hashtag.”

 

 

Update: Joelle’ has lost 90 pounds

by 1 Comment

Let’s show some love to Joelle‘! She we featured her back when she was down 79 pounds and she wrote in to let us know her weight loss total is now 90 pounds. Click here to read her original post to find out the details of how she lost the weight.

Joelle weight loss story

“Since the last time I was featured, I’ve continued on the straight path of a healthy and active lifestyle. Now weighing in at 180 pounds. I’ve lost an overall of 90 pounds. Staring at 270 pounds, I had had no idea where to start.  Now, with clean eating, using Herbalife and exercising I’ve been able to accomplish so much. I want both men and women to know that achieving the results you want is totally possible. All it takes is consistency and determination. No excuses is my new motto! At first this started as just losing a couple pounds… Now it’s a lifestyle filled with positive vibes! My motivation and passion to help others reach their goals is what’s pushes me. I’m so in love with my healthy lifestyle!”
Instagram: @JoJoeyJoe

Joelle weight loss

Nicole lost 27 pounds

by 4 Comments

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Nicole lost 27 pounds, going from a size 16 to a size 10.  This petite diva says, “One pound is equal to 3500 calories – so remember whether you have lost 10 or 100 you’re still a success story!”…and we agree. Every pound should be celebrated and Nicole is doing just that.  She’s not waiting to shout victory at the finish line.  She is enjoying her journey, every step of the way.  Check out what she did to lose the weight:

Nicole weight loss

Name: Nicole Slater-Yarbrough
Age: 37
Height: 5’2″
Starting Weight: 199
Current Weight: 172
Starting Size: 16
Current Size: 10
Biggest Motivation: Wanting my “outside” to reflect the woman “inside”

Summary: “I was not always overweight. I was very athletic and conscious about my size and weight growing up. Time went on, I had a child, got married, went thru a divorce, got married again and then got “comfortable”. The weight just started to add up right before my eyes – but I never really wanted to “see” how I looked. Last year I finally started looking at current pictures and knew I had to do something.

I began drinking more water, working out on my treadmill, then adding Zumba videos, Jillian Michael, Billy Blanks videos and Circuit Workouts along with tracking my calorie intake. I also decided from the very beginning of my journey to begin a Facebook page support group for women over 30 years old looking to support, motivate and inspire each other. The bond and chemistry all the ladies in my group share is awesome. We keep each other on track and motivated as well. I had done some dieting in the past – very quickly and successfully lost weight – then gained it all back because I was refusing to make it a LIFESTYLE. This time around the weight is coming off slowly and steady – I sometimes get frustrated at the slow pace and then I realize this is the ONLY way I will keep it off for life – slow and steady will win the race. This time around I incorporate nothing in my plan that I cannot do for life. This means no “fad” diets, no shakes, no pills, no “theme” diets. Eating better and eating clean most of the time, water, regular workouts and plenty of rest are the only things I will incorporate into my plan now.

I do all of my workouts at home or outside. I will not purchase a gym membership until I prove to myself I can do this. My goal weight is 135 and I know I will make it because my whole mentality has changed when it comes to health and fitness. I used to think it was a race…there was a finish line…there’s no finish line. This is my life. The ladies I lead in my support group know this as well. I have currently hit a plateau with almost 40 more pounds to lose, so I felt submitting my story to Black Women Lose Weight would help reignite the passion and reason I started in the first place. BWLW and the stories featured always give me and the ladies in my FB group an extra “push” to keep going. Maybe my story will do the same for someone else. I’m almost half way to my goal weight and I look forward to coming back to post a follow up story on BWLW after I get there. I wasn’t going to submit my story because I haven’t MADE IT to my goal – but this is what it’s all about – our JOURNEY to get there – I always tell my ladies to ENJOY the weight loss journey – because then comes MAINTENANCE…lol…we’re in this for LIFE! Every success we share becomes the success of every woman trying to get to their goals! One pound is equal to 3500 calories – so remember whether you have lost 10 or 100 you’re still a success story!”

Nicole weight loss

Alzadia lost 60 pounds

by 6 Comments

Update May 2017: We’ve been following Alzadia’s story since 2014 and she has kept the weight off.

alzadia before and after

Yesterday (5/7) was my four year fit-anniversary and I’m grateful to say that I’m still going strong! I’ve had some challenges and have lost some battles during this journey, but the key is to keep going. Towards the end of last year, I was losing the battle due to emotional eating, but I started working with a nutrition coach. That was the best investment in my health that I’ve made. I got back on track and I’m winning again. I just want to encourage everyone on this journey to continue to make health a priority. If you fall, just get back up!

Update Apr 2015: We featured Alzadia’s amazing story a year ago and she has kept the weight off.  She sent in updated photos and let us know that she’s raising money for her gym that helps people transform their lives with no financial obligation.  That’s awesome!

I’m still going strong on this healthy lifestyle journey. Although I am not as cut up as I thought I would be by now, I am making progress! I am now a volunteer trainer at my gym, Trinity Fitness Riverside (501c(3) non-profit organization), whose mission is to help people get into the best spiritual and physical shape of their lives with no financial obligation. I’m participating in a challenge which will include an obstacle course on May 2nd.

alzadia weight loss

Mar 31, 2014: Weight Loss Story of the Day: Alzadia lost 60 pounds.  Losing her mom to breast cancer was her main motivation to get healthy.  Read about how she transformed her lifestyle and lost the pounds:

Alzadia weight loss storyMy healthy lifestyle changed in May 2013! I actually started walking in January, but in May I partnered eating healthy with exercising! I started using the myfitnesspal app to track my food & I stepped up my workout to the 30 Day Shred DVD. I started that program too many times to count but this time I COMPLETED it!! That month alone I lost 11lbs! From there I completed the Couch to 5K program, Jillian Michael’s Ripped in 30 & her 90 Day DVD Body Revolution (twice). Right now, I’m doing the P90X program and I still run. To date I’ve lost 60lbs.

My biggest motivation was & is my mother. She passed away on Oct 20th, 2013 of metastatic breast cancer. We have NO history of breast cancer in our family so I truly believe this illness can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle. I completed my first half marathon in her memory this past February and was able to run the whole thing! If I was able to do all of this, I know anyone is able to it. I want to inspire all women to become a healthier version of themselves!.. One healthy decision at a time!! I do this using my Instagram page: @queen_zadia

Alzadia weight loss

 

Wendy lost 171 pounds

by 11 Comments

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Wendy lost 171 pounds to improve her health.  She embraced regular exercise, changed her eating habits and has transformed herself over the last 2 years.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey to wellness:

Wendy weight loss story

 

“My motivation was my overall health. I could barely walk and I had to purchase my shoes in two different sizes because of the swelling in my feet.  To change my eating, instead of using a large plate I downsized to a smaller plate. I worked with a dietitian and developed better eating habits which meant smaller portions.

Right now I workout 4-5 days a week which includes cardio, walking, running, zumba, strength planking, crunches, and weights.

Wendy weight lossI began my weight loss journey at 401 pounds in 2012 and I am currently at 230 pounds. My transformation is still in progress as I would like to be out of the 200’s. My goal is 170 pounds and I won’t stop until I reach it.

It’s a lifestyle change it doesn’t happen overnight and it requires dedication and hardwork along with the support of true friends and family. I have good days and bad days but I have fallen in love with my waistline and the GYM :).
Don’t give up we do fall down but the goal is to clean the wounds and get back up stronger and more determined than before.”

April Workout Challenge – Spring Into Fitness 2014

by 149 Comments

Hey Ladies, We are going to focus on exercising 5 days a week in April.  You want to workout for a minimum of 30 min per workout.   Some of us may be working out at home and some may be working out in the gym. What exercise you chose to do is up to you and your level of fitness.  Just a beginner? You have to start where you are, so walking 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week is a great starting point.

The goal is to commit to actually exercising…not just thinking about it or talking about it, but doing the work.   On the surface, this is a VERY SIMPLE GOAL, but the key is Commitment.  If you are ready to commit, comment below and let me know that you are ready to “Spring” Into Fitness through regular exercise!!

  • Workout in the gym
  • Workout at home with an exercise DVD
  • Walk at a track, during lunchtime, at a local park or in your neighborhood
  • Workout with a routine you found on Pinterest or Youtube.

…it’s up to you to chose what workout you want to commit to for the month of April.

Medical Disclaimer – Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. If you experience any pain, weakness, unsteadiness, light-headedness or dizziness, chest pain or pressure, nausea, or shortness of breath that is a sign that you need to stop and consult your medical professional of choice. Mild soreness after exercise may be experienced after beginning a new exercise. Contact your physician if the soreness does not improve after 2-3 days.

I’ve put together some simple sample workouts to give you an idea of how you can put together a great circuit workout that you can do at home.  I will be posting sample workouts on our Facebook page, Pinterest board and this blog through out the month.

Need Help: If you don’t know how to do an exercise, search for it on YouTube for video instructions.

Sample Circuit Workouts:

Do these circuits one time through and see how you feel.  If you feel that you are up to it, work on doing the routine 2 times in a row. It is up to you how much rest you need between exercises, but I suggest 30 seconds or less.  You can also find great free workout videos on the Fitness Blender and BeFit Youtube channels.

Apr 2014 workout

Apr 2014 workout

workout sample Apr 2014 workout

Dominique lost 32 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Dominque lost 32 pounds.  If you’ve been dealing with weight loss issues since your childhood and teen years, I think you will really connect with what she has shared about her journey:

dominique weight loss

“On September 18, 2013 I went to the doctor and dreaded to hear that my blood pressure was high. It’s something I’ve heard time & time again and this was from my OBGYN doctor. She recommended that I see my primary doctor for risk of high blood pressure. I left there feeling BLAH! and weighing in at 218 lbs. Later that day, I told myself that I refuse to be on any medication because I was overweight. There’s a long list of health problems in my family due to being overweight and I refuse to follow that trait. My heaviest weight that I can remember was 225lbs. I know I’ve weighed more before but because I stayed away from the scale I’ll never know. But past pictures tell it all.

I’ve always been a yo-yo dieter, so I know the ends & outs of what it takes to lose weight. Problem is I’ve always done it for the wrong reason, and most of all, never for myself. I was always chubby growing up. In high school, I was always the “big” one. My senior year I went on the Scarsdale Diet and lost 40lbs-45lbs right before my graduation. I was at my smallest around 160 lbs and a size 8 in clothes. I had my ups & downs in life. Stress & depression & my emotional roller coaster caused a major weight gain. Jan 2013, I went on yet another weight loss venture because I knew I was going on our family trip to Disney World in August. I got down to 204lbs. I didn’t go on this trip and I gained all the weight I lost back. By mid August of 2013, I weighed in at 223lbs.

After my doctors visit on Sept 18, 2013 I prayed to God that he lead me to good health. I started with detoxing, clean eating and light exercise. Over the next couple of months I incorporated more exercise. I had a few slip ups but that goes along with the journey. Weight loss is definitely not easy. As of today, I am down to 190 pounds, which is 32 pounds lost from August 2013.

My weight has gone up and down all my life but this time I’m doing it for ME! I have no one in my ear telling me to lose weight. I have no travel plans or an event coming up. Quite frankly, “I’m tired of being fat, unhealthy, & unfit”. My ultimate goal is to be 150lbs, healthy, & physically fit by my 30th Birthday this December. I’m taking it slow and steady with no eating restrictions. This is a lifestyle change, not a quick “fix it” temporary diet. With the guidance of Weight Watchers, I’m knocking down my goals one pound at a time. I GOT THIS!!

To those on a weight loss journey YOU CAN DO IT! I’m living proof that it can be done. With consistency, patience, and faith you’ll be able to meet your goals. Just find what’ll work for you, stay positive, and surround yourself with supportive people.

To follow my weight loss journey check me out on IG @fab_fitb4_30 or twitter @chubbydivanique“

Cheronisi lost 80 pounds

by 2 Comments

Weight Loss Transformation: Cheronisi lost 80 pounds. She changed her lifestyle by eating clean, doing cardio and drinking LOTS of water.  Here is what she shared with us:
“My motivation was having high blood pressure and the headaches & medicine that can’t along with it. I changed my eating habits by using less salt. I don’t eat fast food.  I have low carb foods, along with incorporating more fruits and vegetables. I did an hour of cardio 3-4 times a week. Consisting of the elliptical, treadmill, and taking walks. My transformation took overall 6-8 months but my began dropping weight within weeks of my diet and exercise changes. The advice I would give to others is it doesn’t happen overnight and remember never to compare yourself to others because your doing it for yourself. Results are different for everyone find what you enjoy and stick to it. I’ve reached a plateau most recently but I continue to stay positive and motivated.”
Cheronisi weight loss

Courtnea T lost 30 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Healthy Hair blogger Courtnea T wrote us to share her 30 pound weight loss.  This 5’1″ diva found a weight loss program that worked for her and dropped those pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

courtnea weight loss

What Was Your Motivation? – “My motivation was that I was tired of being unhappy with my size. I’d been sick of my size for a while, but it was until I moved after my college graduation that I decided to do something about it. As I was getting settled into my new place Jennifer Hudson flashed across my screen in one of the new Weight Watchers commercials. I’m a huge Jennifer Hudson fan and I figured if she could do it I might as well give Weight Watchers a try. It honestly was the best decision of my life. I proved to myself once and for all that I could achieve my weight loss goals and take control of my eating habits once and for all. I also gained a better understanding of portion control and how to make better food choices.”

How Did You Change Your Eating Habits? – “I started by making small changes, such as less juice and more water. More fruits and veggies and less chips and candy. I eventually worked my way up to rarely having sugary drinks and red meat once every 2-3 weeks or so. In addition I began using a food scale to follow the actual recommended portions on food labels. However, in the midst of my changes I learned that it was okay to indulge every now and then. Currently I try to eat clean (lots of veggies, whole grains, chicken, turkey, etc).”

What do you do to workout? – “My workout routine varies because I do get bored easily. I enjoy HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), Zumba, Strength training, bike riding, walking/jogging. Depending on the weather and my mood I will do any of the above. Currently I’m really enjoying strength training mixed with cardio. I’m loving the definition and tone that I’m getting from that combination! Regardless of what type of workout I do I try to exercise between 4-5 days a week.”

Starting weight/Current weight – “My starting weight was 173 lbs (I’m only 5’1”) and I now weigh 143 lbs. It took me about 6-8 months because I hit plateaus, struggled at times, etc. However, I’ve maintained my weight loss for 3 years now!”

Your advice to others – “My best advice would be to never give up on yourself. I’d gotten to a point where I had accepted my weight even though I wasn’t happy with it. I’d convinced myself that I couldn’t lose more than 5-10 lbs because that’s all I’d managed in the past. Even after starting my weight loss journey there were a couple of times where I really struggled and thought ‘maybe this is it’. I promise that if you keep pushing past bad days, weeks, etc you will prevail and achieve your goals!”

Check out her blog: courtnea2001.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Courtnea2001