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

Chandra lost 61 pounds

by 3 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Chandra lost 61 pounds.  This proud mom was motivated by her son who is fighting obesity as well.  Here is what she shared with us about how she is losing the weight:

“I’ve lost 61 pounds so far from my highest weight. I plan to lose 50 more. I’ve done this by switching to a high protein, low carb diet, drinking plenty of water, and exercising at least 3 days a week. I had to finally make up in my mind that I was ready to make a change.

My first motivation is to be an example to my son who is struggling with obesity. Secondly I just want to live a healthier lifestyle so I can live longer. I’ve struggled with weight all of my life and I’m ready to change for good. My starting weight was 336 pounds and my current weight is 275 pounds. My goal is 235 pounds. I’ve been working with a nutritionist who has been helping me with a high protein, low carb plan. I eat between 1200 and 1400 protein calories a day and no more than 30 grams of carbs a day. For exercise, I workout on the elliptical for 30 minutes, 3 times a week and other multiple machines that target my thighs, stomach, and arms.”

Chandra weight loss success story

Weight Loss on a Budget Tip #16: Stop Drinking Soda and Sweet Drinks

by 2 Comments

Ladies, one of the ways that many weight loss plans get us to lose weight is by telling us to avoid a whole food group.  Sometimes this advice is counterproductive and you don’t get the nutrients, vitamins, fiber or protein you need because you have cut something out that the body needs.  However, with today’s tip, I’m sure  you can cut these 2 things out and you won’t miss out on vital nutrients.  In addition, you will be able to save some money.

Weight Loss on a Budget Tip #16: Stop Drinking Soda and Sweet Drinks

That’s right!  If you haven’t already stopped drinking soda and sweetened drinks, there are so many reasons why you should.

  • The sugar and caffeine content is the major reason to stop drinking it in terms of weight loss.
  • If you are drinking diet soda, you may feel like it’s harmless but the affects of faux sugars are debated.  Some have connected sweeteners with nerve damage and other potential health risks.
  • Sugary Drinks are one of the major ways that people take in unnecessary calories.  Don’t drink your calories.

For the purposes of our October Challenge, I want you to consider leaving soda of all kinds and sugar filled drinks alone.  Try it for the rest of this month and see if it makes a difference.  Save your money.  Save calories.  It’s a win win.

You don’t need these drinks in terms of your daily nutrition.  Drink more water.  Drink tea.  Have a green smoothie. Make some fresh juice.  Your kidneys and your waistline will thank you.

soda sweet drinks

 

Roletha lost 120 pounds with weight loss surgery

by 5 Comments

Roletha lost 120 pounds with weight loss surgery.  She has successfully used surgery as a tool and developed a healthy lifestyle to help her keep the pounds off.  Here is what she shared with us:

“Hello, I lost 120 lbs after Gastric Bypass surgery in 2008. I have successfully kept the weight off. I exercise 4 or more days a week, eat healthy and daily remind myself it can always come back. The surgery was only a tool.  The rest of the hard work was and still is up to me. I changed what is in my head not just my body.  My weight today is 147 pounds.   My goal is to get back down to 140 pounds!

I eat small portions…lots of fruit, veggies and drink lots of water.  I occasionally have wine or mixed drink but that’s rare.  No bread or fried foods. I run from cake, cookies, chips, soda and drink nothing that has high fructose corn syrup. Bought a Nutribullet and I’m loving the smoothies.

My advice to others: Put your health FIRST.  Hit the gym regularly.  Remember to use portion control.  If you need support, join a program like Weight Watchers.  I WW joined just for the goal of seeing my weight go down weekly. Change your mind it will change your body!

Roletha weight loss success story

Lorna lost 73 pounds

by 6 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Lorna lost 73 pounds.  This 54 year old proud mom says that she doesn’t mind getting older, but she is fighting the affect of aging.  She has changed her lifestyle in terms of eating right and exercising and the hard work has paid off.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

Lorna weight loss success story

What was your motivation?

I was epileptic as a child and exercise triggered my seizures. I eventually grew out of it, but, by that time…who wanted to go to the gym? In January 2009, I took my daughter to her first GYN appointment and had mine too to keep her company. They weighed me and told me that I was 272 pounds. I nearly fainted. I had NO….repeat NO idea. As a single mom, it wasn’t a priority to take care of ME! When my daughter went to college, it gave me time to focus on me. I don’t mind aging. I embrace ALL of my 54 years. I have decided to fight the heck out of getting old, though. Holding on to the extra weight was holding me down and back from what I wanted the next phase of my life to look like.

How did you change your eating habits? 

I eat a lot of fish and poultry. I have always liked veggies and fruit. I limit (bad) carbs, processed food, alcohol and sugar. For me, it’s all about picking my battles and I know that if I want something out of the ordinary, there is a price to pay. I try hard to look at the changes as a lifestyle change as opposed to a diet.

What did your workout routines look like? 

Initially, I could only do 7 minutes on the elliptical and 5 minutes on the stairmaster. Over time and with lots of persistence, I worked up to being able to do an hour on both. I SWORE I would NEVER spin and now…spinning is my most favorite workout. Currently, I am now ‘trying’ to embrace running. Typically, I do some type of workout 5 – 6 days a week. For the past couple of months, I have been working out with a fabulous trainer at my neighborhood rec center 3 times a week.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
Starting: 272 pounds Current: 199 pounds

How long did your transformation take?

I am still transforming…I started my journey in January 2009 and I am NOT done yet. I plan on getting things ‘right and tight’ and I am shooting (at a minimum) to be the actual weight on my drivers license of 172.

What advice to you have for others who want to lose weight?

Advice??? Never, ever give up! No matter what size you are TODAY or how old you are…it is never too late to redefine who YOU want to be. Also…don’t compare YOUR journey to that of anyone else. As you are unique…your journey will be as well. Just do YOU!

Weight Loss on a Budget Tip #15: Diversify Your Protein Options

by Leave a Comment

The Weight Loss on a Budget Tip for Today: #15 Diversify Your Protein Options.  Meat is not the only source of protein.  There are so many different, affordable options for you to get the protein you need.  Sometimes, having variety in terms of meat can be expensive.  You may not be able to afford some leaner cuts.  You may not be able to experiment with things like bison or buy steak.  Here are the options everyone thinks of when looking for lean sources:

  • Poultry – My fav is Chicken Breast – Buy it in bulk and freeze it
  • Lean Red Meat
  • Fish – Canned Tuna is very affordable
  • Plain Greek Yogurt
  • Egg Whites
  • Cottage Cheese
  • Whey Protein Powder

Here are some affordable protein options you may not have considered:

  • Quinoa
  • Almonds
  • Beans
  • Seitan – Faux Meat made with gluten
  • Soy Faux Meat products, like Tempeh or Veggie Burgers
  • Roasted Soy nuts
  • Tofu
  • Peanut Butter
  • Soy Protein Powder
  • Hemp Protein Powder
  • Almond Milk
  • Soy Milk
  • Edamame
  • Lean Pork, like pork loin or chops
  • Chicken Tenderloin

Check out this great Men’s Health article for more info.

protein sources

Tiffany lost 70 pounds

by 3 Comments

Tiffany wrote to us to share her weight loss story.  She is down 70 pounds!  Here is what she had to say: ”

From February 2, 2013 until September 3, I’ve lost 70 lbs! I wanted to share my story because I’ve been so encouraged by the successful weight loss stories you’ve shared. Losing weight used to be difficult but since I started [a low glycemic diet, low calorie] Liquid Amino diet in February, it has been a wonderful transition into a new me. I’ve always struggled with my weight but in the last 10 years, after losing my parents and having a baby, the everyday stresses of life have taken a toll on my body along with a lack of exercise. Now, I no longer take blood pressure medication. I stopped eating pasta, corn, potatoes and bread.  I started eating 5 meals a day consisting of 5 proteins, 4 vegetables, and 2 fruits including half my body weight in water.  Almonds, chicken, salmon, eggs, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, turkey, etc no sugar or soft drinks. I feel energized and happy.  Also, I still have more weight to lose but the program has taught me how to eat clean and maintain a healthy lifestyle. I was miserable in a size 26. Now I feel and look better.

Tiffany weight loss success story

Fact: 1 Pound of Fat equals 3,500 Calories

by Leave a Comment

Weight Loss Motivation for the Day

1 Pound of Fat equals 3,500 Calories!  We also know that 500 calories burned per day for 7 days equals 3,500 Calories!

GET THE Math and how it can help you?

Knowing the amount of calories you eat and what you burn in terms of activity can be very helpful when you are losing weight. It’s not 100% of the weight loss equation.  There are many other factors that impact weight loss, but this basic information can help you understand what weight loss goals are realistic and which ones are not.  For example, I heard  Ruben Studdard this morning on the Tom Joyner Morning show say that on the new season of “The Biggest Loser” they worked out 7 hours a day.  Yes, that is what people on reality shows are doing to achieve the extreme weight loss you see, losing tons of weight in one week. In a recent article, for US Weekly, he says that he will have to workout 2 hours a day to continue his weight loss after the show.  Huge calorie deficits are difficult to achieve if you aren’t working out for hours a day or drastically changing your eating habits.

calorie deficit 3500 calories

Frema lost 45 pounds

by 3 Comments

Weight loss success story of the day:  Frema has worked hard since June to lose 45 pounds.  She used clean eating and regular exercise to lose the weight.  She says that she is focused on being healthy and eating right…not losing weight.  Here is what she shared with us:

“I’ve been overweight my whole life. I have never been skinny.  All through high school I struggled with being one of the biggest girls at school.  My senior year I weighed 300 lbs. I decided to do something about it and ended up losing 60 pounds. However, when I came to college I gained all but 20 pounds back. So, on June 2nd of this year I decided to get back into shape and get to my goal weight of 180-160lbs.”

Frema weight loss photos

What was your motivation? 

“At first it was being the director of my school’s fashion show, but then it became about me as well as something to fulfill me spiritually. Being an inspiration to others sometimes will help me on my lazy days. I know so many people are watching and I try my best (in my means) to be a good role model for them.”

How did you change your eating habits?

“At first I started out with a low carb atkins style diet, which was okay but wasn’t always healthy (basically fried chicken, chicken nuggets and ribs were okay lol). After I got into the habit of going to the gym almost every day, I didn’t want to lose all the hard work that I had been doing by eating badly.  Also, I wanted to maximize my results at the gym. So, for the last three months I have just been eating clean, I don’t eat processed foods or drink sodas. If it’s in a can or box and I eat it, it probably only has three ingredients. I eat a lot of vegetables and drink a lot of water.  It just makes me feel a lot better eating this way.”

What did your workout routines look like? 

“I exercise 6 times a week, mostly weight lifting with 20 minutes of cardio.”

What was your starting weight?

“I started June 2nd of this year at 280 pounds.”

What is your current weight?

“I weigh 235 pounds”

How long did your transformation take?

“About 4, coming up on 5 months!!!”

What advice to you have for others who want to lose weight? 

“Eat clean. Tt is so much better than counting calories. Once clean food becomes your regular diet, then you are fine to eat the occasional slice of pizza or ice cream and not worry about gaining weight. I cheat all the time but I cheat healthy. I’ll make whole wheat desserts or frozen greek yogurt and sometimes even use sugar. Losing weight shouldn’t be the goal. Eating to fuel and nourish your body should! Working out, as well. Once you get out of the mind frame of “weight loss”, the scale doesn’t bother you. The hindered results don’t bother you. The accidental bench doesn’t send you into despair because you know that youre doing right by your body. Treat your body right and it will thank you in so many ways! I have plenty other tips on my instagram @fremasfitnessforum

Here is a video of her during her journey:

Weight Loss on a Budget Tip #14: Eat Out Less

by Leave a Comment

Eat out less

Tip #14 for our October Challenge is at the top of the list when it comes to losing weight on a budget…”Eat Out Less“!!  That’s right, It’s another no brainer.  Eating at restaurants is on average more expensive than preparing your own meals at home.  You will save money not only on the cost of meals, but also on things like the cost of alcohol, valet parking, city parking and tipping a waiter.

In addition you’ll avoid many desserts and extra calories in foods in general.   Consider this; When you don’t cook the food, you don’t know what’s in it.  When you select and prepare your own food, you can save money but also save yourself from the foods that will counter act your positive weight loss efforts.

When I say “eating out”, I’m talking about dinners on the town, lunches at work, coffee drinks, cupcakes from a cute store and food out of vending machines…just to name a few sources of food that you may be spending money on.  Think about how you can cut back on some of this eating and how you can prepare more meals at home or in ways that will save you money.

  • Pack you lunch
  • Buy healthy drinks in bulk and take them with you
  • Eat and drink before you go out with friends so that you won’t be tempted or you will eat significantly less
  • Buy healthy snacks in bulk so that you aren’t tempted by the vending machine snacks

 

Melissa lost 157 pounds

by 1 Comment

Let’s show some BWLW love to Melissa.  She has lost a total of 157 pounds.  Here is what she shared with us:

“Good Evening, my name is Melissa Thomas. I’m 44 years old. In 2009, I weighed 325 pounds. In 2011, I lost a total of 143 pounds. I now weigh 168 pounds, down 157 pounds total.  I went from a size 26 to a size 10.”

Weight Loss Motivation: “My sons and my health were the main motivation for my weight loss.”

What did you do to lose the weight?: “I changed my eating habits by eating breakfast. I wasn’t doing that at first. I also stopped eating pork and I eat a meal at least 6 times a day.  I started at Curves for a year, then I just worked out at the gym 3 days a week.  It took me 2 years to lose get to a healthy size.”

Your advice for others who want to lose weight: “The only advice I can give is “Stay motivated and focus”. It’s hard work but as long as you have determination it will be ok.”

Melissa weight loss story