Black Weight Loss Success

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Ajima Jackson

Shaniqua lost 102 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Shaniqua!  She has lost 102 pounds going from 285 pounds down to 183 pounds.  Check out her before and after photos. Here is what she shared with us:

“This has been the longest journey of my life. Depression had me at my heaviest weight in 2006.  I weighed 285 pounds. By the grace of God, I woke up, got up and started moving. I cut out fried foods and fast food.  I also started taking a step class once a week for exercise. I went from 285 pounds to 206 pounds within two years and I stayed at 206 lbs. from 2008-2011. Then, I had my second child and went back up to 225 lbs. Before depression could sink back in, I joined Weight Watchers.  I went from 225 pounds to my current weight of 183 pounds with the Weight Watchers weight loss plan.”

Shaniqua weight loss story

Natalie lost 43 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Natalie lost 43 pounds by eating healthier and working out 4-6 hours per week. Her story shows that weight loss has it’s ups and downs and it takes time, but you can re-commit and have success.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is Natalie and here’s my story. I have struggled with my weight for my entire life. My two wake-up calls happened during during my freshman year in college. First, I wasn’t able to fit into a roller coaster ride at a theme park and had to get off the ride. Second, I had to do an assignment for one of my classes which required us to weigh ourselves. I found out I was 240 pounds (left picture). I was devastated. This information was enough for me to decide to change.

I started counting calories (1500 per /day) and working out for 1.5 to 3 hours/three days a week. In eight months, I lost 60 pounds. Unfortunately, I was not eating healthy during this time. When I stopped calorie counting, I gained about 24 pounds back over the course of three years. Now, I am restarting my journey to lose weight. I started about a month ago (after my college graduation) at 204 pounds and I am now about 197 pounds (right picture). I am eating MUCH healthier and only drinking water. I workout 4-6 hours a week doing a combination of running, elliptical, modified INSANITY workouts, Zumba, weight training, and walking. I realize now that this is a lifelong commitment. I am currently working to lose about 15-20 pounds before the beginning of November. I am so inspired by the success stories of the women on this Facebook page!

natalie weight loss pictures

Keya’s Emotional Weight Loss Story

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I had to share Keya‘s moving story that she posted to our Facebook page.  She didn’t note how much she lost (you can see it in the photos) but I think the details of her story are far more important and inspiring.  Here is what she shared (Update Oct 2013: See her updated photo and more info below the original post):

Many people don’t believe me when I tell them I got to 200 lbs. I was at a place of hopelessness and despair. My husband was in prison, I was raising 3 children as a single mother all while working 40+ hours a week and maintaining a 4.0 average in college. I had no time to take care of me and I had no time to love me.  All the love that I could muster each day was distributed evenly amongst my 3 children. A life of pain including suicide attempts, miscarriages, infidelity, not being wanted by your mother, finding out at 26 that your biological father is in fact your mother’s step dad and SO much more…was a building volcano waiting to erupt.  I am finally at a place where I am getting back to the basics! I found my voice and no longer allowed those things to hold me bondage. I use them to help others and that allowed the chains to break free.

We often time live life as though we are invincible, well, I had a mini stroke back in 2009.. It was one of the many times I had a brush with death and I just kept praying that God would help me to live because I was not ready to die. Finally, once again, I AM LIVING Y’ALL! Get your health right, you only got ONE life! I changed my eating habits and I workout with a trainer 4 times per week including electrifying cardio and Zumba classes. I also walk/run 5 miles on the 5th day. I hope to inspire someone, as I know what it feels like to have no inspiration or motivation in life.  I love y’all to PEACES! ♥~Keya

Keya weight loss pictures

Update – Keya has lost 40 pounds: “I just wanted to share a more updated picture, I’m still losing pounds and inches and wanted to reshare my story in hopes of helping another.”

Keya weight loss photos

Candyce lost 51 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Candyce lost 51 pounds with the help of the MyFitnessPal app, learning to eat her favorite foods in moderation and working out regularly. Here is what she shared with us:

What was your starting weight?  What is your current weight?

In the before photo I’m at 206 pounds in August 2012.  In the after photo I’m at 155 pounds in July 2013.

What was your motivation?

My motivation was mostly my babies. When my then 2 year old told me “Mommy, you got a big fat belly!” I knew that it was time to make a change! Also, I was sick of not being able to run and play with the children.

How did you change your eating habits?

I didn’t cut out my favorite foods, I just ate them in moderation. I also changed the way I prepared things, such as using wheat flour instead of white flour and using whole wheat pasta. I wasn’t a bad eater to begin with, but like most of us, I tended to overindulge. I also started using the MyFitnessPal app to keep track of what I ate.

What did your workout routines look like?

When I first started, I was going to boot camp classes twice a day.  I had to cut that out when I sprained BOTH ankles. So then, I turned to YouTube for some low impact cardio, arms, leg and an workouts.

How long did your transformation take?

My transformation took 7 months and I have maintained it for four months so far! Thanks for keeping black women encouraged!

Candyce weight loss pictures

Courtney lost 186 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some love to Courtney!  She is a long time member of BWLW and was one of the first people featured on our Facebook page (before we had a blog).  She lost 186 pounds after having vertical sleeve weight reduction surgery about 7 years ago.  She wrote to us to update her story:

“My name is Courtney and I have been big all my life.  At 21 years old, I changed my life by having weight loss surgery! I had the vertical sleeve procedure in 2007.  Then, I was wearing a size 28-30.  Now, I’m in a size 6-8 and I weigh 140 pounds, down from 326 pounds!!! I had a baby in December 2011 and I still maintained my weight.  I’m over joyed with the healthy me.  I had the surgery because that was my last hope after trying everything under sun and spending lots of money! So, if it works for you great!! Thanks so much for your time!”

courtney weight loss surgery

 

Lindsey lost 140 pounds

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Update: Lindsey has lost a total of 140 pounds and her loose skin removal surgery is being chronicled on a new show, Skin Tight, on the TLC network. (Jan 27th at 10pm EST). More info on the show.

lindsey before and after

July 2013: Today’s weight loss before and after story: Vlogger Lindsey M. Adams lost 126 pounds.  She realized God’s healthy plan for her life, left an abusive relationship and learned to eat right and exercise with programs like Weight Watchers.  Here is what she shared bout her weight loss journey…

Lindsey weight loss storyLuke 1:37 “ For with God nothing shall be impossible “ That is the foundation that transformed a 5’5″, 307 pound women into a healthy, whole and fit 181 pound woman today. After 126 lbs. lost and still losing; God has been my number one source, provider, intercessor, healer and motivator. I started my Journey in July 2011, after the Lord spoke to my spiritual accountability partner about the enemy’s plan to kill me with morbid obesity. I wore a size 22/24 and weighed over 300 pounds. Most importantly I had low self- value and esteem and was in abusive relationships for over 8 years. I found myself being the “other woman” or the “side-line” piece because I tried replacing my feelings of rejection with male attention. Between July 2011 and October 2011, I lost 26 pounds by walking 1 hour on my local track for 3 days a week. In October 2011, I joined Weight Watchers and a nutritional program called “Body Breakthru”. As a member of these programs, I learned lifestyle changes and ways to face my weight loss challenges. I also joined LA Fitness and became an avid group fitness participant. Over a total of 15 months, I lost my first 100 lbs. Today, I am a size 10/12 and 181 pounds. I am excited to reach my goal and I continue to add variety and intensity to my workouts. I also work diligently to stop over eating and emotional eating, as well as to practice better portion control and honest calories tracking. I have been a motivational speaker for the Weight Watchers’ Jennifer Hudson Center in Chicago.  I am also an online personality creating videos about my weight loss journey on LindseymAdams.com.

weight loss success photos

Brittney lost 40 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Brittney who lost 40 pounds in the last year.  She started walking and then jogging.  She also started juicing and worked to change her eating habits. Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

Hi! I’ve been really serious about losing weight for the last year. After getting married, having 4 beautiful children receiving my Master’s of Education degree, I had gained 80 pounds. I got to the point where I got tired of buying clothes and having to return them because they were too small. I felt smaller on the inside, but it didn’t reflect on the outside? After setting my mind on being a better, healthier me I started to walk 3 miles, 3-4 times a week. Within 6 months, I started jogging a little, but increased my total workout to 4 miles. In the last 3 months, I have started jogging 3 miles and walking 1 of those miles. I even broke my treadmill from using it so much.

I have  cut back on my portion intake.  Instead of eating my entire meal when we dine out, I save half for lunch the next day or I choose healthier options of the menu. I juice regularly, drink a gallon of water a day and take full advantage of a fresh fruit salad everyday. I even participate in BWLW monthly exercise challenges. I have successfully lost 40+ pounds and I am working toward the next 40! Thank you for the motivation and encouragement.

Brittney weight loss pictures

Vegetarian Protein Myths: Does a Plant Based Diet Contain Enough Protein?

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veggiesFor years, dieticians, medical professionals, and the health conscious have insinuated that vegetarian and vegan diets are deficient in some way, mainly when it comes to protein intake. However, most of the hype surrounding vegetarianism and protein deficiencies can be attributed to our culture and not to any real medical research. You see, before the turn of the 20th century, most people did not eat a lot of meat and dairy products; they just couldn’t afford it and food was scarce. In the early and mid 1900s, though, nutrition experts started telling people that they needed well over 100 grams of protein a day for optimal health. The idea stuck, resulting in a population that eats too much protein.

Protein: How Our Body Uses It

There’s no doubt about it, protein plays a huge role in our metabolic processes. Your body uses the protein you consume to make specialized molecules – the building blocks of your body. Your body requires protein to make blood, build muscle, make new cells, and to maintain bones and organs.

When you consume protein, your digestive juices break it down into amino acids. There are approximately 22 amino acids that your body requires for optimal health. Your body can create around 13 of the required amino acids; you must consume the rest.

Your Body’s Protein Requirements

It’s estimated that the average American consumes twice the amount of protein that their body requires. According to the World Health Organization, protein requirements for individuals fall between 5- to 11-percent, depending on various factors (for example weight lifters and athletes may need more for their activities). If you eat too much protein, you can face serious health risks including kidney disease and kidney stones, cancer, and osteoporosis.

Can You Get Enough Protein from Vegetables?

Fruits, grains, and vegetables contain all the protein your body needs in order to function properly. Vegetables contain around 22-percent protein, whereas beans contain a whopping 28-percent. Even grains contain 13-percent protein. As you can see, most foods contain more protein than your body requires. In fact, every single plant food found on this planet contains more than 2.5-percent protein. So, no matter what you eat, you will consume enough protein.

In addition to the myth of protein deficiency among vegetarians and vegans, it has been said that those who do not eat meat must eat a wide variety of foods in order to consume the right types of proteins as plant proteins were thought to be less complete than meat proteins. To the contrary, research shows that vegetable proteins are complete proteins. There is no need to pick and choose certain vegetables in order to meet all your protein requirements.

The myths surrounding vegetarianism and veganism are entrenched in our social consciousness due to the fact that they have been passed from person to person for decades. If you take the time to do some research, though, you will see that most of plant foods you already eat contain more than enough protein to meet your body’s needs.

vegan protein sources

Raspberry Ketones: Are They Just a Diet Fad?

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Most of what your body needs to be healthy can be found in nature. From wholesome, organic foods to herbal and vitamin supplements, the earth supplies virtually everything you need to survive and stay well. So, it’s safe to assume that some natural ingredients possess healing qualities unmatched by man-made chemicals. However, some herbal supplements, while safe, do little to improve your overall well being.

raspberry ketoneRaspberry Ketones are derived from the ingredient in raspberries that give them their smell. Found in very small amounts in each raspberry, ketones are extracted and combined to create the natural supplement of the same name. Many medical and weight-loss specialists have proclaimed that raspberry ketones are capable of dramatically enhancing weight-loss efforts.

Weight Loss and Health Benefits of Raspberry Ketones

Proposed benefits of raspberry ketones include increasing lean body mass, treating hair loss, enhancing weight loss, and fighting obesity. As with most natural supplements, the results and opinions surrounding raspberry ketones are mixed. While the supplement has attracted some medical support from famous health experts such as Dr. Oz, it has attracted just as many critics, leaving many to wonder if raspberry ketones are the real thing or just another fad.

The Science behind the Hype

How do raspberry ketones work? According to experts, raspberry ketones regulate the hormone adiponectin – a hormone which is in small supply in overweight and obese individuals. Increasing adiponectin has shown to have a positive effect on insulin levels. All of these chemical changes within the body are thought to improve metabolism, the rate at which the body burns and uses calories.

Raspberry ketone supplements have been around for decades without much attention being given to them. However, recent studies have shown that mice lost a great deal of weight when given the supplement in high doses. Prior studies used smaller amounts of raspberry ketones and were found to be inconclusive.

Side Effects and Drawbacks Associated with Raspberry Ketones

Although raspberry ketones are considered safe by the FDA, they have never been used in any human trials. It’s rated GRAS (generally recognized as safe) and the FDA doesn’t recognize the weight loss claims.  Therefore, their effectiveness and safety have not been tested in people. Some evidence also shows that raspberry ketones are chemically related to a stimulant that can cause shakiness, high blood pressure, and accelerated heart rate. Bottom line: There’s not enough information to make a conclusive decision as to the effectiveness or safety of this dietary supplement.

As with all weight-loss regimens, medical professionals recommend eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly to facilitate weight loss even while taking raspberry ketones. While the effectiveness of raspberry ketones remains unproven, medical professionals do agree on one thing: You must eat less and exercise more to lose weight.  Please do not take any natural supplement without checking with your medical professional of choice.

5 Things You Need to Know Before Cutting Carbs

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low carb chicken veggiesExtremely popular and controversial, low-carb diets arrived on the scene in the early 1970s with the Atkins diet. Invented by cardiologist Robert C. Atkins, the Atkins diet severely restricted carbohydrate intake in an effort to turn the body into a fat-burning machine on the premise that the body burns sugar – carbohydrates – before burning stored fat. By limiting the amount of sugar consumed, the body enters into a fat-burning phase called ketosis.

While the Atkins diet has gradually faded in popularity only to be replaced by less restrictive low-carb diets, the science behind such diets remains the same: eat more protein and fewer carbohydrates.  Many people swear by the benefits of a low carb diet for weight loss.  This way of eating has proven to be very effective for those with the willpower to resist carbs.

Things You Should Know before Cutting Carbs

Many claim that low-carb diets are high in fat which can lead to heart disease and other health problems, several other factors exist that can influence the success or failure of a diet low in carbohydrates. That is not always the case.  You can do Low-Carb in a healthy way and eat foods that are full of vitamins and macronutrients.  Before beginning a low-carb diet, consider the following:

  1. Calories Count – In the past, most low-carb enthusiasts stated that you could consume as many calories as you wanted as long as those calories came from protein-rich foods. However, calories do count. If you take in too many, you will gain weight regardless of their source. If you eat too few, you will slow your body’s metabolism.  Make sure that you are eating lean and plant based proteins, eating healthy fats like coconut oil, whole grains, limiting salt and getting lots of fiber.
  2. Eat a Variety of Foods – No, you cannot exist on bacon and eggs. You must eat a wide variety of foods in order to stay healthy. One of the biggest misconceptions about low-carb dieting is that you can eat all the meat, cheese, and eggs you want. While these foods are low in carbohydrates, you also need to eat vegetables and get some fiber in your diet. In fact, you can consume more vegetables on a low-carb diet than you do meats or cheeses.
  3. Stay Alert – Some people encounter health problems as the result of restricting carbohydrates. In many cases, the problem lies in not following the diet properly, severely cutting calories, or choosing the wrong types of foods. Monitor your health and stay in tune with your body.  Invest in an actual book on going low-carb or do plenty of research with reputable online sources.  If you see your energy levels plummet and you are feeling weak and deprived all the time, this may not be the plan for you.
  4. Exercise – As with all diets, you must exercise to receive the full benefits. Develop a full exercise regimen that includes cardio and weight training.  Since you are feeding your body a lot of protein, you might as well get the muscle building benefits of eating this way.  Muscle burns fat at rest and takes up less space than fat so it helps you preserve your curves while losing the fat.
  5. Quitting and Weight Gain – One of the biggest problems associated with restrictive diets is that they’re too hard to maintain. Once your body becomes accustomed to doing without a certain food group, your metabolism adapts, becoming slower and more sluggish. When you get fed up with not eating the foods you crave and start indulging, you stand to gain all the weight you’ve lost plus some.  You can’t just expect the carbs to stay gone if you start eating them again.  You have to do your research and really understand what you are committing to in terms of how you can keep this weight off for life after you lose it on a low-carb plan.  Can you go low-carb for life?

Low-carbohydrate diets are the answer for some, and many people do extremely well on them. However, low-carb diets are not for everyone. Before you try cutting carbs, do some research. Make sure you’re dieting in a healthy way and take measures to turn your new habits into a way of life rather than a few weeks of sacrifice.