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Ajima Jackson

Tarayn lost 178 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Tarayn.  She lost 178 pounds with weight loss surgery and lifestyle change.  She posted her story and photos to her BWLW online community profile: blackwomenlosingweight.com/profile/TaraynHarmon  She provided a whole lot of detail about her weight loss journey.   Here is what she shared with us:

Before (4/2009) 370 lbs.. After (4/2013) 192 lbs….

Early in 2009, my doctor diagnosed me with Intracranial Hypertension. This was added to all of the other health issues that I was having. The fact that I wanted to have a child, but couldnt and this latest health issue could cause me to go blind.  I knew I had to take control.  I did some research and I decided to have Gastric Bypass (RNY). It was not the easiest decision because of the risks that were involved. It wasnt anything magical, by all means. It was a tool that I used and the only way it would work was if I made it work. Nothing automatic about it. Anyone that has had it can attest to the emotional, physical, psychological factors that play roles in it as well.  I made a lifestyle change.

I initially joined Curves, it worked out perfect, but the location I attended closed.  So, I joined a local gym.  There is a site I was using prior to the surgery and to this present day called obesityhelp.com.  That was a big support system for me.  I worked out 4 times a week.  I started doing Zumba and line dancing.  It seemed the more active I was, the more weight came off.  I was eating 4-6 small meals a day, depending on my schedule. I totally cut out sodas for the first 2 years, then i started leaning torwards diet everything.  Water was my new best friend. I was big on protein, so I made sure I got that first before anything else.  I did all of my workouts alone.  I didnt adjust my schedule to fit others because I was determined that nothing was going to stop me form getting it in–not this time around..lol.

It was very hard at first, but once I fell in love with the whole idea of being healthy, happy, and sexy, it made things a little bit easier. Those changes brought me almost perfect health, and my son-Rylan, who will be 2 in July. He is my motivation today. I want to continue to be around and be healthy so that I can watch him grow. Until 1 month ago, I had not worked out since he was born.  I thought I would bounce right back into routine but I didn’t.  Life happens and you have to deal with that and it wasnt easy trying to live my same lifestyle with a small child.  So I dedicated my time to my family.  Now that he is mobile and a little more independant, it’s time to focus more on me. I’m on the right track with eating and exercise.  I may backslide here and there, but it doesnt take me long to get back on track. I know how far I have come and how hard it was. I would hate to disappoint myself and others who have been there before, during and after my journey. I didnt know the effect and the inspirational affect that I had on people.  When you think nobody’s watching, they really are!!!

Tarayn weight loss before and after

Today’s Inspiration: Black Health Champions Living Long Lives

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Today’s Inspiration:  I want you to take a look at two videos this morning featuring 2 of my favorite Black health champions.  One is from 112 year old chef Bernando LaPallo (He is 109 in the video). LaPallo attributes his health and longevity to a mostly vegetarian and raw food diet and various other natural and alternative health habits.  The other is of the amazing Annette Larkins, an avid raw food vegan at 71.  She was interviewed by the Tom Joyner Morning Show in this clip.  These amazing people are two examples that show us how important healthy eating is to our longevity and that we can grow old without thinking that chronic disease is inevitable.  They are Black Health Heroes to me.

Check out his YouTube channel for other recipes.

There are many other videos of Annette on YouTube and you can visit her website.

Shellie lost 68 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story:  Shellie lost 68 pounds and went from a size 20 to a size 12.  She did our smoothie challenge, used MyFitnessPal and changed her eating and exercise habits to lose the weight.  Here is what she shared with us:

I’ve always been a pretty active person. I’ve been playing golf since I was 8 and played soccer, ran track and stayed outside all summer throughout my childhood. In college, I played golf for Michigan State University, so we were always walking and training year round. I have never been traditionally “small” – in high school, I wore a size 10. However, I was never considered “fat” either. I can remember not feeling particularly self-conscious in a bathing suit well into my 20’s. So I think when I started noticing that I was getting “fat” was around 2007 when I was 26. I started trying different methods – Weight Watchers, Nutri System and when those didn’t work, I tried to exercise it off through bootcamp classes, playing tennis and walking the dogs. The problem is, I was never consistent with any of it – dieting or exercising. I would do really well for a week or two with my diet and then decide I had it all figured out and start back slowly eating large portions of spaghetti, fries, burgers and sweets.  I would go to bootcamp twice a week and then do nothing else until the next week when classes started again.

Most people I talk to about my weight loss journey can usually identify a breaking point where they say to themselves “Enough is enough”. Mine was on a plane ride to New Orleans last July. I usually ride Delta Airlines but this time, tickets were cheaper on United so we flew with them. As I sat down and went to buckle the seat belt, it almost couldn’t close! I mean I was in that seat TIGHT. That had never happened to me before or even been a concern. So I ate super well (translation: all the fried food and sweets I wanted) knowing that when I came back, things would have to change.  On the next day, after I got home, I started my journey for good this time. I read several books, recorded my food in myfitnesspal (a food diary app) and pledged to work out at least 4 times a week. Month after month, I would adjust my food and workout goals: one month I wanted to eat veggies three times a day, another one I did the BWLW smoothie challenge and had 2 smoothies a day, another month I vowed to work out for an hour 5 days a week. By the end of the year, I had lost 50 pounds. Currently, I have lost 68 pounds and would like to get to that magic number “100” before the end of the summer.  I was a size 20 when I started my journey last July and now I’m a 12.  I am so proud of myself and how I stayed committed this time to make a change. My friends and family have been an AMAZING support system and I definitely could not have accomplished this without them! So I say to all of us BWLW members – keep working hard and making better choices each day for a better tomorrow!

If you want to visit my blog, you can find it at urbanphoenix115.blogspot.com.

Shellie before and after weight loss

Sharday lost 100 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Sharday. She lost 100 pounds and has kept it off for 4 years.  She did it with regular exercise, embracing juicing and eating fresh fruits for breakfast and lunch.  Here is what she shared with us:

I would love to share my weight loss story with all of you.  I was 286 pounds and came down to 186 pounds.  Thanks be to GOD, I have kept it off for going on 4 years this year.  I exercised and ate right.  In the end, I went from a size 22-24 to a size 12-14…And I did it in 6 months!

I was my own motivation.  I knew I had to do it for myself.  I changed my eating habits by eating fruit for breakfast and lunch.  For dinner, I ate whatever I wanted to eat between 5 pm and 6 pm.  I ate absolutely nothing after 6 pm.  Some days, I didn’t eat anything solid until 5 pm and only filled my body with water and fresh fruit juice.   I walked everywhere I went because I was in school at the time.  Then, I would go walking 2 miles a day for exercise and jogging 1/2 mile.  I would turn around and walk back to my room at night.  I would play basketball or tennis just to stay active and to keep my mind off of food.

Sharday before and after weight loss

Arneice lost over 30 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before & after story: Arneice lost over 30 pounds by changing her eating habits and working out regularly.  Here is what she shared with us:

Arneice after weight loss

I’ve lost so far a total of 30 pounds since January 1, 2013.  My motivation was really my son who’s 12 years old.  I never had any energy and I was quite cranky. I realized that because I was unhappy with myself.  It was becoming a burden on our relationship.

I started with cutting out what was familiar to me and that was pasta and creamy sauce. Then I started juicing kale, and fruit.  I do that every day still.  I now eat 5 times a day.  My eating includes protein and complex carbs like broccoli and good fats like nuts, avocados. My workout routine started basic.  I did my own routine..squats, jumping jacks, sit ups. I now do high intensity, low impact cardio and strength training in my living room 5-6 days a week!!!! To workout, I also use Hip hop Abs because it’s really fun and there not a lot of jumping around in the workout. I also use Dave Sinclair (he’s on my Ondemand via cable).  Today my meals were a chicken breast cutlet and grits for breakfast.  This is in addition to my kale, kiwi, apple juice.  My snack was almonds and pistachios.  For lunch I had chicken breast cutlets, with avocado and broccoli.  I don’t forget to drink 64 ozs of Water a day.  Basically, all I drink is water.

 

arneice weight loss before and after photos
Dec 2012, Jan 2013 and May 2013

 

Anj’ela lost 146 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Anj’ela who lost 146 pounds with weight loss surgery.  Her motivation was controlling her diabetes and being there for her grandchildren.  Here is what she shared with us:

“Just,wanted to share my story.  I had gastric bypass weight loss surgery on March 22, 2012.  I started off weighing 439 pounds and now I weigh 293 pounds.  To God be the glory!  My motivation was my grandchildren.  I have 4 children (3 are adults) and 2 grandchildren. My diabetes was out of control and I knew I had to do something before I died, so I had the gastric bypass weight reduction surgery.  Now, I just monitor everything I eat.  I have an app on my phone the gives me different exercises to do daily, but mostly I just walk and drink a lot of water.  I turned 40 on the 24th of April and I simply did not want to die.”

Anjela before after weight loss

 

 

Kriss lost 93 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story:  Kriss lost 93 pounds.  She lost the weight in 10 months by working out, changing her eating and tracking her progress.  Here is what she shared with us:

Photo: Left – July 2012, Center – December 2012 (-59 lbs) and Right – today May 13, 2013 (-93 lbs)

After battling obesity for most of my life, last summer I decided to make a change. A lifestyle change. I had not faced complicating health factors but I wanted to make a change, feel better, live longer, and make a way for my future family. By working out, changing my eating habits, and tracking my progress, I’ve knocked off 93lbs in almost 10months. Though I am not done yet, I wanted to share my journey!

Honestly, when I tell people how I did it, it seems cliche’.  LOL. It was always something I wanted to change.  There were always reasons why I couldn’t, like not being able to afford gym membership, healthy foods etc. One day I found out that I had hit 300 pounds.  I have always been a big girl but seeing that number, 300, hurt my heart. I realized I had gained 30+ pounds because I ate out more than usual. I was often idle, low key depressed and drinking alot. At that point I decided to do something different.  In July 2012, I just started walking around the UMSL campus some nights a week.  At that time I didn’t really change my diet or anything.  Then i started to use the FREE gym at my job (that has been there since before i was working there of course) that I always made an excuse about not going to.  July 29, 2012, I attended my aunt’s funeral in Arkansas. She had battled sooooo many health issues and it kind of hit me hard. The same weekend I moved into my apartment and from that moment forward i never looked back.

Kriss before and after weight loss

 

I went to the grocery store and only purchased healthy food, vegetables, chicken, brown rice, whole wheat bread, low-fat and sugar free food, etc. I did not buy any oil or flour so I couldn’t fry food.  I didn’t buy heavy snacks and chips but transitioned to fruits and applesauce and 100 calorie kettlecorn. I began working out 6 days a week…60-70 min a day. I started slow doing all cardio…treadmil and elliptical….as I got comfortable I increased my incline on the treadmil and i increased my resistance on the elliptical to begin to challenge myself.  I even increased my gym time to between 70-90min a day. My motivation came from my family just saying they were proud of me for making the steps I made.  The guy I am dating encouraged me and acted as my personal trainer in a completely different city. Many times I looked in the mirror and I saw the same person. He always told me that you may not see the change yet but the scale knows best.  He was right because even though I felt like I looked the same every week when I weighed in the number got smaller. He was truly my back bone because times when I weighed in and I didnt lose anything after working hard in the gym i would get discouraged but I was reminded that “its not in vain you see how far you’ve come, next week youre going to come back firing.” And i did. Sometimes when I was tired i took breaks.  At times I ate sweets and fried foods too but it was not the norm.  I didn’t resort to rabbit food. I enjoyed everything I ate, looked up recipes tried new things and I made a transformation. Once I truly made it up in my mind, I began to become accustomed to this lifestyle.  I made it a routine and now it’s hard to break or veer from it. Now, I work out 5 days a week, 65-75min a day. I monitor my calorie intake with myfitnesspal and right now.  I consume 1250-1350 calories a day and I burn 1230-1300 calories a day and I drink alot of water, atleast 128 fl oz a day. This is my new life, my new lifestyle. I was told I have been a motivation to many hopefully my story can be featured one day. And if the picture above doesn’t show my face well enough…here is another!  Thank you all for providing these success stories!

Jaymee lost 50 pounds

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Update 2017: We shared Jaymee‘s story back in 2013 and she’s giving us an update on how she’s lost a total of 150 pounds. She decided to have gastric bypass in 2015. “It has not been easy adjusting to this new me and this new way of life. My road has been hard, challenging, and at first regretful. Overall, It’s been worth it.”

jaymee weight loss

Highest weight: 270 pounds
Starting weight: 235 pounds
Current weight: 120 pounds

I’ve battled my weight my entire life. Overall, I’ve lost 150 pounds. In August 2015, I made one of the hardest, yet greatest, decisions of my life. I had Gastric Bypass (RNY) weight loss surgery and it has SAVED MY LIFE.  It has not been easy adjusting to this new me and this new way of life. My road has been hard, challenging, and at first regretful. Overall, It’s been worth it.

No one can live your life for you. You must live it for yourself. I’m happy now. I smile more and I’m forever grateful. Remember, if you fail there is no such thing as a perfect process. Trust your process and continue through it. You will get there. If I don’t inspire anyone, that’s OK because I inspire myself every single day.  That is good enough for me. Out of everything else in life, I CHOOSE HAPPINESS!

To my weight loss Fam, you guys are awesome. Thank you for your inspirational words and motivational support. It got me through my roughest and toughest times. I truly love you guys. Remember, if nobody else believes in you, I believe in you! Most importantly you have to believe in yourself.  – Instagram: @bypassbutterfly

jaymee before and after
“When u forget to give a damn about anyone’s opinions of u #flawsandall #istillloveme #stretchmarks #cellulite #saggyskin #effyourbeautystandards #lovingmybody”

2013: Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Jaymee who has lost 50 pounds by juicing, regular exercise and cutting out sugars and processed foods.  Here is what she shared with us:

Jaymee before and after weight loss“My story: I had my fifth child June 2011.  I lost baby weight and weighed 220 pounds. After that, I went through postpartum depression and gained a whopping 50 pounds. As you can see, I am/was an emotional eater. Then in May 2012, I lost my father and gained a couple more pounds.  Weighing 273, I was emotionally drained, embarrassed about my body, and I hated what I saw in the mirror. I did yo-yo dieting for years trying anything u can think of. In August 2012, I had to get a tumor removed. I was diagnosed with high cholesterol, diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and Hidradenitis suppurativa. I take meds for all these ailments. I decided then that I had to get my life together because death was knocking at my door. I’d done a lot of research and was determined to get my life back. I started juicing and cut out sugars and processed foods!! I workout at the YMCA 5 days a week!!  To date, I have lost 50 pounds on my own.  No pills, no laxatives, etc.  This has been a very hard journey. I’ve had some slips ups but I kept moving. I know that I have a long way to go, but I am determined.”

Jaymee weight loss before and after

Angie lost more than 65 pounds

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Update Mar 2014: “Update since this post I have had ACL surgery and I am currently using my workouts for therapy. I am in the same weight range but instead of a size 14, I am a size 12 (wearing some 10’s as well). No Excuses, just Results. Weight training helped sculpting and dropping inches. Now I journal my weight loss on @bodysuccesswithangie on Instagram.”

3/23/2014 – Today’s featured weight loss success story: Angie lost over 65 pounds.  This mother of 5 tried a number of programs before finding that a modified version of the South Beach Diet and regular exercise works for her.  She is also a member of Black Girls Run.

I am a wife and a mother of 5.  I have an 18 year old, triplets who are 13 years old and a 7 year old.  I was taking medicine for heart issues due to being overweight. To lose weight, I first started with Medifast and did well. I developed an allergic reaction to the soy in the meals so I had to stop. I gained a few pounds back because I wasn’t sure what to do then. I tried and was successful with Weight Watchers but didn’t want to live counting points forever. I realized that I also had to be mindful of my health because last few blood work tests were in the diabetic range.

After researching I started doing a loose version of the South Beach Diet. I cut out carbs all the way at first. Now I eat them in moderation. My blood work is great now and I have not been on medication for over 2 years. I have not reached my weight loss goal but I am close. I’ve gone from a size 20 to a size 14.  I workout daily, usually 7 days a week. I am also a member of Black Girls Run. I have participated in at least 10 5k races.  I participate in S.O.S. Bootcamp (Sculpting our sexy) and  have also done Zumba classes. I try different things to keep it exciting. I participate in all kind of challenges to keep me motivated. Current challenge: Mr. Shut up and Train.

She was featured in the Huffington Post Healthy Living section in the Fall of 2012.

Angie Weight Loss Before After

Leslie lost 100 pounds

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Check out these great before and after photos from Leslie.  She lost 100 pounds with regular exercise and a good meal plan from her exercise instructor.  Here is what she shared with us:

“It was a hard job, but a 100 pounds later it was worth it.  I’m still going.  I worked out twice a day, 5 days a week and I ate right.  I have a supportive team and a personal trainer….Love Them!!  I never thought that I would be here, but I made it.  I followed a meal plan that was designed by my instructor/personal trainer.  I just stayed motivated and dedicated to my goal.  I was helped by some inspiring women.”

Leslie weight loss before after