Black Weight Loss Success

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

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Ajima Jackson

Hanan lost 180 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after: Hanan lost 180 pounds by working out, eating clean and being consistent with changing to a healthy lifestyle.  Here is what she had to share:

I lost over 180 pounds over a 4 year span by exercising, clean eating, and having consistency. Maybe my story can encourage someone in their lifestyle change.  My starting weight as of July 2009 was 358 pounds. I was constantly complaining about my weight and all the factors associated with being obese, one day out of the blue one of my good friends told me, “If you are unhappy with your situation, then take the steps to change it”.  I was motivated from that point forward to have a healthier lifestyle.

The first two years of my journey, I removed all bread, diary, sugars, fried foods, and fruit (natural sugar) from my diet. I would eat a lot of veggies, fish, and chicken and limit my calorie intake to 1200 calories daily. My snacks consisted of raw almonds, cheese, and sugar free Jell-O, and 12-14 bottles of water daily. I exercised 4 days a week, it consisted of 60 minutes of intense cardio (elliptical, stair master, treadmill) my goal was always to burn at least 500 calories or more each session. I dropped at least 100 pounds the first 2 ½ years and it stayed off.

Then I hit a plateau and I started to incorporate cross and interval training, such as running (hills), wogging 5-9 miles twice a week (walking+running) into my workouts, and spin classes. I also completed the Shaun T Insanity program with my running group Black Girls Run Philadelphia. In addition to this routine, my line sisters helped me to stay accountable to my workout and diet, which helped tremendously in keeping me motivated and encouraged during this journey.

I recently hired a trainer; I workout 4 days a week, and train for an hour twice a week. Our sessions include weight training, squats, lunges, reverse crunches with hip extension, roman chair exercise, dips, planks, and burpees with bicep curls… you name it we do. Today, I weigh 178 pounds, my body fat percentage is 24.7 and I have lost a total of 9.5 inches from neck to calves in the last 3 months. I am still a work in progress, but I have so much to be thankful for, hopefully my story will encourage and motivate others.

hanan weight loss

Cassandra lost 41 pounds

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Tonight, Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight Love to Cassandra.  She lost 41 pounds by using MyFitnessPal.com to track calories and by working out.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi, I started my weight loss journey back in Oct 2012. In 7 months, I lost 41lbs!!! I count my calories, exercise and tone up. I feel Terrific!!! Thanks for allowing me to share my story.

What got to me was that I began to hear myself breathing and I had aching knees. I love to line dance, but when your knees don’t work you can’t do it.  I started counting calories using myfitnesspal.com on Oct. 22,2012.  My health started to improve immediately. This program worked for me even if I didn’t exercise, but because of how much weight I had gained and because I’m approaching 50.  I did start walking at work on my breaks. Then after gaining the strength, I added a walk at home DVD.  I do crunches and added weights for toning.  Now I can do little jogs!!!  I exercise 5 to 7 days a week. As of today I have lost 41lbs in 7months!!! Words can’t express how happy and healthy I feel! I want to share my story with the world. Take care.

Cassandra weight loss

Video: Aja Shows You How to Get Through the May Exercise Challenge Routines

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It’s Day 13 of our May Exercise Challenge.  I’m so happy to share this video with you today.  Our friend Aja over at BlackGirlSlim.com has taken the time to graciously create a How To video to show you not only how to do the moves in our May Challenge routines, but also how to modify them.  You should check her videos out on YouTube and Like her Black Girl Slim Facebook page to learn more.

Aja Davis runs a successful fitness studio in Brooklyn, NY where she helps women take their bodies back. She has been a personal trainer for over 8 years, studied holistic nutrition and practiced as a holistic health coach. She has coached hundreds of women on how lose weight and get in to the best shape of their lives.  We are so happy to have her partner in BWLW’s fight against obesity in the black community with a focus on black women.

Candace lost 89 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story:  Candace lost 89 pounds by changing her eating habits and walking.  She has kept the weight of since 2011.

My name is Candace and I’ve lost 89 pounds. I have been on a diet since 2010 and it has been a long journey for me but I am Thankful.  Well, I started on a diet after my granny passed away.  I was 269 pounds and I was at the end of my rope with my weight.  My daughter was only 5 and I wanted to be able to play and run with her.  I was diagnosed with hypertension while expecting and it never left.  I control this condition myself now.  I calorie count.  I walk regularly.  I dont eat after 7.  No sugar, no starches and no fried foods.  I have not gained a pound back since 2011. I am thankful but I am still workin at it.

Candace weight loss

 

Char lost 45 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight Love to Char!  Char lost 45 pounds with prescription Adipex and eating right over the course of a year and has keep it off since 2011.

In 2010, I weighed 298 pounds (size 26/28).  In 2011 I lost 45 lbs making my weight 253 lbs (size 14/16). I started taking Adipex (prescription weight loss drug) for about 2-3 months in May 2010 to get me started on controlling my appetite.  I also made the decision to eat healthier because it was a requirement per my doctor. I drank nothing but water everyday, ate 2-4 small meals including oatmeal, fruit, boiled eggs, bacon, sausage (not often), vegetables, grilled fish and chicken and cut out many (most) carbs.  Unfortunately, I did not work out at the gym as I lost the weight, which is why I didn’t lose more at the time.   I also didn’t get the toning that I needed.  I can say proudly that I did start working out towards the last few months of 2011 and have worked out at least 3 times per week since!

If I may add to my “testimony”, I’d like to say: The blessing of my epiphany of losing weight is that one day I just got tired of looking in the mirror and not liking what I saw and decided it was time for ME to change ME! I thank God daily that I didn’t make this change due to ANY health problems.  I do not have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes after being overweight for so long and that’s a testimony all by itself! PRAISE GOD! #Grateful

Connect with her on her Facebook Page.

Char weight loss

LaShondra lost 106 pounds

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Happy Mother’s Day!!!  Today’s weight loss success story: Proud mom LaShondra lost 106 pounds by changing her eating habits and she gives God the glory.  Here is what she had to say:

Here are my before and after photos. All I can say at this point is “To God Be The Glory for the things He has done”. My lifestyle has totally changed. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables and rarely meat. When I do eat meat, it’s usually Tilapia or Salmon. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to encourage those who are struggling. My advice would be to stay strong and be patient. I started this journey 11/15/2011 and I still have 10 pounds to go before I reach my goal.

lashondra weight loss

Tonya lost 83 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some love to Tonya.  She lost 83 pounds with gastric sleeve weight loss surgery.

I lost my weight by getting the Gastric Sleeve operation at my heaviest weight.  Before surgery, I was 300.1 pounds. In July of 2012, I had bariactric weight loss surgery. With the determination to loose 100 pounds and by exercising 5 days a week, I’ve lost 83 pounds.  I do Zumba classes and walk daily.   Also, I use my treadmill & recumbent bike.  I do leg lifts and crunches as well.

Tonya weight loss

Jillian lost 89 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Jillian lost 89 pounds by working out regularly and eating healthier.

I went on a diet and exercise regimen in 2011. No fad diets or surgeries. Just eating healthier and exercising. I’m still working on my fitness but I went from 244 pounds to 155 pounds currently.  I started using the My Fitness Pal app to watch my calories.  I also researched a lot of information on the internet about the best way to go about things. I started working out with “Dancing Off the Inches” videos.  Then I switched to going to the gym. I now go to the gym 5 times a week.

I was motivated by few things. One, my mom passed away at only 41 years old due to diabetes. Two, I just was not happy with myself and I wanted to feel good in my skin. The reactions I got from family and friends kept me motivated. I also started this plan with my best friend so we also kept each other motivated. I completely changed the way I ate, stopped drinking pop, but still allowed myself cheat meals with my healthy eating.

Jillian weight loss

Sonya lost 47 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight Love to Sonya.  She lost 47 pounds with Weight Watches after getting a free year membership in the audience at the Oprah Winfrey Show.  Here is what she had to say:

Making every effort to live my best life.  How did I do it? Weight Watchers (essentially their plan is eat more fiber and protein and less fat and carbs), portion control, consciously planning meals & being very aware of and taking responsibility for, everything I eat, snacking on fruit and other healthier choices, exercising (water aerobics) at least 3 days a week and much prayer!

My transformation began in March 2011. I lost 47 pounds by March 2012, which I have maintained to date. My motivation was receiving the year membership to Weight Watcher’s at the Oprah Winfrey Show, when Jennifer Hudson was a guest. I was in the audience that day.  I truly did not know if I could actually be successful. I was skeptical and unsure. I didn’t know if I had the willpower and determination needed to be successful. Once I started the program and the science of it made sense to me (less carbs and fat, more protein and fiber), I began to lose the weight and feel “alive” again. I felt better, looked better and began to adopt the attitude of living my best life as I head into my 50’s.

Sonya weight loss

Flora lost 102 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Flora lost 102 pounds by changing her eating habits and working out with fitness DVDs and Zumba on the Wii.  Here is what she shared with us:

I lost 102 prouds thru eating better and working out with fitness DVDs.  My journey started one day in March 2011 after I took a picture and was surprised that I looked so big. I didn’t even realize I had gained so much. My highest weight was 258 pounds and I was a size 2-3x top and 22 bottoms. I really didn’t know where to start, so Youtube was a great help with the 10 min workouts from Nicole of sparkpeople.com. I could only do the 10 min at a time and then I started doubling up to 20 min. In June 2011 I joined MyFitnessPal, an online community, and I was able to log my foods to help me keep my eating under control and make better choices. I bought the Wii games for Zumba and Jillian Michael DVDs, since I didn’t want others to see me in a gym.  The weight slowly came off, and now I’m at 156 pounds. My children (ages 2, 4 & 12) motivate me, and they work out with me. I’ve started helping other people on this journey with starting groups, working out with them and support. Many blessings to you! Flora B.

flora weight loss