Black Weight Loss Success

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Ajima Jackson

Latashia lost weight and went from a size 22-24 to a size 16-18

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Latashia lost weight and went from a size 22-24 to a size 16-18 from February 2013 to April 2013.

What would you like to share regarding your weight loss journey?

The three main things I do is pray and put holy oil over my mouth and stomach.  I am a user of the detox trio by Robin Anthony  of renuherbs.com.  I also have the help of my trainer Shawn Taylor!!!  Believe me when I say that my big bro is the bomb dot com!  I mean it for reals!!! Everyday is a struggle. Do I eat bad sometimes? Yes, but I know to cleanse that evening and the next day go hard with my eating and exercise! I do two a days every other day when I’m not running my own business!!! Please guys, stay committed and strong!! Everybody can’t do it! Like my trainer states everytime 80% of the people who go to the gym look the same day after day,  only a few change over time!! Always continue to DIG DEEPER!!!

How much do you weigh?

You know what I never weigh myself because it discourages me. i never look like what i weigh! lol sad i know.  I want to say it’s because of muscle. I can say that I went from a size 22-24 to a size 16-18.

Latashia weight loss

Charmaine lost 90 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Charmaine lost 90 pounds and is working on “reversing” her diabetes.

I’ve lost 90 pounds by eating healthier, staying active and roller derby! My diabetes is almost reversed now. 🙂

My motivation was to get my diabetes under control. I took oral medication for it which helped.  For my weight loss, I cut out fast food and sweets. I eat a big breakfast and a small dinner. I care for a handicapped boy for a living and we are always on the move, going somewhere, doing something.  This is versus my old job where I sat for 8 hours, so that has  kept me active.  Then I joined a roller derby team and that has really kicked me in to gear.  I feel healthy happy and I’m feeling good with more energy than I’ve ever had.  I went from 297 to 207 still have more to go.  Now, it’s a lifestyle.”

Charmaine weight loss story

Valaria lost 60 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Valaria who lost 60 pounds with the help of bootcamp classes and changing her eating habits.

I just hit my 60 pound goal as of today by eating right, taking bootcamp class and having a great healthy support system and accountibility partners. I am excited about continuing my healthy journey and I have fifteen more pounds to my goal.  I plan to start toning within the next month with a personal trainer.

My motivation at the beginning was inconsistent but when I became serious I was unstoppable. I changed my eating habits to fish, chicken and veggies.  I drank more water and got more rest. My workout routine is a mixture of cardio, light weights and bootcamp drills for four days out of the week.

Valaria weight loss

 

Kimmy lost 80 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story:  Kimmy lost 80 pounds with exercise and changing her eating habits.

I’d like to share my health journey details with you. When I first started out, I was going on 230 pounds.  It was really difficult doing energy consuming activities.  All I wanted to do was play on the computer and eat, pretty much.  One day I got tired.  I was tired of being tired and I looked in the mirror on Halloween night 2010.  I said to myself, “It’s time for a serious change.”.  Now, I didn’t know a thing about losing weight or health, but I was aware that all the snacking and sodas needed to go.  In the beginning, I traded soda for good ol’ H20 and started trying tea sweetened with honey when I wanted something different.  I monitored what I was consuming, cut out all fast foods and set my portion sizes.  As far as exercise, I began walking for an hour a day (that was so hard).  I will always remember that burn, but I told myself that the pain is my body changing!  After a week or so, I began incorporating jogging intervals to my walks.  I was feeling amazing!  I was getting stronger!  I began studying tips and facts about diet and exercise.  I used to be afraid of weights (due to rumors about women and bodybuilding.  I didn’t want to get manly.).  Time passes on and I went from 1 push up to 40 push ups.  I loved that I was becoming stronger.  Eventually, I started incorporating weight training.  My body was changing quickly!

As of today, I have my protein for breakfast.  It could be basic 2 eggs or a smoothie, as long as I’ve got my protein. I make sure that I eat every 2 to 3 hours, for example some carrots, apple sauce, peanut butter banana sandwich on whole wheat (fav), protein bar, a small salad, dried veggies or fruit.  If I have to have a certain food that may not be the most healthy, I research how to make it in a healthy alternative way.  It’s your mindset over everything.  There is always temptation and there always will be, but it’s up to you to take control of the wheel and shut up and drive to that wonderful place called (health).  Sitting here today, I can honestly say that I am proud of me and I thank God for the strength, perseverance and knowledge granted to me me along the way.

Kimmy weight loss

Kira lost 30 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Kira who has lost 30 pounds and 15 inches overall.

I’ve been struggling with weight loss my entire life. Recently I decided to make a change and really, REALLY focus on doing something about it. Mostly for medical reasons and slightly because I wanted to look different, look smaller (for once in my life).

I found different weight loss groups and challenges online via YouTube, or Facebook friends, and joined them. Those included eating healthy and working about 45 – 60 minutes per day. Within this time, I easily lost inches while not losing many pounds. After a while, I started incorporating lifting weights in my routine and noticed that while I was slimming and gaining muscle, I was also losing weight and looking much smaller. To date, I have lost over 30 lbs and about 15 inches overall! I am so proud of myself!  I can’t believe that while still eating what I want (and being more aware of healthy choices) that I still managed to lose weight, gain & tone muscle, and look much leaner and healthier than ever before. I haven’t been this weight since 2010! I am super excited for the future and cant wait to reach my goal weight of 200 lbs! I was a size 24 and now fit loosely into an 18!! I am just SO HAPPY!!!

Kira weight loss

Dee lost 70 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Dee lost 70 pounds.  This grandmother of 8 was motivated by wanting to be around for a long time for those children.

Hello, my name is Darlene and I began my Weight Loss Journey in 2011.  It’s been an up and down road, but I am hanging in there. I changed my eating habits and started exercising. So to all you women that think its impossible start reaching for the its possible. I have lost 70 lbs so far, I am not done yet. Good luck and best wishes to you all.

What motivated me to lose weight was health issues. I have 8 lovely grandchildren so I want to be around for a long time! (Smile). Anyway, my daughter who is 38 years old started with me, we started portion control on our food and really began to eat healthy. We ate more vegetables and lean meats (mostly chicken breast skinless).   We also ate more fruits.  With this change we started walking everyday. Our walking increased mile after mile and the pounds just seemed to melt away. I love my new lifestyle. My starting weight was 254 pounds and I am glad to say that today I weighed in at 184 pounds.  I have 30 more pounds to lose.  It takes determination and dedication to succeed, and I finally made up my mind to do it even at 57 years old. I also do aerobics daily and strength training at times. It really works.

Dee weight loss

Akeema lost 91 pounds

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Let’s show Akeema some BWLW love and congratulations for her 91 pounds lost.  After dealing with the pain of losing her mom, she was able to change her life and find greater fitness through belly dancing and adopting a plant-based eating lifestyle (vegan).

Here is my pic and my story. I was typically an overweight child, but was able to grow out of it and lose weight in college. During my college years, my mom got ill and I was failing all over the place.  Grades, health, relationships and the whole nine. When I came home from school, I was getting prepared to be married and mom passed away. Being so devastated I just continued to let myself go, to the point of reaching over 320 pounds. I spent all of 2010 crying, praying, hoping for a change, and then a girlfriend invited me to a Belly dance class. It was the start of a revolution for me. I began dancing, going to the gym, running and became vegan in 2012. I am part of a Belly dance Troupe.  I continue to not only lose weight and eat clean, but also encourage others that ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. Today, I am at 229 pounds and still losing.

I’ve been vegetarian for 13 years but went vegan April 2012. When I made that choice, I realized that I became more aware of what I eat. I don’t count calories but I am aware of how foods I eat affect my body. I read up on food and know how food affects the various parts of my body. I shop in the grocery store 3 to 4 times a week. I don’t eat any whites (bread rice sugar). I eat veggies with every meal including breakfast. I eat raw vegan as much as possible. When I go out to eat (very rare) I ask tons of questions about what is in my food. When I go to people’s functions, I typically bring a lunch bag with my favs fruits and veggies. I aim to eat several small meals per day. My shelves and freezer stay empty as I avoid processed foods as much as possible (vegan foods or not processed is processed).

Akeema weight loss

Office Health: 10 Tips for Working Women from Coach P

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workingwomanBlack Women Losing Weight member and Holistic Health Coach, Coach P shared these 10 healthy tips to help working women to stay healthy with me an I thought I’d pass them on to the group.

1. Try one new fruit, bean, or veggie once a week to add to your lunchtime salad. You can make a salad a thousand different ways.

2. When you prepare healthy foods at home for you and your family, make extra so you have tomorrow’s lunch or a couple days of workplace meals that consist of good foods.

3. Shop at some of the natural food delis/shops, if available to your near work, for freshly-made foods. Many of the major natural food stores such as Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Wild Oats, and Fresh Fields have great things you can add to your healthy diet — fresh juices, wholesome sandwiches, salads, baked proteins, tofu dishes, good roasted veggies, and exotic grains (quinoa 7couscous). This is a good second choice if you cannot make the time to cook yourself.

4. Keep a food diary. It may seem like a chore, but writing down everything you eat, even for only one week, along with your feelings at that time, may shed light on your at work eating habits.

5. Get a food buddy at work. Chances are you’re not the only person struggling with all of the temptations office life throws at you. Having an accountability partner always helps.

6. Suggest an office-wide fitness challenge at your job

7. Pay attention to the ergonomics at your workstation. Position your chairs and supplies comfortably, to keep stress on your body to a minimum.

8. Drink an adequate amount of water.  Eight to 10 glasses every day can help keep you hydrated. Many foods are also good sources of water; fruits like oranges, grapefruit, grapes, watermelon and apples can help keep you healthy and hydrated.

9.If you don’t mind taking supplements, consider taking a Vitamin C supplement (75 mg, 85 mg for pregnant women and 120 for nursing moms) for overall health benefits.

10. Think positive. “The only difference between a good day and a bad day is your attitude.” ~Dennis S. Brown

Coach P is a Holistic Coach and Nutrition Expert from New Jersey. She is WEGO Health, Health Activist and a member of The American Nutrition Association. Coach P is the founder of the holistic health and wellness, lifestyle brand Herbalosophy101. “Healthy living isn’t about perfection. It’s all about accurate balance; besides, I appreciate cheat days.” – Coach P.  Connect with her on Twitter @coachpcare and www.herbalosophy101.com.

Maria lost 35 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Maria lost 35 pounds. She was inspired to change her life after suffering a number of life trials and seeking God.  She was lead by a friend to watch some helpful documentaries which opened her eyes to what she needed to do to get healthy.

I’m a strong believer that “Everything happens for a reason” even when it hurts.  Back in November 2012, I had a miscarriage (insert sad face) which sent me into a downward spiral. Shortly after, maybe 3 weeks later, I caught pneumonia and shortly after that, tonsillitis.  My body was just so weak and I felt like I was dying, literally. Not to get too deep, but in that moment, I felt like God had left me, even though I knew in my heart, he had not, the devil was just messing with my mind.  God visited me and reassured me that He was right there with me.  I picked myself up and dusted myself off and said, it’s time for a change, no more excuses!!

Now, I was already a plus size woman and had been “talking” about losing weight for years, but I guess I just didn’t have enough motivation to do it. A friend of mine, was talking to be about exercising and becoming a personal trainer.  They told be about these documentaries, “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead”, “Food Matters” and “Hungry for Change” and I watched all 3 that night on Netflix.  Watch these films changed my life!!!!  It was like a light bulb went on and it all made sense. So immediately, I took pork and beef out of my diet.  I removed just about all processed foods, some dairy and started eating whole foods, fruits, leafy green veggies, and JUICING!!  I started out walking 30 minutes a day and did 20-30 min of cardio for 5-6 days a week! So far, I’ve lost 35 pounds and it feels great!!  This is no “Diet” plan.  It’s a Lifestyle change, and I will continue as long as I’m on this earth!  I want to encourage as many people as I can, that it can be done, and even though my journey isn’t over, I now know that anything is possible when you put your mind to it…and if I can do it, anyone can! Start now, today is the day, tomorrow isn’t promised. God Bless!

Maria weight loss

Maia went from a size 26 to a size 16/18

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Maia went from a size 26 to a size 16/18 and has been inspired to create a clothing line for curvy girls.

“In 1999, I found myself divorced and a single parent to a beautiful 6 week old baby girl. If I wasn’t sleeping due to depression, I was eating to comfort myself. I was at a size 26 and miserable. I would start a “diet”, and would remain motivated for just a few days. I found myself starting over every New Year, but by February I was back to the same routine. In 2009, I had a breakthrough. I began loving myself as I was.  As I began to forgive and allow God to heal me from rejection, I was able to make changes for me. My journey to wholeness and wellness was about me, not anyone else. I am now a size 16/18 and have a ways to go, but continue to take it one day at a time. I am committed to exercising 3 days a week and limit my intake of red meat to twice a month. With a new lease on life, I have stepped out in faith and launched my own apparel line on March 5, 2013 called Stiletto Chic Apparel.  The apparel is casually chic and caters to the average size woman to plus size (additional sizes and styles to come soon.) My blog on my website will allow me to share my thoughts and hopefully encourage other women to never lose sight of who they are and what they can become. I am grateful to Black Women Losing Weight and the encouragement this page provides. It is great to know that I am not on this journey alone.”

Maia weight loss story