Black Weight Loss Success

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Ajima Jackson

LaTasha lost 54 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: LaTasha lost 54 pounds by working out and using Weight Watchers.  She wrote us to say…

“Here is my story: I decided to embark on a healthy living journey back in 2011. I make better eating choices (using Weight Watchers) and I work out 5 times a week. I knew dieting wasn’t for me because I needed life long changes. Below is my pic of progress. Although my weight is fluctuating now because I am toning more, I have lost 54 lbs!

I had to make a lifestyle change. Why? I went to get a physical and the doctor was seriously SHOCKED that I didn’t have any illnesses…no diabetes, high blood pressure, nothing. I’ve seen what these illnesses have done to my family. There is too much in life I can’t control, eating better…I can control that.

I decided to research some healthier options of living (notice I didn’t say DIET). I stumbled upon Weight Watchers…a program where I can eat the same foods I always ate, but in better portions and better contents within. This journey I have been on has changed my life. It really is a mental shift. You see, dieting…doing temporary things to lose weight can lead to temporary results, but eating healthier, making a true lifestyle change is where the longevity of weight loss resides.

So what do I do? I go to the gym 5 days a week for at least an hour and I stick to the plan of Weight Watchers. I eat between 5-6 times a day, small portion meals. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and 2-3 small snacks in between. What is important to remember is if you starve your body, only eating a couple of times of day, your body will hold on to the food thus making it more difficult to lose. But eating more often (quality meals:fruit, veggies, protein, etc.), your body will learn to release that food essentially building your metabolism a bit. I have now lost 54lbs since I began my journey…and counting!!!!

Latasha weight loss

 

 

Devin lost 204 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Devin lost 204 pounds with the gastric sleeve.  She went from 443 lbs to 239 lbs and is still losing!!

She says, “I had the gastric sleeve surgery in April 2011.  I had to eat five small meals throughout the day.  I also cut out sodas and a lot of sweets. It’s all a mind control thing.  You have to be mentally prepared and focus on changing your bad habits.”

Devin weight loss surgery

Tasha lost 60 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Tasha lost 60 pounds by running and learning to “eat to live instead of living to eat”.

Here is what Tasha shared with us:

“I started on December 27, 2011. I was tired all the time and I wanted to be able to walk a flight of stairs without losing my breath. On 12/27/11, I weighed in at 240 lbs. Today I weigh 180 lbs. I lost the weight by changing my relationship with food. I stopped looking at for for comfort or pleasure. Instead I looked at as a means of survival. I basically learned to eat to live instead of living to eat. This doesn’t mean I didn’t fall off the wagon. I learned that when I fell off, I had to suck it up and get back on. I also started going to the gym daily. My goal has always been to be a runner. I ran my first 5k in August and I will run another in January. I work everyday to keep the weight off and to lose more weight because my journey is not over. My ultimate goal is to run a marathon. Your Facebook page has given me so much encouragement. Whenever I thought I couldn’t do it, I looked at the pictures of the women who did. Thank you.”

Tasha weight loss

Erica lost 32 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Erica lost 32 pounds with hard work and the help of her supportive, fitness minded boyfriend.

Erica lost 32 pounds

Erica gave us all details of her weight loss journey:

“The early part of 2012, I started out at 175 wearing size 13, large, and extra large and it seems that the number was going to keep inching higher if I did not make a change. My boyfriend, who is heavily into fitness: running, lifting, extreme calisthenics, eating healthily and losing weight in the right way, got me started on my journey on June 3, 2012. I discovered how important (and critical) it was to have strong support from loved ones and he was with me every step of the way. He has got to be the most patient man on earth because I kept hounding him with question after question!

Here’s a brief synopsis of what I have done over the last 7 months:

June 3: Took before pics
June 4: Started the Insanity program and wanted to quit the same day but I kept going
August 30: Finally finished Insanity after two knee injuries from a pinched nerve
August 31: Received my core-cardio liptical trainer and started working out on that
September 10: Started P90x and was still using my elliptical
October 20: Stopped doing P90x (too slow, too corny, and some of the moves was seriously aggravating my knee issues, like the Legs & Back set)…kept working out on the elliptical and doing other stuff like squats, jumping jacks, speed walking (all of this while wearing a 10-20# vest)
Novemberish: Added running to the mix while wearing a full sauna suit and also started lifting using my free weights with a dedicated program (I have a 250# weight bench set with olympic bar at home but I’m not interested in using it at this time…not part of the game plan just yet)
November 23: Had to stop running for a few weeks due to right knee pain but kept up with the elliptical
December 5: Threw in an extreme, high intensity calisthenics program that incorporates heavy jump roping 5 days a week – Chiseled in 30
January 16: Finished the CI30 program
January 26: Started back running….hit 2.16 miles my first day back.

In addition to the exercising, I had to do a complete overhaul on my nutrition. As of June 3, I went cold turkey on a lot of my fav foods and drinks: soda, specialty coffees/pastries from Starbucks, white bread, white rice, table sugar, canned veggies, packaged meals, frozen meals, pizza, all fast food, sweets/candies, chips, cookies, etc. I replaced all of that with fresh fruits and veggies (the fresh fruit I keep on the counter for grab and go), home-cooked meals, at least 60oz of water every single day (never leaves my side), brown rice, fresh spinach, egg white omelettes, fresh fish (salmon and tuna steak), limited 97/3 ground beef, limited chicken, no steak or pork. I pretty much stick to 90% salmon and 10% chicken.

In addition to all that I have learned from my boyfriend, I started researching not only what he’s told me but to learn other things for my own understanding. It’s important to understand how everything fits together so that I am able to help someone else. For instance, there are a lot of people who don’t understand what their TDEE is(amount calories your body burns in a 24 hour period) or what it even means. They don’t understand how certain vitamins and minerals feed off of each other to aid in weight loss, so if they’re lacking in one, it could hinder their progress. There is so much to know and understand!

weight loss erica

The results of my hard work, DISCIPLINE, dedication, and purpose: total of 17 inches lost from hips, thighs, chest (not bust), and waist; total of 17% body fat lost (from 42% to 25%), and a loss of 32 pounds (just 8 pounds to go!).

My boyfriend, Bishop, took me on a very special cruise from Dec 13-17 to celebrate all that I have accomplished. As of December 12, I had lost 30 pounds. Since then, I’ve lost 2 more (it’s an up and down battle but the trend line goes down). What’s most important is how my clothes fit, how I feel, and how much I have progressed in my workouts. I went from the girl who couldn’t do a single push up to the girl who did the girly push ups to the girl who could knock out 15 in one shot. I went from the girl who could barely kick out 10 burpees to the girl who could jump rope for a minute, do 20 burpees, jump rope for a minute, do 20 burpees, jump rope one more time for a minute. That’s what being FIT really means to me.

My hope is that my story and all of the ups and downs will inspire someone else to not give up…to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and to keep going, to keep pushing.

Keyla lost 117 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: AKA Soror and BWLW online community member Keyla lost 117 pounds by reducing her caloric intake and exercising.  I asked her to share about her weight loss journey:

Keyla weight loss

I picked up 77 pounds in about 5 months. I didn’t see the weight change within myself at that time. I only had three pairs of pants I could wear. All three pairs of pants were black sweat pants with a different colored stripe on the side. I was miserable. I could not walk from one side of a parking lot to the other without being out of breath. When I started noticing how out of shape I was I started giving up hope and continued to eat whatever I wanted. I felt there was no way that I would ever be able to lose weight. My self-esteem was non existent. My attitude was horrible, and I isolated myself from the world.

“Eventually I had enough!   I changed my lifestyle April 24th 2011.  This is my second time losing weight however, this time I had even more weight to lose.  My starting weight was 377.4 pounds and my current weight is now 260 pounds. My start pants size was a size 30W.  I am now able to fit a size 18. My shirt size when I first started out was a size 24. I now fit XL tops from the junior department.

I reduced my caloric intake and hit the gym! I did an hour of cardio per day burning around 900-1000 calories per workout, 3 to 4 times a week. I did go to a nutritionist and I was put on a 1200 calorie diet back in 2003. 8 years later, I’ve gotten older obviously.  The typical 1200 calorie diet did not work for me. I had to cut my calories even more to see any results. It was really a touch and go effort to lose weight because I had to figure out what foods I could and couldn’t eat in order to lose weight. No longer could I eat starches often. Mainly, I had to eat non-starchy vegetables.

For breakfast I have coffee, tea, and fruit. I only ate strawberries, apples, melons, or either oranges for breakfast. For lunch and dinner I would always have 3.5-4 ounces of lean protein and 3.5-4 ounces of non-starchy vegetables. I always drink a gallon of water per day and limit my diet soda intake to 36 ounces. As a result I’ve lost 117 pounds.  I personally believe that if I can turn my life around then anybody can. Life is hard! Struggles are real but happiness is priceless!”

Connie lost 120 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story:  Connie lost 120 pounds.  She said,

“I started out with changing my eating habits (I stopped eating late night and no after hours snacking). Lowering my portions and changing what I ate. Then I started walking daily and now I run 3-4 times a week (3-4 miles) and the elliptical machine.  It took me two years to get the weight off and I’ve kept it off for almost 3 years now.”

Connie weight loss

Donesha lost 59 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Donesha lost 59 pounds with the help of a personal trainer.

Donesha weight loss

Here is what she shared with us:

“My name is Donesha Bolden and I am a 33 year old teacher in the Atlanta area and I was asked to share my story with the Black Weight Loss Success Site by one of my high school classmates. I try to post daily inspiration to my friends on Facebook as I am on this journey to a healthy life. My media specialist encouraged me to share my story with the AJC newspaper in Atlanta and they accepted and published my story.

I stated out at 215 pounds in October 2011 and I started working with my trainer as well as doing Insanity within my home. I felt a sense of comfort at home with the insanity program because I could be myself while working out. I lost over 30 pounds doing the 60 day program and my trainer Tissilli Rogers helped me keep everything TIGHT. I have since been working with Tissilli on my goal weight of 160 and I reached that weight in December 2012. I am currently 156 pounds with a total loss of 59 pounds. Tissili wants me to weigh 150 pounds so I am currently working on her goal for me. I go to the gym 5 days a week at 5:00am and run two miles, squats, leg press and abs. I am currently enrolled in Tissilli’s “Show Ready” group where we train at a high level with weights and cardio. That class takes place on Tue/Thur at 6:00 pm. On the weekends I take part in Tissilli’s Tred and Shed class as well as her Buns Buster Class. I have a new found love for running and I am preparing for my first race soon. I realized that it was time to get healthy and that is and always be my goal. I no longer eat for taste I now eat for my health. I can truly say that I am addicted to working out. I pray my story is an inspiration to someone who doesn’t think they can make It happen because with dedication, will power and ambition anything is possible.”

Donesha lost 59 pounds

Laydee lost 35 pounds

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Laydee lost 35 pounds.  She says, “I lost 35lbs by reducing my carbs intake and with plenty of walking.  My starting weight was 258 pounds. My present weight is 223 pounds. I started my weight loss in aug 2012. For breakfast I would have homemade juice, 3 veggies and 1 fruit.  A yogurt. Then, lunch would be my heaviest meal of the day. I would eat my carbs for lunch…plenty of salad.  No soda or store bought juices.  Just water with lemon.  Dinner would consist of chicken, fish or turkey with steamed veggies or salad!! I walked a lot.  Now I’m considering joining a gym.  I need to lose 25 more.”

Laydee weight loss

Curvy Confident & Fit: Trina lost 52 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Trina lost over 52 pounds and has abs for days!  She is the founder of Curvy, Confident and Fit, a great Facebook community for fitness and weight loss.

Trina lost 52 pounds

I asked her to share her weight loss journey with us:

“Hello everyone!! I wanted to share my weight loss story and more with you ladies!!

This before picture is of me two weeks after giving birth to my son by c-section four years ago and my after picture is me after changing my eating habits and working out for the lasts 13 months!!  I started Jan 2012 weighing 230 and reached my goal of 180 Jun 2012. Lost a couple more since but focusing more on inches and toning:-).

I began my journey On January 2, 2012 by the grace of God with a new mind and determination!! I had always been somewhat into fitness but I could never control my eating habits!! Through prayer and God’s strength, He gave me the self-control that I needed and I immeditaley was easily able to cut out all the chips, cake, cookies, sodas, fried and sugary foods, etc and started eating more lean meats only baked, fruits, veggies, whole-grains, legumes, and also I cut out the sodas and juices! I was able to loose 50 pounds and go from my starting weight of 230 to my goal weight of 180 in the first 6 months! Once the weight came off I focus more on the toning. I cut out all the long cardio session and started doing more short intensifed workouts and focus more on toning and shaping my body. I basically use anywhere from 10-30 lbs dumbbells and do exercises like squats, lunges, deadlifts, should pressess, dips, etc. Nothing fancy:-) My cardio consist of running and spinning most of the time but always at a high intensity level as well:-) I work my core three days a week and do a variety of exercises like front and side planks, bridges, jackknives, flutter kicks, reverse crunches and the supermans to target the lower back, etc. I can tell you ladies to maintain yor midsection you MUST get your eating habits right at least 90% of the time. There are times when I notice a difference in my midsection, I don’t care how hard I worked for that week, if my eating was really off my stomach was off 🙂 Anyway ladies just wanted to share and let you all know it is possible to get your body back!!

Fabiola lost 93 pounds

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Fabiola lost 93 pounds with the help of weight loss surgery.  Check out her story and a video of her transformation below.Fabiola weight loss

Here are the details of her story:

Im only here to speak the truth and nothing but the truth! In 2009, I started my weight loss journey at 288 pounds. I had the lap band and at the time, had lost 60 pounds in a year. I ended up gaining all the weight back.  It was a struggle everyday.  It was hard to eat dense protein like chicken or turkey bc I would get “stuck”. I found myself eating cookies and starch all the time cause those “slider” foods went down well. I knew that surgery could NEVER fix my food addiction. Before surgery I vowed to give up junk if I could be satisfied with small healthy portions. Unfortunately with the band, I was never truly satisfied with small portions and that’s the truth. I commend those who reached their goals with the band because its NOT easy.

Weight loss surgery is not the easy way out, if it were then real people like me would have never failed the first time around..It is a tool that if used correctly and if it is effective, can help you lose weight!

Luckily for me, I was able to get the band revised to the gastric sleeve in June 2012.. This tool is more effective for ME. My stomach is smaller now and I’m finally able to eat dense protein and stay satisfied like I always wanted! This is the ONLY thing that has worked for ME and I could not have accomplished so much without this tool. I had to make drastic changes such as eliminating carbs sodas and junk from my diet…I concentrate on eating a lot of proteins like chicken, fish, eggs etc. Premiere protein shake from Costco is great! 160cal and 30g protein! Chocolate flavor is the best, had to throw that in! Lol..I work out 6 days a week and do a lot of strength training to avoid sagging skin. I love every minute of my journey and will continue to put an end to obesity.

If you are against weight loss surgery then I truly wish u the best on losing it the natural way, hopefully you will get there soon..But to everybody else who has tried doing it the natural way for years on end and are tired of being in denial and are interested in weight loss surgery, I say live your life for you! Cause at the end of the day, when the lights go off and your buried 6 feet deep, ain’t nobody gonna be there but you. So stop worrying about what others think and live your life the way you want to before it too late. If weight loss surgery is your last option then at least your making a last effort instead of just sitting there and packing on more pounds…Plus If everybody else can be happy, why can’t you?  Be blessed always, Fabiola Apollon”