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

Jamie lost 40 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story:  Jamie is down 40 pounds by changing her eating habits and doing lots of cardio (Zumba).

Jamie lost 40 pounds

She sent us this message on Facebook,
“I love this page. I went from 230 lbs to 175 lbs but got lazy and started slacking. I gained 15 lbs back before I got back on track and your website was a great motivator. I am now about 20 lbs away from my goal weight.  I’m down 40 lbs and counting….lost my motivation a little in the past few months but I”m refocused and thankful for your website which makes me feel empowered. I have another 30 lbs to go to get to my goal weight and I know I can do it. First picture is from summer of 2010, 2nd picture is this past summer. Theres no quick fix, just lots of cardio – including Zumba and hitting the gym and changing my eating habits.  

Oh and I went from a size 18 to a size 12!!!!! I would be honored to be on your page along w/ the other beautiful black women working hard to be fit and healthy. You are doing a great thing w/ your page, thank you for your help 🙂:) You are a true motivator and inspiration to us all!”

Jamie, Thanks for the love and for sharing your story with us!

What are BWLW’s Monthly Challenges all about?

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There have been some questions about Black Women Losing Weight’s monthly weight loss challenges, so let me clarify. For our challenges we have:

  • An eating habits goal
  • An exercise goal
  • A bonus goal for those who want to step it up
  • A book of the month

We check-in weekly on our online community so that we can stay accountable. That is via blog postings, status messages, photos…whatever you feel comfortable with.

That way, there is something for everyone. You are also free to modify the goals. For example, you aren’t going to start eating meat as a Vegan if we make lean meat part of the eating habits goals. If you already exercise for an hour 6 days per week, you aren’t going to go down to 5 days just because that’s our stated goal for the month.

Ultimately, we want to have challenges that everyone can participate in on some level, even if it’s just reading the book.

Hope that helps.

Den-Ray lost 157 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss story: Den-Ray lost 157 pounds by walking and using MyFitnessPal.com.  So many of the BWLW Ladies use MFP, so it’s great to hear about a major success story coming out of it’s use.  Check out what she had to say:

den-ray before and after photo

“I started by walking with my next door neighbor 3 times a week, my only goal was to make it a mile which took me half an hour. I lost about 50 lbs this way, just walking and not eating so much. My only rules were not to eat unless I was hungry and to stop eating when I was full. My neighbor soon reached her goal and stopped walking with me, I kept going because I liked the results. She was always encouraging and introduced me to myfitnesspal.com. The website helped me track calories without having to do heavy math. I started by trying to eat fewer than 2000 calories and soon moved down to 1200 calories a day. I lost about 75lbs this way but hit a plateau. So, on the advice of a doctor, I increased my exercise to 5 days a week, at least an hour, and began consuming 1500 calories a day. This was much easier to follow and I now eat around 1500 calories when I exercise and 1200 calories when I’m not exercising. I have 58 more pounds to lose to hit a healthy weight, but I know I can make it.”  Check out her Facebook Group.

SaLisa released 45 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: SaLisa released 45 pounds and was motivated by seeing how diabetes ravaged her family.

SaLisa before and after photos

She says,
“In my journey to become a healthier me, I lost 45 lbs. I watched the disease named Diabetes murder members of my family and this became an eye opener for me. I want to be natural and healthy for the rest of my days.  My starting weight was 189. When I first began the process I changed up my eating habits. All things white went to all things brown, like rice and pasta. I cut out soda completely, as well as fruit juice. All sweets were eliminated. Once I noticed my weight dropping, I decided to do more and I began doing cardio 3 days a week and strength training 2 times a week”

Crystal lost 22 pounds

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Today’s featured success story: Crystal lost 22 pounds.  She says, “I’ve lost 22 pounds so far! I do Xbox Kinect Dance Central for at least an hour, 3 days a week. I walk every Tuesday from 4 to 8 miles. I also downloaded a mobile app called Loseit and it calculates the calories you eat and tracks your exercise. I love it!!!”

Great job, Crystal!!

Crystal Weight loss

What should Black Women Losing Weight’s December Challenge be?

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Update 11/28: The DECEMBER CHALLENGE goals are now available.  Thank you so much for voting in the poll.  Click here for the details!

Hey Ladies, It’s almost time for us to vote on our challenge for December.  Later this week, I will post the poll for you to weigh-in on and tell us what you think we should be doing for our challenge.  First, I’d like to get some feedback from you this weekend to factor into the choices we vote on.  What are your thoughts?

Thanks, Ladies!!

Twins Demetrias and Ametrias have lost a combined 80 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Twins Demetrias and Ametrias have lost 80 pounds combined.

Demetrias and Ametrias weight loss

What did they do to lose the weight?  Dede wrote us to say…

“My twin and I are on this journey together. We have lost a total of 80 pounds together just by exercising and eating healthier. Keepingitmoving:)  Our main advice to give is it’s never to late to start, go at your on pace, do what works for you, and never compare yourself to someone else who is also on a weight loss journey.”

Demetrias “Dede” Teal (pictured on the left): starting weight 225 current weight 183. “My main motivation was my daughter Jada who is a competitive gymnast. With her being an young athlete, I truly believe that I needed to be her main example of what it looks like to live a healthy lifestyle. My life style change consisted of working out 6-7 hrs a week, eating low carbs, counting calories, and drinking a ton of water.”

Ametrias Waters (pictured on the right): starting weight was 230 current weight 190 – “My main motivation was my husband and two kids. I wasn’t happy with my self and the way I looked, which sent me into a depression. Which was affecting my relationship with my family I knew Then i had to do something fast to get me out of my depression. I completely cut sugar and carbs out of my diet and ate under a 1000 calories a day and was drinking a gallon of water a day. It was hard but paid off. I didn’t start working out until about two weeks in. My sister and I started this journey together to give each other support , we started in feb 2010 and it’s still a process.”

LaTasha lost 75 pounds

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Today’s featured success story: LaTasha lost 75 pounds by changing her diet and eating habits.

Latasha weight loss

She says,
“I started my weight lose journey Jan 2012. I decided it was time for a change I was tired of going to the opposite side of the store shopping and paying more for plus size clothing. I started by cutting sodas and sweets I went cold turkey. I joined my fitness pal I set myself a calorie goal of 1200 a day. I cut out fast food and started cooking my food. I made sure I packed my lunch and snack for work so I wouldn’t be tempted to eat fast food. I cut out fried foods, I bake my food, cut down on my sodium intake. Water has been the only beverage that I drink since Jan of 2012. I drink 84Oz of water a day. I replaced my sweets with fruit. My drinks for water I sometimes squeeze a fresh lemon in my water for flavor. I do not eat past 6pm, I exercise every night before I go to bed. I started out weighing 235lbs. I am currently 160lbs. I have 10 more pounds to get to my goal. This journey has been a learning experience. I weigh myself every morning at the same time every day. All I did was change my eating habits added more fruits and vegetables to my diet. Cut out the junk replaced it with healthier alternatives such as fruit and 100 calorie snacks so that I could keep up with the calories I take in. If I can do it anyone can I made it fun I like to dance so that made exercise fun. When I go to the grocery store I park far away that helps me to get exercise in as well! Still on my journey but loving the results I see!”

Sonja lost 40 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss story:  Sonja has lost 40 pounds since March.  She changed her diet and started to workout by running.

She says,
“20 more to Go!!!!  I am doing it!  From March to Today!  I started a workout by walking and then increasing to running 4.5 miles, 4 days a week.  I make a smoothie in the mornings for breakfast using my favorite fruit and soy milk by Silk.  I eliminated meat from my diet.  I eat salmon and certain fish but due to allergies to some I can only eat a few.  I drink black teas, green teas…no sugar.  I drink lots of water and no sodas.  I eat plenty of veggies using a lite olive oil and lemons for taste.  love yogurt and special K bars to snack.  I lost 40lbs staying consistent and motivated.  I feel overall healthier then ever.  I am 44 years old.”

sonja weight loss

Post-Turkey Day Check-in: How did you do?

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It’s day 23 of the Black Women Losing Weight November challenge and the day after Thanksgiving!  How did you do with your eating goals, Ladies?  Did you eat clean?  Did you declare Thanksgiving a cheat day?  Did you enjoy the bounty with moderation?  Check-in via the comment box below.

NO need to beat yourself up if you didn’t reach your goals for the day.  Today is a great day to get back on track.  The holidays are a major challenge when you are changing your eating habits.

I personally was on track with my goals.  Lots of veggies, no white flour or white sugar.  And then…carrot cake.  I only had a small piece and I didn’t feel bad because I’ve been so good this month and on top of my goals.  Hope you had a great time with family and friends!!  NO need to beat yourself up if you didn’t reach your goals for the day.  Today is a great day to get back on track.