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Before and After Photos

Tammie lost 66 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Tammie lost 66 pounds. She was not comfortable with the possibility of being less and less healthy as she aged, so she took control via a low carb lifestyle and lots of walking for exercise. Check out her journey.

Tammie before and after

What was your motivation?
My motivation is not wanting to be unhealthy as I aged. I realized that I am not willing to suffer the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle as I grow older.

How did you change your eating habits?
On October 21, 2016, I began a low carb lifestlye. For the first 14 days, I gave up sugar, bread, pasta, soda and just reduced carbohydrates overall. I stuck to 20 grams of carbs per day.

What did you do in terms of exercise?
I began walking for 30 minutes each day and used stairs at work instead of the elevator. I also did simple workout moves for 15-30 minutes 3 times per week. In May, I began walking 2 miles daily and now I’ve progressed to 5-8 miles per day.

Starting weight/Current weight
My starting weight was 251 pounds at 5’4″. Today (7/4/2017), I weigh 185 pounds. No surgery, pills or wraps.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to stay consistent. Weight loss is 80% nutrition and 20% physical. I learned to burn off more than I put in.

What advice you like to share with other people who want to lose weight?
My advice would be to consult your doctor for advice on nutrition and creating a meal plan. I would also suggest exercising for at least 30 minutes a day.

Instagram: @mrstammiehinkle

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tammie weight loss journey

Nicole lost 136 pounds

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Update: Shout out to Nicole! She’s lost 155 pounds.

Boom!!!

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Transformation of the Day: Nicole lost 136 pounds. PCOS, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol could not stop her. She made a life changing decision to have the Lap-Band procedure. Surgery was not a quick fix. She did lots of exercise and let go of bad eating habits to get results. Check out what she shared with us about her journey.

Nicole lost 136 pounds

My highest was 379 pounds. Today, I weigh 243 pounds at 5’8″. I struggled with PCOS. I was also diabetic and had high cholesterol and high blood pressure. In March of last year, I decided to get the Lap Band and that decision changed my life.

I still have a ways to go, but I’m happy to say that my health has improved and I’m free from all medication. I also have a lots of energy and I love myself again. Going through this process, I’ve learned that I am tough, driven, beautiful and inspiring. I never would have thought I was any of those things before. Thank God for changing my mindset, because it has been so hard.

The truth is that the Lap Band got me started, but I DID THE WORK and it’s NOT easy. There’s no miracle cure out there. You have to want to change. A lot of people miss understand weigh loss surgery and think it will fix everything. Wake up call: you can still GAIN weight! You could lose NOTHING. You have to change your diet and exercise, even with surgery. You have to push and you have to change.

I ate smaller portions, measured my food and meal prepped. My meals were high in protein. I cut out all bad carbs, ate more veggies, stopped eating junk food and only drank water. It also helped to consume only liquids for a few days, every few months.

For exercise, I started running with the Running for Weight Loss app. I ran everyday. Eventually, I started doing a stairs routine and got a personal trainer to help me start toning. I worked out 6 days out the week (2 times sometimes, while working out 3 or 4 times a day)

My transformation took one year. I had the Lap Band surgery in March 2016. What kept me going was not having the pain anymore and having friends for support. Learning to love myself throughout this process also helped a lot. I just wanted to live life outside of this shell.

My advice: Put you first and don’t give up on you. Love yourself and fight for you. Learn to say no to the negative thoughts. Find a GREAT support system that you can feed off and give back to. You will get better and better. Lastly, always remember who you used to be so you’ll never go back.

Instagram: @lovingmyselfandbody

nicole before and after

De’Asha lost 65 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: De’Asha lost 65 pounds. After giving birth to her son, her weight reached over 300 lbs. She made the choice to become a healthy, active mom and avoid a family history of weight related illnesses. Working out at home and going low carb has produced awesome results. Check out her journey. deasha before and after I am a 28 year old mother and I’ve battled with my weight most of my life. After having my son in 2013, I stepped on the scale and it said 320 pounds! I was so upset and I knew I had to do something about it. I worked out hard and got down to 255 pounds, but life hit me hard and I gained the weight back (reaching 280 lbs).  Now, I am back down to 255 lbs at 5’10”, and I’m on a journey to reach 220 lbs. I am so thankful for this fitness journey. I no longer suffer from high blood pressure and I am no longer at risk for diabetes.

What inspired you to keep going when times got tough? What keeps me inspired was remembering that I was doing this for my son. Diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure runs in my family. When my son was born, I made a promise to him that I would change my life around to be healthy for him. He deserves an active and healthy mother. I want to be that for him.

How did you change your eating habits? I tried just about EVERY DIET THERE IS. What I find works best for me is going low carb and eating no more than 150 grams of carbs each day. 3 days a week, I have a “cheat day”, then back to low carbs for 3 more days. That is a more realistic plan for me to follow than other diet methods. I did cut back on un-healthy foods as well. I cook most of my meals. My go-to, guilt free healthy meal is chicken fajitas. They taste awesome and I can eat them all day, minus the tortillas of course. I also love mangos and pineapples.

Do you workout in the gym or take any fitness classes? I workout 5-6 days per week doing various Beachbody workouts at home. My favorite is T25. Sometimes, I mix up my workouts by going to the gym or running outside when its nice.

When did you start your journey?  I originally started in January 2014, but fell off and gained the weight back. I recommitted in September 2016.

What advice do you have for other people who want to lose weight? The advice I would give to others is to never give up on yourself. Take lots of pictures of yourself, even if you don’t see a difference. Don’t allow the scale to make you upset. Try on an old pair of jeans and use that as a method of tracking your progress. Follow me on this journey to 100 pounds down! Instagram @BigFineandFit

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Earlier this year, I stated I wanted to be the same size I was in High School. I graduated in 2007 and I was a size 16 pants & XL shirt. Well I met that goal 🤗 It feels so good to be the same size I was 10 years ago, what’s even more rewarding is I did it by myself. Proper nutrition & killer workouts 🏋🏾‍♀️ You can do whatever you set your mind to. It was a struggle to get here, but I’m here & I’m not giving up until I reach 100 pounds lost 💪🏾 #Letsgetit #Byefupa #weightlossjourney #throwbackThursday #tbt #goals #fitnessjourney #thickfit #plussizefitness #plussizefit #beforeandafter #blackfitnesswomen #blackgirlsworkouttoo #blackgirlsworkout #blackfitness #fitfam #blackwomen #blackgirlmagic #share

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Adepa lost 42 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Adepa lost 42 pounds. Two pregnancies left her with hypertension and blood sugar issues. Her doctor suggested weight loss as an alternative to medication. She used many of the stories we’ve featured as inspiration to create a healthy lifestyle plan that has paid off big time. Check out her story.

adepa before and after

In June 2015, my doctor had a frank discussion with me to re-introduce me to medication. I had pregnancy induced hypertension during my pregnancy in 2009 with twins and in 2012 while having my second pregnancy. My medical profile consistently showed that I was hypertensive and that medication was required. In addition to this, I was borderline diabetic. I struggled to keep my blood sugar levels within normal ranges after having gestational diabetes in 2012. My doctor advised me to try losing some weight, since that was the only option that would allow me to avoid medication.

In August 2015, we had a family reunion and I couldn’t fit into my UK size 18 dress that I brought in my luggage. I had to wear a size 20 dress that was meant for somebody else to the occasion and me family members were congratulating me on “the pregnancy“. I felt sad and depressed.

A classmate who was in my MBA class had just signed with Herbalife to lose weight. She constantly shared her weight loss journey with “the girls” when we met for group studies and assignments. She had already started getting results, so I challenged myself and decided to give weight loss a try. Making the decision was tough since I had fears. I didn’t want to sign up with an expensive diet program. During the whole month of August 2015, I read more than 200 weight loss stories on BlackWeightLossSuccess.com. I was able to create my own formula for weight loss based on what the ladies who were featured had practiced: a healthy diet plus exercise.

On September 1, 2015, I committed myself to losing 10kgs (22 pounds) in 100 days. I started by walking in my area. I thought I would pass out, but I persevered. On September 4, 2015, I visited a gym for the first time and signed up. I was introduced to my trainer, @ericnanaadjei64. At the end of the 100 days, in December 2015, I’d lost 10kgs and was addicted to being fit.

How did you change your eating habits?
I read on your website that most of the successful women who lost weight had cut out sugar and reduced their carbohydrate intake, so I practiced exactly that. I switched to complex carbohydrates, replaced some of my meals with vegetable/fruit smoothies and completely cut out eating at night. I learned about portion sizes, healthy snacking and benefits of drinking water. I also started meal prepping and carrying my food bag everywhere; lectures, work, and social gatherings.

What was your workout routine?
I started with a goal of being able to do a 5km run, uninterrupted. I began with a 20 minute walk and worked each day until I was able to do a 10km run every other day. Initially, I was walking/jogging in the morning and doing strength training at the gym in the evening, 5 to 6 days a week. I was also introduced to at home workouts, such as T25 by Shaun T and P90X.

I developed love for lifting, which has now increased, and I concentrate on HIIT for cardio (though my love for running is still innate). I lift 4 to 5 times days a week. Sometimes, I get lazy and just do my cardio routines. However, I quickly find my way back to my happy place, the gym. This particular gym is quite masculine in its arrangement and users (about 98% male). My female friends wonder why I would train at a place that some would consider “woman unfriendly”. The truth is that has lots of great guys who workout for various reasons and have various goals. They’ve motivated and encouraged me on this journey.

Starting weight/Current weight
I stopped checking my weight at 96 kilos (211.6 pounds), back in June 2015. My current weight is 77kgs (169.7 pounds) and I am 5 feet, 4 inches tall. I wore a Size UK 20 dress and now I can now fit into a UK 12 dress.

What advice would you like to share?
This is a journey that I consider as a marathon and not a race. Your story is different and your journey will be different too. Create small goals, smash them and reward yourself for the small victories (whether on the scale or non-scale). When you fall off the wagon for any reason (which I have done on this journey), give yourself the time to dust off and get back on board. Be kind, gentle and gracious to yourself. Love yourself deeply, flaws and all. Pray about your journey and your challenges. Find motivation from within and support from blackweightlosssuccess.com if you get stuck.

Keep thanking God each day for the gift of life, from which all other goals can be accomplished and all other victories can be celebrated.

Instagram: @yaadepabi

Carrie lost 48 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Carrie lost 48 pounds. Being a mom and working 40+ hours a week kept her very busy. Eating what was convenient led to weight gain. At the beginning of the year, she starting taking practical steps to release the weight. Check out her journey.

I began my journey in January 2017. I remember I seeing my before picture (on the left and) and being disappointed that I had allowed my weight to get out of control. I was so busy chasing around a 2 year old and working 40+ hours a week that I would eat whatever was convenient, AKA fast food!

So, in January I decided to start Weight Watchers. I also started working out at home, a couple days a week, because I was too embarrassed to go to the gym at my size. Yes, I broke out my old Billy Blanks Tae-Bo tapes!

After dieting and working out for two weeks, I finally decided to step on the scale. The date was 1/17/17. I weighed 233 pounds at 5’7″. I can carry a bit more weight, but 233 pounds was too much for my height and my BMI was off the charts.

After a couple weeks, I felt comfortable enough to start going to the gym and I now workout at least 5 days a week. I started by running on the treadmill and doing lots of cardio. Now, I’ve started to incorporate more weight training to tone.

Today, I weigh 185 pounds. I’ve hit a bit of a plateau, but I’m determined to keep going! My advice to anyone who is looking for motivation to begin their weight loss journey would be to do what works for you. For me, beginning at home where I was more comfortable was the jump start I needed to continue to push my self even further. I am a much better mother and employee because I am a happier me!

Instagram: @MzKittles

carrie before and after

Nisha La’Shay lost over 45 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Nisha La’Shay lost over 45 pounds. Over the course of three years, she had to change her lifestyle and battle multiple health issues to get where she is today. Armed with knowledge and a willingness to abandon negative habits, she got awesome results. Check out how she did it.

nisha before and after

What motivated you to change your life?
Lack of knowledge is what held me back for so long. I’ve had weight loss issues ever since I was old enough to remember. I was borderline diabetic and had health issues, including asthma and allergies. One day, I tried but couldn’t do just one sit-up. That’s when I decided it was time for a change.

The massive progress that I’ve made mentally and physically is what keeps me going. The negative comments people once made also serves as motivation. I’ve channeled the negative into positive.

How did you change your eating habits?
I cut out all fast food and the majority of processed foods. Then, I went on a high protein diet. I became a label reading addict.

What did you do in terms of exercise?
I started hitting the gym. I love lifting and doing high intensity interval training for cardio works wonders. I workout 5 times a week.

Starting weight/Current weight
At the beginning of my journey, I weighed over 200 pounds. I’m currently weigh 155 pounds and I am 5’5″.

How long did your transformation take?
I have been on my journey for 3 years and it has been a true lifestyle change.

What advice would you share with other people who want to lose weight?
My advice is never sell yourself short. Your health should be your main priority. Ladies, do not be afraid of the weights and take time to read up on nutrition. Knowledge is the key.

Instagram: @Bodied_byshay

Jasmine lost 47 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Jasmine lost 47 pounds. Being diagnosed with pre-diabetes and having difficulty with everyday tasks are the red flags that motivated her to change her lifestyle. Keeping a food log, meal prepping and commiting to regular exercise produced results. Check out what she shared with us.

jasmine before and after

What was your motivation?
When my doctor informed me that I was pre-diabetic and would have to start medication, that’s when I knew it was time to start my weight loss journey. I was also motivated to lose weight when every day things, like walking up the stairs, became a challenge. Overall, I was ready for a change.

What inspired you when you wanted to give up?
There are times when I have to drag myself to gym or force myself to not eat that ice cream. However, as soon as I look at photos of my progress, I feel inspired to keep going. Also, just remembering why I started my weight loss journey inspires me to not give up.

How did you change your eating habits?
I changed my eating my eating habits by paying attention to what I was eating and how much I was eating. Tracking my foods allows me to monitor my eating habits and adjust them accordingly. I also drink tons of water!

I have a really bad sweet tooth. Instead of completely getting rid of sweets, I have learned to eat them in moderation and replace them with healthier options, such as fruit. I also meal prep breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 5 days.

What did your workout routines look like?
I currently go the the gym 3-4 times a week for about 1.5 hours per session. When I am not in the gym, I still try to reach my step goal of 12,000 steps a day. My exercise routine consists of cardio (elliptical and treadmill), running/track, weight lifting and jump roping.

Starting weight/Current weight
My starting weight was 204 pounds. My current weight is 157 pounds. I am 5’4″.

How long did your transformation take?
I started my journey in October 2016. My transformation has taken about 8 months.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
My advice to others: enjoy the journey. There will be times where you overeat and skip the gym. Don’t beat yourself over these bumps in the road. Keep pushing. You’ll reach your goal. Also, get rid of the scale and take lots of photos to gage your progress!

Instagram: @jazzz_men and @_fitnessfun
Twitter: @jazzz_men

Shacora lost 145 pounds

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Update 2018: Shacora lost 18 more pounds for a total of 167 lbs gone.

Shacora before and after

I wanted to update my progress. Since last being featured on your page, I’ve brought my weight loss total to 167 pounds. I am fully vegan now and I’ve become an online coach (along with preparing meal preps/plans). In July, I will celebrate 4 years on this journey.

How have you continued to make progress?
I have to lost weight by incorporating intermittent fasting and increasing my weight training. Changing to a vegan lifestyle increased my energy and helped me to sleep better.

What new advice would you like to share with us?
Always change up your routine periodocally. Our bodies get bored, just like our minds. Shock your system with new exercises and new food regularly.

Transformation of the Day: Shacora lost 145 pounds. Three years ago, she was suffocating, mentally and physically. Thankfully, anxiety, depression and arthritis did not defeat her. She did her research, gradually became a vegetarian and fell in love with fitness. Check out her story.

shacora before and after

I started my weight loss journey three years ago (July 2014) at 355 pounds. My current weight is 210 pounds and my height is 5’5″. I hit many walls during my journey. There were times when I wanted to give up and stop exercising for a few months, but reflecting on the past would remind me why I was doing this.

What was your motivation?
I was motivated by my son and my doctor. I was also motivated by the simple fact that I was suffocating, both mentally and physically, due to obesity. I was battling anxiety, depression and arthritis.

I love amusement parks, but I was to big to fit on the rides. I also couldn’t walk long distances without feeling like I would pass out. My knees and ankles would swell if I stood on them to long. Finally enough was enough.

How did you change your eating habits?
I figured out what worked for me in terms of nutrition. I started researching meal plans and healthy foods. In the beginning, I cut out pork, beef, fried foods, sweets, chips, soda, juice, white rice, bread and pasta. I would have occasional cheat days. After a year, I cut out chicken and turkey, only eating seafood for protein. A year after that, I gave up meat altogether and adopted a vegetarian diet.

How was exercise a part of your transformation?
I simply started by walking, as this was the easiest form of exercise for me. After a few months, I increased the intensity and used workout videos, such as Hip Hop Abs, Black Girls
Workout Too and Fitness Blender videos on YouTube. In September 2016, I started going to the gym for the first time and instantly fell in love. Now, I attend my gym’s boot camp and Zumba classes. I’ve met wonderful friends and trainers there. We set goals for our group, lift weights together and push each other. I workout 5-6 days a week on average.

What advice would you share with people who want to lose weight?
My advice to others is to find out what works best for YOU. Listen to your body, do your research and never doubt yourself. This journey is more mental than physical. Of course, I have setbacks but this is my lifestyle now and I love it.

Francesca lost 7 pounds and 2 dress sizes

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Francesca lost 7 pounds and 2 dress sizes. Being diagnosed with hypertension set off alarm bells for her, because she lost her mother at a young age due to stroke. At 45 years old, she has commited to a brand new mindset, healthy eating habits and resistance training. She is loving the results. Check out how she did it.

francesca before and after

Age: 45
Height: 5’2″
Starting weight: 187.6 pounds
Current Weight: 180.2  pounds
Weight Lost: 7.4 lbs
Starting Dress Size: 16
Current Dress Size: 12
Representing: Miami Gardens, Florida

What was your motivation?
In the beginning, I wanted to lose weight so that I could feel better about myself. As a wife and mother, so much of my time is spent taking care of my family. I rarely took time for myself. My motivation was to become healthy, fit, and to finally take care of me. I knew there was a better version of myself that I wanted to be. As I continued on with the Fitness on Fire Online Training Program, I realized that this is journey is about much more than simply losing weight. It’s about letting go of the old mindset and habits that have held me captive for most of my life. I also begin to see that it’s more about fat loss than just weight loss.

What inspired you to start your weight loss journey?
My biggest inspiration was Change. I wanted to change more that I wanted to stay the same. I wanted to change not just the way I looked on the outside, but also the way I felt on the inside. I was always very tired and had no energy. The most simple activities would leave me exhausted. At the age of 41, I was diagnosed with hypertension. That really scared me, because my mother passed away at the same age, when I was 13 years old, due to a stroke. One fear I had was that I would die at the same age. When I was then diagnosed that lit a fire under my you-know-what to get healthy and fit.

How did you change your eating habits?
I started eating more healthy and balanced meals. I ate every 2 to 3 hours. That was really my biggest challenge, because I would have to make a conscious decision to eat. I was used to eating when I wanted or felt like it, which was not helping my metabolism. Also, drinking water was a challenge because I just didn’t like drinking water.

I stopped eating fast foods, red meat, brown skin potatoes and foods high in fat and sugar. I stopped drinking soda and alcohol. Instead, I started eating healthier more balanced meals, including vegetables, brown rice, fruits, red potatoes, fish, egg whites, chicken and turkey. I also started cooking more of my food at home and planning my meals.

What did your workouts consist of?
My workouts consist of 1 hour to 90 minutes of exercise based on the resistance training regimen provided to me by my online trainer, King of the Fire. I exercise mainly on the machines that can help me to reshape my body and drop body fat. I went to the gym 5 days a week. I would rest on the weekends or make up for any days I may have missed during the week.

How long did your transformation take?
My transformation is far from over. I’m still on my journey to become the best version of myself. I started feeling better after week one. Yes, I was sore from the workouts, but I felt better knowing I was doing something to better myself. I felt a sense of pride for taking steps towards change. I started seeing results at about 3 to 4weeks and started receiving compliments around the same time. Once I started seeing results, there was no stopping me. The more I saw results, the more I wanted to keep at it so that I could continue to see even more progress. I also had to change my mindset on how I viewed the results that I was or was not seeing.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
I remember telling NutritionistGuru (Nia) how I couldn’t wait to start and how ready I was. She said “Keep that same momentum”. That’s the same advice I would give anyone who wants to embark on a journey to lose weight. Keep your momentum and be as consistent as you can with your eating habits and exercise. Even when you don’t see results as quickly as you would like to, Don’t stop! If you stop, you will never see any results or reach your goals. Don’t allow the scale to be the only factor you use to determine how much progress you have made or will make. Look at your body. Feel how toned and smooth you’re body’s becoming. Look at how much better your clothes are fitting and the inches you’re losing. All of that is progress… Progress the scale cannot show you in numbers.

I believe the Fitness on Fire Online Training Program worked for me because; First, I made the decision to join. Second, Nia and Fire are a Dream Team. They’re experts and they know what they’re doing. They know how and when to motivate you if you should need it. They are honest and will not steer you wrong. Not only did I learn how to eat properly and eat more balanced meals, but I also learn about fitness and the difference between weight loss and fat loss. Some of the other programs I’ve tried either paid more attention to Exercise or Nutrition. Fitness on Fire combines the two beautifully. King of the Fire who is the trainer and the NutritionistGuru really explains the process to you in a way you can understand. Both are very supportive. I’ve recommended Fitness on Fire to many of my friends who are now members. I’ve not heard any complaints and I’ve seen their transformations.

This may not be your story, but whatever your story is never lose sight of it. It will be the fuel that keeps you going at the toughest times.

Instagram: @HealthyFitMama71

www.fitnessonfireonlinetraining.com

Deborah lost 86 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Deborah lost 86 pounds. After being in a medically induced coma and having to learn to walk again, she made the decision to choose life over death. She is tackling obesity from all angles, with exercise, healthy eating habits and faith. Check out her story.

deborah before and after

I lost 86 pounds and chose life over death. I had a pulse, but I was dead inside! Obesity was claiming my life. I couldn’t do nothing without wheezing and hurting! I decided to get fit or die tryin’.

Being on life support for 15 days, from December 30, 2014 to Jan 13, 2015, was my motivation. When I woke up out of the medically induced coma, I’d lost muscle mass and strength. I could not walk or hold my head up. I needed rehab to learn how to walk again. After I regained the strength to walk in February 2016, I decided it was time for a change!

I stumbled across a fitness transformation advertisement that was posted by Terril Ware, a fitness instructor and owner of Dizzo Fitness 365. He was promoting a 30 Day Challenge program to help people lose weight. I saw the before and after photos of a woman at 300 pounds and after her transformation at 228 pounds. She lost 72 pounds and inches. Seeing this also served as motivation.

I changed my eating habits. I do not eat red meat. Instead, I eat chicken, fish and turkey. I monitored my salt and sugar intake, and stopped adding extra salt and sugar to my diet. I made sure that I had healthy snacks around, like protein bars, dried nuts and fruit. I drank more water and started taking iron pills.

I attended classes at The Body of Wealth. I did Cardio Boxing, high intensity interval training, boot camp, spinning classes, Ab Attack and weight lifting. I stopped parking close to work, or any place that I went, and walked the distance instead. I always tell people that I almost died 3 times from having asthma attacks at the gym, but that didn’t stop me. I bring my medicine with me, I stop when I need to get my wind and start again!

I tackled obesity from all angles and changed my whole lifestyle! I got up every morning before work and went to the gym at 5 am. I meal prep every Sunday and Wednesday. My Mother was my biggest cheerleader. I remember getting frustrated after the first 3 months and wanting to quit because I couldn’t do a plank or run. The work seemed so hard and I was really struggling.

I walked out of boot camp, called my mom and told her, “That’s it. I quit!”

She said, “You quit what? Life?”

“No, the gym!” I said

She said, “Oh. Like I said, life!”

She told me that when you want something really bad, you fight, hang in there and never give up! Giving up is easy. When you want to live a healthy life you can’t give up. You have to hang in there, pray and ask God for strength. She said, “I didn’t raise no quitter. Now, get back in there and don’t just finish. Finish strong” I went back in there and I nailed every obstacle they threw at me. I even planked on one arm. Ever since that day, I been going hard.

There is so much to my story that I would have to write a book just to tell it all. I weighed 286 pounds when I started this journey in February 2016! I currently weight 200 pounds at 5’7″. My appearance changed so dramatically that people who haven’t seen me in years don’t even recognize me.

It has been a struggle to get where I am today, but from severe asthma to injuries I pushed through, Everyday, I put in work. It took me less than a year to lose the weight and my transformation did not involve surgery.

My advice: Don’t be afraid. Don’t worry what others are going to think or say. Start, keep going and never give up! Do not allow anyone to interfere with your journey. Also, it doesn’t matter how big you are or how far gone you think your health is. There is a scripture that helped me along the way. Ecclesiastes 9:4: “Unto the living, there is hope”. As long as you are alive and breathing, you have a chance to change your life. It’s not easy, but it is worth it. Never give up unless you are in the grave.

deborah before and after