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Keyrah lost 100 pounds

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Shout out to Keyrah. She is still going strong and spreading the Vegan love. She’s gone from 288 pounds to 161 pounds.

It’s Meatless Motivational Monday💪🏽🌱💕 . 🗣Can I please have your attention for a moment? 🤗 #LongPostAlert . I know that for those people on the fence and not really sure if they’re ready to be Vegan any Little post has the potential to push them closer to this lifestyle or make them dive completely in. With that said I’m here to plant a little seed and I pray it reaches who it is intended for. I was in your shoes. I wanted to be vegan but didn’t know how or if I would be able to. But I had no choice. As a mom or 2 princesses I had to live what I wanted them to learn. I was scared at 288 lbs and suffering daily from migraines which was a symptom of my PTSD, anxiety and depression. I honestly thought I was “stuck” feeling like that. I would have to choose between being scared and sad or being medicated. Both sounded sucky to me. So I decided after lots of sleepless nights googling, stalking vegan accounts, scrolling through IG and FB to put my big girl panties on and just do it! So 🤷🏾‍♀️I did it! On March 1, 2015 I started my plant based lifestyle by detoxing and incorporating daily exercise and meditation. 10 months later I was 100 lbs lighter💪🏽🌱 and I have not taken ANY medication since I started. Because I was able to completely change my thoughts I was able to change my life and how PTSD, anxiety and depression affects me. I’m not living a sad miserable life or on any medication. I now honestly know what if feels like to feel great even when things aren’t “perfect”. But My biggest most noticeable change has been my 127 pound weight loss that I’ve been able to also maintain for 2 years. This has been by far the best decision I’ve ever made for myself and my children. I went from never wanting to go up to my kids school and embarrass them to being the “cool mom” And most requested chaperone🤦🏾‍♀️ I’ve learned to just get through each moment and I’ll never fail. Whether it’s for health or mental conditioning and clarity I encourage you to try a plant based diet🤗🌱 . 🌟💭🌟💭🌟💭🌟💭🌟💭🌟💭🌟💭🌟 #blackvegan #vegan #natural #vegang #weightloss #weightlossstory #weightlossjourney #whatveganseat #transformation #dreadstagram #dreadlocks #fitfam #igfitness

A post shared by Your Healthy Homegirl🍇Vegan (@heykeyrah) on

keyrah vegan weight loss
Update 2016 – Keyrah is now down 100 lbs! Congrats! #Vegan

Aug 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Keyrah lost 76 pounds.  After feeling uncomfortable and self conscious about being overweight, she was determined to change.  Embracing plant-based eating, she was able to break up with unhealthy eating habits and change her lifestyle.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

keyrah before and after

My name is Keyrah and I started my journey on March 1, 2015 at 288 pounds. To be honest, before then my weight was on my mind about 90% of the time. I was always scared someone would take a picture of me and tag me in it. I constantly pulled my pants up or pulled my shirt down. I was extremely uncomfortable and didn’t feel like I was “suppose” to be overweight. In the privacy of my own room I would literally day dream about being fit. I would think about walking around without being self conscious, or being able to tie my shoes without taking a break. Things that are easy for many become hardcore task when you’re overweight.

I was determined to make my life a little easier. The day before I started my weight loss journey I got on my knees and prayed. Now, when I say I prayed I mean I gave everything in me. I asked for willpower, strength and determination. I also cried because I knew I was giving up my “best friend”: processed food. So, I made the decision to be vegan. The first 10 days, I decided to detox eating raw foods (fruits and veggies) and a gallon of water daily. The first 3 days were the hardest, I craved EVERYTHING that I knew I couldn’t eat. By day 4, it was smooth sailing with no turning back. I felt so good! Like seriously, before I started I suffered from migraines and anxiety and I have not experienced ANY migraines or anxiety since then. By day 7, I was starting to understand my body. I wasn’t hungry because when my body was ready to eat I ate, the only difference is that I ate things that fueled my body.

After the detox I continued with a plant based diet, drinking 1 gallon daily and exercising at least 30 min a day which is what is still currently do. I now weigh 212 pounds and I’m 5’9″. That’s 76 lbs gone… Forever! Now, I can jog, run, do a cartwheel (go figure), and I can tie my shoes without getting winded. OMG, I swear this feeling is by far one of the best! I want everyone to know that this is possible without surgery or supplements. You, my friend, can do it too!

I document my journey on Instagram. If you would like to follow you can find me @HeyKeyrah. I really appreciate you reading my story. Now, let’s get moving!

keyrah weight loss story

Sandra lost 44 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Sandra lost 44 pounds and went from a size 26 to a size 18.  As a type 2 diabetic, she’d learned how to eat right and live a healthier lifestyle over the years, but never put the knowledge into practice.  When she did, by changing her eating habits and walking regularly, she got results.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

sandra before and after

I have type 2 diabetes so I have always gone to lots of classes on what and how to eat. But mentally, I was never ready to listen. I started my journey on May 22, 2014. I had finally made up my mind that I really wanted to lose some weight.

I would drink about gallon or more of water and eat 4 or 5 small meals each day. I also cut out most processed foods and heavy carbs. However, the main factor in my whole weight loss struggle was the fact that I cut out ALL drinks other than milk and water. That meant no soda, sweet tea, fruit juices or even diet drinks. That choice has worked well for me so far. I also replaced my love for vinegar and salt potato chips with grapes.

Even though now I haven’t been motivated to walk more than about 1 to 1 ½ miles, 2 or 3 times per week, I was told by my physician that the best way to keep my weight from coming back is to keep a slow and steady pace. Why? It helps with getting my heart rate up.

It has been a little over 14 months of work, but keeping it slow and steady has taken and kept off 44 pounds. I’ve watched the inches melt away and my clothing size has gone from a size 26 to a size 18. (height: 5’5″)

Within the next month or so I will start in a water aerobics class, then move on to more toning exercises. I have the rest of my life to reach my goal so every day will put me one step closer. My main goal is to continue being HEALTHY.

Vei lost 123 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Showing love to our Tongan/Fijian/Niuean sista! Vei lost 123 pounds.  With encouragement from her mom and a good fitness loving friend, she lost the weight and has kept it off for 2 years!  Here is what she shared with us about her awesome transformation.

vei before and after

Vei Inia, New Zealand
My starting weight 141kg – 310.8 pounds
Current Weight 86Kg – 187 pounds
What is your height? 180cm – 5’9″ tall

How long did your transformation take?
4 years, because I wasn’t in a hurry. I went according to the time I had and to the pace that worked for my body.

What was your motivation? What inspired you?
My motivation came from two people. My mother and a wonderful friend named Nomz. My mother always told me the truth. The real truth. That I was overweight. That shopping would be a lot more pleasant if I could fit the clothes I liked. My friend Nomz is a Zumba fitness instructor and really enjoys fitness. She invited me to go along to the aerobics class in the community.

How did you change your eating habits? What did you stop or start eating?
It took ages for me to not crave the foods that I love to eat. Junk foods and carryout food was being eaten everyday, and even twice a day! I knew that the aerobics I was doing would be of no use if I just kept eating the way I did. I didn’t have an eating plan, I would just eat whenever I get hungry. I stopped that after going to the gym and getting a diet and fitness plan. I was motivated to change my eating when I saw the results I was getting. I felt good when I didn’t eat KFC for dinner and I had more energy. I started to stick to the diet plan of 3 meals and snacks in between. I started eating more natural foods, meat, whole grains, veggies, fruit and nuts. Also, I was preparing my food, so I knew what was going into my body. I realized that I had more money in the bank by buying in bulk to make all my food at home. I also brought Whey Protein Powder from Eatme Supplements, so that’s the only protein I used. It definitely helped refine my stomach.

What did your workout routines look like?
I started off with just a basic 30 minute walk for about 3 weeks until I got comfortable with my body and wearing exercise clothing. I did that, as well as going to a 1 hour aerobics class twice a week. Then, when I joined the gym six months later, I got a gym fitness routine which was

  • 3×10 squats
  • 3×10 lunges
  • 3×10 bicep curls
  • 3×10 ab crunches
  • 3×10 kettle bell swings.
  • 3 minute run on the treadmill in between legs, arms and abs.

I did this for 3 months. Once I knew how my body reacted to the routine, I just wanted to do more cardio, do some bench pressing and mix everything around. I never had a usual fitness plan when I got down to 86kg (187 pounds). I guess my body could not lose anymore weight (no matter how hard I tried). I know that the more you exercise, the more you know how your body works and which exercises will suit you best. Working out properly and with correct form is the key. Getting a personal trainer to help start you off can really help to motivate you and they can teach you how to do the moves. I would ​
have never learned how to do it properly if it were not for the personal trainers I had at my local gym! My favorite exercises: I loved doing tire drags, bench pressing 20kgs for chest 44 pounds), dead lifts, and running 5 kms per night (3.10 miles). Also, I got that mean collar bone look! It’s become such a part of me where I can’t go without exercising. It has really boosted my self esteem.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Your doubts and fears are the only things that stop you from achieving your goals. First, you must have desire. Then you need to set a long term weight loss goal and plan on how you are going to achieve what you want. You need to put in the work and actually do you what set out in your plan. So, plan according to your capability and then once you’ve achieved your goal, aim higher. You will learn more about yourself on this journey. Make a lot of sacrifices. They will pay off in the end. We only get one body, so we have to look after it, treasure what we put into it, sleep well, eat well and maintain personal hygiene. You gain so much more than you lose. Lose the fat, gain the wisdom and knowledge. You’ll be a more happier you.

Instagram: @veiinia​

Yanica lost 40 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation: Yanica lost 40 pounds and has transformed her body with fat loss and muscle gain.  She looks amazing and says that weight lifting has been key to keeping her curves. Her story is also proof that it’s not just about numbers on the scale. Check out more of what she had to say about how she lost the weight…

yanica weight loss story

I went from 200 pounds to 160 pounds. Then I went back up to 174 pounds, which I am now. I lost the weight by eating clean and cutting junk food out of my diet. No foods with unhealthy by-products and I cooked and prepared my own meals. Joining the gym and going to spin class became an obsession. I love going to the gym and doing cardio, but I wanted to look more curvy so I started to lift weights. I find that cardio and weights have keep me slim, but with curves. Staying consistent with my workouts has helped me to keep the weight off even when my eating habits are not so good. Staying active is really my key to my success.  I workout at least 6 times a week.

My motivation was that I really wanted to look good, be heathy and feel comfortable in my own skin.  I am 5’10” tall and I’ve never been at a “perfect weight”. In the past, it would go up and down. My transformation took 4 years and I’ve had many setbacks but I worked through them.

My advice to others: Find time to workout. You can use Youtube exercise videos. They are a god sent. Find some an activities that you like to do and count calories with a calorie tracker app on your phone. There are Instagramers who also post great video workouts that can be done online and in the gym.

Instagram: @mrsj221 (inactive)

ionic before and after

Joy lost 75 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Joy lost 75 pounds. After having her son and seeing her weight increase, she found a great trainer who gave her the custom nutrition advice and workout regimen that she needed.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

joy before and after

Hi, my name is Joy Hipps. I started the Skip Fitness program back in November of 2013. After I had my son, just like the majority of new moms out there, my weight just ballooned to my highest weight of almost 250 pounds! I did what most folks do at first to try and lose the weight. I went hard in the gym for hours upon hours.The weight would come off a bit for a few weeks, but then it would get tiring and the results from working out too much soon came to a halt. When that happened, I just figured I would eat whatever I wanted because I was going hard in the gym but I was not losing any weight.

I don’t know how I found Skips’s instagram page. But when I did, I seen all of these amazing results on his page of women of all shapes and sizes. It all sounded too good to be true. I mean you have a trainer advocating eating Popeyes and ice cream to lose weight…and no cardio. However, he had the results to back it up. So, I figured, why not give this program a shot. What do I have to lose?

I waited for a while and just watched for a minute before biting the bullet and ordering the program. This was back in November of 2013. When I started to follow the program, I was completely shocked at how the fat just started flying off. I was hooked at that point. I went to the gym 3 days a week. The majority of the time I did weight lifting following the @skipfitness program. After a while, I started to incorporate Zumba to give myself a bit of variety.

I ate pretty much whatever I wanted to eat as long as it fit in the specific food intake the program outlined in terms of macros. Even after that, Skip assisted me even further with different adjustments and nutrition techniques to push the results further. Yes, I really did eat whatever I wanted. Even Popeyes, Doritos, cake, you name it. If it fit within the guidelines, I ate it. Not only did I lose weight, my body took on a really nice shape along with the weight loss through the lifting program.

Today, I’m happy to say I’m pregnant again, but my total loss on the program is 75 pounds! What is also so beneficial about the program is that once I have my new baby, with the tools that I’ve learned, I can just hop right back on the program. Heck, I’m pregnant right now and I’m still maintaining my weight just following the nutrition portion (which my doctor approves). It’s not too time consuming and I’m not living in the gym 6-7 days a week. You actually get to enjoy life and care for your family all while creating a better version of you because you’re not in the gym all the time. I worked out 2-3 days a week and 45 min to 1 hour is the longest I’d be in the gym and for 1 day. The other day you’re in the gym, you only have to workout 20-30 minutes! So out of 7 days, that’s only an hour and a half to 2 hours tops for the week!

All in all, I’m happy with how life is going right now. I’m preparing for my new baby and my new body. I’m armed and ready to take my results to the next level once the baby arrives. I’m not just talking about having a flat stomach, which I did achieve. I’m talking about getting abs! Last thing I’ll say, Ladies, after you have the babies and life gets busy and stressful, your life is not over. You can claim your bodies back after pregnancy! Get your confidence back. Feel good about being YOU again. I just thank @skipfitness and his wife @Bebeskipfitness for all their help! Without this program, I don’t believe I would have been able to do it. It’s so easy and to the point the way that they outline it that I believe anybody can do it.

Instagram: @what_waist_

Christy lost 161 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Christy lost 161 pounds. Focused on being happier and healthier, this petite diva had the support of her children and a great weight loss coach to help her change her eating habits, embrace exercise and change her lifestyle.  Here is what she shared with us about how she did it…

christy before and after

What was your motivation?
My motivation was to become a healthier and better me. I have struggled with my weight my entire adulthood. I just couldn’t sit around and watch myself eat my life away another day. I decided to take my life back and gain control. My children have been my best supporters and they keep me motivated to continue my journey.

What inspired you?
My inspiration came from my Coach, Wiltrina Jones. When I first started my journey, I would watch her through Facebook. She was providing me with motivation and didn’t even know it. In 2012, I reached out to her and her quick response to my email left me in awe. She is straight forward and she will not sugarcoat anything. She is not going to sell you dreams, but she will be there for you along the way until you reach your goal and let her know you can do it on your own. Believe it or not, on this journey having a coach is needed because it provides you with someone that will continue to encourage and motivate you as well as hold you accountable. The number of lives she has saved throughout her personal, unselfish weight loss journey is amazing.

How did you change your eating habits?
In the beginning it was hard to change my eating habits so I started slow and small. I initially cut out all drinks, liquor, and fried foods. Now, I no longer eat any processed, junk foods. I started eating clean by making healthier choices. I’ve also cut out soda, cut out juice and increased my water intake.

What did your workout routines look like?
My workout routine were simple yet consistent: I walked on the track. Doing something as simple as walking every day and incorporating pace changes helped me burn more calories and feel more energized. After a couple of months of doing that, I incorporated going to the gym and doing my own routines on different machines. Then, I started going to classes such as kickboxing, line dancing and boot camp. Learning how to run all over again was a huge challenge for me but I kept at it even when it hurt. I would run a little and then walk a little. This led me to working out six days a week.

What was your starting weight?
364 pounds

What is your current weight?
203 pounds  (height: 5’0″)

How long did your transformation take?
I started my journey at the end of 2011, so it has been about three and a half years. I can’t put a time limit on my transformation, because I have not reached my goal. Once I do, I am still going to continue this journey. It’s about more than weight loss, it’s a lifestyle.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
My advice would be that before you start your weight loss journey you need to be serious. You need to look at yourself in the mirror every day and tell yourself that you want to be a better you. Take pictures often so you have something to look back at and remind yourself of where you came from and where you’re trying to go. Pictures help you see results better than looking in the mirror. You can accomplish anything you put your mind to but you have to be dedicated. You will be at war with yourself throughout your entire journey as it is hard, but it is well worth it in the end. Dig deep and keep going!

Her coach: www.iusetobeu.com

Cartina lost 26 pounds

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Weight Loss Journey: Cartina lost 26 pounds. She shared with us about the ups and downs of her weight loss journey.

cartina before and after

Hello Ladies, My name is Cartina Harris. I’m 42 years old and I will turn 43 in August. I knew I needed to change because diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease run in my family. I lost my mother at the age of 50 due to her having diabetes and heart problems. I decided that it was a time for a lifestyle change and I did it for me.

My heaviest weight was 225 pounds at 5’1″ tall. I started the change last year and my journey went pretty well. I got down to 179 pounds but then I gave up when it got cold. Later, I woke up one day and said to myself you did all that hard work and motivated other people to do right. I had to ask myself, “How are you going to throw in the towel like that?” That’s when I got myself out of bed, got on the scale and saw that I was back to 200 plus pounds. I told myself, “No ma’am!”

I jumped back on the bandwagon and got to moving. I stopped eating red meat. I grew up eating baked and broiled food with my mom so I went back to that. I said no to fried food, sugar, sodas and junk food. I also go to the gym everyday for an hour. I love do cardio with light strength training. My goal is to get down to 145 pounds by the end of the year or sometime next year.

My advice to others: All I say is eat clean. That means change your eat habits, eat small portions and drink plenty of water with all your meals. Also, make sure you eat breakfast. For exercise, try doing 30 minutes to 1 hour of cardio three times a week with strength training.

Angel lost 53 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Angel lost 53 pounds. 30 years old and headed for Type 2 Diabetes, this mom decided that is was time for true lifestyle change.  She started walking for miles a day and decided to go Paleo.  Check out what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

angel before and after

I started my weight loss journey in September 2014, after being told by my doctor that my health was becoming a issue. I was 30 years old and headed for Type 2 Diabetes. He was even insisting on putting me on medicine. My doctor looked me right in the eyes and stated “Angel, your son is almost 2 years old, so you can’t keep blaming having a child on your weight. Push away from the table or go pick out a casket”. Of course, that was a hard pill to swallow, but I knew everything we discussed was all to TRUE. I have done the dieting thing so many times, with little success, but I promised myself that in order to be in this world for my son A CHANGE MUST BE MADE.

I got some vitamins to help as well. I changed my eating and drinking habits, by first drinking water with lemons everyday, instead of tea, along with having 2 salads a day. Then, I started following the Paleo Diet and I still follow it today. I suggest going Paleo to anyone who wants to start losing weight and eating right. For exercise, I walked everyday starting at 5 miles and now I’m almost at 10 miles.

My starting weight was 278.3 pounds and my current weight is 225.8 pounds. Being 6 fee tall, a lot of people want consider my starting weight a lot, and yes it was. I have dealt with a lot of negative things along with many negative people who have tried to destroy my weight loss success (I almost let it happen). Along, with the negatively, there is always something or someone who will come along and be positive.

I was once told, “What God has for me, it will be for me”. I’m still working everyday to reach my weight loss goal of 180 pounds, and will be glad to celebrate my upcoming weight loss anniversary. I wish everyone who is starting their journey nothing but success. Every journey is hard, that’s why we have to push hardier every single day. Just DO IT and STOP putting it off until tomorrow or the next day. Once you start eatting correctly, you will start feeling better about yourself, which is the BEST FEELING I have found. Also, do it for yourself, cause “YOU” are important.

Instagram: @blackchyna911

angel weight loss

TaJhua lost 85 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: TaJhua lost 85 pounds. Determined to be a fit and healthy bride, she changed her lifestyle by changing her eating habits and doing lots of bike riding. Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

tajhua before and after

Hello, My name is TaJhua Bryant-Harris and I am 32 years old. My motivation came from my husband asking me marry him and be his beautiful bride. I refused to be a heavy bride so I totally divorced food and decided to eat to live instead of living to eat. I ate whatever I wanted to eat, but I cut EVERYTHING I ate in half, in terms of portions, and threw the rest away. Honey, I rode my mountain bike 6 miles a day, 5 days a week for exercise. I also used my ab roller.

My starting weight was 257 pounds and now I weigh 172 pounds. I’ve lost a total of 85 pounds. I am 5’2″ tall. It took 1 year to lose 65 pounds and the last 20 pounds came off over 4 months so my journey took 16 months overall. If I can give a word of advice it will definitely be #TrustTheProcess.

Instagram: @TajhuaB

tajhua weight loss story

Transformation: Michelle Gabriella lost 46 pounds

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Update Dec 2015 – Michelle has lost over 50 pounds! She shared her progress since August: Since I was featured on Black Women Losing Weight, I have been continuing my path to become a Fitness Model. I’m tracking my entire journey on the road there, week by week on my Instagram: @Fitmelle. I post food ideas, videos of me working out and audio motivation that has helped me. I lift 5 days per week, rotating muscle groups, along with small bursts of HIIT for cardio. I have obtained visible abs since my last update and have turned most of my body into lean muscle. My diet is super clean, meaning I eat real food and I don’t eat processed food or fast food/processed sugar. I only drink water or fruit infused water. My goal is to be able to show on social media (IG) exactly how to sculpt the body and lose fat at the same time, without the need of pills, surgery, waist trainers…etc. This can all be done naturally by consuming the proper foods and doing the proper training consistently.

michelle before and after

August 2015 – Awesome Transformation: Michelle Gabriella lost 46 pounds and gained 9 pounds of muscle on her weight lifting journey.  She shared her story and her awesome transformation photos with us. Check it out…

michelle before and after
21 Weeks of Weight Training

I started my weight lifting journey 21 weeks ago. I’ve lost pounds of fat and have gained tons of muscle. My boyfriend inspired me to look at the fitness lifestyle. 3 years ago, I lost 50 pounds solely from cardio and I gained it all back. I was uneducated about how to obtain the look I desired. Hated to cook because I was lazy. I also ate tons of refined sugar, fast food and MSG. Once I decided that I was tired of looking the way I did, tired of feeling unattractive, in that moment I realized that I want to change my life for him. He was worth living longer for and I was ready to get control. He taught me about weight training and how it is a longer progress but would give me the look I desired.

I started by cleaning up my diet and having 6-8 small meals a day to increase my metabolism (2 hour increments). I cut out all fast food, anything in the middle of the grocery store, all juices and all high sugar drinks. I don’t drink my calories, so I consume only WATER. I work out 5 days per week doing 20 min of strength training and weights, along with 15 min of HIIT for cardio. I love the fit life and have a long journey to completely sculpt and tone my body. I plan to accomplish this over the next year and provide weekly posts on Sunday’s of my changes.

I’m 5’9″ tall and I weighed over 200 in my beginning photo. I do not wish to share my current weight because it’s still being “written”.  My advice for others is to start paying attention to what the food industry is doing to give us health issues due to the cheap cost of food. Please use Google. It’s a great resource to learn about what to eat, how to workout, etc. Lastly, don’t give up on your health or your self respect. Be the strong women/men you were meant to be. Greatness!

Check out more information about her journey on Instagram: @Fitmelle

michelle transformation
13 Weeks
michelle weight loss story
18 Weeks