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Cassandra lost 78 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Cassandra lost 78 pounds. At 5’2″ tall and 348 pounds, she was facing not only the challenge of weight loss, also depression.  She’s still on her journey, but her success over the last year is awesome.  The stories of others have been encouragement to her and now she wants to inspire too.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

cassandra before and after

I want to share my journey with others so that they may be inspired. Black Women Losing Weight was apart of my inspiration. I’ve been working out and I’ve changed my eating habits for a year now. I am so much happier. Thank you for being a huge part of my inspiration.

My motivation: I always wanted to lose weight. A year or so ago I went to the doctor and he weighed me. I was 348 pounds and when he said those numbers, he continued to talk but I heard nothing after that. Over and over again those numbers played in my head. After that visit, I went into deep depression, couldn’t sleep and had thoughts of suicide. I HATED me.

At that time, I didn’t know but my sister who was also overweight was working out and getting fit (I learned about your page through her). She lost 100 lbs in a year and that inspired me to do something about my weight.

I joined a gym, got a trainer, got up every morning at 4:00 a.m and walked. I lost 20 or 30 lbs and then we moved to Kentucky because of the Army. I sunk back into depression, gave up and ended up in a mental hospital. I was on a grocery bag full of medicine. After a year in Kentucky we moved to Memphis, Tennessee. I threw out all the meds and said no more. Then my wife was deployed to Kuwait and depression tried to set in again.

I started looking for gyms in my area and came across a fitness group called “Fit Nation”. I along with my children joined. We worked out everyday and Fit Nation also taught us how to eat healthy.  It wasn’t a diet, it was a life style change. We started in April 2014 and in June I won a biggest loser contest. From that day, I continued to fight to live and get fit.

I use to eat recklessly, having chips, soda, candy, cakes etc. Now it’s been over a year since I drank a soda. I no longer indulge in sweets, except healthy sweets like fruit, yogurt and things that are 5 grams of sugar or less. I walk 4 miles a day with Fit Nation and do full body workouts 6 days a week. Got a membership at Lifetime Fitness in Memphis where I do water aerobics, treadmill, etc.

My starting weight was 348 lbs and my current weight is 270 lbs. I’m 5’2″ tall. It took a year to lose the weight but I’m not done. I’m still on my journey. My advice for others is to fight, never give up, stay focused, if i can do this…ME…I know they can too.

Linda lost 67 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Linda lost 67 pounds.  After trying every method she could and not seeing results, this petite lady decided that enough was enough and started her journey with simple, straight forward steps.  Here is what she shared with us…

linda before and after

Thank you for asking me to share my journey…. And it has been just that. I have always struggled with my weight.  I tried every pill, fad, and even surgery. Yes, surgery. With the surgery, for what ever reason, I only lost about 40 pounds. I was still around 175 pounds afterward. I’m only 5’2″ tall, so I was still considered obese.

I got married and he was content with my size, so I became content as well.  I was so content that I put on about 35 more pounds by eating a lot of fast food and drinking a lot of alcohol. I hit my highest weight of 211 pounds. I had always thought about trying to lose the weight but my mind wasn’t right. However, I knew that when the time came, my mind and heart would be into it. That is just what happened.

About a year ago, I was sitting in McDonald’s with my sons and said to myself, “Put the mcgriddle down. It is time.” I haven’t looked back since. I started small by making small changes in my diet, like cutting out bread. (Bread was my weakness.). I had to put wine down during the week, but I still treated myself to a glass (or two) on the weekends. I joined a local small gym and first started walking on the treadmill for about 20 minutes. Then, I started walking for about an hour during my son’s football practices. After football practice was over, I went back to the gym and fell in love with the elliptical machine.  I did 35 minutes on the elliptical and another 35 minutes on the treadmill.

I would be lying if I told you the weight just started melting away, because it didn’t. Those plateaus were a mother, but I didn’t give up. It’s been a year and I have lost 67 pounds. I am weight training now so I don’t really weigh myself any more because muscle weighs more than fat. Even though I would know why the scale was going up, I don’t want to see that. LOL. I still have a little more to go, but I am almost there.

Instagram: @linda_ebonybeautydorsey

Updated: Charlena lost more than 60 pounds

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Update Sept 2018: We’ve been following Charlena‘s journey since 2015. She has released more than 60 pounds.

charlena before and after

Starting weight: 250 pounds
Current weight: 185 pounds
Height: 5’3”

I had three kids back to back, and it showed. I’m only 5’3, so that means I was wide. I had to clean up my eating. I’m a snacker, so this was not easy. I had to work out, even when I didn’t feel like it.

After years of going up and down with my weight, I have finally learned that this is a lifestyle change and not something I can do for the moment. Today, I know that I am healthier than I ever was, and I’m so grateful for that. My children are my motivation. I get to look a lot better too… that’s a plus.

Jan 2016: Charlena has added weight lifting to her routine. She’s lost a total of 75 pounds since June 2015.

charlena before and after

June 2015: Weight Loss Story of the Day: Charlena lost 59 pounds. Her story parallels millions of women who have lost weight, gained it back… only to repeat that classic yo-yo dieting cycle. In 2014, she broke the cycle and found a way of living that allowed her to release the weight. Check out her story.

charlena before and after

My height: 5’2″
Starting weight: 240 pounds
Current weight: 181 pounds

I first decided to lose weight in November 2012. I finally decided to step on the scale, and I weighed about 240 pounds. I was so hurt that I had let myself go. I wondered if my family and friends loved me because no one told me that I was that big. …and Yes, my first attempt to lose weight was not successful.

Then I decided to do some research on exercise and things that I could eat to try to motivate myself to get the weight off finally. The second time around, I was more successful, but my weight loss did not last. The biggest problem for me was trying to figure out how to eat better. If it was full of sugar, calories, and carbs, I loved it.

After having 3 kids, like stair steps, I needed to change. In 2014 I started my weight loss journey again, and for the first time, I was very successful. The one thing that I completely cut out of my diet was soda. I started to eat more fruit, more vegetables, more salads and I drank a lot more water.

Walking became my best friend. Later, I went from walking to jogging lightly. Now I do different exercises that I never thought that I would see myself do.

Not only did I want to lose weight but I also wanted body definition and a lean, toned look. I walk,  jog, do squats and lift weights. I do crunches and jumping jacks too. I rarely go to the gym. I do the majority of these exercises right at home using furniture in my apartment.

My advice for other: The one thing you have to understand about losing weight is that it is never easy and it’s always going to be a struggle, but it can be done. Never give up!

charlena weight loss

Oct 2015 Update –  Charlena lost 8 more pounds for a total of 67 pounds gone: “Still working hard! 8 more pounds down! I know you can’t see my face, but lifting weights changed my life. I thought that cardio alone would do the trick. It really helped but when I started to lift, that’s when I saw the transformation. My body was a mess. I felt hopeless but now I’m more motivated then ever.”

charlena before and after

Star lost 136 pounds with surgery

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Weight Loss Transformation of Day: Star lost 136 pounds with surgery.  After seeing her family ravaged by the effects of diabetes and dealing with the loss of her father, she decided that she had to change.  She opted for weight loss surgery.  Now she’s changed her lifestyle, her eating habits and is an avid runner.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

star before and after

My name is Star T. and I would like to share my story. Diabetes has plagued my family. I lost my grandmother, grandfather, and my father (who raised me as a single dad) to complications related to diabetes. All three family members had renal failure and had to attend dialysis. In 2012 is when I lost my father and I knew I had to make a change otherwise I was looking at the same fate. I used to be against weight loss surgery but decided to check out my options. After getting educated about the options and doing my own research I opted for the gastric sleeve surgery. I had the procedure done on May 24th, 2013. It was the best decision I had ever made. My highest weight was 320 pounds and I currently weigh 184 pounds so I’ve lost 136 pounds. I’m 5 feet, 6 inches tall. I just celebrated my 2 year anniversary of having weight loss surgery on May 23rd.

star runningPrior to surgery, I would exercise but not nearly enough to be considered active. Now I work out 7 to 8 times a week doing “boot camp” style exercises. I also belong to the local Black Girls Run! chapter here in Sacramento which promotes healthier lifestyles and being active. Since losing weight, I have completed several 5k races (running them, not walking). I have set a goal of completing my first half marathon in October. I’ve also inspired my family to get healthier and make better choices when it comes to food. Weight loss surgery isn’t cheating. It’s a tool and it’s up to you to use it properly.

With weight loss surgery, eating is very restricted and that forces you to have to change your eating habits. I mostly consume protein, vegetables, and fruit. I’ve cut out a lot of carbs such as rice, potatoes, pastas, and bread. I do consume them but not as frequently as I used to prior to surgery. I never was a big soda drinker so that wasn’t hard for me to cut out. I’ve incorporated meal prepping, so on Sundays I will meal prep for the week and that usually consists of some type of protein like chicken breasts or ground turkey meat, a vegetable like sautéed spinach or broccoli, and usually a baked yam or quinoa. I find that meal prepping saves me from making bad choices. It’s an everyday struggle choosing the right foods to eat especially working in an office setting where there are lots of temptations.

Instagram: @starzee78

LaTroya lost 34 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: LaTroya lost 34 pounds.  After getting a serious wake up call via the words of her child, this mom was determined to lose the pounds.  She’s been losing the weight since March 2015 by reducing her calories and using a prescription appetite suppressant.  Here is what she shared with us…

latroya before and after

Hello! My name is LaTroya. I have just recently started my weight loss journey (March 1st 2015-Present). I began my weight loss journey after gaining over 90 pounds after my last pregnancy (6 years ago). Pre-pregnancy, I weighed 167 lbs at 5’6″ tall. My highest weight was 261 pounds. While getting dressed one day, my child asked, “Mommy, will I be fat like you when I grow up”? That was my official breaking point. Internally I was already miserable, but now my weight had become an issue for my child. I knew I had to do something!

In March of this year, I saw a bariatric specialist. He stated that my BMI was not high enough for any sort of weight loss surgery, and that with diet, exercise, and phentermine 37.5 [prescription drug], I could be successful. In the past 90 days, I have eaten baked chicken, fish, and shrimp as my primary sources of protein. I do not consume ANY liquid calories or carbohydrates. I also have increased my vegetable intake, and I have not had any fast food up to this point. My target caloric intake is 1200 daily, or less. I know it may seem extreme for some, but its a small sacrifice in comparison to the results that I’ve seen thus far. I drink 120 ounces of water daily, and have yet to start to work out!

My current weight is 227 pounds. That’s 34 pounds GONE in less than 3 months! I plan to start exercising at the beginning of June, and will continue my journey until I hit my target of 160 pounds! I’m relatively new to this journey of mine, but BLACK WOMEN LOSING WEIGHT HAS BEEN A MAJOR MOTIVATOR for me! My only advice is to stay encouraged, and remember that the sacrifice is NOTHING in comparison to the Reward! Stay Blessed!

Instagram: @BEAUTIFUL_BEYOND_IT

latroya weight loss

Danielle lost 61 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Danielle lost 61 pounds. This proud mom transformed her body with healthy eating and strength training.  Now she is a trainer and a NPC Pro Figure Competitor.  Here is what she shared with us about how she did it…

danielle before and after

What was your motivation?
To be honest, I was a singe black mom tried of being single. I wanted to become the best confident person I could be and that started with loving myself inside and out. My weight loss journey began in March 2011 after the birth of my son. My son inspired me. To be healthy and happy was what I needed to do. I also began teaching Zumba as I started losing my weight and my students inspired me to keep going. Last year I came across an African American body builder who told me I was a queen and gave me the confidence to now reach my new goal of becoming a Pro Figure Competitor Fitness Athlete.

How did you change your eating habits?
I stopped eating fried foods and fast food. I changed my portion sizes, gave up red meat, switched to organic foods and I cook fresh produce as much as I can. I also began to educate myself on reading and understanding labels.

What did your workout routines look like?
I work out 6 to 7 days a week on bodybuilding structure as I’m getting ready for figure competitions. Mixed in is cardio kickboxing, Zumba and outdoor stuff for fun.

What was your starting weight and current weight?  I got to 215 pounds while pregnant and I weighed 189 pounds right after he was born.  Right now, I weigh 128 pounds (138 lbs when my body fat is at 12%) I’m 5’6″ tall. I initially got down from 189 lbs to 145 lbs with in 6 months after my son’s birth and just dropped the rest with in the 5 months for my show. I also built 6 lbs of lean muscle.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
You have to be consistent and keep going. This life changing journey takes times so if your patient it will happen.

Instagram: @Daniellefitness

danielle weight loss

Betina lost 124 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Betina lost 124 pounds.  At 415 pounds, she broke free from an abusive marriage and changed her life.  She was motivated by her love for her children.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

betina before and after

Hello, my name is Benita and I use to weigh 415 pounds and I wore a size 34 pants. Through healthy eating, lifestyle changes and exercise, I now weigh 291 pounds and wear a size 22 pants! This journey started in 2010 and is still an on going life change. My children motivate me and keep me going! This has not been easy. I love Chocolate and come from New Orleans, LA where we Love to eat. So, this has been a challenge but it’s so worth it. I encourage anyone and everyone to get on the path to a healthy lifestyle cause it’s worth it!

My two Children Kyle and Whitney motivated me because I didn’t want them to have to go through the struggle of fighting obesity their whole life. Even though I was married to their dad at the time, that marriage later ended do to abuse and adultery. I knew one day I would have to have the strength and energy to leave, and there was no way I could do that at 415 Lbs. Not because of the weight it self, but because my body had become like a WALKING COFFIN. There was a younger, happier and healthier me inside with a sculptor’s knife trying to chisel her way out.

One night when my ex-husband stayed out all night and kept the keys to my vehicle. I had no way to get my babies to school or to get myself to work. Feeling ashamed and broken, I didn’t call any of my family because they had warned me about marrying him. I got up that morning and got a Winn Dixie Grocery Basket and left at 5 am walking. My children’s school was about four miles away and I got there right at 8 am. Hair wet and sweaty, my children made it to school for breakfast and their teacher didn’t ask questions. She got someone to cover for her class and brought me to work. From that day and that moment I knew that if God had given me that strength to push them to school he would get me much further. I started regularly walking and haven’t stopped.

The first month on my journey I removed carbs and sugar completely out of my diet. That worked and the weight fell off fast. 10, then 15, then 40 pounds. I soon realized that how you loose it is how you must maintain it.  I yo-yo’d for a while, but finally after two years I learned to eat in small portions and practice moderation with the sweets and carbs.  I also learned to incorporate some form of exercise daily if no more than 30 minutes a day. Now, I weigh 291 lbs and I can wear a size 20-22 pants comfortably, with no girdle or waist shrinker. I am 5’9″ tall and yes, the Doctor still says that I am Morbidity Obese by the health guidelines that they have been using for over 100 years and REFUSE to change.

Now, I do Zumba two-three times a week with Dr. Kendra Mayes and I walk at least 30 minutes to 1 hour every day with a coworker or on my treadmill at home. My diet is a life change and each month I challenge myself. Last month was MeatLess May and I allowed myself to have salmon, shrimp and veggies.  Now, I have sherbert instead of ice cream and crystal light instead of soda and diet soda. I recently got off MONSTER energy drinks. I teach school and was convinced I needed more ENERGY! Luckily, I have kicked that habit and didn’t gain weight do to my sugar intake with that.

My advice to any and everyone is “Your Body is a Temple from God and he sees the Size of the Heart not your Body. Let’s get Heart Healthy so we can please God!” As you focus on him, not a man and not trying to be his size her size or that size, your weight will fall off. Thank you and God Bless. Let’s All Get Moving!

betina weight loss

Andreshia lost 20 pounds

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Andreshia wrote in to let us know that she’s lost 20 pounds with healthy eating and by stepping up the intensity of her workouts.  Here is what she shared with us…

andreshia before and after

I found my motivation in simply saying one day, ” I will not keep starting over”. I always worked out but my diet was the worst. I was on Instagram and saw grandmothers who looked better than me in a bikini. I told myself that I had no excuse to be this way since I had no children.

So, I started eating clean, watching my macros (counting macronutrients) and watching what time I ate. Again, I use to going to the gym, so I started to make my workouts count. I began HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), CARDIO and incline walks on the treadmill. I hit the gym 4-5 times a week.

I’m 5’4″ tall and started at 176 pounds. Now, I weigh 155 pounds.  I lost 20 pounds in 6 weeks. I’m on my way to my goal weight of abs. 🙂 My advice for people who want to lose weigh is to stay consistent and plan ahead with your meals and gym schedule.

Instagram: @sheroinme

CJ lost 178 pounds with surgery

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: CJ lost 178 pounds with surgery.  At 5’3″ tall and 340 pounds, she decided to have gastric bypass weight loss surgery to save her life.  She shared with us about her journey…

CJ weight loss story

My name is CJ and I would like to share my weight loss story. What inspired me to lose weight was the fact that I had been overweight all my life, as a child and as an adult. I didn’t want to go into my 40’s overweight.

I decided to change my life for the better on June 6 2010. I had a heart to heart talk with a friend named Carla Palmer who is a nutritionist. I explained to her my story and how I didn’t want to end up like my mother. After that talk, I woke up the next morning, took a shower. While I was looking at myself in the mirror, I remember telling myself, I’m going to kill you. I cleaned out my entire kitchen of all junk food and went grocery shopping with the list Carla sent me. I was instantly motivated. I followed Carl’s plan to the T and in 6 months I was down 100 pounds.

Then in 2011, life happened. I was laid off my job and that sent me into a depression. The whole 2 years I was laid off I gained that 100 pounds back and more. I was devastated. So, in 2013, I got hired with my current company. I was excited that their benefits started day one, but also that they covered the weight loss surgery. I didn’t have the willpower to do like I had done the first time a nd losing the weight had become life or death issue for me.

On 10/9/2013, the old me died. I had gastric bypass surgery When I had my surgery I weighed 340 pounds. My current weight today is 162 pounds. Having the surgery, was the best thing I could have done. It literally SAVED MY LIFE!!!!

I changed my eating habits by I eliminating sugar, red meat and bread. I work out 5 times a week at 24 hour fitness. I also line dance and swing dance. I’m 5’3″ tall. My advice to anyone wanting to lose weight, is to really be ready. It’s a mindset thing. The weight loss surgery is just a tool. You still have to work out and eat right.

Instagram: @Luvie73

CJ before and after

Mia lost 52 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Mia lost 52 pounds.  After the birth of her 3rd child this proud mom decided that it was time to really commit to losing the weight.  I hope that her story gives hope to moms who’ve had issues losing weight after pregnancy. So many women struggle to get to their pre-baby weight for years and years.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

mia before and after

Upon having my 3rd child, I knew it was time. My motivation was my children. Despite many failed attempts, I pushed myself harder than I did before! I’ve lost 51 pounds since I gave birth June 8th, 2014 and I have a few more pounds to lose to reach my ultimate goal weight. I haven’t been this small in more than 5 years! I couldn’t be more proud of myself because I’m the only one that could change the way that I looked. By eating healthy and exercising off those extra calories, I am doing it! I’m making this time my best time. This has to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

I complained about my weight gain and I tried to lose weight, but I didn’t try hard enough and I always gave up. This time was different. I didn’t just try, I gave it my all. I went from eating sweets all the time, eating pizza, The infamous McDonald’s fries, and so many other fast food restaurant’s food. I felt that my body somewhat craved the greasy foods, but I knew I had to cut them out. I also cut out soda. In the beginning, I cut down from drinking a 20 oz soda every few days to a can. I thought it would satisfy the want that I had for them, but it only made it worse, which in my mind wouldn’t help with the weight loss journey. I decided to go cold turkey away from soda and drink water with my meals and when I felt thirsty. I also began to try eating salads, which I really didn’t enjoy, which also led me to spinach salads that I honestly love.  I would enter into myfitnesspal the ingredients I was making the salad with and kept track that way. I also began to bringing lunches (lean cuisine) to work everyday so I wasn’t tempted to utilize all the fast food restaurants that were there, all because I was hungry. For exercise, I would also workout every other day which helped along with the tracking of my foods to keep the weight Down.

I’m 5’9 1/2″ tall and I went from being 246 pounds (pregnant) to 194  pounds. This is the smallest I’ve been in years. I want to lose a little bit more and through my dedication I know it will happen. My advice to others would be to make this time your best time! Only you can change the way you look, so start today!

mia pregnant weight loss