Black Weight Loss Success

The Official Blog of the Black Women Losing Weight Community. Tips, articles and weight loss resources for African American Women.

Join Our Email List:
We respect your email privacy
You are here: Home / Archives for Before and After Photos

Before and After Photos

Nakia lost 82 pounds

by 3 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Nakia lost 82 pounds.  She is still on her journey, but she shared with us about how watching her carb intake, eating clean and working out regularly helped her lose the weight.

nakia before and after

Hi, my name is Nakia and I lost a total of 82 lbs in a year and a half. I went from 279 pounds to 197 pounds and I’m 5 feet 6 inches tall. I gave up all junk food, watch my carbs and started eating clean. I also worked out 4 to 5 times a week. It is a hard road, but I keep pushing!! Taking care of myself has completely made me a new Woman inside and out.

My motivation for losing weight was that I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, my doctor gave me 30 days to get to work on getting my pressure down or she was going to put me on medication. I was also a year out from turning 40 yrs old and I wanted to get myself together, so I joined LA Fitness and haven’t looked backed!

I started with changing my diet. I meal prepped all my meals and used the My Fitness Pal app to count my calories. I eat clean…a lot of protein and vegetables. If I do have carbs, I will have it my cardio days at the gym.

My workout consists of a hour of cardio. I do a lot of HIIT (high intensity interval training ) and running on the treadmill. I also do a half hour of weight training.

I’m still hard at work with my transformation. I’m not sure if I want to call it that. I’m just taking care of myself. This is a lifetime journey that I’m on and I will never stop!  If you need any motivation or advice, I’m on Instagram: @Mz_kia37. Keep going!

nakia weight loss

Mimi lost 88 pounds

by 2 Comments

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Mimi lost 88 pounds.  After the loss of her father, she was inspired to convert to a healthier lifestyle to avoid a family history of diabetes.  She is now a figure competitor and shares her journey on social media.  Here is what she shared with us about her transformation…

mimi weight loss

Hello, my name is Mimi Horton. I started my journey back in 2010 after my father passed away from health related issues. He had diabetes and heart issues. I knew that type 2 diabetes is hereditary! At that time I weighed 228 pounds.

I really started to transform my body when I joined up with my personal trainer Hank Merrick of Lean Styles. He taught me how to eat and what to do to get the weight off! I’ve been weight training for a year now. I did 3 days a week for the 1st 7 months and now I weight train 5 days a week. Also did 10 hrs of cardio a week. My workouts were broken up as such Monday-legs, Tuesday- arms and chest, Wednesday- back, Thursday- shoulders and Friday- legs again. Common exercises in my workouts are squats, lunges, deadliest, bicep curls, flys, tricep kick backs, crunches etc. This is training for Figure competitions!

I eat diet high protein, low carb meals. Lean turkey, chicken, beef and fish. My veggies are green beans and broccoli, cooked with low sodium because my body will hold water. I don’t eat fried foods, everything is grilled, baked or steamed. For my sweet tooth; protein bars, muffins and cup cakes. I eat quest protein chips, BBQ flavor. I drink vanilla almond milk (unsweetened), protein shakes and use low calorie salad dressings (40 cals). So, heavy-duty weight train and clean eating works for me.

mimi before and afterWhen I started working with Hank, I believe I weighed 198 pounds and now I range between 140-150 lbs.  It just depends on whether I’m doing a figure competition or not. I’m 5’9-1/2″ tall and 39 yrs old. I want to be a testimony to everyone that it can be done! You just  have to be ready and willing to put in the work!

My advice to others is that you are never to old or late to change you body and health! As long as you’re able to move you can do it! I’ve learned it’s 90% mental and 10% physical. Once you realize your strength and potential, nothing can stop you but yourself!

Instagram: @naturally513

Facebook Page: Mimi Horton Fitness

Angela lost 120 pounds

by 3 Comments

Update Dec 2015: Congratulations to Angela for being chosen as one of the featured stories for People Magazine’s Half Their Size Issue. She is the 5th BWLW Sista to be featured. Here is the video of her on Good Morning America this week.

May 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Angela lost 120 pounds. She was motivated by survival, not just wanting to lose weight. Since childhood, she’s faced a life-threatening autoimmune disease, liver failure and in later years Cirrhosis.  She was helped by naturopathic medicine and natural healing methods.  Now she is sharing her love and light with the world and I think her story is one of the best we’ve featured.

angela before and after

My journey is not just a story on weight loss but of survival. I was a child with a life-threatening autoimmune disease. My liver was failing due to my body attacking itself. I wasn’t expected to live past the age of 10 years old. The doctors told me that if I lived past the age of 10, I would not live past the age of 20. I was even the recipient of a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I was on and off steroids for years which produced weight gain, swelling, and a host of unpleasant side effects. After years of trusting western allopathic medicine, my condition progressed to Cirrhosis in 2010. In 2011, I decided it was time to take control of my life and do more than just survive. I began researching natural remedies, watching popular health & wellness food youtubers, shopping more mindfully, and I got a gym membership complete with a trainer. I also began practicing yoga.

in 2014, I enlisted the guidance of a naturopathic doctor and that took my health journey to a greater level. I am over-the-moon about my new doctor. I cut out meat, dairy, unsprouted grains, white rice, and ate lots of veggies and fruit. I juiced lots of vegetables and blended much of them. In 2014, I learned how important portioning and reducing sugar—even fruit sugar—can be for your diet and that knowledge has benefited me greatly. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I still have my cravings and I LOVE dried cherries with unsalted potato chips. I just make better choices and swap out commercial for healthier options.

I am also a huge proponent for prayer and meditation. Anxiety, impatience, and the need to instantly gratify our desires makes us less prone to be still and patiently learn lessons and grow as beings. We tend to follow fad diets and gimmicks that promise instant results with no surety of sustainability or longevity. But when you are still, prayerful, and calm, you can begin to take your health challenges day by day and your mental and spiritual strength will develop ensuring that your commitment will be a lifestyle versus a season.

I will be celebrating my 35th birthday on May 19th, 2015. It’s been a 24 year journey and I am so blessed to be a walking miracle everyday.

MY STATS:

Starting Weight: Tough to pinpoint since my journey has been over the course of 24 years since childhood. Its been up and down. Highest weight as an adult, 245lbs.
Current Weight: 125 pounds
Height: 5’4″

ADVICE: My advice to women seeking to lose weight and have better health would be:

1. Explore Your Options. – I trusted my allopathic physicians but they don’t know everything. You were charged by God to take care of your body. Do whatever you have to do—within the safety and ease of your body—to survive.

2. Open your mind to:

  • New flavors
  • New Recipes
  • New ways of doing things and practicing fitness
  • New ways of calming your mind and praying

3. Connect:

  • With yourself on a higher plane of thought.
  • With God and the universe
  • With others who can provide support
  • With those starting out on this journey because when you have a wingman, accountability is ensured.

4. Smile and Be Happy – Your body loves to be happy and happy people are always going to seek happiness for their bodies and spirits. Find what makes you abundantly and spiritually happy.

MY CIRCLE:
Instagram: @angelalmontanez
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCitrusLife
Twitter: twitter.com/AngelaLMontanez
Blog: http://thecitruslife.tumblr.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYpLjLfX4kqSQfcMbFhdHSw/videos

This next video is from earlier in her journey…posted one year ago…

angela weight loss

Jennifer and Kimberly lost 142 pounds combined.

by 2 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Sisters Jennifer and Kimberly lost 142 pounds combined.  With regular exercise, calorie counting, food journaling and by making better food choices they have embraced healthy lifestyle change.  Here is what they shared with us about losing the weight together…

Kim and Jennifer weight loss

After Christmas 2012, we looked at pictures, started talking about our weight and about what we needed to do. Jennifer started first with aerobics, walking and counting calories via the My Fitness Pal app; cutting back on sweets and snacking. She slowly watched the pounds start to come off. Kim became motivated by Jennifer’s weight loss and jumped on the bandwagon by incorporating various workouts such as water aerobics, walking, line dancing class, joining a gym and counting calories via the My Fitness Pal app also.

After our first shopping trip together we were so excited and decided this wasn’t about a diet but a lifestyle change and we saw we could do it. To date we have a lost a combined 142 pounds (Kim 81 lbs, Jennifer 61 lbs – height 5’5″) and we feel and look great. I am so happy and proud of us and especially proud that we are losing weight naturally without surgeries or anything. We participate in 5K walks together and go to each other’s aerobics classes when time permits. We also love encouraging others on their journey. The best encouragement to us is no longer having to purchase clothing out of Lane Bryant, Ashley Stewart (no pun intended because they have beautiful clothing) or not having to go into the plus size section of some stores. We encourage anyone and everyone to keep going and do something active – whether it’s to lose weight, decrease blood pressure, look and feel better, lower blood sugar, etc… you can do it.

How did you change your eating habits?
We changed our eating habits between the both of us with green smoothies, The Fat Smash Diet by Dr. Ian Smith, not eating fast food and limiting (rewarding ourselves) sweets to the weekend. We also started sharing plates and desserts with others, counting calories and cutting high calorie foods. We vary a lot between the above, as well as trying no meats except fish for 1-2 weeks. I (Jennifer) incorporated more vegetables in my diet and we both make sure to drink 80 + ounces of water daily! We also cut back on sodas and juices. If we have an occasional soda it is definitely diet.

Jennifer’s Instagram: @mizjennlynn

Sisters before and after

Michelle lost 66 pounds

by 1 Comment

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Michelle lost 66 pounds in 5 months, going from a size 28 to a size 18. At 49 years old, she has embraced healthy lifestyle change and is seeing results. Here is what she shared with us about her journey.

michelle before and after

Hi, my name is Michelle.  I’m 49 years old, from Philly and sending my transformation photos in hoping to inspire others! I started my weight loss journey on January 4, 2015! I’m 5’11” tall and I was 340 pounds at the time.  As of today, I am 66 lbs lighter weighing in at 274 lbs. I’m far from finished and I am amazed how the weight is drooping off! From a size 28 to a size 18! I would have never believed that I could have done this. Just WOW!!

In November of 2013, I fell down my basement steps and cracked my fibula in my right ankle! I sat at  home for three months, gaining more weight from being confined to my bedroom. Once I was able to return to work in 2014, the weight just became to much for me to bear! Walking up steps…heck, walking a distance period was a task on top of my ankle beginning to ache after 5-10 minutes of walking on it! I just got tired of being tired!

I begun with the 21 Day challenge (actually I did it for 30 days) by not eating any sweets, sodas, fast food or any thing that just wasn’t plain ole healthy! In February, I joined the Kroc Center (a fitness center in my area) and I go 3 times a week. I now bake all my foods and continue to stay away from foods that are not good for me! I have learned that this is a lifestyle change and that I MUST continue this in an effort to keep the weight off. I’m happy with the results thus far and looking forward to continuing my transformation.

I go to the gym 3 times a week, which consists of 40 minutes on the elliptical machine, then a series of strength training exercises. If time allows I try to make the 55 minute Zumba class in addition to my workout. I’m gradually increasing my elliptical time and strength training week by week.

I’m a spiritual person, and I stay prayed up asking God to give me the courage, strength and fortitude to stay focused through this journey. So whatever your faith, lean on it to help you through! Support from family and friends and colleagues are also very encouraging. Following social media sites such as BWLW is very encouraging as well.

 

Get Fit or Get Fat Founder Iriel lost 110+ pounds

by 4 Comments

Update: Get Fit or Get Fat Founder Iriel wrote in to share an update of her progress. She’s lost even more weight for a total of 110+ lbs gone. She is super transparent about her journey and truly wants to motivate others to change their lifestyle. To read more about her journey, check out this post.

Iriel before and after

Why did I start? Because I was tired of hearing, “You’re pretty for a big girl.” I was also tired of hiding my fat behind huge handbags and pretending to be okay with the unhealthy way I chose to live my life. The first couple of times I tried, I failed. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t losing weight because I was working out (then after the workout I’d go to Popeye’s). I finally started because I realized that there was so much more that I could accomplish if I did it the right way. I didn’t care about how many pounds I’d lose, but I knew that being over 300 lbs was affecting my health. I remember stepping on the scale and seeing 308, and stepping off thinking it was broken. I didn’t get on another scale for a very long time after that because I was afraid to face reality.

Now, I don’t step on the scale often, only because I don’t care how much I weigh or how many pounds I’ve lost (But for the record, I’ve lost 110+ lbs). As long as I see physical changes, and my clothes fit better, that’s all that matters. I started @getfitorgetfat to inspire and motivate others….to show them that losing weight, and getting healthier can be done. Sure, I know how much I’ve lost, and how much I weigh, but that number doesn’t define me. There are a lot of factors in my life that could prevent me from reaching my goals, or that can make me want to give up, but I won’t. I can’t. If I don’t feel like working out one day, I make sure that whatever I put in my mouth is completely within the guidelines of what I should be eating. I’m not perfect, and I don’t workout 7 days a week. What I do is remain transparent to show you that YOU CAN achieve a sustainable transformation. Don’t put a deadline on your goals. Just go for them.

Facebook: Get Fit or Get Fat
www.getfitorgetfat.com

Iriel

Kira lost 60 pounds

by 1 Comment

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Kira lost 60 pounds.  After doing the Daniel Fast, she dedicated herself to perfecting her body temple with clean eating and lots of exercise.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

kira before and after

I just completed my third Daniel Fast! It was this fast that helped me get my journey on track almost three years ago. I asked God if he gave me the strength and endurance to make it through I would clean his temple, my body, from the inside out. Upon completion of my first Daniel Fast, I started alternating between home and gym workouts 3-5 times per week. Over time, I increased my workouts adding boot camps with @_thecommission_ fitness and clean eating. Almost one year ago, I also added a personal trainer to my journey. Between the two; I now workout between 8-10 times per week and some days I do 1-4 workouts. I work out Sunday -Thursday.

  • Sunday Monday and Wednesday: cardio and weightlifting
  • Tuesday and Thursday am: cardio and ab workouts
  • Monday and Thursday evenings:one hour boot camps which consist of cardio and HIIT workouts
  • Friday and Saturday are rest days
Daniel Fast Books

Sponsored Links

I keep dining out to a minimum by only choosing to do so when the occasions are special. I replaced white sugar with agave nectar and replaced dairy with nut milks. I also removed complex carbs from my diet (white bread,white rice,pasta). I don’t eat pork and I indulge in beef occasionally.

I fill my free time with family and fitness. To date I have lost 60 lbs. No pills, surgery or supplements…just a simple formula of prayer x hard work x clean eating. I am grateful everyday for how far I have come and I continue to work hard like it is day one! During each workout I tell myself that this journey is not just for me, but prayerfully I hope to inspire someone else who may have the same struggles I have. I share my journey constantly on instagram (@shoegal1275) and Facebook. If I can inspire at least one person I have paid it forward!

Sue lost 130 pounds

by 7 Comments

Update Dec 2016 – “I lost over 120 pounds in one year just by eating healthy and working out (130 pounds total). I’m still not the most body confident person in the world, but my weight loss journey has taught me how to respect my body and how to care for it. Junk food doesn’t appeal to me any more. I would much rather eat a fresh, well balanced meal. I still eat chocolate now and then, as it is my guilty pleasure and quite frankly it makes me happy… and that’s OK. You just have to know your limits. Balance is key. Your body is a temple. Honor it, love it, and treat it with some TLC!”

sue omar before and after

May 2016 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Sue lost 130 pounds.  This UK sista lost 120 of those pounds over the course of one year.  She simply embraced clean eating and exercise to lose the weight. Check out what she shared with us about her journey and her video below…

Sue before and after

My name is Sue and I’m a 24 year old Journalist who lives in London. Here is my story.

Start date: 29/04/14
Weight before: 137kg – 302 pounds
Weight after a year: 83kg – 182.9 pounds
Current weight: 78kg – 171.9 pounds
Total weight loss: 59kg – 130 pounds
Dress size before: UK 22
Current dress size: UK 12

In 2013, I embarked on a weight loss journey that changed my life forever. I lost 54kg (that’s a whole person practically!) in less than a year by eating better and moving my body. I’ve never had a personal trainer and lost the weight without having to splurge on super expensive slimming shakes. I simply changed my diet, started to eat clean and dedicated a few hours to the gym each week. I still indulge in chocolate from time-to-time, but I have managed to stay on top of my cravings.

I thought I’d be stuck in my size 22 body forever and never work in the fashion & beauty industry as I published writer, but I beat the odds and surpassed my own expectations. I’m now a size 12 but my journey still continues. They say losing weight is the easy part and maintenance is where it gets tricky – there is definitely some truth in that but I’m determined to live as healthy as possible.

I changed my eating habits by cutting out junk food completely and eating clean. I cut out carbs like rice, pasta and bread and sugar. I started by writing down everything I ate, monitoring my weight to understand how my body works. I eat a lot lean meats, vegetables, fruit and drink plenty of water now. I have the odd treat here and there.

I signed up to my local gym and trained 4 to 5 times a week. I started slow with my workouts with things like walking on the tredmill and Zumba classes until I built up my stamina. I still workout 4 times a week and mix cardio workouts with strength training to define and tone my body. I still have a weight loss goal of about 4-5 kg more (8-11 pounds).

I have started a YouTube channel to motivate and others to get healthy too. I am started a weight loss challenge on 29th of April 2015 to celebrate my second weight loss anniversary. www.youtube.com/c/sueomar

and have started 30 Day Weight Loss Challenge on my 2 weight loss anniversary (29.04.15) to motivate myself and others to reach our goals #SlimDownWithSue

Instagram: @sue__omar

Sue weight loss

Tracey lost 110 pounds with surgery

by Leave a Comment

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Tracey lost 110 pounds with surgery.  Years of struggling with her weight, the loss of her mother and a myriad of serious health issues led this petite diva to make the choice to have Gastric Sleeve surgery and change her lifestyle.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

tracey weight loss

My struggle with obesity has been life-long.  As a child I was always a little chubbier than the other children. My mother would console me and say that it was baby fat and that it would melt away as I got older. Unfortunately my poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle prevented this from happening and my weight increased as I got older.  I always thought that I was comfortable with my weight but in actuality I wasn’t. I tried one fad diet after another and even delved into dangerous territory by binging/purging and occasionally starving myself in an effort to lose weight.

Finally, in 2013 I decided to do something once and for all when after a routine visit to my primary care physician (after a 2 yr. absence) revealed that I was super morbidly obese.  My mother died in 2011 and I definitely used food to cope with her passing and put on an additional 50 lbs. in 2 yrs.  I was floored when my PCP told me that I was 336 lbs., pre-diabetic, anemic, malnourished and that both my good and bad cholesterol numbers were poor.  I decided that I needed to get serious but that I also needed an additional tool.

On July 22, 2014, I had a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and my life was forever changed. I’m now down to 226 pounds (height: 5’3″). I’m no longer pre-diabetic, my blood pressure numbers are healthy and my good cholesterol is good. While I still struggle with my overall cholesterol, my doctor has indicated that this is due to genetics and familial factors, not being super morbidly obese.  I’m wearing sizes I haven’t worn since High School and more than anything else I feel amazing!  I have the energy to exercise and spend more time with friends and family. Food is no longer the number one priority in my life! I still have a long way to go and it is still hard work. The surgery hasn’t been a magic pill, I still have to eat as clean as possible and move my body and I keep that constantly in mind.

How did you change your eating habits?
About 3 months before my surgery I completely cut out any simple carbs: sugar white flour, white rice etc. Most of my carbs come from fruits, vegetables and legumes. I occasionally have something sweet now but I try not to because it makes me crave more. I stopped eating fast food and ice cream completely. When I eat that way I have a tendency to go to far and have a hard time getting back on track.

What did your workout routines look like?
Right now I’m actively exercising 6 days a week and I hike on Sunday for my rest day. I do Spin class two days a week, jog 3 days a week and do weights/plyometrics 2 days a week.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Find what works best for you. Losing weight isn’t one size fits all. Don’t compare yourself to others but definitely surround yourself with people who inspire you. Don’t give up but don’t beat yourself up when you have a less than perfect day. Most important, food isn’t good or bad it is just food. Eat what makes you feel good physically and you’ll be fine.

Instagram: @splitscreen1

tracey before and after

Teresa lost 44 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Teresa lost 44 pounds.  She experienced weight gain from depression and was never able to lose it for good.  After dealing with some health issues, she reached out to a nutritionist and the folks at Success Athletic Training in Florida for help.  She encouraged some of her SAT sisters to send in their stories a few month ago and now we are celebrating her success. Here is what she shared about her journey…

teresa before and after

Finally, I get to tell my story. Another successful transformation from Success Athletic Training. SUCCESS is our first name.

I moved to Florida over 20 years ago. The first year I was depressed, sad and gained 70 lbs, up from from 165 lbs, and never lost it. Since that time I’ve bounced around back and forth between 237 pounds and 286 pounds, never losing the weight for good

In October of 2014, I ended up in the hospital with serious health issues. I decided then and there that I would totally change my current lifestyle or I could end up dead. I went to a nutritionist at New Genesis Center in Thomasville, GA, started a healthy eating plan. I also used protein shakes. I am currently down since November from 249 lbs to 205 lbs.

I drink a gallon of water and eat 5 small meals each day. Also, I let go of processed foods, white flour, processed sugar, and heavy carbs. It has worked for me so far and healed my illness. After another 12 lbs, I will be off of all medications, and I will have healed myself with food and exercise.

Lots of prayer and the help of SAT Owner Mark Liles and the Success Athletic Training family has saved my life.

Instagram: @teresalberger

PS: This is why SAT is special. Our owner is 53 and works out like this.