Black Weight Loss Success

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Before and After Photos

Sky lost 36 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss story: Sky lost 36 pounds.  She was suffering from psoriasis and had just been diagnosed with diabetes when she began her journey. Here is what she shared with us:

Sky weight loss photos

“Okay, here is my story: After giving birth to my son three years ago, I could not get my weight below 250 pounds to save my life. I was diagnosed with psoriasis (a deficiency that causes scaly dry skin on my arms and legs). I think the psoriasis came from the Mirena IUD, but that’s another story. At any rate the doctor ran some test and found that I also suffer from Type 2 Diabetes. Most family on my Dad’s side has gone blind, lost limbs, and even died from Diabetes. After that visit I had to get serious about losing this weight.  From 2012 to 2013, I went from 250 to 214 pounds.

How am I doing it? Well, I have a regiment that I follow. I have replaced most of my meals with fresh fruits and vegetables. I drink a warm glass of water with fresh squeezed lemon EVERY MORNING. In the afternoon I eat light and take a couple of shots of Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother.  I try to stay away from sugary stuff..I make my own juice and eat fruit most of the time. I rotate my workouts between Dancing with the Stars Latina Version (great for the core and cardio) and the ab challenge.

I have to thank my girls in @Southern Girls Lose Weight Too for their support and motivation! Taniqua NeNe Howard, Tanesha Johnson, Rashaunda Jarmon, Kea Bradshaw…love you ladies!”

Shawana lost 40 and and kept the weight off

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Today’s featured weight loss story: Shawana lost 40 pounds in 2012 and kept the weight off even after having a baby girl earlier this year.  This proud and busy mom of 7 ate healthy and did not go overboard with pregnancy pounds.  Read her story:

shawana weight loss success

“Greetings!! My name is Shawana Livingston and I have been inspired to share my story. I am a 35 year old wife, mother of seven, student and Minister who has had success in losing weight, although I still have a ways to go. I began my transformation in 2011 after weighing in a 280 (the first picture). In the second picture, taken in March 2012, I lost about 40 pounds due to exercise and healthy eating.  I really worked hard, with nothing but exercise and changing my  eating habits. I stopped eating pork and beef and I now enjoy working out, and feeling great. One month after the 2nd picture, we went on family vacation to the beach and we got pregnant on April 1st 2012, coincidentally April Fool’s day!! (God has a great sense of humor:) Instead of over-eating during my pregnancy, I still maintained a healthy routine and only gained six pounds the entire time. I gave birth on January 8th, 2013 to our last little baby girl. I took the third picture about 3 weeks ago to track my progress.

If I could say anything to your followers it would be to stay motivated, despite anything you may come against. I have a busy schedule but always try and make time to do some kind of workout. I am not where I want to be physically, but I can thank God because I am not where I used to be. There has been progress and it is important to celebrate your success, no matter how small. The weight will come off if you stay persistent but you are the only one that can do something about it. Find your inner strength and go for it!!”

Cheryl lost 40 pounds

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Let’s show some love to Cheryl.  She lost 40 pounds and was able to improve her pre-diabetes diagnosis.  Here is what she shared with us:

Cheryl weight loss story

“My name is Cheryl Miller and I am 42 years old. I started my journey last October (2012) while weighing 262 pounds. I was placed on medication for hypertension and was using a Cpap machine.  I was also diagnosed as being pre-diabetic. I didn’t love myself and felt miserable. I walked in a gym for the first time to change my life. Now, I have a personal trainer,  work out 5 days a week at the gym and do cardio on the weekends. My diet changed from carbs and fried foods to eating mostly chicken, fish and veggies. 40 pounds later, I weigh 224 pounds. I feel wonderful. My blood sugar went from 162 to 112 and my A1C from 6.5 to 5.8 because of my new lifestyle. My goal is to be the healthiest I can be and be medication free in 2014. I want women to see my story and become inspired to improve their lifestyle. Thank you for taking the time to view my story.  I can be found on Facebook and Instagram @sassy_fit_girl”

Cheryl before and after photos

Update: Renee lost 147 pounds

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Update April 2015: “I wanted to update you and let you know where I am on this fabulous fit journey . As of today, my total weight loss is 147 pounds and I’ve dropped 16 dress sizes. The best thing of all is that I finally achieved my goal…I’m Bikini Suit Ready! My journey by far is not over. This fit life is now a permanent lifestyle.”  Instagram: @getmadgetfit

renee before and after

Update 2014 – One Year Later: “Hi, you featured my story back in September of 2013. I wanted to follow up on that and provide my current status.  Not just that, but my husband jumped on the bandwagon and lost weight with me. I have lost a total of 112 pounds now. Here’s a pic of my husband and I before and after. Hey, who says that couples can’t workout and get fit together, Right!?!?! I wanna say thanks for empowering more Women to achieve a #healthierME!!!!”

Renee before and after

Today’s featured weight loss success story: Renee lost 86 pounds. This fibromyalgia survivor and now marathon runner wrote in to share how changed her whole lifestyle to avoid diabetes and get healthy.  Here is her story:

Renee before and after photos

“Hi, My name is Renee Miller Exom.  My Starting Weight was 262 pounds. I am a Fibromyalgia survivor whom was recently diagnosed with Diabetes and needed to get healthy… Immediately! Thus, I changed every method of my living (Sold my house and moved downtown) and every method of my eating, I got rid of all dinner plates and replaced them with all lunch plates/bowls, in the color blue.  I also changed my social life, my social environment. Overhauled my closet with designer workout clothes to motivate me in the gym 24/7. Not only did I get a gym membership, I also joined every club I can think of I was interested in, which are; Tennis Club, Bike Club and Swim Club. During this time, I blogged my entire transformation on my Get Mad Get Fit page on Facebook thus holding myself accountable and having others encourage me along the way. I entered myself in every marathon I could think of. That way, it encouraged me to train and kept me motivated to keep moving. My journey took me to losing 78 pounds in 8 months (now I’m down to 86.5 pounds), kicking my diabetes to the curb and running 10 marathons while enduring a pain condition.  I just finished running the half marathon in Vegas on Nov 18th ! I achieved the biggest goal ever….13.1 miles yesterday! Took 4 hours and 32,383 steps to finish the race. We all hugged and cried together as I did it for all those that too suffer from fibromyalgia! What I encourage for others that want to get healthy and lose weight is to find what motivates them and build off of that. Never wait on others, go headstrong towards your goal alone if you have to. Dont be discouraged along the way! No matter what, you will achieve it if you believe it!”

Renee weight loss

Gaylon lost 97 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Gaylon lost 97 pounds.  She joined Weight Watchers, walked for exercise, eventually joined Black Girls Run and hasn’t turned back.  Here is what she shared her journey and words of wisdom with us:

Gaylon weight loss journey

“Gaylon Alcaraz (40 something) Mother of Two and Grandma of One – Chicago, Illinois – One day I just woke up and said no more. I didn’t like the feeling of feeling out of control. Stepping on the scale and seeing close to 300 pounds felt like I was hitting rock bottom. Obesity runs on both sides of my family and I just didn’t want to have health issues as I grew older. So, I enrolled in Weight Watchers. I incorporated tons of fruits and veggies into my diet along with water. I tracked my food religiously. Then I began walking everywhere. When it got cold, I brought a treadmill and continued my journey in my basement. Then I began to walk fast and then jog. Finally I joined a group called Black Girls Run at the advice of my cousin and I haven’t turned back. Since February of this year, I have run 12 half marathons and I’m shooting for my 13th before the year is out. I have also added weight training and cardio at the gym to my routine. Now it is second nature to get up and workout or run.

When I started my weight loss journey I was 297 pounds. I am now at 200 pounds. I have 30 more pounds to go to get to my goal weight. I have been on my journey since July of 2011. The advice I have to others is to do it for you. Don’t do it for anyone else. When you are ready to receive, the lessons will appear…..the doors of opportunity will open. Only when you are ready you will do it. Set backs happen. This is not a race. This is a journey….your journey. Enjoy!”

LouCinda lost 42 pounds

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Let’s show some love to LouCinda.  She lost 42 pounds over the course of a year and went from a size 18/20 down to a size 12/14.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

Lou weight loss journey

“My motivation was to take control and not end up a high blood pressure or a victim of diabetes. I’ve always felt that prescription medicine will fix one thing but you’ll need another prescription to fix the side effects of the first prescription. The doctor told me that I would die of high blood pressure if I didn’t take the pills or lose the weight. He told me to pick one. I decided to lose the weight. Besides, losing weight is something I can control so I thought “Why not give it a shot.” I knew I couldn’t do anything to long as far as workouts were concerned, because I wouldn’t stick with it. So, I thought about what I was eating.

The first thing I did was that I figured out my eating weaknesses. My weaknesses were bread, pastas and Pepsi. I could eat 6 slices of toast in one sitting. I knew that if I figured out my weaknesses first and conquered them that everything else would be a breeze! It was hard at first but I just took it day by day. Before I knew it, I had lost 15 pounds. I also increased my water intake. I felt lighter and happier. Inline with cutting out those items, I simply started walking twice a week in my local park. I only did 30 minutes because I had other things to do besides exercising. It wasn’t a fast walk but a walk just the same. Before I knew it, I was running and walking 3 times a week. When it rained, I went home and did jumping jacks. I just continued to remain active. I believe that’s the best answer to any weight loss question; just remain active and keep your body in motion. It doesn’t matter what you do, just do something. I heard people say exercising makes you happy but I just thought only the thin or tiny people say that. I now understand what they meant because if I don’t exercise or start to slack off in any way, my attitude changes. I’m happy when I exercise. I would’ve never thought that but it’s true. My starting weight was 213 pounds. I’m now at 171 pounds. My blood pressure is never higher then 120/80. I went from a size 18/20 to size 12/14. The pictures I sent are from 2011 until now. I lost 42 lbs in a year. That’s my story! My advice to anyone would be just do something!!!”

Liz lost the post-pregnancy pounds and competed in a figure competition

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Liz lost the weight after she gained 75 pounds over the course of 3 pregnancies.  Now, she helps others to get fit.  She reached her fitness goals and was able to live out one of the things on her bucket list.  Read her story:

Liz weight loss story

“As a teen, my weight was pretty steady, but I was ‘chubby’. I met my husband when I was 18 and then steadily began to gain weight, I think which happens to some. I then lost weight by changing my eating habits. Eating smaller meals, and keeping close tabs on my weight. I lost 40 lbs. and was able to maintain my weight within 2-5lbs through continued exercising (mostly aerobics) and eating small meals.

Fast forwarding a little…we now have 3 boys ages 13, 10 and 5. With each pregnancy, I gained a total of 75 pounds. The first time, it was easy to lose weight, but became harder with each pregnancy. After my last pregnancy, I decided that I wanted to take my fitness to the next level, and enter a figure competition. I guess you can say it was a bucket list item. My goal was to be my fittest and healthiest at 40. I competed right before my 39th birthday, and placed 1st in Figure short, and Figure Masters Short. While I am not sure if I will compete again, I learned SO much from that experience. Mainly, that anything you set your mind to, is possible.

My current goals are different. The motivation to live a healthy life, and maintain a healthy weight come from the love for myself, and the need and desire to see my family have healthy habits, and to value health and being fit.

The picture of me in the white was a little gift to me for my 40th. This is me. Not as lean as in my competition photos, but a healthy weight, with balance in my life. The boys and I enjoy baking together, and this is important for our family. We also enjoy doing physical things together, and all lead an active life playing soccer, karate, and I have signed up to run my very first half marathon in the summer.

Life is about re-inventing yourself, and never giving up. It’s about making small, lasting changes, and enjoying every day to the fullest. It’s about putting the past behind you, and recognizing that each day is a gift.”

Check her out on Facebook: BodyBliss Health and Fitness

Liz fitness model figure

Candy lost 70 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Candy wrote to us to share her weight loss journey. She’s lost 70 pounds with gastric sleeve weight reduction surgery. Here is what she shared:

Candy weight loss story

“I started this journey over 8 months ago. I am a heart patient with a very rare heart disease. I retain a lot of fluid and it causes severe weight gain. To make a long story short, my cardiologist wanted to perform surgery to repair my heart, but at my weight of 260 pounds, it could not be done safely.  At that point my doctor and I decided that weight loss surgery was the best option for me if I had any chance of living.  I had gastric sleeve weight loss surgery on February 28, 2013. I have lost 70 pounds so far and I am still losing weight.  I now exercise 4 to 5 days a week, which includes Zumba class, and line dancing. I don’t stick to a strict diet, but I don’t eat fried food but once or twice a month.  I have mostly grains and wheat. To everyone out there I strongly urge you to exercise as much as possible.”

Delina lost 142 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss story: Delina lost 142 pounds.  She changed here eating habits and started with online workouts to drop the pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss story:

Delina lost weight

“My motivation was for my two loving kids I have . I didn’t want to stay big and not be able to do anything with them.  I started my journey last year when I went to a friend’s baby shower.  When I saw myself in the photos from the even, I didn’t like what I saw. When I started my weight loss journey my weight was 330 pounds (after having my kids). I started working out at home on my computer every night seven days a week.  The exercises I did on the computer were the Tae Bo workouts. I also did work on my upper body and lower body.  I continued with this until I joined a gym this year in January and I continued on from then. I changed my eating habits by cutting out all junk food, fast food, candy, soda and fried foods. I started eating healthy, and I also started doing juicing.  I learned portion control and I drink a lot of water.  My weight now is 188 pounds.  I will keep going until I hit my goal weight. My advice is do it for you and nobody else.”

Update: Tiffany lost 128 pounds and had surgery for excess skin

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We featured Tiffany’s story last year and recently she wrote in to tell us about the skin reduction and breast surgeries she had after losing 125 pounds.  Here is her story:

Tiffany skin reduction surgery

“In December 2012, I was featured on your page for losing 125 pounds through clean eating and exercise. It took me 2 1/2 years to get that weight off. I was left with a tremendous amount of extra skin on my breast my stomach and my bra line. In June 2013, I had a breast lift, breast implants, tummy tuck, and an extensive amount of extra skin taken off of my torso. The surgery itself wasn’t that bad, but recovery was tough. I had been used to being extremely active and I had to really cut it down because my body had just gone through an eight hour surgery. Four weeks after the surgery, one of the complications that you’re warned about happened to me. I got a blood clot, which ended up landing in my lung. I had PE; pulmonary embolism. I could’ve died. I am currently on blood thinners for six months and maybe longer if I end up having a blood clotting disorder. Recovery has been rough with those complications, however the results have been quite amazing! I am finally back to working out with my trainer. I’m slowly incorporating weights back into my program as well as cardio and I my plan is to lose a little more weight, but mostly focus on body fat. Currently my body fat is 19.3%. I would like to get to about 17%. It has been one amazing journey. I think what I learned most not being able to work out after recovering from surgery,is how to shape my relationship with food. I really could not rely on exercise to burn those extra calories, so I had to control my portion sizes as well as what I was choosing to eat and I think I did a great job. I think I finally conquered my emotional eating habits. I’m feeling great about my journey and my plan is to become a personal trainer. I recently received a group fitness certification, so I’m very excited! I hope that it inspires someone to either begin or continue their journey to a fit and healthy lifestyle You can watch my video journey on YouTube by searching Meltmindandbodyfitness. I also have a Facebook fitness page: meltmindandbodyfitness, as well as an Instagram account @meltmindandbodyfitness”

Tiffany weight loss photos