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

Whitney lost 82 pounds

by 14 Comments

Let’s show some love to Whitney who has lost 82 pounds.  This lady of Zeta Phi Beta wrote to us to share how she pushed past the pounds and the pain of losing loved ones to obesity and began changing her life earlier this month.  Here is her story:

“Hello, my name is Whitney.  I stared my journey on Feb. 1st of this year at 490 pounds. I eat clean and workout everyday some times twice a day.  I want to show the world it doesn’t matter the size, we can all get healthy.

I’m 26 Years old and embracing this new walk of fitness. After losing my grandmother and my mother in their early 40’s from obesity, I feared that I would be next. Dealing with all the hurt and pain, I decided that enough was enough. I got on my scale and almost passed out at the fact that I had eaten myself into a 490 pound body. At that point I thought for sure life was over but after praying and turning it over to God I realized I had power to change. On February 1st, 2013 I got my first gym membership. I had no idea what I was doing and I couldn’t fit into any machines. This depressed me but I wouldn’t give up. So, I found one machine that I could fit and that was the elliptical bike. I rode that bike until I was able to burn 1000 calories a day. Then I worked my way up to the treadmill and the regular elliptical. I wouldn’t leave the gym until I burned 1000 calories. I also changed my eating habits. I would use My Fitness Pal as guidance. I then joined a boot camp class and the weight began to melt away.  I cut out all fried foods, I don’t eat any white carbs. Also, I eat three meals a day and nothing after 7 pm. I have a cheat snack (not meal) but only snack twice a month.

I’ve been on this walk for 8 months and I’ve lost 82 pounds. My current weight is 408. I am determined to walk out of this coffin I use to call my body. One meal, one workout, one day at a time, I’m doing things I never thought possible. Running, jogging, sit-ups, push-ups, squats, leg lifts, frog jumps, weight lifting…The whole works. Now, I’m able to help others who’ve thought they are too big to workout or be healthy. If I did it at 490 pounds I know that you can do it too. Join me in the movement. With God all things are possible. Follow my videos, pictures and food/ workout plans on Instagram @biggirl_workingout

My advice to anyone starting this journey is to remember we all have to start from some where. This is not a race but a lifestyle. We will have good days as well as bad days but we don’t give up and never quit. Working out is hard but day by day it will get easier. We have to push pass the pain and keep the mission close to heart. We can beat this fight of obesity. Remember God will break the chains but we have to break the habits. Be blessed!!!”

Whitney weight loss photosNow she can fit into one leg of her old size 36 pants.  AWESOME!!
Whitney weight loss story

Valencia lost 131 pounds

by 3 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Valencia lost 131 pounds.  This young lady decided to make the lifestyle changes she needed to make to overcome obesity, depression and raise her self esteem.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is Valencia and I’m 22 years old. Growing up, I suffered with obesity and struggled a lot. My starting weight in 2008 was 330 lbs and that brought me to depression and a lack of self confidence. How I changed that you ask? Well I started focusing on things I like to do.  I stopped stressing about having to get on the scale and about being unhealthy. I started walking and drinking more water. I even started zumba classes, since I loved to dance. I started eating smaller portions of my meals and cut out fried foods. I also started watching my carbs and tracked them every week. I encluded more greens to my meals and drank plenty of lemon water in between. I exercised at least four times a week for at least 3 hours with different routines such as: jogging, crunches, cardio, and zumba. With all the positive feedback I received, I grew confidence and even more motivation. 4 years later, I am at my current weight of 199 pounds and I’m feeling great. My advice to people going through the weight loss journey is to never give up and keep telling yourself you are beautiful no matter what!

Valencia weight loss before and after

 

Body Refined shares how Flo lost 71 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Personal Trainer Kurt Dixon of Body Refined, Inc in MD wrote to us to share another success story (We featured his client Michele back in June). His client Flo lost 71 pounds and he interviewed her about her journey.

“I was turning 30 in a matter of months and wanted to go into that new age of life looking and feeling better about myself.”

Say Hi to Flo! She started her journey to healthier, fit life last November. In this before and after picture, Flo is wearing the same exact dress. With all the changes she has made to her body and continues to do, she had the dress tailored to fit her new body.

Flo Akadje Body Refined Inc

Her progress in just 10 months…

  • Weight: -71 Pounds
  • Body Fat: -21.9 %
  • BMI: -11.8 Points
  • Dress Size: -10 Sizes

What was your light bulb moment that made you decide to lose weight? Did you think you were overweight?

My “Aha moment” (as Oprah would say) was when I was visiting my mother at her house. She had lost weight for health reasons. Looking at her, I saw how good and healthy she looked, and it made me want to lose weight as well. In addition to that, I was turning 30 in a matter of months and wanted to go into that new age of life looking and feeling better about myself.  I knew I was overweight but I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. So rather than trying to change it, I just bought bigger clothes.

Have you always been overweight? If not, how long have you been overweight? When did you notice you started to gain weight?

I cannot really say whether or not I was over overweight because I never got on the scale. I never really cared about my weight. Maybe I was overweight and I did not know it. (I guess you are right again!!! Damn you Kurt!!) I never got on the scale to see how much I weighed. I was always the biggest of all my friends. But my weight gain started when I got to college. I think instead of the “freshmen 15”, I gained more than that. My weight just kept going up from there.

Does being overweight or obese run in the family?

Being overweight in my family was acceptable. For the most part, all of my family members were overweight.  Being overweight I think was a sign that you were living the good life.    

Was it a difficult journey? Are you satisfied w/ where you are now?

Not at first because I was really determined to get in better shape. But now as I get closer to my goal weight I find it difficult because I am so anxious to see more results.

What have you learned about being healthy?

Being healthy is a way of life.  You cannot lose weight then revert back to your old habits.  I have learned that if I want to stay healthy I definitely need to continue to eat healthy and stay active.

How did you end up working w/ Body Refined Inc? What has your experience been like working w/ Body Refined Inc?

I was going to the gym everyday faithfully when I was given the card for Body Refined.  I hesitated at first because I thought that I was doing fine and did not need help.  Unsatisfied with the lack of results, I finally decided to call the number on the card. My life has not been the same since I have been working with Body Refined.  I have a new outlook on life and what it takes to make the change to a healthier lifestyle. My overall experience has been incredible.    

What advice would you give someone who wants to lose weight?

Someone who wants to lose weight should first be serious about it. Don’t just say I want to lose weight. Begin the journey with purpose.  Meaning if your reason to lose weight is to be healthier or wear a bikini, put that in your mind and go for it.  Every time you find yourself thinking you cannot do it, remember your purpose.

How do you feel now vs how you felt when you were overweight?

I feel better about myself than I ever did in my entire life.  I was very shy growing up since I was always the biggest of everyone around me. I was never really confident in myself and my body. Now I am very open and confident in everything that I do.

What kind of support, if any, did you get from family and friends? And in contrast, did you experience any negativity from friends and family?

I set out on this journey somewhat alone. I really didn’t discuss it with anyone. I knew that I wanted to lose weight but I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want everyone to make suggestions as to what I should do. Now as I am closer to my goal weight, I keep hearing “don’t lose any more weight”. People don’t really know what a healthy body should be.

Have you ever tried to lose weight before? If so, what was the difference in what you did this time vs. other plans or programs you tried to follow?

I have tried to lose weight but not with a customized comprehensive plan as provided to me by Body Refined. My attempt to lose weight included supplements recommendations by family members or as seen on TV.  I didn’t have the knowledge that I have now. 

Would you recommend anyone to Body Refined Inc? If so, what would be the deciding factor on your decision to refer someone to BRI?

I would definitely recommend people to Body Refined but only if they are serious about a lifestyle change.

As of right now, what more do you want? Are you at your goal? If not, what is the ultimate goal for you?

I am not anywhere near my goal.  I want to take my body to where it has never been before. I don’t want to just have a flat stomach; I want to have definition all throughout my body. I want to be able wear shorts and maybe even a bikini.

You can check out Body Refined on Facebook.

Martina lost 111 pounds

by 4 Comments

Featured weight loss success story: Martina lost 111 pounds.  She no longer suffers from pre-diabetes, sleep apnea, knee issues or high blood pressure.  She wrote to us and shared how making lifestyle changes helped her get healthy:

“Hi. My name is Martina and I am a 33 year old woman, wife and mother of two girls. I’ve lost a total of 111 pounds in 14 months. I used to weigh 253 pounds.  Now I weigh 142 pounds with the help of diet and exercise and the support of my family and friends. On July 14, 2012, I had a breast reduction and weighed 253 lbs at the time of my surgery. After my surgery, I decided to lose weight for various reasons. I decided to lose weight due to my health. I was borderline type 2 diabetic with high cholesterol, back problems and facing other health issues. I was also having heavy menstrual cycles, had trouble walking and sleep apnea. I was at my heaviest, so I decided that enough was enough.

Six weeks after my breast reduction surgery, with the support from my husband, I decided to join the gym.  I changed my eating habits by changing my portion sizes, cutting back on sweets and unhealthy snacks and eating more fruits and veggies.  I stopped eating pork and beef, drinking soda and sweet tea’s. I started drinking more water and green tea, walking and working out at home. I also downloaded an app on to my phone called My Fitness Pal that helped a lot with my weight loss. In the beginning, I worked out 7 days/week with cardio and did strength training for 1 to 2 hours.  I cut back to only eating 1500 calories/day or less. Now, I work out 5 days/week for at least 30 to 60 mins with cardio and strength training.  I eat no more than 1800 calories/day. I feel healthier, younger, and stronger than I ever did when I was in my teens and twenties. Since my weight loss, my cholesterol has gone down dramatically.  I’m not facing type 2 diabetes anymore and I don’t have trouble walking up and down the stairs due to knee issues.  Also, no more sleep apnea, my blood pressure is low and my menstrual cycles are not as heavy anymore.  Since my breast reduction, I went from a size 46DDD to a size 36C. My motivation was my family, my friends and looking at old pics of myself and saw how unhealthy I was. My advice is to keep holding on and believe in yourself and with prayer, determination, dedication, and hard work anything is possible.”

Martina before and after weight loss

Lawanna lost 97 pounds

by 1 Comment

Lawanna lost 97 pounds and is now a personal trainer and nutritionist.  She shared with us about the lifestyle changes she made to lose the pounds.  Check it out:

“Hey everyone!!  My name is Wanna. I just want to show everybody that it can be done. My weight loss journey has been a great learning experience.  I’ve lost almost 100 pounds and I’m still losing (just a little bit more).  I’ve gone from a size 20 to a size 8.  I’ve been a vegetarian for almost 14 years now, and have been a personal trainer/nutritionist for the past 2 years.  I eat 5-6 small meals a day.  I love to motivate and inspire others to join me in losing unwanted pounds.  If I can do it, so can you.

My motivation is the fact that high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer run in my family.  Also, watching my clothes get too big motivates me as well.  The fact that I’m a personal trainer and nutritionist….it comes with the territory. I’ve been a vegetarian for 13 years, so my meals consist on fruit, veggies, whole grains and tons of water. I workout 5-6 days a week doing toning and about 40-60 minutes of cardio…sometimes twice a day.  I love the gym, but I prefer to be outside, so I hit the park sometimes just to change it up.  At my heaviest, I was 252 pounds.  I’m currently 155 pounds, down from a size 20.  My weight loss journey started in 2006.  I went from a size 20 to a size 16 in the first 3 months.  Then I dropped down to a 13/14 and stayed there until 2012.  I joined a gym after I finished getting my certification.  I went from a 13/14 to a 7/8 between March 2012 and now.  Also, P90X and The Biggest Loser were very instrumental on my weight loss journey”

Lawanna weight loss

Update: Latoria lost 105 pounds

by 18 Comments

Update Feb 2018: Tori‘s transformation story has been inspiring us since 2013. She lost 110 pounds and has worked to keep the weight off off by focusing on nutrition and exercise. In 2017, she became a spinning instructor. Check out her awesome journey.

Tori before and after

Hey everybody! So many great things happened in 2017! I did run my 1st Marathon (26.2miles) in January 2017. It was by far the hardest fitness challenge of my life! The weather wasn’t great, it rained and was really cold, but I powered through and received my medal. I was able to maintain my weight for a few months for most of the time because I had trained so hard.

Last summer, I did something I had planned on doing for a while: I became a spinning instructor. Now I get to teach, motivate, and inspire others every week. I put on about 10 pounds during the holidays, which doesn’t normally happen to me, but it did. With proper nutrition, Iwas able to go back to my normal weight of 170 pounds.

Life is all about learning how to balance everything out. This is what I tell the people I meet who are looking to lose weight. It takes time to learn your body and find out what works for you. You can workout seven days a week, but if your nutrition isn’t on point, you won’t get tye results your looking for. Nutrition is key.

My goal for Summer 2018 is to become a Certified Personal Trainer so thatI can help people on their journey. To inspiring, motivating and encouraging people is apart of who I am. I love helping others reach their goals. When I tell people that I lost 110lbs – ALL NATURALLY – and now I’m instructing classes every week, it’s an amazing feeling… and I love every minute of it.
I’m on Instagram as @get_fit_tory and Facebook as @Getfittory.
Stay motivated, and continue on the course!

Oct 2013 – Featured weight loss story of the day: Latoria lost 84 pounds and found a love for exercise that includes 5k runs, Zumba and weight lifting.  Here is what she shared with us about how she changed her lifestyle to lose weight, as well as photos below:

“Hi, My name is Latoria and I am a black women losing weight. After giving birth to my son 4 years ago, my starting weight was 266 pounds and I was wearing size 20w in jeans. I now weight 182 pounds and wear a size 10/12. I love spinning and running 5ks. I have an amazing group of trainers who are showing me how to train effectively. Also, I am excited about my 1st Half Marathon that I will be running in December 2013 at the Official Biggest Loser Run/Walk series in Panama City Beach, Fl. I ran my first 5k last year.

As far as my eating habits, I stopped eating fast food and cooked healthier meals in the kitchen. I cut out fried foods and used portion control with all my food, all the way down to salad dressings. I included more vegetables in my meals. For example, I just started eating broccoli last year as well as spinach… lol.

My husband brought me an elliptical machine and I used it for 30 minutes everyday when I felt uncomfortable going to the gym at 220 pounds. I fell in love with spinning at my local gym, taking classes 4-5 times a week along with other class routines, like Zumba. I discovered through my personal trainer how much weight lifting is beneficial. Also, I plan on becoming a certified instructor in January 2014.

My advice for others is to educate yourself about eating healthy. For support, keep a positive group of people who have the same goals in mind about getting healthy and fit. Take small steps toward your goals. For example, eat brown rice instead of white rice and cut out sugary drinks. Before you sit down to eat, ask yourself “Is this a healthy meal or could it be changed to a better, healthy meal.” Thank you so very much for this opportunity. I never knew I could do this until I tried and put forth the effort. I hope my story will inspire black women everywhere who think they can’t do it!”

Instagram: @get_fit_tory

Latoria weight loss photos Latoria weight loss

Check out her previous updates

Dec 2016: Tori has been inspiring us with her story since 2013. She lost 105 pounds and has maintained her success for more than a year. She is a busy mom, wife and professional who has learned to balance all of the demands on her time and found the strength to never give up. Check out what she’s shared with us about how she released the weight.

tori weight loss update

“I just wanted give an update on my weight loss journey. Well, it’s been a few years since I lost 105 pounds. With consistency and hard work, I have been able to maintain and make some improvements a long the way. What has helped me continue this journey was making it a lifestyle change and working to make healthy food choices everyday. This year, I FINALLY challenged myself and registered for a Full Marathon (running 26.2miles). This is something that I have wanted to do for years, but I never felt like I was ready mentally and physically. This is the year of No Excuses, so in February 2017 I will be checking a marathon off my fitness list.

I have also learned a few lessons about myself on this journey and have learned how to handle these lessons. For example: One of the hardest things I had to content with was finding balance. I had to find a schedule that would work for not only myself, but for my family as well. Being a mother, a wife, and having a full time job makes it harder, but not impossible. Once I created a schedule, it allowed me to plan ahead and make sure that I am able to get my workouts in and prep healthy meals.

The best advice I have to give is what I tell myself daily… “Never Give Up!” No matter what obstacles come your way. You may feel like your journey is moving at a slower pace and that’s okay. You’ve just got to keep pushing! My goal is to help inspire, encourage and motivate others. You can do this! Follow my marathon training on Instagram: @get_fit_tory.  I am nervous, but determined to end this chapter and become a marathoner.

2015: “I’ve lost 105lbs. As a wife and mother of 2 kids, it’s hard to find time for yourself and make sure that we also take care of ourselves so that we can be around to take care of family. Since my weight loss story was posted, I’ve ran 8 half marathons and countless 5k runs. Since last year, I’ve started doing CrossFit. I’ve had my first CrossFit competition and my team placed 11th out of 25 teams. I’m looking forward to the future and looking to see what else I can do. My goal is to motivate and inspire others to let them know that it’s possible.”

latoria weight loss story

Vanessa lost 30 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Weight Loss Story: Vanessa lost 30 pounds by changing her eating habits and exercising. Here is what she shared with us about losing the pounds:

“I’m so inspired by the women I see. I have a 20 yr timeline of 5 pics showing my weight gain and loss, which includes breast reduction surgery this past March. I went from teetering into size 18 down to a size 12!!!”

timeline Vanessa weight loss

What was your motivation? 
“My motivation was to be healthy for myself. I did not want to gain any more weight as I was already 220 pounds at 5’3″ (on a good day) I was teetering on a size 18 and for ME, that was my turning point. I bought new sneakers and cute workout gear to match. I figured if I’m going to be doing it, I may as well look and feel good doing it.”

How did you change your eating habits?
“I stopped eating processed foods and ate more raw fruits and veggies and fish. I hadn’t eaten pork in 20+ years. I stopped eating beef 4 years ago, but the next step was chicken and turkey…which I did COLD TURKEY. I then started juicing 4 times a day for 30 days to shock my body into submission. I have since returned to eating chicken, but not on a daily basis.”

What did your workout routines look like? 
“I workout with a personal trainer 4-5 times a week. I get up at 4:50 am to be to the gym at 5:30. Some days we do high intensity cardio and strength training, other days we lift free weights. On the weekends, we go to our local parks or mountains and walk/trot/run …steps, benches, trees to pull up on…doing exercises in between stretches.”

What was your starting weight? 
“My starting weight was 220 pounds.”

What is your current weight? 
“My current weight is 190 pounds and my goal weight is to be 180!!”

How long did your transformation take?
“I started in July 2011, but because I didn’t know what I was doing, the weight wasn’t coming off. I was in a vicious cycle of going to the gym in the evening. I was tired and not working up a good sweat, but I was going!! Once I invested in a personal trainer and he CHALLENGED me all the time (who doesn’t love a good challenge), I began to shed more and more weight. From Nov. 2012 to now is when I shed 25 of the 30 lbs I lost. Even with all of that, I still had to have breast reduction surgery, which only took off 3lbs, but that was a definite change in my physique.”

Vanessa weight loss story

Weight Loss on a Budget Tip #9: Don’t Buy Over the Counter Diet Pills

by Leave a Comment

diet pillsIt’s Day 9 of our October Challenge and I’ve got another Weight Loss on a Budget Tip for you.  Tip #9: Don’t Buy Over the Counter Diet Pills!

I know that the commercials make weight loss look easy.  I know that many pill manufacturers provide before and after photos with stories of quick weight loss “results” (even though the fine print reminds us that the results are not typical of users of the product).  I know that you may feel like there is no harm in using a diet aid.  However, the experiences of thousands, even millions of other people have chronicled the opinion that diet pills don’t guarantee results.  Many people agree that the average over the counter diet pills may not have any impact on your weight loss goals.

You have to ask yourself if it’s worth the money.  The choice is yours and you might find a pill that works for you, but for a lot of people it’s a waste of money in the end.  If you can save the money and use it on something that will help you on your journey, it’s something to consider.

If you have money to burn, then that’s another thing.  This month I’m giving tips on saving money while losing weight, so this is something that is “extra” vs. necessary.

Questions:

  • Even if you do see some short term results from diet pills, what happens long term?  Are you planning you pay for the pills forever to keep the weight off?
  • Why not just eat right and exercise?
  • Will the weight come right back after you use the pills?
  • If the pill you are taking aren’t regulated by the FDA, are you putting your health at risk?

When it comes to pills, the financial cost at the register is not the only thing to consider.  There are other potential medical costs, if the pill is unsafe.  There is the cost of re-losing the weight if you gain it all back when you stop taking the pills.  Save yourself the money and try lifestyle changes first.  Commit to habits and choices that are time tested for weight loss, like eating clean, eating low carb, walking, working out with DVDs, etc.  There are all kinds of options available.  Find one that works for you.

More info available on this topic: 6 Reasons You Should Avoid Non-Prescription Diet Pills

Diana lost 120 pounds

by 15 Comments

Weight loss story of the day: Diana lost 120 pounds.  Her turning point was when she almost hit 350 pounds.  She has gone from 340 to 22o in 14 months.  Here are the details of her transformation that she shared with us:

“Hello. My name is Diana. My Instagram name is @findinghealthydiana”

What was your motivation?

“I’m a nurse. My motivation was being able to go to work and set a positive example for my patients. I was severely overweight and felt like a Hippocrit telling them to live a healthy lifestyle when I wasn’t.  The moment I wanted to change my lifestyle is when I almost hit 350 pounds. I was embarrassed and didn’t want to leave the house.”

How did you change your eating habits?

“I changed my eating habits by first eliminating sodas and junk foods. I drank at least 70 mL of water a day and had and ate around 1800 calories per day. I cut back on red meats; I would only eat them once a week. I ate 3 large meals a day and 2 snacks. My snacks were fruits and my large meals consisted of a meat and a veggie. I only ate starches 2 times per week.”

What did your workout routines look like?

“I lost weight by exercising least 3 days a week.  I would do 60 minutes of cardio on the treadmill, elliptical, or arc trainer. I would do an hour of weight training once a week.”

What was your starting weight?

“My starting weight was 340 pounds. What is your current weight? My current weight is 220.”

How long did your transformation take?

“My transformation took around 14 months. I hit a plateau and gained a few pounds back. It has been a total of 3 years since I began my journey.”

What advice to you have for others who want to lose weight?

“My advice would be to hang in there. It’s a long process and it takes hard work, determination, and dedication. Find a picture of yourself that you absolutely hate and pull it out whenever you’re not motivated to go to the gym or want to eat an unhealthy meal. This helped me when I wanted to give up. Take it one day at a time, and eventually you will see all the hard work was worth it.”

Diana weight loss photos

You can really see the difference with this pair of pants.

Diana weight loss photos

Arresha lost 176 pounds with the REALIZE® Band

by Leave a Comment

Let’s show some BWLW love to Arresha!  She lost 176 pounds with weight loss surgery.  That is almost half of her original body weight.  She had the REALIZE® Adjustable Gastric Band surgery.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss:

“My name is Arresha.  I am a army retired spouse with 4 small children at 31 years young.  I started this weight loss journey on November 14th 2011. I was 343 pounds and had been that way for a few years before. Nothing was helping. I was depressed was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. I decided I needed to do something about it for me, for my children and my husband.  I was really overweight.

So, I had weightloss surgery.  I got the REALIZE® Adjustable Gastric Band. My doctor told me I would only lose 70 pounds in 3 years, but the band is truely only a too. You have to put in work, be motivated and dedicated. I had to change my eating habits to 6 small meals a day. I can’t eat bread or drink soda.  I hardly have caffeine and only eat lean meats. I walk for exercise and do sports with my children. My life has changed tremendously. After having 3 girls (less than 2 years apart for 2 of them and the other child 3-4 years apart) it was rough. All my pregnancies were high risk because of my weight. I also had high blood pressure and was unable to play with my kids because I was so tired all the time. Now I can run without being tired.  I have energy and I feel blessed to have gone from 343 lbs to 167 lbs. It truly has been a journey!  My advice: the band or weight loss surgery is only a tool. Tou have to be motivated and dedicated to lose weight. You are forced to change your eating habits with surgery but don’t get discouraged.  Just keep going. It’s a long journey.  Stick with it and the results will be awesome.”

Arresha weight loss surgery