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Before and After Photos

Liz lost 70 pounds

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Let’s show some love to Liz.  She lost 70 pounds and fought off having to take insulin for her diabetes.  She was willing to make life changes to get healthy!  Here is what she shared with us:

“My name is Liz Hayes.  I have lost a total of 70 lbs within a year all on my own.  I needed to make a change in my life.  Being a diabetic and being told that I might have to go on insulin was shocking.  So, I began my journey on September 11, 2012.  I started by using the “My fitness Pal app” which is totally free.  I weighted 298 pounds. I weight 228 pounds now.

First, I cut out all things white, like flour, sugar, and salt, pasta, potatoes, rice, etc. I also cut out starchy veggies, like corn, peas and beans.  I stopped eating bread also, both whole grain and white.  I did away with sodas and began to drink more water. I drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.  I stopped eating red meats completely.  Now I eat only turkey, chicken and  fish.  Most of my days, I start out with a boiled egg, turkey bacon or sausage, Greek yogurt and a cup of coffee.  For lunch, I would eat a large veggie salad and water…then workout at the gym on the treadmill for 1 hour.  I walk 3 miles a day, 7 days a week.  Supper would be a bag of stream broccoli with garlic and “I can’t believe it’s not butter” spray.

I feel much better now than ever and I don’t mind walking.  I am not lazy and tied anymore. Life is great and my blood work is excellent!

 Liz weight loss story

Arletta lost 64 pounds

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Featured weight loss success story of the day: Arletta wrote in to us to share her journey to lose 64 pounds.  This 5’8″ beauty wanted to love what she saw in the mirror and get healthy.  Looks like she DID that!!  Here is her story:

Arletta weight loss story

“Hi my name is Arletta.  My mtarting weight was 282 pounds and I was wearing a size 22-24.  My current weight is 218 pounds and I’m wearing a size 14. I hated to see myself in the mirror. When I weighed 282 pounds, I would never look in the mirror.  If I happened to pass one and saw myself, I was in disgust and I told myself I looked horrible. I did not have low self esteem or didn’t care about what anybody else thought but I was just unhappy with what my body looked like. I would get invited to go on trips out of town with my girlfriends but I would decline the offer because I’m was too embarrassed.  I knew that we would have to share the hotel room and bathroom therefore I would have to change in front of them. Thankfully, I did not have any health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure but if I kept eating the way I was eating I was sure to acquire either one or both.

I changed my eating habits. I started drinking diet drinks instead of the ones full of sugar.  I was exercising, going to boot camp fitness classes, cutting out bread, eating sensible portions meals, riding my bike 2 miles a day week and allowing myself 1 cheat day on the weekend eating anything that I wanted. My weight dropped down to 198 pounds. Eventually I stopped exercising and eating sensibly and my weight went up to 231 pounds. Since June 2013, I have been riding my bike 2 miles a day and eating healthier meals, weighing in at 218. Being 5’8″, I would only like to lose an additional 25 pounds. I am a work in progress.  I was then and I am now.  My goal is to keep it off. Ladies don’t give up! Oh yeah, the mirror and I are quite fond of each now!”

Keita lost 100 pounds and is still going

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Featured story of the day: Keita lost 100 pounds and is still on a mission to lose more.  She changed her eating habits, counted calories, and exercised regularly.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi! I want to share my story. In August 2012 I ruptured a disk in my back and needed surgery. I was told that weigh loss would help me possibly avoid surgery. I’ve lost 100 pounds since November 2012 with a lot of prayer, healthy choices and daily exercise. I cut my calories down to 1200 a day and I go to the gym 5 days a week. I spend 35 mins on the elliptical and 25 mins on different weight machines. God told me it was time and that if I did what I could, he would do the rest. 10 months later, here I am. My starting weight was around 374 pounds.  My current weight is 270 pounds.

I stopped eating fast food, used Pam cooking spray instead of butter and switched to diet sodas.  I also made sure that I ate 5 serving of veggies and at least 2 servings of lean protein per day and cut out majority of the bread.  If I do eat bread, it’s the Sara Lee 45 cal a slice honey wheat.  My biggest thing was counting calories. I used Myfitnesspal to track all my food and exercise.

Keita weight loss story

 

Maleka and her husband Eric lost a combined 300 pounds together!

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Weight loss success story of the day: Maleka and her husband Eric lost a combined 300 pounds together!  After suffering tremendous loss, including Hurricane Katrina and it’s aftermath, this New Orleans couple took their health and wellness into their own hands.  Here is what they shared with us about their victory and how they have been lead to help others (video below as well):

eric maleka betterchoices

“Our weight loss journey began in 2006…

My husband and I are from New Orleans. If you know New Orleans, then you know the essence of New Orleans…FOOD! We absolutely LOVE TO EAT!! At no time prior to or after Hurricane Katrina did we realize our eating habits and weight were out of control. We did not have any diagnosed health issues, we never saw ourselves as being unhealthy or being obese. It’s funny how we walk around unaware of our true selves. It wasn’t until after a life changing experience in 2006, that we decided to change our life.

After coming down with a sore throat, my husband went the doctor’s office. Of course with any typical doctor’s visit, they need to take the basic vitals. At the point in which they needed to take my husbands weight, the medical scale could not read it. The nurses made sly remarks about the scale; they couldn’t figure out why the scale was not working…so they gathered other nurses and to my husband’s surprise, he became the butt of their jokes. He heard them laughing at him. The truth is, my husband’s weight exceeded what the medical scale could measure. At that moment, he weighed 400 lbs!

When he came home, I could see how terribly angry he was. I asked him to tell me what happened. He proceeded to tell me about his experience. He was angry. To my surprise, he was not angry with the nurses, he was angry with himself for allowing his weight to get out of control.

I, myself, weighed in at 276 lbs! I recall the day I asked Eric what was HE going to do about it. In the beginning, I resisted the idea of change. I knew change was needed but I was afraid. I was afraid of the unknown; afraid of change because I did not know what that change was going to look like. The first thing I thought about was all the things we could no longer have.

My husband sat me down and told me “If you don’t take time out for you, then who will? You take time out for me, the kids, your clients, family, & everybody else…you are the only person who can make time for you.” He told me he wanted us to take this journey together. He wanted us to be healthy and be around for our boys.  He wanted us to live healthier.

That was my “A-HA” moment! That day, we got a few things we would need to begin working out at home. I found a few exercise DVD’s and we mapped out a walking route. We started reading so many books on health, nutrition, and exercise. We faithfully tuned in to Dr. Oz on the Oprah Show and watched Celebrity Fit Club. We learned and reinforced so many things! We found healthier ways to fix our favorite foods, we committed to working out 5-6 days a week. Usually, we would do 30 minutes of cardio before bringing the boys to school and we would walk 2.5 miles. Eventually, we began running those 2.5 miles, incorporating strength training, pilates, & outside activity with our boys. Yard work became a new perspective on fitness…a great way to exercise without the traditional concept of working out.

As a couple, we cherished our workout time together. It truly strengthened our relationship. It had been such a rough time because Eric had recently lost his mother to colon cancer. We lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, and while our families returned to their homes, we remained relocated for 2 years.

As of July 2007, just shy of one year, Eric lost over 150lbs and I lost half my size, losing 138lbs! Fast forward to today, 7 years later, and we have not only maintained our new lifestyle but we are teaching, motivating, and empowering others to make BetterChoices and change their own lives.

In 2011, we were thrilled to be 2 of 100 guests appearing on Oprah’s Weight Loss Finale Show! It was an amazing experience and everyone who participated was truly a reflection of what is possible when you make up your mind to change your life! We had no idea how that moment would change the course of our lives into something so much bigger than ourselves. After the show, we were bombarded with questions. We spent a lot of time providing answers, offering tips, support, and motivation. The more we offered, the more we spoke, the more we told our story, the more people would email and want to connect with us.

That same year, we officially launched BetterChoices. We created BetterChoices with a very specific mission: to teach, motivate, and inspire individuals, couples and families to change their lives, one betterchoice at a time. What we learned was our 300 lbs weight loss was not a reflection of a diet or quick fix. It was a result of making betterchoices which empowered us to create a healthier LIFEstyle. BetterChoices is about change. Change is easy. It’s the choice to change that makes us uncomforatble. Our goal is to help you understand the “how” & “why” the “what” you already know makes sense. Our website, www.betterchoices.co is an online resource offering healthy lifestyle tips, food facts, motivation, videos, recipes, various health & fitness blogs, and so much more.

Fast forward to present day, we have published our first cookbook! Let’s Cook! The BetterChoices Healthy Lifestyle Cookbook is a healthy lifestyle guide created to teach individuals and families on how enjoy the foods you love and learn how to prepare them healthy. In addition, we provide a how-to guide that teaches you how to jumpstart the process of creating a new, healthier lifestyle. It’s called helping you to reconstruct your normal. These small tipping points, simple things we’ve learned over the years, which empowered us to change our lives, lose over 300lbs, & enjoy the foods we love for over 8 years & counting!!!

As we look back, it amazes us that my husband wore a size 60/4XL & at my heaviest, I wore size 22/24W…It has been an amazing journey! They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, for us, our picture is worth AT LEAST 300lbs!!!!”

Thanks so much for allowing us to share!
Visit us at www.betterchoices.co
Facebook/Twitter/YouTube/Instagram/Pinterest: betterchoicesco

Muriel lost 36 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Muriel.  She lost the weight by working out via DVD with Jillian Michaels and changing her eating habits.  She wrote in to share her story with us:

“Hi my name is Muriel Merritt. I would love to share my story. I started May 1, 2013 on my weight loss journey. In the beginning, I weighed 220 pounds.  Now, I’m 184 pounds. So far, I have lost 36 pounds.

My motivation to lose weight was the encouragement of friends and family. Also, I wanted to do something special for me for my birthday (11/28/13). I had to change my eating habits if I wanted the weight to come off. I work in a grocery store, so I stopped going to the bakery and Deli for snack time.  Instead, I started to utilize the Produce Department. I used Jillian Michael’s 30 day shred workout DVD and in the first month and lost 13 pounds. It consisted of three 6 min circuits; strength training, cardio, and abs. This DVD started the transformation of my body and changed my life. My transformation took 4 months. I started my weight loss journey 5/1/13 and lost the weight by 9/1/13. This is only the beginning.”

Muriel weight loss photos

 

Belinda lost 65 pounds

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Featured weight loss success story: Belinda lost 65 pounds.  She embraced running, vegetarianism and juicing as part of her weight loss and health plan.  Here is what she shared with us:

“A few years before my before picture was taken, I visited my doctor for a regular check up and she said ” If you do not lose weight now, by age 40 you will be a diabetic.”  I heard her but I was not really listening.  My aha moment happened in a dressing room when I could not fit my normal size 14.  I broke down crying. The first thing I did when I got home that evening was get on the scale.  I was 205 pounds and standing at only 5’4″ tall.  OH MY GOD. I made up in my mind that I would not let that number on the scale control me and that I would begin to make life changing decisions and I did.  I started my journey in 2009.  I started walking a mile a day, then two miles, then three for a few months, then I added running. By 2011, I was running up to 3 miles a day, 5 days a week.  Then in 2012, I decided to become a vegetarian, so I have been eating a plant based diet along with drinking green smoothies. In 2013, I found out about juicing, so I bought the Jack Lalanne juicer.  Now, I drink at least two juices a day? My weight in the before photo was 205 pounds.  My current weight is 140 pounds. It took a few years for me to lose the weight slow and steady I would say. I was motivated to get healthy because I was tired of being tired. My advice to anyone that is struggling with losing weight is to join a support group or get a partner to commit to this life change with you. My motto: ‘Your body is the baggage you must carry through life. The more excess the baggage, the shorter the trip’ – Arnold H. Glasgow”

Belinda weight loss photos

Ten Great Before & After Stories in September 2013

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September was a great month for Black Women Losing Weight and Black Weight Loss Success. We were nominated for Best New Web Site and Best Health Blog by Black Web Blog Awards thanks to all of you (yay!). We also had a good number of women contribute incredible success stories about their weight loss battles by eating clean and by doing regular exercises like walking and Zumba. If you want to tell us your story click here for instructions on how to be featured on the site. The best way to send in your info is via Facebook inbox.  Please go to the Facebook fan page and click on the Message button messageBtn in the top right hand corner of the Facebook page to send us your info.

Please be sure to click on the number buttons or the next buttons at the bottom of the page in order to proceed to the next weight loss story.

#10 Loretta lost 109 pounds

Loretta lost 109 pounds.  She put together her own healthy, effective weight loss and exercise plan.  She has even helped a friend lose 43 pounds since April.  She’s proof that if you do your research and consistently follow a weight loss regime that works for you, weight loss will come.  Here is what she shared with us.
Loretta's weight loss story

Tsitsi lost 75 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Tsitsi lost 75 pounds over the course of 2 years after giving birth to her 2nd baby.  This should give some hope to ladies out there who are still dealing with baby weight, months or years after the birth.  Here is her story:

“Hi im Tsitsi!  I’m a mom to 2 preschoolers, 31 years old and lost 75lbs /34kg!!  After my 6 week post natal checkup,  l was shocked how the scale recorded the 200s (227 pounds) when l had already delivered my 2nd baby (a 7 pounder). l couldn’t fit anything in my closet months after the birth as l kept eating unhealthy.  In denial about my weight and my “I just had a baby” excuse! Finally l read about the 10 000 steps a day challenge and with only $10 for the cost of a pedometer, l started my weight loss journey. l realised l couldnt jump or run yet but l walked, power walked actually, and aimed for 10 000 steps! I lost 10lbs and was motivated to continue. My diet was low carb, high protein.  For carbs, I did 60% veggie, 40% fruit.  I drank 64oz water minimum.  l did buy a juicer after my coworker advised me.  How l adored her green juices! Waking up an hour before family gave me time to tackle Taebo by Billy Blanks, squats, lunges, jumping jacks, crunches, triceps dips and more. I liked how my body was toning and melting fat.  Eventually my friend asked me to try Insanity and April to May 2013 I did. I got past the plateau.  I got 4 inches off tummy, 9 pounds fell off and l felt great!. Today I’m 152 pounds, very confident, workout 5 days and run 10ks 3 days a week.  I also do weightlifting, Zumba, Core Conditioning, T25 and I’m planning another round of Insanity then P90x.  l will have abs that show by the time my son turns 3 in April. It’s been 2 years of slow and steady work but l did it.  I credit eating clean mostly.  On days l feel low, Zumba and Playing Tennis does it for me. Thank You for reading!!”

Tsitsi post baby weight loss

Brittany lost 88 pounds

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Featured weight loss story of the day: Brittany lost 88 pounds.  After a bad breakup and with her cousin as her Zumba partner/inspiration, she learned to eat clean and workout regularly.  Here is her weight release story:

“My name is Brittany and I began my lifestyle transformation back in 2011. I had recently went through a bad breakup and felt so unhappy with myself. I weighed about 290 pounds at the time wearing a size 18/20.  I began going to Zumba classes with my cousin who is also my inspiration for losing weight. Slowly, I began cutting back on sodas, junk food and any other high calorie treats you can think of. It took me about 6 months and I lost 80 pounds, however I wasn’t steady with my eating habits or working out routine, so I gained 50 pounds back by 2012. From 2012 till now, I have lost the rest of the weight I gained. Currently I weigh 202 pounds and wear a 12/14.

I’ve become very conscience about what I put into my body and I try to work out 4-6 days a week. I joined a gym about 3 months ago and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Now, I won’t leave the gym without burning at least 1000 calories. Yes 1000 calories lol. Losing weight and being comfortable in the skin you’re in, is in my opinion the hardest task. If you’re are trying to lose weight, I encourage you to do what works for you. Cleaning eating and working out are the key components to losing weight and being healthy. I would like to lose about 30 more pounds. I will suggest that if you go to the gym, you try the “arc trainer”.  It is one of my favorite machines to use. I will continue eating right and working out for the rest of my life because it’s not just about losing weight but being healthy as well.”

Brittany weight loss story

Tanisha lost 24 pounds

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Tanisha wrote to us to share that she has lost 24 pounds.  It just goes to show that you don’t have to have tremendous weight loss to be excited about getting healthier and having greater wellness.

Tanisha weight loss photos

“Hi, my name is Tanisha and I am emailing you because I was asked to share my weight losa story. I will make my story very short and simple because I found out that  for me losing weight was very simple!! I told myself these 3 things;

  • It’s not gonna happen over night
  • Do Your weight loss plan and not anybody else’s and…
  • Congratulations keep up the good work!!

After I had my third son I weighed 184 lbs.  I just recently weighed myself yesterday and I am down to 160 pounds!!!!! I feel sexy and I look great!!!! I was size 14 and just this weekend I wore a size 11 out to eat with my family!!!”

What did you do in terms of exercise?

“I started by going to the gym almost everyday if I could. Once I saw the weight falling off, I became addicted to the gym!!!! On the days I couldn’t go I would go walk for 45 minutes on my hour lunch break.I try to go to the gym at least twice a week, and if I cant get to the gym then me and 3 boys would go walking when the sun went down and that turned into our “family walk time”. I also do 100 crunches every night before bed.”

How did you change your eating habits?

“I started limiting certain foods, not starving myself.  I had fast food once a wk (sometimes I cheated) but I paid for it. I needed help with my appetite so my doctor started me out on a prescription drug which really helps. Another thing I did was substituting my french fries for a vegetable.  I also drank lots and lots of water. The only soda I drink, if I DO drink a soda, is caffeine free Sprite. If I want something sweet after I eat, I go for a “bite size” candy.  If I don’t have a bite size candy bar, then I only eat half. Lol.

I don’t call this a diet anymore since I’ve been doing it for 3 yrs, I call it a “getting healthy to see my grandkids” plan. I call it the “doing something good for ME for a change” plan. I call it the “because I love me some me” plan.  True enough, I have crazy, busy days but I always say to myself “I didn’t do all this work to go back to the way I was”. My tip to anyone trying to loose weight is to get on a plan that fits YOU. Make no excuses for yourself. Last but not least,  if you don’t like something about yourself know that only YOU can change it!!!”