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Before and After Photos

Kimberly lost 110 pounds

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Featured weight loss success story of the day: Kimberly lost 110 pounds in a little over 8 months.  She primarily credits the changes she made to her eating habits.  Here is what she had to say about losing the weight:

“I lost 110 pounds over 8 months primarily by changing how I ate.  The dietary changes began mentally. I DECIDED NOT to die or have complications from diabetes. I began to pray.  I was asking GOD for answers to why I had so many bouts of 30 day constipation and blood sugars levels of 350 plus all the time!!! I was enlightened and found that meat was my issue. Eating it with every meal, every day was killing my body. Immediately after cutting just meat out of my daily consumption, I lost 20 pounds in 30 days (no exercise yet). After seeing that, I decided to see what wound happen if I didn’t put ANYTHING in my mouth that was bad.  That’s right, I ate NOTHING but fruits, veggies, whole grains and water for a solid year and was exercising for  half of that time.  After losing about 50 pounds, I starting doing a standing ab routine for about 5 days a week for 30 minutes per session. Because I had changed my mind about food, it seemed like I woke up skinny!!! I went from 280 pounds to 170 pounds in one year.  Now, I am a comfortable at 180 pounds and 5’6” tall! I have put some “treats” back in every now and then, but am still enjoying a healthy lifestyle!!”

Kimberly 100 pound weight loss

30 Day Weight Loss: J’me is down from a size 20 to a 14/16

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Sharing about 30 days of weight loss progress, J’me wrote to us to share her photos and let us know she’s down  33 pounds.  She is using her clothes as a measurement for success as well.  She is down from a size 20 to a size 14/16.  That’s right…in a little over 30 days.  Here is what she shared:

J'me weight loss

Sept 4, 2013: I’ve been so inspired by the before and after photos that have been posted in your page that I had to create my own. My beginning weight was 240 as of August 1, 2013, current weight 207 pounds. Thank you for your inspiration.

What was your motivation?

My motivation is to be healthy. Over the past couple of years, I’ve let myself go. I have always watched my weight but now that I’ve gotten married and had a child, it has been really tough staying active and eating right.

I changed my habits because I found that I’d gotten so big that it took a lot of energy to do minimal things.  Plus, I hated what I saw I when I looked in the mirror. I was used to dressing up and having a sense of style but when I realized how big I was, I became depressed and not motivated to dress well. My husband never treated me like he was not attracted to me, but I felt as though he deserved for me to look my best.  I eat mostly low carb foods and wheat bread if I eat any bread at all.

What did your workout routines look like?

Right now, I am walking the neighborhood because it gives me the ability to do the intervals I need, as well as it forces me to keep moving. I know that if I walk by myself three miles away from home, the only way to get back to walk myself back. My issue with gyms is I would start going and then stop, but walking the neighborhood has kept me consistent.

What was your starting weight?  I would have to guess that I had gotten up to 240-245 or so.

What is your current weight? I believe I am around 207. I no longer own a scale so I’m estimating. However,my starting pant size was 20 and now it’s size 14-16 in 30 days.

Amazing Weight Loss: Veronica lost 274 pounds

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Update 2016: Veronica’s story was featured on the Dr. Oz Show on May 10, 2016 – Video

Update 2015: Veronica is down over 290 pounds! Check out what she shared with us about her transformation and videos from her journey below.

veronica weight loss story

Who wants to see my fake belly button? So when I had my skin removal surgery my surgeon completely removed my belly button. But he replaced with this cute new one! Actually I had a cute one before too but this one is smaller. It feels kinda weird, itches sometimes and I don’t really like to touch it. But hey I’ll take progress at any cost. And speaking of cost I’ll finally be doing that video on the entire procedure complete with the shocking before and after, surgery costs and the entire healing process. Thanks to #beachbodychallenge for making this dream possible. I might even be able to bare my midriff some day. Oh and don’t mind that love handle I’m working on it! #transformationtuesday on #flexfriday #meonlybetter #fuckbeingfat #believeandachieve

A photo posted by Veronica (@meonlybetter2013) on

Sept 2013 – We have an amazing weight loss story for you this morning.  Veronica wrote to us to share her 274 weight loss journey.  She has gone from 457 pounds to 183 pounds.  After a terrible accident, her weight ballooned, but she found the strength to change her eating habits and embrace exercise.  It took a number of years, but she lost the weight over time.  Here is her story:

Veronica lost 274 pounds

Growing up I was always the “big girl”. Weight has been a constant struggle for as long as I can remember. I was pretty well resigned to live with the fact that I would always be Plus Size. Some how I came to terms with that. After a terrible and disfiguring automobile accident my weight just skyrocketed. I was hit head on by a drunk driver. Eventually the pain dissipated but I was left with a grotesque keloid scar on my face. The unsightly scar left me feeling hopeless and desolate. Depression set in and my weight soared out of control. Soon my weight was even more grotesque than the scar. Because I felt so ugly and ashamed of my appearance, I simply gave up on taking care of myself. Eating to end my suffering. All the while the eating only exaggerated my suffering. My weight ballooned to a staggering 457 pounds and I literally believed my life was over.

Little by little, I began to change my eating habits and slowly but surely the weight started coming off. I started with the very simple change of eliminating all sodas. Still craving sweet drinks, I switched to fruit juice and gradually made the change to drinking only water. I then began to eat less at each meal. Though I still ate the same types of foods, I just ate much less at a sitting. Through these simple changes alone I was able to drop 80 pounds.

My small leaps and gains encouraged me to want to do more and step it up in a big way. I started watching my carb intake and began doing a variety of workout programs. I decided to embrace a low carb lifestyle. Eliminating all sugar, white flour and starchy foods or vegetables. I know focus on proteins such as meat, pork, poultry and fish. Also included are dairy such as cream, and cheese as well as fresh vegetable and low sugar fruits.

In conjunction with my low carb eating plan I have also incorporated more vigorous and extreme workouts. I manage to fit in some form of excercise at least once a day. I do have one rest day every week in which i generally like to take a leisurely walk around the city and just enjoy my new physical fitness. Healthy food choices, daily exercise and positive thinking are now part of my everday life.

The difference between success and failure this time is that told myself this journey would not be easy. It would not be quick. It would take dedication. Then I committed myself to putting in the work. I knew that realistically it would take up to a year to lose 100 pounds 2 years to lose 200 pounds. Instead of focusing on how much time i had ahead of me I took it one day at a time.

I’ve lost a staggering 274 lbs and i’m well on my way to goal. I currently weigh 183 lbs and will reach goal at 150 lbs. I started my journey doing a 40 minute mile on the treadmill. You start where you can and you’ll get where you’re going. My life used to be about food and what I would eat that day. It still is but in much more positive and healthier way. I am amazed and astonished by my success. If you are one of those people who used to believe like I did that good things only happen to other people I’m here to tell you it can happen to you too!

www.facebook.com/veronica.spriggs

instagram: @MeOnlyBetter2013

Kimberly lost 45 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Kimberly.  She lost 45 pounds by working out and following the Weight Watchers plan.  Here is what she shared about losing the weight and keeping it off:

First off, I wanted to thank you for this page ! Its so inspiring to see so many sisters doing their thing, and taking their health seriously.

Secondly, I want to share my weightless journey with you. I’ve lost 45 pounds in total since January of 2008 and have managed to keep it off . I exercise moderately and continue to follow the Weight Watchers weight loss program on my own to maintain my weight loss.

What was your motivation?

When I reached my highest weight of a size 20/22 , I realized I was a lot heavier than I thought. Shopping became a chore and it’s not supposed to be feel like a chore.

How did you change your eating habits?

I joined Weight Watchers and learned how to properly eat my food. I learned about proper portion sizes and how important exercise really is.

What did your workout routines look like?

I started taking the stairs more and eventually found the courage to join a gym and workout there.

What was your starting weight? 225 pounds

What is your current weight? 180 pounds

How long did your transformation take?  My transformation started in 2008 and I’ve kept the weight off.

Kimberly weight loss success story

Aundra lost 45 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Aundra lost 45 pounds by working out and eating clean.  She went from being afraid to sweat her hair out to loving a tough workout where she is pouring sweat.  Here is what she shared about her weight release journey:

“I stepped on the scale one day and saw the number 206.5. It was then that I decided I really needed to straighten up and fly right about making a lifestyle change. I had tried tons of “diets” and meal delivery plans to lose weight quickly. I’d always lose 10 lbs and gain it right back plus some. I soon realized that I had to change my overall thinking about fitness and eating. I was the girl who hated gyms and exercise. I worried about sweating out my hair not realizing that the key to helping you burn calories is to SWEAT. I set a goal last year (2012) to lose 30 lbs by my 30th birthday and let almost EVERYONE know so that I would be held accountable. I’ve since lost an overall total of 45 lbs, now weighing in at 161 since beginning my weight loss journey through clean eating and lots of exercise. Clean eating isn’t as difficult as it first appears and now that my body has adjusted. I no longer crave the artificial things that I consumed before. It took me a year and half to achieve this progress. I have a personal trainer that I work out with 3 times a week. The focus with him is full body, abs, endurance and resistance training. I’ve also incorporated boxing and hip hop dance into my workout routine. You have to find what you love and run with it. As of now, I don’t feel like I’ve worked out if I’m not drenched in sweat at the end. I’ve eliminated the word “diet” from my vocabulary because this is truly a lifetime effort. In the end, I feel as though I’m just a regular girl who finally decided to get serious about fitness with the focus on being lifetime fine,

Could you tell us more about what you did to change your eating habits?

As far as clean eating, I eliminated all processed and fast foods as well as sodas and juice. I drank half my body weight in water daily. My diet consisted mainly of broiled, baked or grilled fish, chicken or turkey. I ate lots of green vegetables such as spinach (raw and cooked), kale, broccoli and asparagus. I incorporated protein as often as possible to give me a feeling of fullness by eating foods such as greek yogurt, almonds (which I included in snack packs of apples and carrots), string cheese and boiled eggs for breakfast. I learned to eat 5 small meals a day which kept me from feeling hungry or eating just because I was bored.
How long did your transformation take?
I started my weight loss journey in May 2012 and reached my goal weight in July 2013.
Aundra weight loss

Chantal lost 114 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some love to Chantal!  She lost 114 pounds with gastric sleeve weight loss surgery.  Here is what she shared with us:

Doing seven days of cardio and strength training classes at the gym and burning no less then 900 calories before I left the gym was STILL not working for me. After countless efforts and hard work that seemed pointless, I opted to have sleeve gastrectomy weight reduction surgery on July 2, 2012. With that and still doing my current 7 day workouts, consisting of a 3.7 mile walk, doing 440 alternating lunges and squats, 440 military crunches, & 440 alternating push-ups/arm dips, I went from 287 pounds to 173 pounds. I found the tool that worked for me. My diet consists of 80-100g of protein per day, along with all the veggies I can eat and half my weight in terms of ounces of water.

My motivation was and still is to be the best me that I can be so that I may live a long life and see my children grow into adults. My advice to others is to find the right foods and workout that work for and look good on you because everyone’s body is different.  What may work for one person may be an Epic fail for you!

This is my story, I am human, I am real, I am truth. Find what works for u and just go with it  Carpe Diem! “Be phenomenal or be forgotten”~E.T

weight loss journey

Lisa lost 59 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Lisa lost 59 pounds with programs like the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program and Weight Watchers.  She also embraced walking and jogging.  Read about how she lost the pounds and beat a diagnosis of pre-diabetes:

Lisa weight loss story

“The company I work for started a wellness program in March of 2012, which included wearing a pedometer and tracking your daily steps, as well as submitting blood work to check your glucose and cholesterol levels. I began the wellness program weighing in at 234 pounds. I was “moving”, but not losing, which was kind of discouraging. My blood work showed that I was in the pre-diabetes stage. My insurance company United Healthcare started sending me information on the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program. I joined the 16 week Program on July 11, 2012. This program is offered nationwide and United Healthcare paid the enrollment fee. I weighed in at 226 pounds and I’m happy to report that I lost a total of 26 pounds and I am no longer pre-diabetic. Unfortunately, once the program ended in October 2012, I saw the scale creeping back up, and I gained 3 pounds. So, decided to join Weight Watchers in December 2012 to help me continue to lose and maintain a healthy lifestyle. I weighed 203.6 pounds at that time and my company joined another wellness program Virgin HealthMiles in January 2013. I have lost a total of 59 lbs. since March 2012, I currently weigh 175 pounds.

I have so much more energy, I hate that it has taken me 20+ years to “finally get it”. I was never a morning person, but now I’m proud to say I rise six days a week at 5:30 a.m. to meet my best friend Melinda Cheshier for an hour of walking. We even walk a nice casual stroll over lunch. I have even started jogging, using the app C25K (Couch to 5K). I am just beside myself and there is more for me to accomplish. I’m 3000 health miles from entering the final stage of the Virgin HealthMiles program. You earn cash for each stage (there are five stages). I’m in the lead of all my co-workers (there’s 23 on staff). It should normally take a person a year to complete all five stages, but I’m almost there in 9 months. My office nominated me in the Westin Hotel’s “Better Monday’s Wellness Program and I won. I was the first recipient for this new program. The Westin staff presented me with some cool prizes: I won a new pair of New Balance tennis shoes, a nice back pack, a Better Monday’s t-shirt and an overnight stay in a King Plaza Suite, which includes valet parking and breakfast at Shula’s Steakhouse.

Folks are constantly asking me “what are you doing”? My response is “ACTIVITY”, the key to better living is to become active and control your portions. If you watch what you eat and try to move most days of the week, you are on your way to better living and a healthy lifestyle. I have even gotten my husband exercising and eating healthy. He has lost 20 pounds; he’s walking at work on breaks and is now wearing a pedometer. He’s all set up with his own pedometer and IPod. When I see him accomplishing 12,000+ steps a day, it does my heart good.

I’m spreading the word everywhere I go on how getting up and moving does the body good. I wouldn’t walk a block before and haven’t ran since I was in my teens, now you CAN’T STOP ME!!!  Thank you so much for listening to my story

Aquonette lost 48 pounds

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Let’s show some love to Aquonette.  She lost 48 pounds, going from a size 22 to a size 14.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

Aquonette weight loss

What was your motivation? 

My names is Aquonette, for the last 20 years I’ve struggled with being overweight and the medical problems associated with obesity. After my third blood pressure tablet was added and I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic, I knew it was time to make a change. For years my doctor told me that by changing my diet and adding exercise I could possibly come off some of the medication, improve my overall health and other medical problems associated with fibromyalgia.

On January 1, 2013, I made the usual resolution to lose weight and started praying daily for the strength I needed to succeed. It wasn’t until February 18, 2013, that I woke up mentally ready for the challenge. I am blessed with supportive family members, friends and coworkers that keep me encouraged.  The Black Women Losing Weight success stories keep me inspired and focused on my goal and provide me with useful information. At the beginning of my journey, my sister encouraged me to use My Fitness Pal to keep a food and exercise diary to monitor my caloric intake and this site has provided invaluable support.
How did you change your eating habits? 
I changed my eating habits by using portion control and cutting out fried foods. I carry my lunch to work daily which consists of mostly spinach with grilled chicken or a homemade turkey burger with no bun and a piece of fruit. My dinner consists of combinations of fruits and vegetables, salads with colorful vegetables, brown rice, grilled or baked chicken, turkey, fish and shrimp. For snacks, I enjoy raw almonds and an occasional skinny cow ice cream bar.  At the start of my journey, I overcame a serious addiction to Sprite. I thought I’d need rehab to overcome my addition to soda but with God’s help I was able to beat it without rehab. Now, I drink a gallon of water daily.
What did your workout routines look like?  
My workout consists of exercising no less than 4 days per week. I started off by walking in my neighborhood and then added exercise DVDs that include Leslie Sansone’s Walk Away the Pounds and Jillian Michaels’ 30 day Shred.  I recently started walking/jogging on the weekends and doing Shape Fit for strength training.
What was your starting weight?  
My highest weight was 242 pounds.  When I started my journey in February, I was 235 pounds, wearing a size 20-22.  After 6 months of lifestyle changes, my current weight is 194 pounds and I’m wearing a size 14. My doctor has taken me off all the blood pressure medication.  I am enjoying the transformation and feel that I am no longer existing but living my life.
I am thankful for this site and the inspiration it has provided to me and so many other women.

Kiya lost 57 pounds

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Featured weight loss success story of the day: Kiya of New York lost 57 pounds.  She worked out regularly, ate a reduced calorie diet and made the decision to lose weight for no one but her.  Read what she had to say:

“I have struggled with weight loss until recently when I figured out that the only person I need to be healthy for is me! When I returned home to New York from college in 2006 I was 250 pounds (She’s a Bennett Belle). I did not realize how much I had gained over the four years that I was away, until my mother and great grandmother expressed to me in no other way a black woman could but by calling me FAT.  Since that day, I told myself that I love me anyway but I started walking and changing somethings around. In 2010 I was still 230 pounds. I thought I was fine until I was introduced to working out by my boyfriend. I had a hard time listening to him, because no one wants to hear their man tell them they need the gym.  I was reluctant to go. One day in 2011, I decided that I was not happy with myself and joined the gym.

I’ve now lost the weight after 2 years of the gym.  Currently, I’ve switched to 3 weeks of working out at home with a workout DVD.  My transformation also included GREAT “eating to live” recipes.  I’ve changed my eating habits by eating under 1500 calories a day. I have a Chocolate protein shake in the morning and I Only eat whole grains, rolled oats and lots of fruits, vegetables and lean proteins that are poached or broiled. Best part of my diet is the banana pops I make with dark chocolate and toasted hazelnuts.  I am not hungry!

I currently weigh 193 pounds.  Anyone who wants to lose weight must want it for THEM and no one else! It works better when you’re your own motivation!  Also, don’t be afraid to spend money on being healthy living doctors bills are more expensive!  I’m 57lbs down with an abundance of inches. I am so much happier with me I can’t even explain it in words.That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! Happy Life, Happy in my skin, Happy Me!”

weight loss photo

Lucinda lost 90 pounds

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Lucinda lost 90 pounds with a medically supervised diet plan and by working out.  Her health was improved in a number of ways.  She is no longer diabetic or dealing with sleep apnea.  Here is what she shared with us:

weight loss success

I would like to share my weight loss journey.  Hopefully it will encourage someone somewhere to get up, get started and be motivated to transform into a new healthier and better looking person!! My journey started when I went to my annual exam on 12/24/12.  I’ve been plus size for a very long time, and on this day I weighed 306.5 pounds. On 12/28/12, my doctor called me with the lab results and began telling me I was in the diabetic range. When he said the “D” word that lifted my spirit to motivate me to do something about my weight! A really good friend of mine named Doretta had been loosing a lot of weight on the Optifast program.  I looked into it and even went for a consultation. I began changing my eating habit immediately. I also started preparing diabetic foods. During my consultation, Dr. Angela Tran was focused on what my health conditions were and how the plan could benefit me.

I had, asthma, sleep apnea, and was possibly diabetic by that time. I have also had two breast surgeries with one cancer positive cyst removal. I started the Optifast program on Jan. 9, 2013, which is a 22 week medically monitored weight loss program (liquid diet focus). I was encouraged stay dedicated to the program during the 22 weeks as it re-trains and shrinks your stomach back to the normal size. I was determined to loose the health issues I was dealing with, so I was very dedicated to the weight loss program. I would go to weigh in weekly and meet with Dr. Tran. At my appointments she would teach me all the things I didn’t know about weight loss, eating, etc. to help me when I graduate from the program. For example “listen to your body when it speaks” I know that may sound weird but when your body says “I’m full” you should listen and stop eating. That is very hard.

I also met with a personal trainer named Liz weekly.  She would teach me exercises and what areas I should work out. Working out could be a struggle, and often overwhelming. So, I would walk 6-8 miles a day at the beginning.  Now I’m up to walking 11 miles a day and doing about 200 squats. Working out has become the best habit I could of ever developed! I am not done with this journey and I have lost 90 pounds so far.  Along with losing the weight, in April my medical labs were pulled and I’m no longer in diabetic range. I have not had any asthma issues since.  Also, I retested for sleep apnea and that is no longer a problem!!  It’s no longer necessary for me to have a mammogram every three months!! I thank God for giving me strength daily to stay motivated and press on during this difficult journey and for placing a resource by way of a friend, Doretta, in my life to share with me. I hope if there’s anyone out there struggling with any types of health conditions, that you decide to make a change and begin your weight loss journey.