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Before and After Photos

Curvy Confident & Fit: Trina lost 52 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Trina lost over 52 pounds and has abs for days!  She is the founder of Curvy, Confident and Fit, a great Facebook community for fitness and weight loss.

Trina lost 52 pounds

I asked her to share her weight loss journey with us:

“Hello everyone!! I wanted to share my weight loss story and more with you ladies!!

This before picture is of me two weeks after giving birth to my son by c-section four years ago and my after picture is me after changing my eating habits and working out for the lasts 13 months!!  I started Jan 2012 weighing 230 and reached my goal of 180 Jun 2012. Lost a couple more since but focusing more on inches and toning:-).

I began my journey On January 2, 2012 by the grace of God with a new mind and determination!! I had always been somewhat into fitness but I could never control my eating habits!! Through prayer and God’s strength, He gave me the self-control that I needed and I immeditaley was easily able to cut out all the chips, cake, cookies, sodas, fried and sugary foods, etc and started eating more lean meats only baked, fruits, veggies, whole-grains, legumes, and also I cut out the sodas and juices! I was able to loose 50 pounds and go from my starting weight of 230 to my goal weight of 180 in the first 6 months! Once the weight came off I focus more on the toning. I cut out all the long cardio session and started doing more short intensifed workouts and focus more on toning and shaping my body. I basically use anywhere from 10-30 lbs dumbbells and do exercises like squats, lunges, deadlifts, should pressess, dips, etc. Nothing fancy:-) My cardio consist of running and spinning most of the time but always at a high intensity level as well:-) I work my core three days a week and do a variety of exercises like front and side planks, bridges, jackknives, flutter kicks, reverse crunches and the supermans to target the lower back, etc. I can tell you ladies to maintain yor midsection you MUST get your eating habits right at least 90% of the time. There are times when I notice a difference in my midsection, I don’t care how hard I worked for that week, if my eating was really off my stomach was off 🙂 Anyway ladies just wanted to share and let you all know it is possible to get your body back!!

Fabiola lost 93 pounds

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Fabiola lost 93 pounds with the help of weight loss surgery.  Check out her story and a video of her transformation below.Fabiola weight loss

Here are the details of her story:

Im only here to speak the truth and nothing but the truth! In 2009, I started my weight loss journey at 288 pounds. I had the lap band and at the time, had lost 60 pounds in a year. I ended up gaining all the weight back.  It was a struggle everyday.  It was hard to eat dense protein like chicken or turkey bc I would get “stuck”. I found myself eating cookies and starch all the time cause those “slider” foods went down well. I knew that surgery could NEVER fix my food addiction. Before surgery I vowed to give up junk if I could be satisfied with small healthy portions. Unfortunately with the band, I was never truly satisfied with small portions and that’s the truth. I commend those who reached their goals with the band because its NOT easy.

Weight loss surgery is not the easy way out, if it were then real people like me would have never failed the first time around..It is a tool that if used correctly and if it is effective, can help you lose weight!

Luckily for me, I was able to get the band revised to the gastric sleeve in June 2012.. This tool is more effective for ME. My stomach is smaller now and I’m finally able to eat dense protein and stay satisfied like I always wanted! This is the ONLY thing that has worked for ME and I could not have accomplished so much without this tool. I had to make drastic changes such as eliminating carbs sodas and junk from my diet…I concentrate on eating a lot of proteins like chicken, fish, eggs etc. Premiere protein shake from Costco is great! 160cal and 30g protein! Chocolate flavor is the best, had to throw that in! Lol..I work out 6 days a week and do a lot of strength training to avoid sagging skin. I love every minute of my journey and will continue to put an end to obesity.

If you are against weight loss surgery then I truly wish u the best on losing it the natural way, hopefully you will get there soon..But to everybody else who has tried doing it the natural way for years on end and are tired of being in denial and are interested in weight loss surgery, I say live your life for you! Cause at the end of the day, when the lights go off and your buried 6 feet deep, ain’t nobody gonna be there but you. So stop worrying about what others think and live your life the way you want to before it too late. If weight loss surgery is your last option then at least your making a last effort instead of just sitting there and packing on more pounds…Plus If everybody else can be happy, why can’t you?  Be blessed always, Fabiola Apollon”

Kimberly lost 60 pounds

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Today’s featured success story: Kimberly lost 60 pounds post-baby with juicing, Zumba and the Daniel Fast.  Her story is another example that adding more fruits and veggies and cleaning up your diet can lead to rapid results.

Kimberly weight loss feb

Here is what she had to say about her weight loss journey:
“I have lost 60lbs so far. I started out juicing for 3 weeks then began eating salads, fish and fruit. No sugar or starches, only whole grains.  I’m currently on a 21 day fast called the Daniel Fast which is basically  just fruits and veggies. As far as my workout I do Zumba for cardio and resistance workouts with resistance bands.  I also do pushups crunches for my abs.  My journey took about 6 months.
A lot of people have had negative things to say the 1st time I lost weight, well guess what Im doing again!!! The SAME way ..Clean healthy eating and exercising & In That Order. Theses pix are embarrassing but I can care less because I know where God has brought me from.  I only hope to be motivation to someone else! #thatisall #motivated #blessed”

Renate lost 41 pounds

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Another Zumba success story!  Renate lost 41 pounds.  She says:

“Hi BWLW, I’m proud of my accomplishment of losing 41 lbs! I have 70 lbs to go and I’m well on my way! Zumba and protein shakes are helping me a great deal. I struggle with fast food but I’m not as bad as I use to be. The first pic I took in June 2012.  I started my journey on 8/13/12. It has been work and I love it!! Just wanted to share my story because I’m proud of me.”

renate weight loss

Toccaro lost 248 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Toccaro lost 248 pounds with the help of weight loss surgery (gastric bypass).  She is now a certified spin instructor and is prepping for a bodybuilding competition.

Toccaro weight loss

Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

“After reaching 435 pounds, I had gastric bypass in 2008. I been working hard every since. I have lost 248lbs, and I am currently a certified spin instructor teaching at three different gyms. I work with a personal trainer two days a week and I am currently training to prepare for my first female body building competition. In terms of eating I have a balanced diet of lean protein, veggies, and I juice 4 days a week. I restrict processed sugars, high fat, and heavy carbs!”

Toccaro’s workouts are no joke.  Check out her video.

Niesha lost 80 pounds

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We are keeping food journals for our February Challenge and I know that a lot of us are using My Fitness Pal to do so.  I wanted to share Niesha’s story with you.  She lost 80 pounds with the help of MFP.

Niesha weight loss

Here is what she wrote us about her journey:

“After having my son in March of 2009 and having to take care of my father, I didn’t have much of a social life. I never realized how big I’d gotten and everyone else did notice but never said anything. So after the passing of my father in 2011, I decided to get fit and healthy. I downloaded this app called My Fitness Pal and began to eat healthier.  I drank plenty of water and I exercised 5-7 days per week (up to 3 hrs per day). I even have a gym membership.  I barely go due to work and my son, but I exercise at home. With these few things, I’d lost 80lbs within a year. I still have more to go but with a page like this, the Great Lord above and my wonderful son I was able to achieve this goal. I wanna say Thank You for posting pics and giving tips because it has helped me alot.”

Shelia lost 35 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Shelia lost 35 pounds.

Shelia weight loss

Here is what Shelia had to say about her weight loss journey:

“I’d like to share my story. I have lost 35lbs. I workout at least 2 hours a day. I love Taebo, kickboxing, and cardio. I stay away from a lot of fried foods. I started this journey a about a year ago on January 1, 2012. I started at 206 lbs.  Today, I weigh 173 lbs.  My goal was to be healthier. I eat a lot vegetables, very little bread, drink plenty of water, no sodas.  I substitute turkey for ground beef.  I also eat alot of chicken and fish.  Thank you and this page is such an inspiration.”

Cassandra lost 32 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Cassandra lost 32 pounds by exercising and following the Paleo Diet.

Cassandra weight loss

Cassandra wrote to us and shared her photos and weight loss story:

“I was at my heaviest weight of 201 lbs after having a complicated pregnancy. Two years later, I was still the same weight and of blaming it on the childbirth. I tried many diets. Either I was eating healthy and not working out or vice versa. I was not consistent. I lost some weight doing Taebo and P90X. I joined Crossfit Sumter in September 2012. That is when I became serious about exercising. The only problem was that I wan’t quite eating the way I should. I tried the Paleo diet and noticed the weight and inches fading away.  I am more happier and healthier now than I have been in a while. My currently weigh 169 lbs.”

Debra lost 40 pounds

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Update Oct 2015: Debra shared her story with us in 2013 and now she’s given us an update. She’s down 10 more pounds, recently ran a half marathon and is still off of high blood pressure meds. – “I shared my story with your page a while back and I just wanted you to know that I am still going strong. I’ve been on this fitness journey for 4 years now. However, it has been 3 years that I’ve been off blood pressure medication. Also, I just ran my first half marathon. Woot woot! I have lost a total of 50 pounds so far. I still meal prep because it keeps me accountable, and still workout about 4-6 times a week. Your page continues to inspire me to keep going, so I just wanted to say thanks again for the inspiration!”

debra before and after

Feb 2013 – Debra lost 40 pounds and got off blood pressure medication by embracing running and joining Weight Watchers.  

Debra weight loss

She wrote to us about her weight release story:

“Here’s my story…I have struggled with my weight for years.  It wasn’t until I was placed on blood pressure medicine that I knew I needed to change my habits. My doctor told me the only way to get off of them was for me to lose weight, and maintain the weight lost. That was my mission…to get off that medicine. It was June of 2011 when I started the blood pressure medicine. I began July of 2011 with my journey (1st pic). The middle pic is July of 2012, and the third pic is Jan 2013. Oh and by-the-way I have been off my blood pressure medicine for 5 months now.

I joined Weight Watchers in 2011. In the beginning, I was not consistent with the plan and my weight loss wasn’t happening so I stopped going. In February of 2012 I rejoined and have been consistent. In April of 2012 a friend and I decided to run a 5k. We planned to run it late that summer. So I started training by using the app Couch to 5k. Running the 3 days of week really kicked my weight loss into gear along with making healthier food choices. We ran the 5k in late August and we completed the 3.2 miles in 35 minutes…for us that was great for our first race. I have continued to run to help maintain my weight loss. I have never felt better. In addition, it’s pages like BWLW that help to encourage and inspire people to get healthy. Thanks for providing a platform for people to share their stories.”

Glorie lost over 30 pounds

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Update: Glorie lost another 10 pounds.  Check out her update below.

Today’s featured weight loss success story: Our international BWLW Member, Glorie, wrote us to tell us about her weight release journey.  She says, “Hi there! my name is Glorie and I am in Tanzania-East Africa. Your updates inspired me a lot to change my image and in less than 5 months I have lost over 30 pounds and still going!  I started eanting healthy and enrolled in a gym. So,  here is my before and after pics to share with every other black women around the world! We are doing this! Its time to be healthy!”

Glorie weight loss

“I started eating healthy by avoiding junk foods that I used to eat. As you know here in Africa the most common foods are rice, ugali (maize flour) which are rich caboyhrates and red meat is used in almost all of our daily dishes. I was on a diet program that allowed me to eat healthy and not to exceed 600 calories per day for the first 9 days. Thereafter, I joined a gym and I was working out 5 days a week in aerobics classes and drinking lots of water. For now am on a strict diet, that i have developed myself whereby it rotates raw foods and juices for 1 week each.  I have also found out that drinking cinnamon tea mixed with honey also helps in shedding the pounds off. I now do strength training where I concentrate on my thighs and tummy as thats where I carry most of my weight. I am truly inspired by your page and it gives me hope and alot of tips when am slacking or giving hope. So be assured that this is all over the WORLD!  Even in Africa, we’re losing the weight too.  Thank you alot and never stop what you are doing.  Be blessed.”

Update May 17, 2013 –

Hello there!  It’s Gloria Ojare all the way from Tanzania-East Africa. Again I have made some tremendous efforts and YAY…I am down 40 pounds now!!! Yay! Yay! I am so thankful to God and again so proud of myself; I just can’t imagine if I had never made up my mind to get healthy what would have happened or how would I be now. To me this is my new lifestyle. I have managed to pull off the extra 10 pounds since I last shared with ya’ll. This time I had to change my regimen. Every morning I took warm water mixed with cinnamon, lemon juice and ginger powder. I also continued to exercise but this time I skip rope at least 30-45mins every 4days. I also completely cut all sugary stuffs and limited my carbohydrates intake by adopting the STANLEY DIET.  I kept on going no matter what or how I felt and so far I am ecstatic of my transformation. I speak to every woman trying to loose weight..DONT EVER GIVE UP!  Stay ON and be consistence surely you shall see result in you and your general health. I thank everyone whose photo has been posted because whenever I look at them I smile and I say WOW..it can be done…it can be done. 9th July,2013 will mark 1year since I started my weight release journey!

Glorie weight loss before and after