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

Isa lost 140 pounds

by 22 Comments

Isa lost 140 pounds with weight loss surgery and she looks amazing.  She says, “I originally lost 70 lbs (from 278 to 208) from the LA Weight Loss Program in 2005/2006. I then went up to 294 (which is pictured above) in December 2009. I had the gastric bypass surgery in December 2009 and with hard work and dedication I lost 140 lbs. My lowest weight was 154 lbs. I had a baby November 2011 and prior to my pregnancy and marriage I maintained my weight by eating healthy and keeping active. I have about 30 lbs to lose from my pregnancy and tubal ligation but with hard work and dedication I know I will lose it. I support whatever healthy weight loss tactics work for you. I have never really been consistent with exercise but I now realize that it is essential and I will start to incorporate more activity into my everyday life. I am also looking forward to participating in your December challenge.”

Isa weight loss

Wendy lost 35 pounds

by 9 Comments

Today’s featured success story: Wendy of Virgina Beach lost 35 pounds by changing up her eating habits and joining an adult Jam Skating crew.

wendy weight loss photos

Wendy has gone from 220 pounds to 185 pounds.  I asked her what she did to lose the weight.  She said, “In terms of eating I changed my diet to no fast food, no sodas. Only alcohol was dry wine, no sweets, and complex carbs instead of regular carbs. Lean protein, and lots of veggies. For exercise I am on an adult Jam Skating crew and we skate 2 to 3 times a week.”  Great job, Wendy!!

LaKesha lost 45 pounds

by 20 Comments

Today’s featured weight loss success story: LaKesha lost 45 pounds by eating clean and exercising.

lakesha lost 45 pounds

Hi,my name Is Kesha. I started my weight loss journey August 2012. My little sister Nicole Jones had lost alot of weight, and just seeing how good she look’d and how healthy she was INSPIRED me. She shared with me the tools i needed to lose weight instead of maintaining the weight I had. I’ve changed my eating habits, to “clean eating” & I exercise. In this collage my weight loss is 45 lbs.My journey is far from over, I have 70 more I would like to lose. However, I am excited about my current loss.This is NOT a diet to me, it’s my new way of LIFE. Thank you for allowing me to share ♥

Update:  LaKesha posted a video about her feature.  🙂

Datasha lost 103 pounds

by 43 Comments

Today’s featured weight loss success story: Datasha lost 103 pounds by exercising and changing old eating habits.

Datasha lost 100 pounds

Here is what she had to say:

“Enough was just enough for me. I wanted a lifestyle change rather than a quick fix. For the most part, I’ve always been successful in just about everything I’ve decided to do. However, the weight seemed to have control, literally. I found myself doing extra to compensate for the weight gain. Until I said, Okay something has to give. Get control of yourself, and that’s when I considered Gastric bypass.

After going to the orientation, I was like whoaaaa, that’s pretty evasive surgery. I was under 35 years old and had never had surgery of any kind. However, I had to do something and continued in the process of the six-month weight management requirement, which included visiting a nutritionist once a month for six months. I promised myself and God that I would try to lose the weight without the surgery during the six month time period.

Needless to say I was scared straight! I started to do little by little, I’d never been on any kind of exercise program, and diets – you could forget it. I ate what I wanted to eat and when I wanted to eat it (late night snacking is the worst). But this time was life or death for me…. I meant business—I took back CONTROL over that area of my life. One step at a time…. I started exercising; I began to cut back on how much I ate and lessened my Pepsi intake day by day. Week after week, my old bad eating habits and lack of exercise changed gradually. And yes the results begin to roll in. Every month during my visits with the nutritionist she’d say “you’ve lost more weight?!?!?! And finally she mentioned that if I lost a few more pounds I would no longer be eligible for surgery. Well, I didn’t have Gastric Bypass and have lost over 100 pounds (103 to be exact) and counting….. YOU can too! To God be all the GLORY !”

Learn more about her journey at www.bodybytosha.com

Nina lost 48 pounds

by 24 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Nina lost 48 pounds and is my newest weight loss HERO.  She battled colon cancer and serious health issues to emerge with greater health and pounds lost.  She is a survivor!  If you have a ton of excuses as to why you can’t lose weight, you need to read this story for inspiration.

Read her amazing story:

“30+ years with Progressive Systemic Sclerosis- the drs say Im supposed to be crippled by now. Survived colon cancer and an abusive husband . . .you CAN get fit if you want to. Oh and I run even with chronic asthma! C’mon ladies, with prayer and hard work its possible.

I was already a decent eater WHEN I ate.  I had a colectomy so eating has been a challenge, but I was malnourished from not eating regularly and eating late at night when I did eat. So the 1st change was to eat several times a day. Then I cut out white sugar. Except when I eat out, I only use Agave nectar especially in tea or even fruit (not juice) in recipes and NO soda – that took care of 12 lbs almost immediately. When I’m extra busy, I substitute a smoothie for a meal so its portable. The rest is exercise. I work out 7 days a week. I walk/run 4-5 days totally 25-35 miles a week. I do strength training and core exercises at home and throw in Zumba and yoga for fun whenever my schedule permits. I’m now doing a 5K (always for charity) about once a month and my goals are: 20lbs more, added strength training and to complete a 10K. Im only 5’1″ and had been 212 lbs. Im about 164 now and would like to be at or near 145. Because the PSS can cause wasting I need to be muscle heavy to keep up my joint and muscle strength and I need to keep the fat away from my upper belly because of my chronic asthma, lung sclerosis and pulmonary hypertension . . .oh yeah, I have less than 60% lung capacity on the right side – walking a flight of steps can be brutal some days so running has been the most surprising achievement ever !

I want to Thank You for this page/group where everyone is SO positive and encouraging. I would have NEVER posted a picture of my whole body before now and before reading all the testimonies.”

Sharnita lost 79 pounds

by 16 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story:  Sharnita lost 79 pounds by juicing and eating a raw food diet.  I’m a big believer in raw vegan living so it’s great to see another example of the results that eating this way can bring.

Sharnita lost 79 pounds

Here is what she had to say:

“I want to share my weight loss journey. I was 269 in the pic on the left. I started eating clean by juicing, incorporating a RAW food diet and cutting out on all the unnecessary foods.  I trained with the BEST trainer on the planet Don Bernoudy here in the Raleigh/Durham NC area. I’ve learned so much from being under his wings with treating my body as a temple of God and keeping a leveled head and being confident with myself. In the pic to the right I am 190, and I’m still going strong.  I’ve had a set back where I’ve gained 18lbs over the summer but I’ve knocked that off and I’m back on my grind… I’ve learned that living a healthy lifestyle is all mental and once you get your mental together then NOTHING can STOP you.  I feel great and I look even better  I love the New and Improve me.  Please feel free to inbox me on FB with any questions or tips.  Also the ladies that i train with, we have a group on FB called kingdom wellness Team DB, look us up and join the group. we are a group that encourage, motivate, and celebrate each others accomplishments.  Lets Get It Ladies!!! Be Blessed!!”

Trina lost 50 pounds

by 14 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Trina lost 50 pounds by changing her eating habits and making healthier choices.  Check out her Facebook page, “Curvy, Confident, and FIT“.

Trina lost 50 pounds

Hi my name is Trina and I just want to sahre my journey with you all:-) My before picture was taken in September of 2011 at 230lbs. I didn’t start my journey until January of 2012 When I knew without a doubt I was ready for my change! My after picture (middle photo) was taken in June of 2012. In less than six months I was down to my goal weight 180 lbs. I told to ya’ll I was ready!! I prayed long and hard about this change and I knew it was gonna happen:) I began slowly changing my eating habits and started making more healthier choices. I basically started eating “cleaner” 90% percent of the time:-) Lean meats, whole-grain and fruit and veggies. I also got myself back in the gym and stayed consistent. I do everywork out and machine there is along with weighting lifting and running. I lost 50lbs of excess baggage!! I had to work from the inside out removing some deep insecurities I had been suppressing for years! I began to truly love myself and started taking care of my temple. My mind was finally freed from all that bondage! God has truly given me the strength do ALL things!! I feel great! My whole mind, body and spirit has changed and this is about a lifestyle change!! My transformation after nine months of eating clean and amping up my workouts (third photo). I’ve always loved my shape but had the desire to be fit as well!! It’s a balancing act but with self-love and dedication it can be done!! I’m currently 178 (52lbs gone!) and have no desire to loose anymore weight. My goal now is to tone, trim and lift:-)

Lisa lost 76 pounds

by 22 Comments

Today’s featured weight loss success story: Lisa lost 76 pounds and became a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Fitness Instructor.  She has provided the FULL details of her weight loss journey (below) and I think her story will resonate with a lot of BWLW Ladies.

Lisa Woods weight loss story
The small photo was at my heaviest weight of 200 lbs when I was about 20-21 years old. On the left is a pic of me in 2007 when I regained back 1/2 the weight I lost. On the right, recent photo.

She wrote us to say:

“Here is my weight loss success story! I am 34 years old, 5’3 and currently weigh 124 lbs. My starting weight was 200lbs. That was my heaviest weight when I was about 20-21 years old. After I graduated college and got a job, I started gaining weight from all the office lunches and morning meeting breakfasts. I wasn’t exercising so I went from a size 9 to a size 18 over a few years. Of course no one said anything to me about my weight but I knew something was wrong. I claimed that I didn’t have money to hire a trainer but I did have the money because how was I buying all the crap food I was eating? If I had the money to buy crap food, I had the money to invest in my health. I ended up hiring a personal trainer who ended up becoming my mentor. I took her aerobic classes and began working part time for her gym as front desk desk. I ended up losing 70 lbs!

Over the next few years I started teaching spinning classes at her gym and became a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Fitness Instructor in 2005! But just like everyone else, there comes a time when you start to think that you can go back to eating whatever you want…I stopped counting calories and even though I was still working out every day, I started gaining weight again because I wasn’t eating properly. Which brings me to 2007 when of the 70 lbs I lost, I gained back 35 because I wasn’t eating correctly. By my wedding in June 2007, I was back up to 171! When I got back from our honeymoon, I buckled down again and got back on track. My clients stayed with me because I was on the same struggle as them. Personal trainers are human too…we fall and stumble just like everyone else. I got back on track and lost all the weight by counting calories, weighing and measuring my food and of course exercising. I also decided to start training to run half marathons, but I started off by running 5ks, then 10ks, a few 15ks and then the big one. I got my weight back down to 134.

By the end of 2009, I had run many 5ks, 10ks, 1 15k and 5 half marathons. At the end of January 2010, I was pregnant with my 1st child…even though I watched what I ate and worked out every day, I still managed to gain 36 lbs which once again brought my weight back up to 171 when I gave birth! I was so depressed because I didn’t want to have to go through the weight loss yet again but that’s exactly what I had to do. So it did it! I continued to workout at home, canceled my gym membership and got down to business! By 6 months post partum I was back to 134 (my pre pregnancy weight). I kept it going after that by joining myfitnesspal.com to keep track of everything that I ate. I continued to solely workout at home doing programs such as Insanity, Asylum vol and and i just completed Asylum vol 2! My exercise routine right now consists of interval and circuit training. I drink atleast 1/2 a gallon or more of water per day, eat over 100g of protein, I also monitor my carbs, far and sodium intake via myfitnesspal. I also completed 2 half marathons this year and will continue my running and sports specific exercises to bring my fitness to new level. I am currently 124 lbs and have been maintaining at this weight since March of this year. I am where I want to be and will continue to maintain at my current weight.

What I have learned through my journey is that once you get to your goal, the work doesn’t end there. You have to keep going and continue to watch what you eat because if not you will gain back the weight. I’ve also learned that I am capable of doing so much more than what my mind tells me! I tell my clients all the time to believe in themselves because each and every one of us has it in us to succeed! You just have to ask yourself, how bad do you want it? If you want it bad enough, you will stop making excuses why you can’t, and start coming with with reasons why you can! Once you do that, it will all fall into place but you have to do the work!! You have to keep pushing play every day and not let anything or anyone stand in YOUR way of getting to YOUR finish line!! I didn’t!! If I did it, you can do it!! Believe in yourself!! Invest in your health! It will be worth it in the end!!”

Carmen lost 92 pounds

by 36 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Carmen lost 92.5 pounds with the help of Black Girls Run.  Here’s what Carmen had to say about her weight loss journey:

“I am a wife and mother of 8 children. I work full time and in school for my Masters in Nurse Midwifery. Why am I saying all of this? Because many people think they don’t have “time” to workout/live healthy. But my Grandfather always said “there’s no excuse” so I adopted that philosophy into my life. I was scared of the possibilities of what could happen to my health internally so I went on a journey to change my life. My highest weight ever was 309. I started focusing on changing myself through diet and exercise and as of march this year began my ultimate lifestyle change when I became a vegan. I also juice from time to time and focus on eating clean 90/10. I have lost 95.2 lbs & 70 inches. I have little more to get to my goal weight. I workout 5 days a week with a combination of running/spinning, weights and yoga. I am a part of a local Black Girls Run group which inspires women all over the country to change their lives by focusing on their health. I most recently completed my first 15k and look forward to becoming a triathlete next year. When I first started I couldn’t last 5 minutes at 3.5 on a treadmill. I strive to show others if I can do it, they can too! Anything is possible!”

carmenweightloss2

Joetta lost 40 pounds

by 6 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Joetta lost 40 pounds by going vegan.  She is a proud military spouse who’s husband is currently deployed.  Here is what she had to say:

“I have lost 40lbs since march. I started at 204 now im 163.5.  It was my goal to reach my preferred weight as a gift to myself and my husband who is currently deployed. I wanted to give him a new wife, inside and out. There is no better feeling than, being confident. My problem was food. I became a vegan, no fast food no junk food, only fruits, grains, and vegetables. I sometimes eat fish or seafood.

Joetta weight loss story