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Before and After Photos

Afghanistan Vet Paqueshia lost 33 pounds!

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Today’s Success Story: We want to thank BWLW member and deployed Soldier Paqueshia for her service to our country and for sharing her 33 pound weight loss success story with us!! You are an inspiration to other African American service women who may be dealing with weight and health issues.

Afghanistan Vet weight loss

She says,
I am a deployed Soldier.  I was 154 in Jan of 2011 after being put on the Mirena. I started to gain more weight. By Oct 2011 I was up to 163 which is the heaviest I have ever been in my life (including 2 pregnancies and due to gallbladder removal and the birth control Mirena that they put me on after I had my son.). Late October 2011, I deployed to Afghanistan where I began to work out 6 days a week. I also changed my eating habits. No fried foods, no sodas and no salt. I also incorporated some type of cardio everyday.  At first I plateaued after losing only 10 pounds but, once I changed my diet (cut out fried foods and sugar) I was able to lose the rest of the weight. I believe the key thing for me was cardio, cardio and cardio. Different forms of cardio, running, ellipitcal and sprinting up hill (which also increased my run time). You have to set a goal, create a routine and stick to it! Also a good playlist plays a part.

I just weighed myself 2 days ago and I am now 130. I have lost a total of 33 pounds. I feel so much healthier.  I post my workouts everyday to encourage others. I am so thankful and I feel great!!!   Thanking God that the pounds continue to drop. Be encouraged and be blessed 🙂

weight loss

Running the Weight Off: This Fit Momma has lost 65 pounds

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Today’s Feature: Fit Momma has lost 65 pounds!  Her Facebook page notes that she has gone from a size 22W to a size 10/12 and is currently training for her very first marathon.

fit mommas before and after

She says,
May 2011 – 246 lbs
October 2012 – 181 lbs
65 lbs GONE!! Almost there! 😀
I never thought in a MILLION years that I could lose weight without dieting but that’s exactly what I did. I realized that dieting is NOT for me. Every time I would go on a diet I would eat everything under the sun before Monday, the day when I would start my diet…only problem…Monday never came. Or when it did I would start and stop because my diet consisted of way to many restrictions. The moment I stopped restricting myself and starting eating what I wanted, in moderation..that’s when I saw results!

When I first started working out I started with a combination of c25k (3 days a week) and an ifit live program on my treadmill (2-3 days a week. I was working out 5-6 days a week.

Thank you for sharing with us, Fit Momma.  Great Job!

Nicole has lost 112 pounds!

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Let’s show some love to Nicole who has lost 112 pounds!  Check out Nicole’s story below.

nicole weight loss story

She says,
 I love this website!! In this pic I was at my heaviest approximately 267 pounds. I always worked out, but was not seeing results partially because I was not taking my diet seriously, but later I find out that I had polycystic ovarian syndrome which causes an embalance in the hormones and makes it difficult to lose weight. It was recommended by my OBGYN that I have weight loss surgery. Four years later after relocating to Miami I had the sleeve weight loss surgery. To date I have lost a total of 112 pounds by working out five to six days per a week, switching up my workouts, and portion control. If I can do it, anyone can!! 

Parish has lost 47 pounds in 6 months!

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Today’s Success Story: Parish has lost 47 pounds from April 2012 to Oct 2012.  You can connect with her on our online community to see more photos of her transformation.

Parish's weight loss

She says,
“When I went to the doctor in March 2012, I was at my heaviest weight ever and I couldn’t believe that I completely let myself go.  I was 223lbs, my pressure was high, my self-esteem was low and I was headed to an early grave.  I was headed to see Oprah on April 4th in New York and decided to that once I got back I would start a lifestyle change.  On April 8th I started counting calories and working out.  The picture you see is from the MS walk April 14, 2012.  I’m not proud of it by no means but that was a reality check for me.  I had no idea I looked so out of shape, but with hard work and determination I’ve loss 47lbs in 6 months.  I’ve gone from a size 16/18 to a size 12.  I still have 26lbs to go to reach my goal of 150lbs but i’m well on my way.  I’m feeling the 3 F’s (Fine, Fit and Fabulous) using the 3D’s(Dedication, Determination and Drive).  No diets, No surgery, No weight loss pills…just eating healthy, drinking plenty water and circuit training, walking and jogging.  I enjoy the skin I’m in.”

Thank you so much for sharing with us, Parish!!

Sholonda has lost 47 pounds!

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Much love to Sholonda who has gone from a size 28/30 to 21/20 since Aug! Like many of us, she has tried a number of different things including weight loss surgery and B-12 injections to lose weight and now she’s found a regime that works for her.

Sholonda weight loss

She says,
Hello Everyone,  My name is Sholonda P. and I am 39 years old and I live in Chicago, IL. I was recommended by a friend to come to this page and tell my story. I have always been heavy since a child. I have been up and down on yo-yo diets all the time as well as even going as far as getting a lap band and then having it removed. Just recently I had made up my mind that I wanted to lose weight and do it the right way, naturally. On July 26, 2012 I started my new goal of losing weight and as of today I have lost a total of 47lbs. I started drinking more water than I usually did. I started getting B-12 injections weekly or bi-weekly to help with my energy and boost my metabolism and help break down the fat cells. Even if I don’t get the injections I buy the B-12 pills at the store. I also do water aerobics 4-5 times a week. Because the water aerobics work all parts of your body and muscles that you have not used in a longtime and makes you feel good also, especially if you are not a person that likes to walk or exercise, the water aerobics really work. I just really made a decision to change so I changed my diet, I stopped eating bread, potatoes & junk food, pop, fried foods and some beef meat and no pork. I now eat baked foods without the skin. It was hard at first, but I am doing it and everyday it gets a little easier, as long as you have determination and want to do it. I eat what I want, but I have cut my portions down and eat more salads and fruits. I also watch my calorie intake. It is true you should eat breakfast because it helps you out a lot and helps you to not over eat later, so if I don’t cook breakfast I will drink a protein drink and eat some fruit and that holds you over until lunch. I really like eating salads with a grilled chicken breast and the fat free dressing, so far this is what I have been doing. Just take your time and DON’T GET FRUSTRATED & DON’T GIVE UP, if you mess up one day, just go back after it until you get it right. Make it one of your short term goals and give it a certain time when you want to complete it by and that works too. I have went from a 28-30 to a 21-22 and I feel great and most importantly, I LOVE ME, NO MATTER HOW I AM. I still have some ways to go to where i want to be by June 2013 for my 10th year Renewing of my Wedding Vows.

Shuronda has lost 43 pounds!

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Let’s show some love to Shuronda!  She has lost 43 pounds in 6 months!

shuronda weight loss

She says,
I started my weight loss journey in April 2012. I noticed my weight getting out of control big time and mind you I’m only 4’10.  I was at my highest weight of 210 and I said GOD you gotta help me.  The doctor put me on a BP pill and I prayed to God to help me, as of today I now weight 167 and it only took 6 months.  Now I’m trying to lose 25 more.  I started drinking water ONLY and I cut out the sodas, I ride my bike outside anytime the weather permits and I also work out on my fitness flyer or ellipitical..I count my calories & I don’t eat pass 6pm, this has been a rough struggle for me but with God & prayer I’ve come along ways! Thank you and please keep me in your prayers!

Qui lost 106 pounds

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Update: Qui wrote in to share what’s she’s been doing since she shared her story of losing over 100 pounds 4 years ago. She gained some of weight back, but after being diagnosed with PCOS she understood why she’d experienced rapid weight gain and what changes she needed to make to release the pounds.

Qui

I was featured in on your page a few years ago. So much has happened to me since 2012. For the most part, I managed to maintain the weight loss. However, at the end of 2014 and most of 2015, I gained almost 60 pounds. 30 pounds of thoese pounds were gained in about 5 months. I acknowledge that I fell back into some old habits, but I couldn’t figure out why I gained that amount of weight so quickly.

Later in 2015, I met with several doctors who diagnosed me with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome which help to explain a lot. I had a glucose intolerance that didn’t wasn’t helped by the amount of carbs I was ingesting. In December of last year, I set a goal to drop half of the weight that I gained and I will continue with the other 30 pounds this year. In the photos, you can see my before and after. I’ve managed to lose a net total of 28 of the 30 pounds I wanted to lose, so I still have some work to do. I am optimistic about meeting and surpassing my goal this year. I can’t stress enough the importance consulting with a physician before starting a diet, because if I didn’t I would have never known about PCOS and how it could negatively affect my results.

Qui before and after

Today’s Weight Loss Success Story: Qui lost 106 pounds! She focused on nutrition and exercise to get the job done.

QuiApr14

She says,
I absolutely love this site!!!! I wish I would have found it during the beginning of my journey. It is important that we have support during such a transitional period. I lost 106 pounds and finally hit my goal after a few years of struggling. Don’t give up ladies…Keep grinding 🙂  I initially started with my diet. Nutrition is about 80% of the fitness journey. I used the South Beach Diet and the 4 day diet to set the foundation for my current life style. I dont eat white rice, white flour, white sugar, or white bread. I began to do Turbo Jam because I was ashamed to go into the gym. After I lost my first 20-30 pounds I decided to go to the gym. 30 minutes turned into an hour on the elliptical and then I gained enough courage to lift [weights]. Towards the end of my journey I worked out 5-6 days.

Check out her Facebook page: facebook.com/QuisChronicles

Taneka lost 62 pounds going from a size 16 to a size 4

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Today’s Feature: Taneka lost 62 pounds going from a size 16 to a size 4.

Taneka weight loss

She says,
“I lost loss weight by eating clean. No beef or pork , low carb intake, and lots of water.  No juice or soda nothing but water and green tea. I workout 5-7 days a week at home, bike riding, and about a month ago I started hula hooping.  I love it.  I have been on my journey for almost 3 years in March. I wanted to take it slow, so i wouldn’t have any sagging skin and its working so far.  I have gone from 220 to 158 size 16 to size 4.  I’m trying to get to my goal weight, which is 130 size 2.   I’m almost there and i wont stop until i get there!!!!!  Work hard play hard!”

Jessica has lost 40 pounds since May 2012

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Today’s Featured Success Story: Jessica has lost 40 pounds since May.

jessica before after

She Says,
I limited my processed carb intake. no bread, no rice, no pasta. I then incorporated ALOT of fruits in my diet by making fruit smoothies every morning for breakfast and sometimes dinner. I eat alot of lean meat.and vegetables. as far as exercise, I do cardio and aerobics about 3 to 4 times a week. I lost about 40 pounds since May 2012.

Jessica weight loss

Jessica's weight loss photos

Christine has lost 77 pounds

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Today’s Feature: Christine has lost 77.5 pounds.
Christine weight loss
She says,
BEFORE: I was Living Large and in Charge.
Standing at 6’2, I have always been a STATUESQUE and confident BBW. My weight sky rocketed from consoling myself with food and eating my grief away when my mom and dad died 5 days apart. AFTER: I’m healthier and happier. Thank you Lord for blessing me with strength, endurance, agility, ability, motivation, an encouraging husband, and a knowledgeable fitness staff to guide me on this journey and do it the NATURAL way!! Total loss thus far 77.5 lbs, a comeback after 2 setbacks: broke my right ankle, tore ligaments and tendons, had ankle surgery and rehab; 2 months after being cleared to return to the gym, I sprained my left ankle. Had to start from scratch and keep it moving. No bariatric surgery, no pills, or gimmicks……pure sweat, discipline, determination, prayer, a few broken bones, lots of cardio, and healthy eating habits. If I can do it, you can too!! Please be encouraged!!