Black Weight Loss Success

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Before and After Photos

Amber has lost 45 pounds!

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We are sending out BWLW Love to our Featured Success Story of the Day, Amber, who has lost 45 pounds, going from 207 to 162.  She’s a mother of 3 as well!!

amber weight loss

Note: One of photos is flipped so that the comparison could be the same.  She still has the tattoo.  This caused some controversy on our FB page.

amber 2 before and after

She says, “I have 3 children ages 8,3, and 17 months. After having my baby u went through a lot dealing with depression and a divorce and gained tons of weight and got up to 207. I wasn’t able to play with kids and do a lot of things because of my weight and the pressure on my bad knees and decided to lose weight after Having to wear my boyfriends clothes. I started in April and started my membership back at the gym and started taking Zumba then got excited and addicted to it and could see it was a great fun workout but wasn’t losing weight then finally the hard part I decided to start Eating healthy and the weight started falling off. I got certified to teach Zumba In may and have been trying to keep up since. Started at 207 and currently 154 but the pics are 207/162 in about 4 and a half months and still trying to maintain. I just live to see African American women getting motivated to lose weight and be healthy.”

Update: I know that a number of your have had questions since the initial posting yesterday so I asked Amber to fill us in on how she lost the belly fat and her Zumba classes.

“I live in DECATUR Illinois and currently teach Zumba at the YMCA there but in time starting workout classes in my new garage.   It’s huge and I wanna start classes and use the money to put up studio mirrors in it.

Basically my diet was really bad at first I ate all day long and full course meals twice a day with tons of carbs and drank at least 3 sodas daily.  When I decided to lose weight I cute the soda and juices completely and started drinking lots of water and hot green tea and organic tea. I cut the carbs down at least 60% and got rid of fried food all the way also and snacking on candy and chips ended also.

The main things I ate were oatmeal or Special K cereal with skim milk in the morning.
For lunch: green bean, carrots and spinach and grilled chicken breast on the foreman and the same for dinner. Also sometimes I would replace a meal with a protein shake the ones I tried were muscle milk, Special K shakes, slim fast or the myoplex ones. But basically did that for 4 months and that weight came off along with my workout plan”

 

Starlet has lost 67 pounds!

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Today’s Featured Weight Loss Success Story Comes from Starlet who has lost 67 pounds going from 263 to 196.

She says, “I took the picture in the brown Sept.2011, the pic in the black dress was around Feb 2012 and the far right photo was taken about 8 days ago. I started walking back in 2010 (3 miles a day) but that didn’t do much for weight loss it really just gave me energy and though I was still heavy I could walk through the mall or take a flight of stairs without giving out of breath. So in May 2011, I just started removing bread and starch like potatoes and rice from my diet…and after about 3 or 4 months I could start to see some changes..believe it or not that picture in the brown is not my heaviest weight.  I weighed in at 272 in 2010 but I can’t find any pic’s of me and I definitely know why (too ashamed) in Nov 2011, I began juicing and protein shaking and in March 2012, I had lost about 30 lbs.  This is when I saw significant changes in my health and my physical appearance…so I just started putting a little more effort to losing the weight after that by protein shakes in the morning and light lunches and dinners that do not contain bread, potatoes or rice..that’s it.  I walk daily in my neighborhood and just recently got a gym membership.  Sept 11′:263lbs and Oct 12′:196lbs.  I would like to say thanks for what you do because it is so important to let people know that you can do this…if you put your mind to it.  I have struggled with my weight for over half of my life.  I have been smaller before (160 lbs about 15 years ago) but being a big girl is pretty much all I know.  It’s a constant struggle to maintain low weight especially on a naturally voluptuous women but my pictures are constant reminders that I got to commit to whatever I need to in order to keep myself alive. Thanks”

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Starlet!

DivaSlimsDown: My Favorite Before and After Video on YouTube

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Update 2015: Ruth has now lost 181 pounds!!!

Today’s Featured Weight Loss Success Story is my absolute favorite before and after video on YouTube. It’s Ruth aka DivaSlimsDown who has lost over 150 pounds! She has worked her way down from 341 pounds with hard work, working out and eating right. Ruth DivaSlimsDown Youtube

Check out her whole weight loss journey on her awesome YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/DivaSlimsDown.  You can also find her on Facebook.  I love that she is sharing her journey with the world.  On her YouTube channel she chronicles her workouts, what she eats and gives vivid details of her journey from 341 pounds.  It is amazing the amount of information that Ruth is blessing us with.  I found a recent interview she did with 2bfitfabfierce and here’s part of how she lost the pounds:

I drink tons of water. I do not drink any sodas anymore. I eat similar things as before but less of it. I also find healthier ways to make the foods I like. I don’t eat frozen dinners like lean cuisine etc. They have too much sodium. I make sure I’m eating throughout the entire day 5-6 small meals.  For example for breakfast I will have eggs and turkey bacon.  Next I will have a snack, which can be any fruit of my choice. Then for lunch I will have a chicken salad. I will have another snack of fruit and a 100-calorie pack snack. For dinner I will have chicken breast with vegetables.  Then have another snack like almonds or fruit.
As far as for exercise in the beginning I could only do 15 minutes of walking 2-3 days a week. As I got more endurance my workouts grew longer. Now I workout 2 times a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. 6 days a week for 2-3 hours a day.  In the morning I do a shorter workout, usually a workout DVD that’s less then 30 minutes. In the afternoons I go to Curves and do my strength training and then do an hour zumba class.

Here is one of her most recent videos.
Great job, Ruth!

Video: Kim has lost 84 pounds!

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Kim Rainey is today’s featured weight loss success story!  She has lost 84 pounds! No pills, no shots, no lose weight schemes.. just hardwork and dedication.

kim rainey

She says, “On this day 1 year ago, I made the first steps to change my life. My wight over the years had always went up and down(but mostly up). I had never had a problem with the way I looked even at my highest weight of 282lbs I still felt beautiful… the problem is that I was completely unhealthy. On this day i said NO MORE. I started walkind 3 days a week and started watching what I ate. The weight just started falling off and this motivated me even more! I got a personal trainer to help me target and tone. I also started doing Zumba which is my favorite cardio!  84 pounds down I am smaller than I was in high school. No pils, no surgery, no lose weight quick schemes… just constant determination and hard work. If I can do it , anyone can. I also have a youtube video for my weightloss journey!”

Yolanda lost over 45 pounds

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Today’s Featured Weight Loss Success Story comes from Yolanda who has lost over 45 pounds with Zumba!!
Yolanda before and after
She says, “My name is Yolanda & I started my weight loss journey in December. Since then I have lost over 45 lbs. Diet & excercise works together. I am now a licensed Zumba Instructor and I teach a class called ZGoGo (Zumba to GoGo Music, those who live in DC, MD, & VA knows what GoGo music is). I was inspired by other women friends who were losing or have lost weight and now I am inspiring people. :-)”
Thank you so much for sharing your success with us, Yolanda!

Natashia has lost over 30 pounds!

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Natashia who has lost over 30 pounds!  She says, “On October 3, 2011, I weighed in for my college’s Biggest Loser Challenge at 200.0 pounds. On October 3, 2012, I weighed in at 167.8! Over 30 pounds lost and I’m feeling (and looking) GOOD!! For all of you who are struggling with your weight, please understand that weight loss is a PROCESS. You’re NOT going to achieve true, and sustained, weight loss by doing a 30-day this or 60-day that program… It doesn’t work!! Slow and steady wins the race because remember, it’s a LIFESTYLE CHANGE, not a temporary fix. While I still have a little more to go to achieve my goal, I am no longer uncertain of if it can be achieved because I have now set up a solid foundation that will foster longstanding weight loss/maintenance and health. Even though I never really believed in the accuracy of the BMI, I was all smiles when I learned that I am now in the green zone! *If I can do it, you can do it!* **Proud of myself!**

I mostly focused on my diet. I utilized calorie counting systems such as MyFitnessPal (my favorite!) and made it my mission to stay within my calorie restrictions. I started eating more fish as opposed to the heavier meats, I cut down on my fried food consumption, and cut down on my sugary drink consumption (e.g., sodas, lemonade, fruit juices). I started bringing my breakfast and lunches to school/work with me to avoid the temptation of stopping at the drive through or visiting the vending machines. I also started walking around the neighborhood after dinners instead of sitting/laying on the sofa for the remainder of the evening. Lastly, I allowed myself cheat days. When you’re doing well, reward yourself and don’t feel bad about it… Just make sure you get back on your game plan once the night/weekend is over! All of these little things made the difference and I have never seen such steady and consistent results!!”

Amazing Transformation!!  Thank you so much for sharing your victory with us, Natashia!!!

Imani lost 40 pounds!

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Today’s featured before and after comes from Imani who has lost 40 pounds!

She says, “About a year ago I made a decision to loose a noticeable amount of weight to make myself feel good as I made some transitions in my life. I signed up to a gym and began going everyday. I started taking classes like kickboxing and Zumba. I began to curb my diet to healthier foods like salads, cold cuts and I watched my calorie intake. I cut out fast food and junk food. Before I knew it I had shed a total of 40 pounds and I’m still going. I have gained some control over my life and I feel great!”

Congrats and Thank you for sharing with us, Imani!

Monique has lost 123 pounds!

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Today’s featured success story comes from Monique who has lost 123 pounds with the help of her supportive fitness family at the workout studio she lost the weight with.
She says, “My highest weight was 346 pounds and I am 223 now…..so I’ve lost roughly 123 pounds…and counting.  I got moving about 4 years ago it has been a slow process but the LIFESTYLE change has been definitely worth it. Now I do marketing for the studio that I loss my weight at. I have never missed more than a week of working out. Even when I broke my ankle and wrist last year. We believe in capable, no excuses workout. Everyone can do something. I have the best fitness family that nurtures our mind body and soul.”

Tamara has lost 94 pounds

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Tamara has transformed her health and weight losing 94 pounds.

She says, “Hey Ive been so inspired through this page, I wanted to share my story to hopefully motivate another strong beautiful woman struggling with weight loss. Sept 14,2012 marks my 1 year weight loss epiphany. Sept 14,2011 I choose ME. I set out to conquer a task I’d never regret. I’ve cried ,cursed ,fallen , got up ,fell harder but most of all I CONQUERED ! And I NEVER gave up. I weighed myself on this anniversary and I’m 94 lbs lighter then I was 12months ago! My many friends and supporters have filled my heart with love and blessings! I Thank family ,friends and instructors who have been there and who are still there cheering me on as this is far from over! 50 lbs to go! #team GETITIN


Initially I used weight watchers online that helped me control my portions as I was a fast food junkie and that program allowed me to still have it in moderation until eventually I phased it out completely. Then incorporated that with the curves program 30 min 3 times a week, incorporated lean meats good carbs, fruits and veggies . The biggest help was a simple equation sugar =fat I kept my sugar low and my foods clean limiting processed and high sodium foods! As I’m still trying to loose I’m on a high protein regimen I work out 5 days alternating cardio, strength and conditioning at the gym and 2 days doing a sport of my choice swimming running etc i hope this helps thank you for sharing my story.”

Tamara, Thank you SO much for sharing the details of your transformation with us!!

Mary is down from 173 to 147!

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Today’s Weight Loss Success Story comes from Mary who has gone from 173 pounds to 147!

She says, “The left side was taken on September 15, 2011 at a friends retirement party. The one on the right was taken at my 30th class reunion on September 15, 2012. In 2011 I was 173lbs. Today I am 147lbs. It was my goal to get to 138lbs for my reunion, but it didn’t happen. It may not ever happen and I am okay with that. I am healthier and stronger than I have been in years. I have been on Weight Watchers and consistently exercising. My diet is clean and my exercise routine vigorous. The weight loss isn’t a significant amount compared to some but the lifestyle change is. I can walk away from ice cream. I can pass on the chips, cookies and cakes. I truly enjoy real food now. I am happy with the results.”