Featured weight loss success story: Gwandos lost 77 pounds. She wrote to us to give inspiration to the over 50 ladies (She turns 60 in Oct). She lost weight by changing her eating, doing Weight Watchers and joining Black Girls Run. Here is what she shared with us:
I have seen many motivating stories on your Facebook site of Black women being successful at losing weight, but none featuring us “older” ladies. I am 59 years old and I’ll be turning 60 on October 27th. I have lost 77.6 pounds since January 2011.
My motivation to lose weight came when my son informed me that he had proposed to his fiancé and they were planning a June wedding. Yikes! I knew I didn’t want to waddle down the aisle as the mother of the groom, but I only had 6 months to get it together as they were planning a June 2011 wedding! My focus shifted and I began to be serious about my weight loss efforts.
I re-joined Weight Watchers for the “umpteenth” time on January 18, 2011 weighing 267 pounds, as I had convinced myself that I was ready this time. After yo- yoing on the program, doing My version of it, and losing 25 pounds, I had become stagnant and satisfied with where I was in my weight loss and began to regain some of the weight I had lost. As a member of Weight Watchers I learned to eliminate sugary soft drinks and processed foods and learned to eat healthy by eating fresh fruits, vegetables and lean protein. I joined a boot camp class at my neighborhood gym where I was introduced to strength training. The weight started coming off consistently. I became hooked on working out! A few months ago a friend introduced me to my local BGR chapter (Black Girls Run!) where I met an incredible group of women sharing similar goals, and I began walking. I am now run/walking and have completed more than ten (10) 5Ks. My goal is to complete a half marathon soon. Fitness has become an important part of who I am and what I do. Having learned the essentials of changing my eating habits and incorporating fitness into my life daily, I have lost 77.6 pounds and am close to my desired goal weight of 180 pounds.
As I approach my 60th birthday this October, this grandmother has no plans to slow down! There’s no stopping me!
Andrea says
Congratulations!! Thanks for sharing. This is what I wanted to see. You look awesome. I am in your age bracket and this is very encouraging. How much had you lost for the wedding? Keep up the good work. Be Blessed.
Gwandos Ward says
Thank you so much. By the time the wedding came, I had lost about 35 pounds. Thanks for your encouragement. You, too, can do it! Keep pushing!
Angelique says
You are truly an inspiration for me. I weigh almost exactly what you weighed (265) and have the same goal weight (180). Thank you.
Gwandos Ward says
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and respond to my story. You can do it!
Lisa says
Gwandos
You r the bomb! You look amazing and at least 15 years younger! Continued success on your journey. YOU ROCK
,
Stay healthy & happy!
april mitchell says
Thanks for sharing and the motivation to keep on pushing forward!! I am also over 50 and very inspired by doing the walk/runs 5Ks with Black Girls Run! but not regularly enough, I guess since I have only lost 15 pounds. How often did you exercise?
Btw, you look fantastic!!!
Gwandos Ward says
Thank you!
gwen w. butler says
Thanks for sharing,I’m over 50 and try to workout every day.You have inspired me to continue and go harder.
Vanessa says
You look great with your weight loss and as a 60 year old woman. Wouldn’t know it if you hadn’t shared it. I hope to be where you are soon. I’m almost 50 and just started WW this week. This really has inspired me and let me know it’s possible even at my age. Thanks!!
Janet brown says
Wow,you look great! I am also on weight watchers and lost 33 lbs and have become stagnant as well. You have inspired me not to give up. I am also dealing with menopause issues and i will not let that be an excuse.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Rekaya Gibson says
Congratulations! You look amazing.
Shirl says
Congratulations and thanks for sharing your story….I wanted to rejoin Weight Watchers but, I was feeling like you, that I have tried it some many times but, you are confirmation that I should give it my best for the umpteenth and one time! God Bless you on your continued success, you look amazing
Katie says
You look wonderful, I’m 51 years old and next month I will be celebrating another birthday. I workouts with Black Girls Run and I love it. I tries to get with them much as I can. I cut back on junk food and measure my food and I lost 30 lbs. But first u have to put it in your head that u need to lose. Keep up the good work.
naomi colbert says
Congratulations on your success. You look great! I was so inspired by your story because it is almost identical to my journey from weighing in at 268, on and off weight watcher, walked a few 5k and reached that 60 milestone. I celebrated my 60th birthday on Sept. 1. I have lost over 50 pounds in the last year by using my fitness pal to keep a diary of my exercise and food. Also, I walk at least 3 miles 6 days a week and try to get in the gym a few days a week for weight training. I feel energetic and look great(so I have been told). Keep encouraging others and keep up the good work.
Gwandos Ward says
Thank you so much. Continue to move and make better food choices. It is soooooo worth it!
Cathie says
Gwandos is amazing. She looks younger and more fit now than when I first met her about 15 years ago. I’m on my own journey to become strong, toned and healthy, and when Gwandos posts pictures of herself at boot camp, I’m inspired to run and workout just that much harder. Keep it up, Gwandos. You look fabulous and are inspiring lots of women.
Iris Register says
G, you look absolutely fantastic! And I know you feel great. When your energy level is up, you can’t help but feel good. Keep encouraging others the importance of practicing good eating habits to incorporate more fruits and vegetables. It’s a no brainer that exercise and good nutrition go hand-in-hand. REPRESENT, homegirl, REPRESENT!
Missy says
Wow…u look amzazing. Your storyis so inspiring. Stay healthy
Shelia says
Gwandos this is a couple of years later but I just came upon your post I am 55yrs old and son will be getting married in October 2015 and I am over weight felt like you did need to get this weight off your story is great I need to start somewhere you have given me something to go by please email me and give me hope that it can be done