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 50 pounds

50 pounds

Kirby lost 50 pounds

by 5 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Kirby lost 50 pounds in 8 months.  She cleaned up her eating habits and starting working out to create real lifestyle change and love the skin she is in.  Here is what she share with us about her weight loss journey…

Kirby before and after

Hello, my name is Kirby Wall. I started my weight lost journey in May 2014. I’m 5’6″ tall. My starting weight was 225 pounds and my current weight is 175 pounds. What motivated me to get started? I was tired I feeling unhealthy and just wanted to feel comfortable in my own skin. I started by cutting out sodas, sweets, and carbs. I began substituting a meal a day for a protein shake. I eat lots of veggies and drink a lot of water.

My exercise plan is for at least an hour and half a day of working out. I try to focus on full body workouts and not just try to  one target area. I was exercising outside until this past month when I joined a gym. I do a lot of cardio, running mostly. No trainer, no dvd or classes, I just do my own workouts that I’ve learned over the years.

I lost my weight all naturally. No pills or surgery. Just clean eating and exercise. To the ladies wanting a lifestyle change I encourage them to begin sooner than later. It is totally worth it!! Dedication, determination and hard work is what keeps me focused everyday! It’s a great lifestyle change!

Instagram: @Forever_kmilan

Brianna lost 52 pounds

by 3 Comments

#transformationtuesday throwback 😜💪🏽❤

A post shared by CarbsDontKillMyVibe💪❤💄 (@carbsdontkillmyvibe) on

Update Dec 2015: One year later, Brianna wrote in to update us on the progress of her weight release journey (original post from 2014 below).

Since my initial 52 lb weight loss, I have continued to live a healthy and active lifestyle! I still workout 5 times per week and eat clean. I am happy with my current weight and I’m currently focusing on building lean muscle and continuing to lead a fit life! I meal prep every week and love hiking, cycling, weight lifting and yoga. I continue to use @CarbsDontKillmyVibe accounts as a way to motivate and help others as they tackle their weight loss/fitness journey and I hope to expand the brand soon! My advice for anyone feeling discouraged or frustrated is to stay consistent and to keep working! It took several years for me to lose weight, but it was worth it. I have been able to keep it off by maintaining a consistent fitness routine and by eating clean. Positive lifestyle changes will equal positive results!

brianna before and after

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Brianna lost 52 pounds.  Her wakeup call came after the end of a relationship and after graduating with her Masters degree.  She decided to commit to a healthy lifestyle to avoid more weight gain and feeling horrible.  Now, she feels great and looks great.  Here is what she shared with us…

Brianna before and after

Motivation:
After breaking up with a boyfriend and graduating with my Masters degree in Social Work I took a look in the mirror and realized that I had gained 40lbs! I felt horrible, had low energy, was unhappy with how I looked and had extremely low self-esteem. I decided that I had two choices; either continue eating how I was and possibly get bigger or change my lifestyle and commit to living healthy.

Eating Habits:
Changing my eating habits was one of the hardest parts of my journey because I am a foodie! I love fast food and anything involving cheese and potatoes. I started searching the Internet for ways to revamp the foods I loved and slowly started replacing them with healthier options. For example I LOVE hamburgers and french fries. Instead of hitting a fast food place I would make myself a turkey burger, substitute the bun for lettuce, pile on the veggies and make sweet potato fries to go with it! Slowly but surely I was able to replace all of my unhealthy cravings with healthier options. I also began meal prepping and cooking my meals for the week ahead of time. This cut out the temptation to buy fast food and made life much easier for me. Revamping my eating habits was pivotal to my weight loss success.

Workouts:
I get bored doing the same workouts over and over so I try to change it up everyday! I LOVE outdoor workouts and often go hiking, bike riding, and running on the beach. If I workout in the gym I focus on different muscle groups each day, such as legs and glutes, upper body, etc. I am addicted to finding new and interesting workouts and love things like pole dancing, aerial yoga, bikram cycling and barre fitness. Changing up my routines keeps me challenged so I don’t get to comfortable.

Weight:
When I started my weight loss journey I weighed 187lbs. Currently I weigh 135lbs. I have lost over 50 pounds and shed a lot of inches. I am 5’6″ tall. It took me 2 years to lose 50lbs. The first year of my journey I lost 30lbs and the second year I lost 20lbs. Currently, my focus is on building muscle and increasing my endurance!

I recently started an Instagram page called @CARBSDONTKILLMYVIBE where I share my workout routines and general tips and advice for people starting their journey to a healthier life. My suggestion for anyone interested in losing weight is to find something that works for you and to stick with it! Everyone’s body responds differently to different things. What works for me may not work for you. Find activities you enjoy, get active, and eat healthy balanced meals! If you are consistent your body will respond.

FB page: facebook.com/carbsdontkillmyvibe

Brianna weight loss

Alfreda lost 55 pounds

by 1 Comment

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Alfreda lost 55 pounds.  After a photo wake up call (So many of us can relate to) she decided to clean up her eating habits and get moving.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey…

Alfreda before and after

My name is Alfreda Barnes-Pittman and my motivation and inspiration came from seeing pics of myself after a vacation my sister and I took to The Bahamas. I almost didn’t recognize myself in the photos. At that moment, I realized I was existing and not living.

I joined My Fitness Pal and got a handle of what I was eating on a daily basis. I stopped drinking sodas and limited as much fried and processed food as possible. Healthy eating for me incorporates a lot of veggies, lean meats, seafood, good carbs and an occasional treat. I never have cheat days but I do have a treat meal here and there.  However, even then I don’t go overboard.

I workout 5-6 days a week which includes walking, Turbo Fire, Rockin Body, Hip Hop Abs and Zumba. I’m 5’5″ and my starting weight was 243.2 pounds. Today, I’m 188.8 pounds. This transformation has taken over two years due to my battle with emotional eating which I now have a better handle on. My advice to anyone starting this journey is to start and never quit. This is a lifetime mission and getting healthy has no end date.

My Instagram name is @ThatTexasChick and I love sharing my workouts, photos and videos there.

Akina lost 50 pounds

by 3 Comments

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Akina lost 50 pounds and has gone from a size 16 to a size 8.  Low carb eating, lots of water and lots of exercise has been key to her lifestyle change.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

Akina before and after

I began my journey in March 2014, weighing in at 205 pounds. I have lost 50 pounds (now 155 pounds at 5’3″ tall). I’ve gone from a size 16 to an 8…. This was done through eating healthy and working out at the gym 4 or 5 days a week. I also cut out juice/soda. The weight loss sure was not an easy task and I am still not finished but through motivation, dedication and determination I am sure I will achieve!!!

My motivation was that I was just fed and tired up with the way my clothing were fitting me. It was getting difficult to find nice clothing in my size.  Also, looking at my muffin top was another motivation. I woke up on March 4th 2014 and said “That’s it. Enough is enough. You’re gonna do this, stop complaining and loose this weight!!!” Plus, I also wanted to be a happier and healthier me since my weight was beginning to affect my knees, my Rhuematoid Arthritis and my asthma seemed to be getting worse at times.

I cut carbs out my diet, such as pasta, bread and rice and all fast foods. I ate lots of veggies, salads, fruits, fish and chicken. I also stopped drinking juice and soda. I stuck to drinking only water with lemons!!! I even use the nutribullet and replace my breakfast with a healthy smoothie drink. Yes, I do have an occasional cheat meal but I make sure not to over do it.

I work out about 4 or 5 days a week at the gym. I started out by burning at least 600 calories each gym session, but presently the minimum calories I burn is 1000. Most of my calories are burned by doing cardio on the treadmill, elliptical or stair stepper. 3 days out the week, after my cardio, I focus on weight training and toning.

The advice I have for others wanting to loose weight is to just keep at it! Dedication and perseverance is the key! Many times I felt like giving up or felt lazy but I kept thinking about the end goal. When I saw the weight start to come off and the changes in my body, I knew that all my hard work and dedication had payed off. I still have several more pounds to loose but I am confident that I will achieve my goals. My weight loss is not a temporary change, it’s definitely a lifestyle change for me!

Instagram: @trini_diva4lyfe

Akina weight loss

Renee lost 49 pounds

by 1 Comment

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Renee lost 49 pounds.  She is one of our favorite BWLW Instagramers who participate in our photo accountability challenges. She did the work to get off of high blood pressure medication and improve her health.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey so far…

renee gillens weight loss

My motivation to lose weight was to be healthy. Both my parents are diabetics and have high blood pressure among other illnesses. I am 46 years old and was diagnosed with high blood pressure 10 years ago. I was told by doctor that I would always need medication. Currently, I am on no meds and controlling my blood pressure with diet and exercise. I eat vegetables on a regular basis as well as fruits, whole grains and healthy fats. I rarely eat fried foods and limit processed foods. I’m still a work in progress. For exercise, I do high intensity training and weight training.

My start weight was 210 pounds 2 years ago. My current weight as of 10/1/14 was 161.5 pounds and my height is 5’5″. My goal weight is 145 pounds. I’ve been transforming my mind and body for 2 years consistently. The advice I would offer to others is keep going, 1 pound at a time. The transformation starts in the mind. See yourself being successful and you will. Train your mind.

Instagram: @mrs_gillens

Natalie lost 50 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Natalie lost 50 pounds by eating moderate potions, tracking what she ate and exercising regularly. This proud wife and mom of 3 is now a fitness coach. Check out her story….

Natalie before and after

Name: Natalie Testamark-Mason, 
Age: 35
Height: 5’8″
Starting Weight: 225
Current Weight: 175
Married, Mom of 3, & Fitness Coach

Hello! My name is Natalie Testamark-Mason. I have been dedicated to my weight loss journey since May 2012. My weight gain came with a lot of negativity – bad health, insecurity, and depression. I was tired of feeling that way and I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror. After a few serious health scares I knew it was time to make a change. I refused to let something as controllable as my weight, define my emotions and well-being.

Initially, I started with decreasing my portion sizes and using food tracking apps to monitor my eating. This process was a great starting point which taught me about accountability and healthy choices. I don’t believe in depriving yourself of foods that you like, but instead I focused on moderation. Lately, I have been eating less starchy carbs & replacing them with green vegetables and/or protein.

Since I am a former collegiate athlete and coach, I went back to my roots and started training like an athlete. Biking, running, strength and athletic style circuit training. I became such a Fitness Addict that now my Husband and I own and manage a Fitness Company where I am also a Fitness Coach helping to lead others to their goals.

My advice to others is first, realize that weight loss is a personal journey. Looking to others for inspiration is GREAT but remember to do what is best for you. Second, understand this journey is not a sprint…it’s a marathon! Don’t look for quick weight loss crash diets and gimmicks. Embrace a healthy lifestyle, including healthy foods & exercise. I promise the journey will feel like less of a struggle. Great Luck to Everyone on their journey!! Keep Pushing!!

IG: @nattydreadlocs  @mrsmasonprime
Website: masonprime.com

Jente lost 53 pounds

by 1 Comment

Update 2015: I lost 25 more pounds since November 2014 for a total of 78 pounds gone. What helped me lose the weight was not wanting to gain it back and wanting to become a more healthier me. Live long enough to see my children grow up.

jente before and after

Weight Loss Success Story: Jente lost 53 pounds.  After a potential diabetes diagnosis and years of battling her weight, she made the decision to change her eating habits and her life.  Here is what she shared with us…

Jente before and after

Starting Weight: 370 pounds
Current Weight: 317 pounds
Height: 5’9″

What motivated me to lose weight, was the day the doctor told me I was borderline diabetic. I’ve been fighting with my weight quite for sometime now. I was inspired by my own life trials and tribulations and by wanting to see my children grow up, graduate from high school and college. I knew that by being that heavy I was destined for a heart attack soon. I changed my eating habits a lot. I’m not eating pork because it makes me very sick. Beef I eat maybe twice a month. I’m replacing my sweets with fruits, eating smaller portions and not eating past 6pm. I am also eating more vegetables and drinking plenty of water. 

It took me 6 months to lose the weight. The advice I have to give is if losing weight is something you want badly, then do it. Stop having doubts about it or thinking about the “What If-s”. Just do it. Set a goal for the number of pounds you want to lose for that week and go for it. Doubts kills more dreams than anything else does. I believe in you, so have faith in yourself. To want better and to do better…  

Instagram: @young_andmotivated 

Garnetta lost 56 pounds

by 2 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Garnetta has lost 56 pounds since March 2014.  She was determined not to reach 300 pounds so she changed her eating habits and started exercising on a regular basis.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey so far…

Garnetta Sweet before and after

My name is Garnetta Sweet and I started my weight loss journey on March 4, 2014. I have had some hiccups along the way but I’m not giving up until I get to a healthy version of myself. I have lost a total of 56 pounds and I’m still on my journey. No where near where I want to be, but I’m definitely not where I was.

When I started my journey, I was at 296 pounds. I made up my mind at that point that I was not going to hit 300 pounds. My stepdaughter and granddaughter were definitely my motivation to become a healthier version of myself. I had started having cardiac issues and blood pressure problems. I replaced fried chicken, pizza, burgers and junk food with baked chicken, fish and salads…which are now my favorite things. The smell of grease makes my stomach hurt now. My workout basically consists of 1 hour of cardio 3 times a week . My current stats are that I am 5’8″ and my weight is 240 pounds for a total of 56 pounds lost since March. I am no where near where I want to be but definitely can feel a difference. My advice to anyone who is considering weight loss: Do it and stick to it. Don’t give up and don’t let a setback stop you. Keep pushing forward! You will be so glad you did and be so much healthier for it.

Instagram: @garnettasweet

Vernita lost 50 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Vernita lost 50 pounds.  This hard working wife and mother has a history of cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, but she didn’t let anything stop her on her journey to greater wellness.  She shared with us how exercise and eating in a healthier way has allowed her to reach her weight loss goals.

Vernita weight loss success story

Hi my name is Vernita. I am a wife of 11 years and a full-time graveyard shift working mama. I started out at 225 lbs. I am now 175 lbs (5’6″). My goal is to get to 145-150 lbs. I workout 4-6 days a week and I eat every 3 hours, following the Trim Healthy Mama book for my food intake. I’ve been on this journey for a year now but I have embarked on a new lifestyle, not a quick fix or a diet. I’m in it for life. No matter how long it takes I’m not giving up. I appreciate your Facebook page and I’m encouraged every time I view it.

I was motivated to change my life because I have 3 beautiful children that need their mama around. I have a history of cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. So, I want to beat the odds and get healthy. My inspiration also came from the Fit4Life Sisters page. I changed my diet by no longer drinking soda. I’ve replaced it with sparkling water. I replaced sugar with stevia and truvia. I also eat every 3 hours to keep my body from going into starvation mode. I also drink lots of water and teas without sweetener. My breakfast consist of eggs, bacon, oatmeal and smoothies. My lunches are bread-less, mostly salads and a source of protein.

My workouts consist of 20-30 minutes of cardio on the treadmill, stair stepper or cycling class. I also enjoy Zumba classes. I lift weights 3 days a week and I do push ups, squats and jumping jacks. I go for walks and take the stairs instead of the elevator. I even park at the back of the parking lot when I go to the store for that extra walk.

My best advice to give to people is don’t put a time frame on your goal. Take your time. You may slip up on your health journey but don’t stop.  Just get back on the ball and keep going. Make the change for life and not just for a quick fix.

Tiffani lost 54 pounds

by 2 Comments

Update Oct 2016 – Tiffani has maintained her love of fitness and her weight loss for 2 years.

tiffani before and after“Since my last submission a few things have changed. I’m so excited to share them with you! I am now a certified personal trainer and healthy living coach. I’ve competed in 5 Bikini Competitions. In my most recent competition, I placed 2nd overall. I’ve also managed to get my body fat % down to 14%. The thing that changed the most is that I am now vegan/pescatarian. I say “pescatarian” because I only eat seafood and “vegan” because I don’t consume any eggs or dairy products. I love the difference my new lifestyle change has made in my life! And I can’t want to share my next progress picture with you all.”

tiffani

September 2014 – Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Tiffani lost 54 pounds.  This strong petite diva gained 60 pounds during pregnancy and shared with us what she had to do to get rid of the pounds.  She recently competed in her first bikini competition in Aug and  wants to now be in the fitness business.

Tiffani before and after

In June 2012, I had my son. I gained 60lbs during my pregnancy. After having my 9 lbs 1 oz son via c-section, my body was stretched everywhere and I was still carrying a lot of fat. I am 5´4 and I weighed 170 lbs after delivery. I participated in my first 5k race the month after I had my son and I loved it! From there, I started training for my first full marathon. I started walking a lot more and running a little. I lost a little weight but I was still far from where I wanted to be. In February 2013, I ran/walked the full marathon (26 miles). After completing the marathon I felt like I could do anything and so I decided to change my lifestyle completely.

I started eating more often and smaller portions. I downloaded the my fitness pal app and started watching my daily calories. I began doing Zumba class and running much more. I got down to 148 pounds. In June 2013, I lost my grandmother and all discipline went out the window. I began eating and drinking everything in sight. I got back up to 156 lbs. On August 28, 2013, I decided enough is enough! I was ready to change my life and health for good! I started prepping my meals for the week so that I never got hungry enough to eat badly. I went back to using my fitness pal to track my caloric intake versus how many calories I burn exercising. I met lots of people who were on the same path as I am who could keep me accountable and I could do the same for them. This helped a lot!!

I stopped eating red meat and almost all processed foods (no white anything i.e. bread, pasta, rice, etc). I also cut high calorie drinks from my diet. No Starbucks, no soda, no sugary juices. I started drinking at least a gallon of water a day, 100% fruit juices, or black coffee with almond milk instead of cream and no sugar. I began working out between 5-7 days a week. I would do at least an hour of cardio before weight training. After every workout, I would consume a high protein meal or shake to help feed my muscles. I got a workout partner who wouldn’t allow me to show weakness or give up. In May 2014, I started training for my first bikini competition. My diet became much more strict, I had to train much harder, and I had to use much more discipline when it came to how often I ate and the portion size. The day of my competition on August 23, 2014 I weighed 116lbs and I took 4th place! I’ve never been more proud of my determination and drive to complete such a hard task! In the process of just trying to “lose some weight” I fell madly in love with fitness! I’ve changed my major from nursing to physical therapy, I have started the process to starting my own health, fitness, and nutrition company. I’m also training to become a personal trainer!

Instagram: @MISSTNT_FLYYNFITT

Tiffani weight loss story