Black Weight Loss Success

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Danna lost 83 pounds

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Danna shared with us some of the details of how she’s been able to lose 83 pounds.  Check it out.

Danna weight loss before after

What was your motivation?
“My 2 daughters are my motivation. I’m 35 years old and I want to be there for them.”

How did you change your eating and exercise habits?
“I stopped drinking sodas.  I started eating healthy foods.  I don’t eat anything after 8pm!  It wasn’t easy but I started eating the most important meal of the day, breakfast! I also began choosing healthy snacks like fresh fruits and drinking plenty of water! I exercise twice a day, sometimes three times a day.”

What was your starting weight and what is your current weight?
“My starting weight was 254 pounds. I’m now 171 pounds. My goal is 165 pounds by Aug 2014.  Anyone can do this. Just stay focused and want the change! “

Melody lost 55 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Melody lost 55 pounds.  Her dressing room epiphany about her weight is something that SO many women are motivated by.  Sometimes it’s just the number on a scale or dress size that makes you wake up to where you really want to be health and weight wise.  All sizes are beautiful, but we also know when we need to make a change for US. Here is what she shared about how she lost the pounds:

“First, I feel so honored sharing my story with other women, especially Black Women who are losing weight. In January 2013, I was asked to be Matron of Honor for a wedding. The bride was bigger than me. Trying on dresses at David’s Bridal as a size 22 wasn’t that bad but watching someone at a size 32 struggle was my serious wakeup call. The next day, January 29th 2013, was the day I stopped drinking soda and sugary drinks.  I did research on the internet about eating healthy, how to exercise and realized water and walking were the 2 major ingredients to losing weight that would work for me. I made no excuses for myself.  No matter what situation I was in, my health came first. Don’t get me wrong, I was far from perfect but 55 pounds lost in one year is my best accomplishment. I still workout and it’s been one year of no soda. Here are my pics.”

melody before and after

Tameka lost 105 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Tameka lost 105 pounds.  She was inspired by the memory of her mom and her brother who both passed after dealing with the affects of diabetes.  Here is what she share with us about how she was able to lose the pounds and get healthy:

Tameka weight loss storyHello! I want to thank you for bringing us together on one accord. I began my lifestyle change after losing my brother to kidney failure (after years of dialysis). A year ago today, I said goodbye to him on this side of Heaven. I also said goodbye to the stronghold of unhealthy living. He asked me to “be happy”, and I’m overjoyed after losing 105 pounds. I’ve done so by healthy eating, alone. I am on this journey, for as long as my forever shall be!  By faith, with determination!!

What was your motivation?
My motivation is to be healthy, happy and fit! My mother passed away at 49 years old (10 years ago), and my brother at 38 years old(7/2012). My mother and brother were on dialysis, and many of my family members have diabetes. I am just trying to live healthier. I promised my brother and myself that I will be healthier and happier.

How did you change your eating habits?
I had to cut it all out, in the beginning, no moderation. I knew this was the only way that I could get control over my eating. I cut out all fried foods, unhealthy snack foods (gummy candy, chips, cookies, ice cream), sodas and sugary drinks. I ate smaller portions and had  3 meals, 2 snacks (healthy) daily. I eat plenty vegetables and fruit, lean meats and whole grains.

What did your workout routines look like?
Okay, this is where I struggle. I didn’t workout in the beginning. My weight loss was through healthier eating. I began working out on my Wii Fit Plus, after about 6 months. I’m still trying to focus on fitness more. I wish that I would’ve done so, from the start.

What was your starting weight? 
My heaviest was 330 pounds in January 2012.
What is your current weight?
I am 225 pounds. It fluctuates between, 222-225 pounds.

How long did your transformation take?
It took about 1 1/2 years.

What advice to you have for others who want to lose weight?
I advise you to choose JOY! It is essential that you recognize that this is a lifestyle change. You should set small goals, and educate yourself on what works for you. No two journeys will ever be the same. Please don’t measure your success by that of others. Eat clean and exercise. Just keep moving, and find what exercise is best to help you succeed. Keep this thought, JUST FOR TODAY! My best to you all! 

Tameka before and after

 

Tanieka lost 80 pounds

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smtanieka

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Tanieka lost 80 pounds going from a size 24 to a size 8.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

“I started my weight loss journey a year ago and have lost 80 pounds. I started realizing that my weight was just going to keep going up if I don’t do something soon about it. I was a single mom with three kids slowly going down hill and takin care of everybody else but myself. I logged on to a weight loss site called My fitness pal and figured I would give it a try. I met friends along the way who gave me wonderful advice.

I workout 5 days a week, and eat around 1500 to 1600 calories a day. A lot of my meals consist of chicken, fish, turkey and veggie meats, along with lots of fruits and vegetables.  I don’t eat a lot of carbs, pasta or breads. I do have a cheat day during the week which keeps my cravings at ease when I want something not so healthy to eat. Weight loss is not a race, is a Journey.  Slow and steady will get you there, it will give you the willpower to keep at it.

P.S..This photo was a year ago at my brothers wedding. I was a size 24 and now I am a size 8.  The dress looks like a trash bag on me now..LOL!!!”

Tanieka weight loss

 

Fonda lost 62 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Fonda lost 62 pounds.  Her daughter Jasmine sent in her weight loss journey to celebrate her mom’s victory.  I think it is awesome when family members send in the stories of their loved ones.

Jasmine before and after story

“Hello BWLW, my name is Jasmine and I’m a proud daughter of this wonderful woman pictured above, Fonda Sparkman. My mother started her journey in March 2013 & has lost a total of 62 pounds as of Jan 2014. I’ve watched this woman struggle up her apartment stairs and when getting out of cars to now  seeing her working out 7 days a week doing intense cardio and strength training. In the beginning she had considered weight loss surgery since she’s a diabetic and had some heart problems.  However, during the course of the prep stages for a possible surgery, she had lost so much weight on her own that the doctor didn’t even recommend her as a candidate. With a combination of Weight Watchers and exercise I’ve seen my mother transform. Some of her diabetic medicine has been reduced and her doctor has even referred her to a cardiologist with hopes of reducing her heart medication. She is a true inspiration for me to get my own health intact. I just wanted to share her story as a testament to the fact that with portion control, exercise and dedication, one’s health can truly be transformed!”

Fonda weight loss story

 

Latrisce shares how she lost 24 pounds

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Let’s show some love to Latrisce.  She dropped 24 pounds in 5 months with simple, practical changes, like portion control!  This is more proof that practical changes work (fads don’t). Here is what she shared with us:

Latrisce before and after weight loss

“My name is Latrisce. I’ve lost 24 pounds since August 1, 2013. I achieved this by mealtime portion control. I have a small plate that’s about 7 inches and if the food doesn’t fit on it, then I don’t eat it. I also have cut back significantly on sweets which is a real weakness of mine. I also drink more water than Latrisce before and afterI use to but still not as much as I should (I’m working on that). It’s mental for me. If I am not hungry, I do not eat. I use to eat out of boredom or when I was offered food whether I was hungry or not. I refuse to do that now and I respectfully decline any offers of food if I am not hungry.

For exercise, I try to walk about a mile and a half 3 times a week . I also take the stairs when possible and park my car in a distant parking space when going to stores. I am very excited about my accomplishment and want to encourage others that they can do it as well. HAPPY NEW YEAR BWLW!!!!”

Fabian lost 86 pounds

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Let’s show some love to Fabian.  She lost 86 pounds after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  She is an overcomer!! [MS is an issue that is dear to my heart because my father had it.]

“My name is Fabian B. Crawford and back in 2011 I was over 256 pounds at 5’3. I decided to lose weight when I received life changing news.  I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It was a dark time in my life where I was depressed and sick. I woke up early one morning and I decided it was time for a change.  I was overcomer with a firm belief in God, so this could not possibly be my life. I worked out three times a week by just walking at first and I even had to battle my own body in order to begin jogging. I replaced carbs with whole wheat products, fatty meats with lean meats, and sweets with natural sugars. I used Calorie Counter in order to keep track of my eating habits. Today I enjoy an 86 pound weight loss and I weigh currently 170 lbs and I’m continuing to lose weight.  It took a total of two years in order to lose the weight. I have continued to maintain my weight loss without gaining even one pound back. I never considered my changes a diet, but a lifestyle change. I started a blog in order to help others and to promote a healthy lifestyle. Just make small changes slowly until you make it to your goal weight.”

Check out Fabian’s blog urbanmschick.com

Fabian weight loss photos

Terkeisa lost 60 pounds

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Terkeisa lost 60 pounds by cutting out junk food and soda.  She embraced healthy eating and consistent exercise. Here is her weight loss story:

Terkeisa before and after weight loss

“My name is Terkeisa Brown and I’m 32 years of age. I have battled with my weight for my entire life. I’m 4’11” and at my highest weight I was 230 pounds. I decided to start losing weight in September of 2012 by cutting out sodas and McDonald’s. I started walking at least a mile a day and drinking plenty water. By November of 2012, I had dropped 25 pounds. In December of 2012, I found out I was pregnant. During my pregnancy, I wanted everything I ate to be healthy. I didn’t want to get back on the wrong track.  I had my third son on August 4,2013 and a week later I was back to walking two to three miles a day and making sure not to eat any processed foods or soda. I also ate plenty of fish and chicken.  I love the George Foreman grill so I grill everything. By my 6 week check up, I was down to 187 pounds and after that I started going to the gym 4 to 5 days a week. I started off doing nothing but cardio at the gym. Now I go 3 to 4 days a week and I still do a lot of cardio but I’m also lifting weights now, trying to tone my arms, thighs and legs. My current weight is 170 pounds.  Before and After photo: In the first pic I was 230 pounds.  In the second I was 205 pounds and the last is at my current weight of 170 pounds.

My advice to all my beautiful black women that are trying to lose weight is to start off slow and make sure that you’re mentally ready. You may fall off the wagon but you can get right back on. Make lifestyle changes! Start by taking things out of your diet that are bad for you, like fried foods, sweets and soda. Try challenging yourself to see how long you can stay on the treadmill or how many miles you can walk. Most importantly do it for you and love yourself ladies. I’m on Facebook: Terkeisa Brown and Instagram: @hellonheels81 if anyone wants to contact me!”

Fatimah lost 70 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Fatimah lost 70 pounds by eating a holistic, plant-based diet.  Now, she helps others as a health coach. Check out her transformation video and the details of her journey:

fatimah before and after

“Growing up both of Fatimah’s parents were vegetarian and she was raised on a plant based diet. At the age of 16, Fatimah went to Wisconsin to live with her older sister. This is when her life changed and her journey to wellness began. Fatimah stayed in Wisconsin, ” The dairy state”, for three years. Over the course of that period of time, she began to take on the eating habits of those in that environment. She began consuming a lot of processed foods, dairy, meat and alcohol. She was eating the SAD or “standard american diet “, which was a normal way of eating for those living in the dairy state. Unknowingly at the time, her health was rapidly declining. Growing up Fatimah was very athletic maintaining a healthy weight of 136 . This all changed when she moved to Wisconsin and took on this new SAD diet. It wasn’t until a routine check up at the doctors office in 2004 that the reality of her degenerating health sink in. She got on the scale at the doctors office and weighed in at 206 pounds. She was borderline diabetic and had high cholesterol. Fatimah knew she had to do something fast. She tried many quick fixes and fad diets but none of it worked. She spent several years yo-yo dieting and losing a few pounds just to gain it all right back. It wasn’t until she made the commitment in 2009 to make a complete holistic lifestyle change that she began to improve her health and heal herself. Going back to a plant based diet, Fatimah was able to loose 70 pounds and return back to her natural weight. Today Fatimah Shabazz works as a Certified Holistic Health Coach offering programs and workshops to educate people in how to use food as medicine and maintain optimal health through holistic living and plant based nutrition. www.fanashaa.com”

“In terms of what was my motivation, for me, I think of my son. I try to be the best role model in all or most areas of my life to set a good example.

My starting weight was 206 pounds. My current weight is 136 pounds. My total weight loss is 70  pounds. It took me 9 months to loose the weight.

My work out routine was doing yoga & breathing exercises 5 days a week at 7am for one hour each day.

My advice to others would be to love yourself enough to have patience, faith and be willing to make a lifestyle change while keeping in mind that nothing happens overnight.”

Fanashaa weight loss

Christina lost 42 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Christina.  She lost 42 pounds with Weight Watchers, changing her eating habits and exercising.  Here is what she shared with us:

Christina weight loss story

“Hi, I just wanted to share a weight loss story. Back in March of 2012 I found out I was pregnant. I gained 65 pounds with the pregnancy and my baby boy was born December 5, 2012.  I reached my highest weight in April 2013. I was at 303 pounds. Since then, I have gotten down to 261 pounds. I’m not done yet, but I’m excited that I have lost 42 lbs.  It has been a struggle, but I’m excited. I have about 20 or so pounds to go but I know now what my faults are and I’m working on changing those.

I’ve done Weight Watchers, but mostly I’ve changed my eating habits and exercised like crazy. Instead of reaching for chips and cookies, I replaced them with almonds and yogurts (not all the time, but enough to make a difference). I also started eating lighter at dinner instead of heavy meals. I also found out when I was eating right and my weight was stalling, I would have a dr. pepper a few times a week. Once I stopped drinking soda for a week I dropped pounds. For exercise, I did Zumba on Xbox Kinetic, walking videos by Leslie Sansone and a variety of videos on Comcast on Demand. Also, I started exercising for an hour to an hour and a half some days.  I still have some work to do but at 42 lbs down I’m excited. This page has helped me a whole lot. Thank you!” – Christina