Black Weight Loss Success

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LaShondra lost 106 pounds

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Happy Mother’s Day!!!  Today’s weight loss success story: Proud mom LaShondra lost 106 pounds by changing her eating habits and she gives God the glory.  Here is what she had to say:

Here are my before and after photos. All I can say at this point is “To God Be The Glory for the things He has done”. My lifestyle has totally changed. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables and rarely meat. When I do eat meat, it’s usually Tilapia or Salmon. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to encourage those who are struggling. My advice would be to stay strong and be patient. I started this journey 11/15/2011 and I still have 10 pounds to go before I reach my goal.

lashondra weight loss

Kathleen lost 80 pounds

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Update from Kathleen (Jan 2014): “So, I am now down 107 pounds with 40 more to go. Here are some updated photos.”

Kathleen weight loss story

Original Post: Tonight, we’re showing some BWLW love to Kathleen on her 80 pound weight loss.  She graduates from college this month and she can now fit both legs in one of her old pair of pants.

“I have lost 80 pounds since July 5,2013.  I am 6’2 and weighed 322 pounds when I started.  I am now 242 pounds and still losing.  These photos really shows the progress that I’ve made after 80+ pounds.  I went from a size 26 to a size 14 and can fit 2 legs in one leg of an old pair of pants I use to wear!!

I have three beautiful daughters and they are my biggest motivation to be my best. I graduate in May this year from college and I will turn 40.  On my 39 birthday, July 4, 2012, I decided that I needed to make a change,  I realized if I started right away I had 10 months till my college graduation. I set my goal at 100 pounds by graduation and I am proud to say I have lost 80 pounds. I changed my eating habits completely and no longer eat fried foods. I drink only water, tea and occasional cup of coffee with very minimal sweetener.  I work out at least 5 times a week for about 1 to 2 hours a session.  I do the elipitical and stationary bike for cardio.  I also do weights and abs and core work 3 to 5 times a week.”

Kathleen before and after

Kathleen

Ms. Fab lost 86 pounds

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Update Dec 2015 – Ms.Fab has kept the weight off for 4 years by exercising and doing yoga at home. She says, “I will continue to keep living this healthy life.” Instagram: @ms.fabs_world

ms fab before and after

May 2013 – Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Ms. Fab lost 86 pounds going from 245 to 159.  Ms. Fab (aka. Rita) is a mother of 4, the founder of the Mommy-Make-Over Campaign and of “Girl Talk with Ms. FAB” a motivational program for teen girls.

“I made the decision to change the way I ate felt and looked by looking at this picture (before photo). I knew I had to do something.  The biggest issue I had was that I ate my problems away…stress stress stress, so I wondered what if I walked my stress away.  I started walking every day, twice a day, in the morning and evening.  I went from 1 mile to 7 miles per day.  Whatever I was stressed out about I left it at the end of my walk and did not bring it back with me.  Water became my love.  I started eating right.  I began drinking a lot of water and switched out sweets with fruits or veggies (mini carrots are everything).  I also use honey.  Working out became something I looked forward to everyday.  I was finally doing something for myself.  Being a wife and a mother of four, I always put weight loss off cause I didn’t think it was important.  That was until I lost my first 30 pounds and then I became addicted to my new lifestyle.  I love the new found Ms.Fab.  I changed completely not just in weight loss.  I changed and became who I always was meant to be…..Fabulous!”

Facebook: Girl Talk with Ms. Fab

Ms. Fab Rita weight loss

Roslynd lost 135 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Roslynd lost 135 pounds in a little over a year with Wii Fit, Jillian Michaels DVDs and changing her eating habits.

“Hello! It took me a little over a year to loose 135 pounds. I started out working out with the Wii Fit and then over on to Jillian Michaels who have me the motivation to really push through my workouts.  My Mom was also part of my motivation.  She got me started with Jillian Michaels DVD workouts.  Then, I started power walking. I now power walk/jog 5 1/2 miles. I worked out 7 days a week in the beginning.  Now I’m down to about 4-5 day per week. I changed the way I ate.  I eat smaller meals, about 5-6 smaller meals per day.  I also eat a lot of whole grains, nuts and veggies.  I cut pork and red meat out of my diet. I eat lots of chicken and fish.  High protein diet!  Really, it’s just portion control. Oh…and I used the My Fitness Pal app. I’m now in the process of getting a personal trainer to build muscle.”

roslynd weight loss

Latashia lost weight and went from a size 22-24 to a size 16-18

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Latashia lost weight and went from a size 22-24 to a size 16-18 from February 2013 to April 2013.

What would you like to share regarding your weight loss journey?

The three main things I do is pray and put holy oil over my mouth and stomach.  I am a user of the detox trio by Robin Anthony  of renuherbs.com.  I also have the help of my trainer Shawn Taylor!!!  Believe me when I say that my big bro is the bomb dot com!  I mean it for reals!!! Everyday is a struggle. Do I eat bad sometimes? Yes, but I know to cleanse that evening and the next day go hard with my eating and exercise! I do two a days every other day when I’m not running my own business!!! Please guys, stay committed and strong!! Everybody can’t do it! Like my trainer states everytime 80% of the people who go to the gym look the same day after day,  only a few change over time!! Always continue to DIG DEEPER!!!

How much do you weigh?

You know what I never weigh myself because it discourages me. i never look like what i weigh! lol sad i know.  I want to say it’s because of muscle. I can say that I went from a size 22-24 to a size 16-18.

Latashia weight loss

Charmaine lost 90 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Charmaine lost 90 pounds and is working on “reversing” her diabetes.

I’ve lost 90 pounds by eating healthier, staying active and roller derby! My diabetes is almost reversed now. 🙂

My motivation was to get my diabetes under control. I took oral medication for it which helped.  For my weight loss, I cut out fast food and sweets. I eat a big breakfast and a small dinner. I care for a handicapped boy for a living and we are always on the move, going somewhere, doing something.  This is versus my old job where I sat for 8 hours, so that has  kept me active.  Then I joined a roller derby team and that has really kicked me in to gear.  I feel healthy happy and I’m feeling good with more energy than I’ve ever had.  I went from 297 to 207 still have more to go.  Now, it’s a lifestyle.”

Charmaine weight loss story

Valaria lost 60 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Valaria who lost 60 pounds with the help of bootcamp classes and changing her eating habits.

I just hit my 60 pound goal as of today by eating right, taking bootcamp class and having a great healthy support system and accountibility partners. I am excited about continuing my healthy journey and I have fifteen more pounds to my goal.  I plan to start toning within the next month with a personal trainer.

My motivation at the beginning was inconsistent but when I became serious I was unstoppable. I changed my eating habits to fish, chicken and veggies.  I drank more water and got more rest. My workout routine is a mixture of cardio, light weights and bootcamp drills for four days out of the week.

Valaria weight loss

 

Kimmy lost 80 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story:  Kimmy lost 80 pounds with exercise and changing her eating habits.

I’d like to share my health journey details with you. When I first started out, I was going on 230 pounds.  It was really difficult doing energy consuming activities.  All I wanted to do was play on the computer and eat, pretty much.  One day I got tired.  I was tired of being tired and I looked in the mirror on Halloween night 2010.  I said to myself, “It’s time for a serious change.”.  Now, I didn’t know a thing about losing weight or health, but I was aware that all the snacking and sodas needed to go.  In the beginning, I traded soda for good ol’ H20 and started trying tea sweetened with honey when I wanted something different.  I monitored what I was consuming, cut out all fast foods and set my portion sizes.  As far as exercise, I began walking for an hour a day (that was so hard).  I will always remember that burn, but I told myself that the pain is my body changing!  After a week or so, I began incorporating jogging intervals to my walks.  I was feeling amazing!  I was getting stronger!  I began studying tips and facts about diet and exercise.  I used to be afraid of weights (due to rumors about women and bodybuilding.  I didn’t want to get manly.).  Time passes on and I went from 1 push up to 40 push ups.  I loved that I was becoming stronger.  Eventually, I started incorporating weight training.  My body was changing quickly!

As of today, I have my protein for breakfast.  It could be basic 2 eggs or a smoothie, as long as I’ve got my protein. I make sure that I eat every 2 to 3 hours, for example some carrots, apple sauce, peanut butter banana sandwich on whole wheat (fav), protein bar, a small salad, dried veggies or fruit.  If I have to have a certain food that may not be the most healthy, I research how to make it in a healthy alternative way.  It’s your mindset over everything.  There is always temptation and there always will be, but it’s up to you to take control of the wheel and shut up and drive to that wonderful place called (health).  Sitting here today, I can honestly say that I am proud of me and I thank God for the strength, perseverance and knowledge granted to me me along the way.

Kimmy weight loss

Kira lost 30 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Kira who has lost 30 pounds and 15 inches overall.

I’ve been struggling with weight loss my entire life. Recently I decided to make a change and really, REALLY focus on doing something about it. Mostly for medical reasons and slightly because I wanted to look different, look smaller (for once in my life).

I found different weight loss groups and challenges online via YouTube, or Facebook friends, and joined them. Those included eating healthy and working about 45 – 60 minutes per day. Within this time, I easily lost inches while not losing many pounds. After a while, I started incorporating lifting weights in my routine and noticed that while I was slimming and gaining muscle, I was also losing weight and looking much smaller. To date, I have lost over 30 lbs and about 15 inches overall! I am so proud of myself!  I can’t believe that while still eating what I want (and being more aware of healthy choices) that I still managed to lose weight, gain & tone muscle, and look much leaner and healthier than ever before. I haven’t been this weight since 2010! I am super excited for the future and cant wait to reach my goal weight of 200 lbs! I was a size 24 and now fit loosely into an 18!! I am just SO HAPPY!!!

Kira weight loss

A Lia lost 58 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: A Lia lost 58 pounds going from 278 pounds to 220 pounds since September 2012.  Here is what she shared with us:

I never ever noticed any difference in the way I looked or felt because my friends and family love me regardless.  Inside and out. I was cool due to having just one set of mirrors throughout the house that show me from the neck up. It took just that one day to pay attention to a camera while I was entering the grocery store. I couldn’t believe it! As a matter of fact, I remember saying “Oh my gosh look at me!” over and over again. That day I promised myself I was gonna make a change. As of 9/13/12, I  began watching what I put into my body and walking whenever something is stressing me out.

I did a little research and stumbled upon the food pyramid and learned to watch my caloric intake. I drink plenty of water.  I switched up my cardio every other day.  I do three days of walking for thirty minutes and two days of running. What kept me motivated was me actually going out buying a full body mirror and taking a picture, posting that picture on my room door, refridge, and bathroom. I also watch YouTube videos on weight loss.   A young lady  who’s page is “divaslimdown” inspired me.  I said if she can do it I can. I kept my calorie intake at 1200 a day and left all sweets alone.   The only sweetener I would use was stevia. Tea, coffee and water were my only liquids. I drink eight glasses water a day. My snacks were fruits; apples and oranges.  My meals are portion controlled.   If it didn’t fit in the palm of my hand, it wasn’t going on my saucer.  I stayed away from oils and fat and I baked or grilled everything. I also incorporated a small salad “no meat added” with everything I ate.  At the end of November, I noticed results but didn’t weigh myself.  At the beginning of January, I stepped on the scale and wow.. I used to weigh 278 pounds and I was then down to 242 pounds. I’m now 220lbs (as of 4/11/13). I’m still on my journey, not just to look good but be healthy. I want to stay out of danger of a variety of  diseases I can prevent with diet and exercise. I will keep BWLW informed of my progress, changes and how I’m doing with my goals.

Alia weight loss story