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Brianna lost 120 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Brianna lost 120 pounds.  She made simple changes to her eating habits and embraced regular exercise to see major weight loss.  She shared how she did it…

Brianna weight loss story

I started my journey in May 2013. Here I am, a year and 7 months later and 120 pounds later. If anyone would have told me that this would be or that it was even possible, I would have laughed.

I started my journey by cutting out sugar and now I don’t drink anything but water. I don’t eat fried foods, but I do eat A LOT of chicken because you can cook it so many ways besides fried. LOL! I count calories daily using A Calorie Counter. I also try to work out everyday doing a mixture of cardio and weight lifting. I started my weight loss journey weighing 355 pounds and now I’m down to 235 pounds (height: 5’5″).

My advice to others is just remember why you started. The wake up call for me was that I didn’t recognize myself. I felt like I had lost who I was and I needed to get her back. Hopefully my story can inspire someone and let them know that weight loss can be done the old fashioned, natural way. Thanks BWLW for sharing my story. Follow my journey on Instagram: @_brianna_simone

Brianna before and after

Tiffany lost 84 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Tiffany lost 84 pounds with weight loss surgery.  After being diagnosed with diabetes, high cholesterol and severe asthma, she decided that gastric bypass wls was the best option to change her health.  Here is what she shared with us…

Tiff weight loss surgery

Hi! I am 28 years old and had been overweight my entire adulthood. After becoming very ill and being diagnosed with diabetes, high cholesterol and severe asthma I knew that something had to change. I did my research and decided to have weight loss surgery. I had gastric bypass weight loss surgery on June 16, 2014. My highest weight was 295 pounds and today I am 211 pounds. I started out at a size 22 and I am a size 12/14 now. I am hoping that my story will inspire others to eat healthy. My surgery was simply a tool.

I developed a gluten sensitivity after the surgery and had to completely cut out breads all together. I now follow a gluten free diet and workout 4-5 days a week. I also had to cut out sugar and high fats because it makes me dump (after weight loss surgery some people experience undigested food passing through the digestive system – more info).  I work out 4-5 days a week and do a mix of cardio and strength training.  I am about 40 pounds from my surgeons goal of 170 pounds. My personal goal is 160 lbs! This surgery isn’t the easy way out. I have to work super hard. I want people to realize that you CAN do it. Trust me, it’s rough but if I can do it so can you!

Tiffany before and after

A’Sian’s Mom Lost Over 100 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: A’Sian helped her mom Melissa to lose over 100 pounds and she is so proud of her mother.  I think that it’s a beautiful thing when we can encourage out loved ones to live healthier lives AND support them during their transition to new habits.

Asian mom weight loss

This isn’t my story, it’s my mother’s story. I am 23 years old and my mom has always been heavy set. She always ate at fast food restaurants (McDonalds was her favorite) and always cooked fried foods. She added a lot of salt to food, never worked out and always purchased sodas.

Right now, I am a junior in college. I would have been graduating in May 2015 but due to a tragic death in my family it delayed my acceptance into the nursing program at my school. So, I had to wait out the year in 2014. I decided to pick up a minor in nutrition. I always tried to convince my mom to start working out and eating better but she never listened. That’s until one day when I really told her the health risks she faced (that she was aware of already) by being overweight and by being African American. That was in May of this year!

Now, my mom works out every single day, she drinks only water and coffee occasionally at work. She works out with a personal trainer that holds group kickboxing classes.  You will find her walking at work in the mornings and during her break, as well as  using the elliptical at work. She eats vegetables, lean meats and doesn’t even add salt to her food. Her starting weight was close to 400 pounds, and now she has lost over 100 pounds just by changing the simple things. I know this is a long story but I am so glad I was able to help my mom change her life! She is full of life now and it proves that anything is possible! No, it wasn’t easy but she did it.  I am so proud of my mom!

Kennesha lost 76 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Kennesha lost 76 pounds. Seeing how obesity affected her family and wanting to feel good about her weight, she committed to true lifestyle change. I love that she says, “My biggest challenge was to believe I could do it. Therefore, I constantly prayed to God to help me with my unbelief.”

Kennesha before and after

Starting weight: 278 pounds
Current weight: 202 pounds
Goal weight: 155 pounds
Pounds lost: 76 pounds
Height: 5 feet 4 inches
Age: 36 years

How long i’ve kept it off:  “I started my weight-loss journey in November 2013 and have lost 76 pounds in 10 months,” says Kennesha.

Turning point: “Even though I was embarrassed about my weight for years and had seen how extreme weight affected my family members, it wasn’t until I stepped on the scale in November 2013 and realized I was 278 pounds – the largest I had ever been in my life.”

Diet plan:  “I eat 5 to 6 small meals a day. For breakfast, I make a homemade green smoothie that consists of kale, pineapple, blue berries, raspberries, ginger, kiwi, celery, flaxseeds and parsley. For lunch, I have lean meat and veggies. For snack, I have nuts and carrots or fruit or a granola bar. My dinner consists of lean meat and veggies or a green salad. I allow myself to eat other foods in moderation on the weekend to keep from binging and feeling deprived. I use the LoseIt app to help track the foods that I consume and count calories.”

Exercise routine: “I work out 6 days a week. When I initially started, I lost my first 20 pounds by walking 3 miles a day and doing two sets of 25 squats, 25 lunges, 50 jumping jacks, 15 second planks, 25 crunches and 25 pushups. In January 2014, I started climbing the stairs at my job. In February 2014, I took my first cycling class with KTX Fitness to increase my cardio. In March 2014, I implemented strength training with Georgia Department of Public Health to help with toning.

Currently, I cycle on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I climb 41 flights of stairs 4 days a week. I do strength training by lifting weights on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Sundays, I walk Stone Mountain’s hiking trail with my brother and his family. ”

Biggest Challenge: “My biggest challenge was to believe I could do it. Therefore, I constantly prayed to God to help me with my unbelief.”

How life has changed: “I have more energy and confidence. I’ve become the co-administrator of a healthy eating group for individuals in my hometown of Camden (Wilcox County), AL. I’m excited about shopping again. I can see my veins and collar bone. I am no longer dependent on a CPAP machine that helps with sleep apnea. I have become an inspiration for others who are on the same journey.”

What’s Next: “My goals are to reach 155 pounds and maintain it by continuing to work out with KTX Fitness and Georgia Department of Public Health, travel and enjoy my abundant life.”

Social Media Contact: Facebook: www.facebook.com/kenneshapowell 

Deseree lost 40 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Deseree lost 40 pounds and transformed herself. This proud mom decided that enough was enough after her doctor told her that she was obese.  She shared with us about her reasons for losing the weight…

Deseree before and after

My motivation was that I was tired of being tired, physically and emotionally. I was tired of saying to myself “This ain’t me.” and beings as though I’m an actress, my self esteem was really low when trying on clothes that didn’t fit. I’m a mother or three, ages 22, 19 and 6. I also have a 2 year old grandchild. Grandmother sounds too old so I’m a “Mema”. I have to keep up with them. When my doctor told me that I was obese I couldn’t believe it because I thought you really have to be extremely overweight to be obese.

I use to eat junk food, fast food and fried food. I had to take citrate, a liquid laxative, and I took it so much that it made me sick. Now, I don’t have too take anything to be regular. I eat fruits and vegetables a lot now. When my older kids we’re younger junk food was the thing, but now me and my youngest daughter eat healthier and love all natural products. She prefers to eat all brown foods, no white, processed foods.

I stared walking in the mornings, putting my youngest in her 3 wheel stroller and we were out. My son had 8 pound weights so I started using them. My youngest and I still walk for exercise today. We usually walk a mile but when I’m alone I walk or run 5 to 6 miles a day. I feel great an if I don’t workout or have my walk/run I feel guilty.

My body has changed a lot and it is use to all the changes now. I was 193 pounds and now I’m 153 pounds. My goal weight is 140 pounds. I’m so relieved to be out of those 90s (height: 5’7″). I came a long way and I still have a ways to go. I still want some thickness and curves, but to be honest I haven’t seen my curves yet but I’m craving them. I want to have a nice backside and a healthy outer/inner glow. My advice is that you should do it first for health reasons and no matter what you have to deal with,  love yourself first and foremost. You could be feeling great instead of looking at someone else looking good and feeling bad. That’s motivation right there. Start each new day knowing that anyone can do it. Time waits for no-one, but you can work with that very same time to change your life.

Deseree weight loss

Ebony lost 30 pounds

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ebonejuly15updateUpdate July 2015: I have been on my fitness journey for two years now. I’ve been maintaining my weight loss by continuing to eating clean and by working out at least five times a week. I have been so blown away by my progress that I decided to start Naturalqueenfitness! A movement based out of long beach and los angeles. I get women together to get fit the fun and natural way!  I want for them to represent as the fitness queens that they are! Together we inspire, motivate, and empower! We do different meetups from zumba to twerk class. This lifestyle is for life! I have lost 30 pounds and feel fitness has changed me overall. Mentally and physically. I am so grateful to have found fitness and im loving my journey!!!
For schedule: www.meetup.com/natural-queen-fitness

ebony lost 31 poundsUpdate Feb 2015 – Ebony’s lost a few more pounds since Nov 2014: “I’ve been on my journey for a year and a half now. Starting weight: 201lbs, current weight: 170lbs. I owe it to consistency, clean eating, working out 5-6 days a week and lots of water! Thank u for sharing my story!!”

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Ebony lost 27 pounds and learned the most important rule of weight loss: You can’t expect to lose weight without changing your eating habits.  Her motivation was that she wanted to avoid a family history of illness and be here to see generations to come.  She is still on her journey, but wanted to share her success…

Ebony before and after

Hello my name is Ebony and I started my fitness journey in August of 2012. My motivation for wanting to workout and get healthy was my family history of diseases. Everything from diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney failure. I did not want that to be my story. I plan on being here for a long time to see my daughter grow and to maybe one day see my granchildren and great grandchildren grow. On top of the fact that I was over 200 lbs. It was then that I said I’m going to make a change.

In the beginning, it wasn’t the exercise I had a problem with, it was eating clean. I would workout and still eat anything that I wanted. I lost the first ten pounds fast but then noticed a plateau. I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t losing weight anymore and then I looked at the way I ate. You cannot expect to lose weight and still eat any way you want. So, I had to switch up my eating habits. I cut out all junk foods and processed foods. I stopped eating out and cooked more. I started eating more fruits and vegetables, incorporated green smoothies into my diet and cut out all sodas and juices. I drink strictly water with all meals as well.

I workout 5-6 days a week for at least an hour or more depending on what I’m doing. I like to switch up my workouts so I don’t get bored with the same thing. I hike, bike, walk, run, stairs, as well as workout in the gym with weights and fitness classes. Anything to get my workout in!

My starting weight was 201 lbs and my current weight is 174 lbs. I am 5’7″. I still not where I wanna be but I’m getting there! The advice I would give to others who are trying to lose weight would be to do it naturally! No supplements, no waist trainers, etc. Just clean eating and exercise really works!! Also, drink lots of water!! Water is so important and one of the keys to losng weight. Drink at least half of your body weight. Lastly…dont give up!! You can do it!! Thanks for sharing my story!! 
Please follow my fitness page and see my journey! @Naturalqueenfitness

Ebony weight loss journey

Sherita lost 73 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Sherita lost 73 pounds over the course of the last 2 years.  She knows that slow and stead wins the race and that by making practical changes to your lifestyle you can get the results you seek.  Here is what she shared with us…

Sherita before and after

Hi, my name is Sherita (aka Rita). I was very tired of obesity. I’ve been obese the majority of my life. I was bullied and tortured all my life as well. My weight was the topic that most people dwelled on, besides my skin complexion. In middle school, I tried Taebo and basketball. Yes, Taebo worked but I felt it made me look masculine, so I stopped. I really didn’t care about my weight growing up and when I was young I never did anything like counting calories. “What were calories?” I’d asked. Didn’t care to know any facts about nutrition or healthy eating either. My weight didn’t really stop me for enjoying my life, so losing weight wasn’t a priority.

Fast forward to 2012, I gave birth to my son Torri on Mothers Day. I was 230 pounds. I did breastfeed him for up to six months and had to stop because of the medicine I went on. I did lose 10 pounds post-pregnancy from breastfeeding. However, when I stopped I gained 30 pounds, which meant I ended up weighing 250+ pounds.

I really had a hard and stressful life. I realized that I had always cared about other people’s opinions. Chest pain and wanting to being healthy were my wake up calls for weight loss. I took control of my life and demanded change. I’ve never lost much weight before and knew I needed information. I downloaded the My Fitness Pal app, watched Extreme Weight Loss episodes, did my own research and learned how to eat right. My diet consists of green veggies, seafood, dairy, fiber and protein. I go light on the red meats and eat whole grains and nuts. For exercise, I got dumbbells and a stationary bike. I also started slow by walking 20 minutes; 3 times weekly and then later increased my workouts with workout videos.

I’ve gone from 259 pounds to 186 pounds. That’s 70+ pounds lost in two years. I wanted to lose half my pant size and I did! I went from 18w pants to 9/10 reg pants. I went from wearing 3x to 4 x shirts to large/XL tops! I lost 10 inches off my waist and more all over my body. My waist went from 45” to 35” inches. Now, I want to lose 20-30 more pounds.

My Advice: It’s not that hard but you have to have patience. Do it for yourself. Love yourself! It’s not all about being smaller, it is about your health! Green tea and water works, People. Cut back on sodas and white foods too. You gain a lot when you lose! Thanks for sharing my story. I just want to inspire people like I was inspired by so many!

Stacey has maintained her 180 pounds gone post-pregnancy

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Update: That’s right! After Stacey lost 180 pounds, she became pregnant.  She is happy to announce that she’s dropped all but a few pounds of pregnancy weight and maintained her lifestyle change.  More proof that you CAN lose the weight post-pregnancy.

Stacey Update post-pregnancy weight loss
Updated photos

“Since my last update so much has happened! I had another baby and gained about 48 pounds during that pregnancy. I am currently 8 months postpartum and I’ve lost all but four of those pounds. I have to keep a strict eating plan for myself or I will get off track and it makes a humongous difference for me. I also try to get in at least 30 minutes of cardio each day even if it’s a brisk walk on my lunch. In June of this year, I opened my health and wellness business and I’ve almost completed my nutrition certification course through NAFC and it’s going well! I have spoken at 2 events to talk about the importance of nutrition and how it coincides with what God has for us.

I pray that each of you find your own way on what to do to get healthy and do whatever it takes to save your life. Let no one make you feel a certain way about anything. You do what u can because once we leave this earth it is no repeat to try to do it again! Many blessings to u all and thank you to the administrator of Black Women Losing Weight for the opportunity of a second feature!!

Please like my page on Facebook www.facebook.com/kwullc , follow me on Instagram @kwus_creator, inbox or request my personal page on Fb Stacey Yvonne and my website is www.kwuhealthandwellness.com(it’s not finished yet but it has been published).”

Original Featured Success Story from June 2013: Read about how Stacey lost 180 pounds.

Stacey weight loss before and after

Angela lost 70 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Angela lost 70 pounds.  She started eating clean and working out to get more energy and see her body transform.  She says, “The best advice I have for anyone trying to lose weight is to educate yourself and learn to listen to your body.”  Read her story…

Angela before and after

My name is Angela and I have been on my journey for about one year so far. I have lost a total of 70 Lbs. I went from a size 24-26 to a size 18.  I decided to start losing weight after my mother took a hideous picture of me. I decided right then I did not like the extra weight and decided to go on my journey. I started exercising five times a week and embraced clean eating. I love the extra energy and seeing my body transform. I am very excited to see what the next phase of my weight loss journey has in store for me. I started at 307 pounds and I’m 5’7″.

Change in Eating habits – I became Pescatarian (seafood only) about three years ago. This aided big time in my weight loss. My eating habits have not changed since I started my transformation. I only bake and sautée my food. I eat plenty of leafy greens, lots of vegetables and drink lots of water too. I do not eat out often and prepare a majority of my meals at home as well doing meal prep for the week.

Workout routine – I did a majority of cardio(usually jogging & wii active) and weightlifting four to five times a week. I wanted to make sure that I was focusing on building and toning my muscles as well as weight loss. For my next weightless goal, I am trying to lose another thirty pounds. To achieve this, I workout five days a week. I do thirty minutes to a hour of Zumba and about a hour of resistance training. 

The best advice I have for anyone trying to lose weight is to educate yourself and learn to listen to your body. It took me a while to figure out my routine. Now I have a good rhythm and I’m seeing the results of my hard work. This takes time so don’t expect instant results. Set realistic goals to achieve. You have to do this journey for yourself not anyone else. I wanted this and focused my efforts towards it to achieve my results. It’s hard and bad days will come, but the good days outweigh the bad.

Delores lost 181 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Delores lost 181 pounds. She made the decision to take all the knowledge she’d gathered from years of yo-yo dieting and create REAL, lasting lifestyle change.  Her Weight Loss Journey was featured in Women’s Health Magazine & Closer Weekly.  Here is what she shared with us…

Delores before and after

How I Gained It: Whelp! I gained the weight by eating what I wanted, as much as I wanted, and having no desire to exercise. I didn’t have a strong desire to exercise until 2004 when my weight hit an all-time high of 350 pounds. I hated receiving invitations to go out, missed out on family vacations and on life’s precious events. My overall health wasn’t good either. I was diagnosed with acid reflux, diabetes, and high blood pressure. I knew I needed to make a change, but did I? No.

I experimented with programs such as Weight Watchers and Medifast. I tried a lot of things, including the cabbage soup and rice diet, Atkins and slim fast, “Within six months to a year of starting a diet, my weight would creep back up to my heaviest. I was Constantly yo-yoing between highs and lows.

Now, lets talk about the dreaded clothes SHOPPING. Shopping was pure hell for me. I ate myself up to a size 5x, size 30/32 blouses, 28-32 pants and 50 bra. Oh wait..It doesn’t stop there. I didn’t have a lap so I couldn’t even hold my beautiful grandkids on my lap.

The Moment I Knew I Needed To Lose Weight: The turning point was July 2013.

1. We had to fly for my husband’s business training trip to Dallas. The seat belt barely fit around me. I had to reach down and pull up my stomach in order to get the seatbelt around me. I was so embarrassed and wanted to cry. We decided to stay an extra day after the training to tour the new Dallas stadium. Need I say more…I couldn’t walk the Dallas stadium tour with my husband.

2. I was so sick and tired of all meds; types of blood pressure medicine, two types of diabetes medicine, acid reflux medicine, and water pills. Only you know when enough is enough. And I had enough.

3. We went to dinner to celebrate family July birthdays and all gathered on the pier to take pictures. Later that evening, as I sat on the couch looking at the pictures, I noticed that my husband could barely put his arm around me. I looked at that woman in the picture and asked, “Who are you?”. I didn’t know the woman looking back at me.

How I Lost It: The initial start was to remove sugar from my diet, stop late night eating and start using the gym membership that I had been paying on for two years. I knew I had to do something different this time. I had to find a way to make long term lifestyle changes. I knew giving up too much and feeling deprived wasn’t going to work this time.

I looked at every diet plan I’d ever been on and came up with a lifestyle plan that would that fit my daily routine and give me long term results. What had I learned from these diets? Eliminating sugar, cutting down on carbs and eating everything in moderation. The first 30 days, I didn’t eat any potatoes, pasta, white rice, flour, soda, sugar and I drank no less than a gallon of water a day. I’ve learned to read labels – even if it’s an organic, condiments, and seasonings. My plate consisted baked chicken, fish and salmon. I also filled my plate with vegetables and a small side of carbs. As much as possible, I try to stay away from processed foods, however “in some cases, you can’t avoid it,” and we know moderation is the key.

I make my own portable energy snacks; like roasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, pistachios, cashews and roasted chickpeas. I lost 20 pounds in 30 days and started going to the gym. I was sore for three months but I kept going every day. Even after losing 20 pounds, I could only walk on the treadmill at the lowest speed but I kept going as if my life depended on it. I would be on it for an hour, take a break, and get right back on. I stuck with the treadmill for the first nine months.

How My Life Is Different Now: The world has opened up to me! I love going to the gym and my energy level is off the charts! I’m off the chain and everybody that knows me is cheering me on! I want to do everything; spin class, dance, run, horseback riding and travel the world. Now, I can walk on the treadmill on its highest level for 45-50 minutes.

Milestone: I’ve gone from someone who could barley walk up a fight of stairs without being winded, to now lifting weights, using strength-training machines, elliptical machines and I started spin classes. I got my life back! My current weight is 169 pounds and I’m no longer on any of the medications! I’m going to need a mommy makeover (“That’s another story”). One year later, My husband said “Baby, I bet you can run that stadium now! I going to take you back to Dallas baby!”

Please feel free to follow my journey;
Twitter: @Distracted2013
Instagram: instagram.com/agentdcurtis
Facebook: facebook.com/getlostwithdee

delores before and after photos