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before and after

Update: Sha lost 94 pounds

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Update: We featured Sha’s story back in June 2014 when she was down 72 pounds.  Now, she’s sent us an update and new photos to let us know that she’s lost another 22 pounds.

Hello, I hope all is well. I’m writing you to let you know that I now weight 188 pounds. I’ve officially lost naturally around 94 pounds and I went from a size 22/24 to a size 12. I’m still focused on my second goal of reaching 175/180 pounds…whatever looks healthy on me LoL. Here are some updated pics. 

Check out the post from June to learn more about how she lost the weight…
Instagram: @shalove80

Sha before and after Sha weight loss

Diandra lost 173 pounds with surgery

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Diandra lost 173 pounds.  Motivated by wanting to live a long life with her family, she opted to have weight loss surgery and change her lifestyle to lose the weight.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

diandra weight loss

Hi, I’m Diandra and I started my weight loss journey in 2011. I lost 70 lbs on my own but started to gain it back. Finally, I decided to have the Gastric Sleeve weight loss surgery on February 27th 2014. My highest weight was 351 lbs and on surgery date I was 304 lbs. I’m now 178 pounds!  I stand 5’8″ tall. Having the surgery was the best decision I have ever made. I have lost a total of 173 pounds since 2011. I went from a size 26-28 to now a size 8-10! I truly feel great. I’m now full of energy and more confident.

My motivation for losing weight was my kids. I wanted to live a long healthy life for them. I was afraid my weight would be out of control and I would become bed ridden. I also had poor self esteem and a lack of self-confidence.

I started going to the gym 3 times a week and working on doing Cardio. I started eating smaller portions and of course healthier choices. For anyone who is wanting to lose weight I say give it your all, never give up.. No matter what choice you decide to make to lose the weight just focus and maintain!! Thanks for listening to my story! Please follow my journey on Instagram @dee_gemini615

diandra before and after

Tareena lost 60 pounds

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May 2016 Update – Tareena kept off the 63 pounds she lost a year ago and lost 4 additional pounds.

I have a new update to share. I am still going strong, exercising at home and watching what I eat instead of dieting. I currently weigh 153 pounds, down from my highest weigh of 220 pounds.

tareena before and after

Oct 2015 Update – Tareena lost 3 more pounds and is working on strength training.

“I haven’t lost much more, but I am turning what I have into muscle. Now, I weigh 157 pounds. I still work out at home, but now I have a weight bench that I use for shoulders, legs and chest. I use my indoor bike as well for cardio. I do a 5 minute ab routine and squats with heels on lol. My diet is still simple portion control and I also use my Nutribullet from time to time.”

tareena before and after tareena before and after

March 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Tareena lost 60 pounds.  This proud mom of 3 was motivated to lose weight for her family. Embracing health eating and exercise worked for her. Check out what she shared with us about losing the weight…

tareena before and after

I would like to share my weight loss journey. I am a mom of three, ages 11, 7, and 6 years old. I have battled with my weight since the birth of my last child. 5 months ago, I decided to get real and act right. I changed my diet and really started working out hard!! I have lost a total of 60 lbs! I’ve been on this journey from 2013 to today. I plan to keep it up and never go back! Thank you for creating your Facebook page it is such a positive thing to see our queens being more than they make us out to be.

My motivation was the naysayers at first, those who told me to just accept the fact that I was a mom that would never be in shape because this is what mom’s look like. Then it became just wanting to be healthier for my husband and kids. I was tired of being unhappy with my body. Although I acted as if I was ok with it, I was not!

I started with cutting out fast food completely. I have not had any type of potato product in a year and a half. No chips, fries, nothing! After crash dieting, I realized that yes I was losing but it was not healthy so I began following healthy portion sizes and I still am. Took away pies and ice-cream and changed it to fruits. Also, I don’t drink soda or juice, just water and green tea.

I work out at home for 30 mins to an hour everyday. I started off with Hip Hop Abs in October 2014 then around December I started doing routines from YouTube. Now I do my own routine which is a combination of different videos from YouTube. My starting weight was 220 pounds and that was my heaviest, wearing a size 14. I am currently 160 pounds and wearing a size 8-10 at 5’8″ tall.

tareena weight loss

Lakeashea lost 65 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation Story of the Day: Lakeashea lost 65 pounds.  This petite diva is still on her weight loss journey and is determined not to go back to where she was.  Check out what she shared about what she did to drop the pounds…

lakeashea before and after

I’m Lakeashea and I started my weight loss journey back in April of 2011.It took about 6 months to loose every bit of about 65 lbs and counting. My starting weight was 225 pounds and then I reached 154 lbs. I gained a few back and I now weigh about 165 lbs at 5’2″ tall. I’m currently loosing again, so the journey never ends. It just gets better.

What made me wanna change was just be being tired if being the “cute fat friend”. I mean I was always a diva, just needed to make a few minor changes. Lol. What inspired me most was my daughter and keeping up with her. Also, I changed so that I could feel better about myself overall.

Now, I’m eating to live not living to eat. I do indulge a little because I’m human. I just always do it in moderation. I went cold turkey at first; No breads, No sugar and No pasta at all. I just ate more chicken, fish and more fresh fruit and veggies. Workout wise, I started out doing 7 days week a week and now I’m down to 5 days a week doing at least 45 minute workouts.

To others wanting to lose weight I say just believe in yourself and never give up. Let no one are nothing get in your way. I just tell everyone to do what works best for you.  Don’t let any one or anything stop you from being the best you that you know you can be. I still struggle from time to time, but I never give up. I’m only human, but I just know that I will never be that 225 lb woman ever again.

Instagram: @imon_some_newnew_shit

 

Krystle lost 70 pounds

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Update July 2016: Krystle sent in an update of her progress.

krystle before and after

“In June 2015, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my right knee. At the time, I was trying to out train a bad diet which put a lot of unnecessary stress on my body. In March 2016, I was selected for a test group for a new Beachbody program which has completely changed my life. In the past 90 days, I’ve lost 49.5 pounds (362.5 to 313 lbs) and 27.25 inches. I’m working out 30 minutes a day in my home, following a portion control meal plan and drinking one superfood shake a day. Working out and eating healthy is a HUGE part of my life now. I genuinely enjoy sweating out my frustrations and living a healthier lifestyle.”

March 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation Story of the Day: Krystle lost 70 pounds.  She has changed her habits and overall lifestyle to support her weight loss efforts.  She’s also chronicling her weight loss journey online and wants to inspire others.  Read all about her weight loss journey…

krystle before and after

I’m a plus size woman who has overcome her fears and decided that it was time to just do it! I’ve lost 70 pounds so far and I’m still writing my story! I’m a stronger person now and I LOVE to help, inspire and motivate others who feel the same way I did. Many people ask me how I’m doing this?? Persistence, dedication and I started making some BIG changes! I changed the way I eat, the way I workout and my attitude!!

Here’s what I do:
1. I consume 5 to 6 small meals a day. I stopped eating a lot of carbs and drinking soda.
2. Drink gallon of water and green tea!
3. I workout 5-6 times a week.
4. I lift weights 2-3 times a week.
5. I meal prep every Sunday to ensure I’m set up for a successful week.
My Height is 5’6″ and it’s taken 1 year to lose this weight.

My motivation was that I want to start a family soon, so I want to have a healthy pregnancy and be healthy for my kids and family. What inspired me was the transformations I saw from Beachbody programs. There have been people who lost 100’s of pounds, so I knew I could do it too. I use Beachbody* programs for my workouts. I love Turbo Kickboxing!

My advice to others who want to lose weight is to remember that this is a journey and you can’t expect to lose the weight overnight. If you remain consistent, then everything will fall into place. Follow my fitness page @krystlefit for weightless support, nutrition and daily motivation. Facebook page: KrystleFit

*Krystle is a Beachbody coach and can give you more info about their programs.

Anissa lost 160 pounds with surgery

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anissa before and afterUpdate Oct 2015 – Anissa lost the weight and now she’s raising funds to remove a significant amount of loose skin.- I had the gastric bypass March 17, 2009. In four months, I had lost up to 186 pounds but I wasn’t healthy. I wasn’t eating and I was real depressed. I still didn’t like the new me at a lighter weight and hell I’d lost a whole person. At the time, I thought that once I lost the weight the opposite sex would be interested in me. However, over time I had to realize that I had to like and love me before the rest of the world could.

anissa gofundmeThese days I have found who I truly am. I have found my worth and I know that I’m overly blessed to have gone through my struggles to get to this point in my life. I took a body fat test and found out that I have 144 pounds of lean body muscle and 54 pounds of body fat – 198 pounds total (down from 360 pounds). I am so proud of the accomplishment that I have made, but there is only one thing that is holding me back. It is a constant memory of how bad I abused my body, i.e. the extra skin that I have hanging from my arms, stomach, and thighs.

So, I’m asking for help!! I am asking for $1 to go to my gofundme account. This will go to saving up for the surgery to complete the journey. I’m asking only $1, but if you feel led to give more then I’m overly honored and grateful. You can find me on Facebook: anissaboston, Instagram at @boston79ak, and gofundme.com/cuttingthefat.

Mar 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Anissa lost 160 pounds with gastric bypass surgery and by changing her lifestyle.  Eating clean, working out and learning how to shop for healthy food were huge factors on her journey.  Here is what she shared with us…

anissa before and after

My weight loss motivation was my children. I didn’t want them have to experience the life of obesity as a life long experience as I did. Who inspired me was a young lady named Cierra Murphy. I knew her when she was in high school and as she graduated and went on to college she took her life back.

I had lost my job and all I had were food stamps coming in so I took a class that the county posted and they taught how to shop the perimeter of the store and how to read labels. So, I stated to read labels when I shopped. If enriched or unbleached was the first word in the ingredients, I didn’t buy it. Eventually I cut out bread and ate more veggies. I introduced kale into my life too. I ate in for each meal, having a protein and vegetables.

For exercise, I walked at least two miles daily. I would walk to the gym which was about a mile going and coming and work out. Then I added Shawn T’s Focus T25 program. When I found employment, my job was my exercise because I was wrapping pallets by hand and standing. With work, I was walking daily at least 8 miles on top of the focus T25 in the morning.

My starting weight was 360 pounds and my current weight is 200 pounds with a body fat percentage of 27.18%. I’m 5’5″ tall. My transformation is on still going today but it will be seven years total on St . Patrick’s day of 2015 since I had the gastric bypass surgery and 17 months of eating clean as a lifestyle. To take everyday as a new day. If you can get to 12 pm with eating clean, then tomorrow push your self to get 12:15 pm. Don’t stop keep pushing. Know in your heart that you can do all things. Get past yourself and push pass your pain.

Instagram: @boston79ak

anissa weight loss

Chanice-Nykole lost 100 pounds

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Update April 2017: It’s been 2 years since we featured Chanice-Nykole and she has maintained her weight loss success! Maintenance is the hard part and she is winning.

A post shared by chanicenykole (@chanicenykole) on

March 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Chanice-Nykole lost 100 pounds.  This young health warrior decided to transform her life after her weight reached 330 pounds. She is now a weight loss and nutrition coach helping others to reach their goals. Check out what she shared with us and a video about her journey…

chance before and after

My name is Angel Chanice-Nykole and I lost 100 pounds. My starting weight was 330 pounds and my current weight is 230 pounds (height 6’1″). My inspiration for my weight loss journey came from within. I was struggling with depression and anxiety. After ballooning up to over 330 pounds, it was time to make a change. I had to take control over my life.

I started by eating healthier versions of what I normally ate. I made smart choices like, eating grilled chicken instead of fried; drinking a diet soda instead of regular… simple changes. As I saw results, I did more research on different kinds of foods and how they work to promote weight loss.

For exercise, I would walk around my college campus for 2 hours EVERYDAY. I enjoyed the scenery, so it didn’t seem like a workout. On rainy days, I would stay inside and workout with my Wii Fitness. Now, I do a lot of HIIT workouts and toning exercises.

It took me 2 years to lose 100 pounds. I did it without any diet pills, crazy shakes, other gimmicks or programs. I ate right, studied nutrition and moved my body. My advice to others is to never give up. Progress may not show up right away, but as long as you are consistently putting forth the effort, you will be rewarded.

I now help others get on track with their weight loss journey. I am a weight loss and nutrition coach, and I’m on a mission to rid the world of obesity and obesity related health issues. It’s take to take our lives back. It’s time to take our health back. I have my own nutrition and weight loss business called ‘Change Of Plans‘. I create customized meal plans and detox plans. I also do personal training and cooking classes, as well as provide one on one coaching to help get to the root of of your weight issues. I hold nutrition classes and speak to groups on how they can renew their mind to a healthier lifestyle. If you change your eating, you’ll change your life.

Website www.changeofplans.co
Facebook page www.facebook.com/changeOplans
Instagram: @ChaniceNykole
If anyone has any questions about my story or wants more info on programs, contact me at changeOplans@gmail.com.

Lateefah lost 106 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Lateefah lost 106 pounds.  She embraced exercise, eating a more plant-based diet and green smoothies.  Check out what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

Lateefah before and after

Hello! My is Lateefah I would love to share my story. I’ve lost 106 lbs through diet and exercise. It took about a year and a half. I’m still pushing for 20 more lbs. I took it serious and wanted to show people that it’s possible to lose weight without surgery. I went on a strict diet of only water, unlimited fruit and veggies and fish for my meat. I also do green smoothies. I’m in the gym 7 days a week at this point. I feel amazing. I went from a size 20 to a size 10 and I’m Loving it!

I was inspired to keep going from my results. Even if it was 2 or 3 pounds a week I felt like it was progress. I also was on high blood pressure medicine and wanted off. Those two things alone were my motivation.  I also wanted to be around for my 16 yr old daughter and I knew that if I didn’t change my health would only get worse.

I totally stopped eating fast food. I began with making green smoothies and cooking all my meals. Then eventually, I went to vegetarian lifestyle. I started in the gym maybe 2 to 3 times a week doing only cardio, then things moved up to me working out with a trainer 5 times a week.  The workouts were intense, 1 hour of cardio and 1 hour of strength training. I love the elliptical machine and cycling classes. I love this lifestyle so much that I’m doing cardio EVERYDAY and weight training a couple of times a week.

My beginning weight was 286 pounds and now I’m at 180 pounds. I’m 5’5″ in height and still pushing for 25 to 30 more pounds gone. I originally wanted the gastic sleeve surgery but my Doctor wouldn’t allow me to get it so I knew then I had to get serious if wanted to get healthy. I would tell anyone who looks at themselves and think it’s impossible to lose a lot of weight naturally that they are so wrong. With a fed up mind, hard work and discipline the sky is the limit. You will hit bumps in the road, but if you trust the process and are true to journey, the weight will fall off like crazy.

lateefah weight loss Lateefah

Tammi lost 141 pounds

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Update Dec 2015 – We featured Tammi‘s story back in March 2015 (below) and she recently shared this update with us. “I’ve been running using my Gear Fit, Nike Run, C25k and Pandora. I love knowing how many steps I take per day. I average around 5 miles and try to do that a few times per week. I don’t do the mega circuit of activities that I used 2. I completed my 1st 5k run on October and also I wore my very 1st bikini this year. I felt so confident in it. This is by no means easy, this maintenance thing. I have my bad days and set backs, but I pick myself back up and allow myself that cupcake. I still use portion control and have my sweet tea as a treat. I also try to treat myself every so often, because after all I am human and have weaknesses. I’m still learning how NOT to be a slave to the scale and be easier on myself, but like this weight loss journey, it will be a lifelong commitment and I’m willing to take it on. I remember how I felt at 311 pounds and I never want to feel that way again.”

tammi before and after

March 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation Story of the Day: Tammi lost 141 pounds.  This proud mom of 2 now weighs less than she did in the 9th grade and is never going back to not feeling healthy and free.  Check out what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

tammi before and after

At 5″11 I weighed 311 lbs. I’ve been overweight since the ninth grade and tried so many weight loss solutions. At one point I just decided to be resolved in the fact that I was gonna be that size forever. Even when my then 3 year old was sitting beside me, rubbing my stomach, and asked me if he was going to have a little sister that didn’t give me the boost to get up off my butt and do something about it. Before my divorce I started exercising with the intent on improving my relationship. That didn’t work. Then after my divorce I moved on and found the love of my life. I was loved for me and never asked to change. That’s when I decided to do this for ME a for nobody else.

My mom had gastric bypass surgery and I was there for every step. I used her diet and meal plan which started out strictly on protein shakes for a few months. It was hard and that’s no joke, but I was committed. Once I reintroduced solids, I started hitting the gym hard. I did kickboxing, water aerobics, spin, and walking. I am currently doing 60 minutes of exercise/day. I’m proud to say that I can now run!! It’s a slow run, but it’s something I could never ever do before. My annoying large breasts even shrunk. They were a bother to me and that was the one surgery I wanted prior to losing the weight. Well that’s money saved!!

I still feel like a “fat” girl as I call myself some days, but after a year and a half I reached my goal weight and have been maintaining it for a few months. I’m NEVER going back because even on my bad days, I’ve never felt this free. My men, as I call them, are 8 and 13 years old and think I’m too small. However,  that’s just because they were so used to fluffy mommy. They don’t understand that I am a healthier, happier, more comfortable in my own skin kind of Me. I now weigh 170 pounds and that’s less than I weighed in the ninth grade. It takes a lot for me to even post this picture, but I feel that I am now fearless about judgement and completely proud of my hard work. It may sound cliche, but if i could do it, anybody can! It is hard as hell, I won’t lie, but it’s sooooooooo worth it in the end. Keep the faith.

Update: Natashia lost 170 pounds

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Update: We featured Natashia’s story back in 2012 on Facebook when she was down 152 pounds, down from 302 pounds.  Two years later this proud mom of 6 has not only maintained her weight loss, but lost 18 more pounds for a total of 170 pounds.  Check out her update and our original post below.

Natashia before and after

My name is Natashia Saunders. I just wanted to update my story and let everyone know that I am still hanging on to my extreme weight loss makeover. My highest weight was 302 pounds and I am now 132 pounds 3 years later. I have maintained my weight loss by continuing my routine at the YMCA and by looking through my old pictures to keep reminded of where I came from. The highest size I remember wearing was a size 24. I now comfortably fit a size 6 and would not change a thing. I have 6 children (ages 18, 17, 16, 14, 13, and 11) and they are all athletic and fit, so I just have to be able to keep up.

At first, I cut soda completely out of my diet because that sugar was keeping that weight on me. I occasionally will drink a grape soda now, if I have earned it. I love fruits and vegetables and don’t eat any pork. I take Turbo Kick class at the ymca twice a week and take a step class twice a week. I also do about 3 miles on the elliptical, 5 times a week.

I love to shop now because my size is a single digit. I feel so good all the time. I am no longer on blood pressure medication because my weight loss has taken care of that. I feel I am in the best health of my life and I just love it! Thank you Black Women Losing Weight. You continue to be my inspiration to keep up the good work. Way to go ladies. It can be done. God bless.

natashia

Original post from Aug 2012 on Facebook – Let’s show Natashia some BWLW love on her 152 pound weight loss! She says, “I have been over 200 pounds my entire adult life. After the births of my 6 children, I tipped the scale at 302 pounds. I have tried all types of diets and they all have failed. I started to pray on my situation and was granted the strength to push myself to eat less and workout more. I started back at the gym Feb 2012 and weighed in at 214 pounds. Since then I have had surgery to repair a hernia from pushing myself so hard. Today at age 34, I’m weighing 150 pounds and feeling great working out on the elliptical as I type. It is NEVER to late to take care of yourself. I’m a walking testimony.”

natashia weight loss