Black Weight Loss Success

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before and after

Flora lost 102 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Flora lost 102 pounds by changing her eating habits and working out with fitness DVDs and Zumba on the Wii.  Here is what she shared with us:

I lost 102 prouds thru eating better and working out with fitness DVDs.  My journey started one day in March 2011 after I took a picture and was surprised that I looked so big. I didn’t even realize I had gained so much. My highest weight was 258 pounds and I was a size 2-3x top and 22 bottoms. I really didn’t know where to start, so Youtube was a great help with the 10 min workouts from Nicole of sparkpeople.com. I could only do the 10 min at a time and then I started doubling up to 20 min. In June 2011 I joined MyFitnessPal, an online community, and I was able to log my foods to help me keep my eating under control and make better choices. I bought the Wii games for Zumba and Jillian Michael DVDs, since I didn’t want others to see me in a gym.  The weight slowly came off, and now I’m at 156 pounds. My children (ages 2, 4 & 12) motivate me, and they work out with me. I’ve started helping other people on this journey with starting groups, working out with them and support. Many blessings to you! Flora B.

flora weight loss

April lost 70 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: April lost 70 pounds by focusing on portion control and faith.  She is an inspirational example of a wife and she has transformed herself.  Here is what she shared with us:

I just want to say…. THANKS!! This page has been so inspiring and uplifting! It shows exactly why black girls rock!!! I myself have struggled with my weight. My husband has been sick with a spinal disorder since high school and while taking care of him, I let myself go. At my heaviest, I was 217lbs, size 22 and had no self-esteem! I had to make a change….QUICK! I stopped feeling sorry for myself and made a change. I had a husband to live for but more importantly I had ME to live for! I’m proud to say that I lost 70lbs and am now a size 6! Glory be to God! Thank you guys so much for sharing these stories… The struggle us real! Thanks again and God Bless!

In terms of eating habits, I focused largely on portion control. I ate whatever I wanted….in moderation. I didn’t let myself indulge in a lot of fried foods, sweets, or breads. Granted, I still ate them, but all in moderation and never together. As far as exercise, I walked 2 miles (the length of my street) everyday and occasionally added in some jogging…on good days.  For the most part, my FAITH is what got me through it because at times I got discouraged. You see, I came from a family of all “skinny girls” and I never thought I’d ever be anything other than “the fat sister.” I realized that I was way too young to be so unhealthy and that my husband needed me to be around for a long time. My family has a history of diabetes and I wasn’t willing to be a part of those statistics. I still have my weak moments, but I love ME now and I don’t ever wanna go back!  All in all, I stepped back from the table and I stepped my game up!  Thank you!

April weight loss

Crystal lost 201.8 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Crystal lost 201.8 pounds after having gastric weight loss surgery in 2011 at 369 pounds.  She has transformed her body and her health.   Here is what she shared with BWLW:

I just wanted to submit my story. On April 28, 2011, I had Gastric Bypass surgery. My highest weight was 369 pounds. As of 2 years on yesterday, I am down 201.8 pounds through consistently eating healthier and exercise. I love running!

I had been overweight all my life. I struggled with trying to lose weight for years. One day I was walking up the stairs. I literally counting each step as I walked up. At step 7, I felt like I was going to die. That was the day I decided I needed to do something. I had been researching weight loss surgery for 2 years but I was afraid. I called my surgeons office the next day for a consultation.

7 months after that call, I had Roux en Y surgery (gastric bypass). It was a tough first few months but I made it. I started running to help with stress and build stamina. I pre-packed all of my meals at least a day or two in advance. After losing the first hundred pounds, I was even more motivated. I started running every day and adding activities like yoga and dancing. I eat 6 small meals a day and I am sure to eat lean protein and veggies with every meal.  Now, two years after surgery, I am now down 201.8 pounds and I feel great!

Crystal weight loss surgery

Tiffany lost 109 pounds

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Weight Loss Story Update Mar 2014: Tiffany wrote in to let us know that she has lost an additional 20 pounds.  That brings her to a total of 129 pounds down.

“Hello, I have made it from having lost 186 pounds when my story was posted originally to now weighing 166 pounds! Still trying to get to my goal of 150 lbs.  My weight loss has inspired me to follow another dream of finishing a CD I started and I’ve started a Kickstarter campaign. I have never been more scared in my life but in an excited way…lol. ” Updated photo:

TiffanyMar14blog

May 5, 2013 – Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Tiffany lost 109 pounds.  She tried weight loss surgery but it did not work for her and she gained the weight back.  Now, years later, she has been able to lose the weight with eating right and exercise.

I’m Tiffany “Wildkat” Williams and I started at 297 and I’m 188 now! I’m on my way to 145!!  I tried everything including 2 surgeries that didn’t work so now I watch what I eat and workout religiously!  I exercise no less then 2 hours a day except on Sunday. I do several kinds of dance including belly dancing and pole. I also lift weights and do Zumba and a slew of other classes! Love your page and thanks for the positive images and stories you post!

I tried everything to lose weight! I’ve done all the fad diets, the pills, two surgeries! I had the lap band first and when that failed I had it removed and had a gastric bypass. The bypass failed as well because I had intestinal issues. So i did lose some weight but I lost it very slowly. I was 297 at my heaviest and 275 when I had the bypass and 3 years later I was only down to 186. To put it in perspective I know people who had surgery within weeks of mine and 9 months later went from 255 to 135! Surgery just was not the right choice for me and I was counting calories and working out like crazy! Then 2 years after surgery I was back at 248!

I’ve been heavy my entire life I just finally have all the pieces of my puzzle together. I used to workout all the time and eat poorly or starve myself and not workout at all. I was finally successful with a healthy diet and working out 6 days a week for 2-4 hours a day! I have now gotten down to 184 and I am on my way to 145! I eat lots of protein, fresh fruits and veggies. I add protein shakes in as well. I stay away from “whites” bread, potatoes, rice etc. I eat multi grain breads in moderation and yams and brown rice. I also cut out sugar, salt and processed foods as much as possible. I will eat a fresh apple instead of applesauce for example. Processed foods have a lot of hidden sugar and sodium. I do Zumba, pole fitness, elliptical HIIT plans, running, weight lifting, kick boxing, yoga and Pilates just to name a few. I need variety to keep myself entertained lol! I guess I’ve been working on my transformation “seriously” for about 4 years now. Thanks for sharing! I love your page!

Tiffany 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

Joy lost 38 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Joy lost 38 pounds with working out and building muscle.  She is focused on non-scale victories.

Hi! My name is Joy! I have been working out (consistently) for little over a year and a half now and just took a before and after picture of myself. I had no idea of the difference!  I am even more surprised that I was able to lose the weight in a very healthy fashion! I cut back my portions, found a way to make healthy snacks opposed to the sugary ones.

I also started working out 5 days a week. I initially began with “Walk Away the Pounds” but since then I have incorporated weights into my workout, building muscle and getting a better cardio workout. I’m currently not sure how many pounds I have actually lost since I stopped weighing myself a while ago. Basically, I started out around 295 and am currently around 257.  I found throughout my weight loss journey that I was getting too caught up on numbers and found the scale was causing me more discouragement then motivation. As a result, I was looking pass all the success I was having off the scale (I had more energy, was eating healthy and losing inches!). I have always been bigger and though this did not hinder my personality as a person, I do feel better about myself and feel great when I workout (something I never thought I would say, lol!).

I just wanted to share my story as so many of the stories I see on here have inspired me and caused me to be excited for others! Still I mush on! It is like my body programmed to this new way of living and that feels good! I had to really find what worked for me on this journey and everyday I am pushing myself to do a little more! God Bless!

Joy weight loss

Staci lost 33 pounds

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Let’s show some love to Staci who has lost 33 pounds post pregnancy with My Fitness Pal, portion control and watching her calorie intake.  She is blogging about her progress and wants to be less than 200 pounds by her birthday in November.

I love your page! It is truly an inspiration to see the great results and it pushes me more and more towards reaching my goal! I started my journey in August 2012 at 286.6 pounds (I’m 290 in my before photo) and today I am 259.2 pounds (A little more than my after photo).  I am a firm believer that I can do all things through Christ who strengths me! I plan to lose 60-70 pounds before my next birthday in November and get below 200 pounds. I lost my weight by using My Fitness Pal and watching my calorie intake and portion control. Feel free to check out my blog as well: getfitwithstaci.wordpress.com/

When I feel like I can’t press forward I look at the success stories of those who have had a successful journey. I am reminding myself that I also can obtain the same results.  My motivation: my husband, my two children, Co-workers and inspirational posts from Facebook friends and people who post their success stories.

I changed my eating habits by eliminating sodas and sugary drinks, eating more whole wheat products and avoiding white rice and pastas. I now avoid cakes and sugary snacks and opt for fresh fruits. I still enjoy certain foods in moderation and during special occasions. I’ve increased my water intake to at least 10 cups per day.  I’ve become more active by playing with my kids.  I’m CONSTANTLY MOVING around the house, at work and parking far from the store while out shopping. I’m also making healthier choices when eating, practicing portion control and staying active most days of the week.

Staci 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