Black Weight Loss Success

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before and after

Bridgette lost 72 pounds

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Bridgette lost 72 pounds and is today’s featured weight loss success story.  She says:

“These photos are from Valentine’s Day 2011 and Valentine’s Day 2013. What a difference it makes when you take some time to love yourself first! I’ve lost a total of 72 pounds over the past year by working out (Curves, Zumba, Turbo Kick, and more), and eating healthier meals.

I started out by limiting my carb intake to only those in fruits and vegetables. I included a lean protein with each meal and ate 5 small meals a day. After a few months, I gradually began to add back in whole grains. I used MyFitnessPal and SparkPeople to track my calorie intake and exercise calories burned. I worked out 5-6 days a week, by starting with fitness games on my Wii at home and a free month trial at Curves. Then I then joined Curves, started doing Zumba and also started taking Turbo Kick classes. What also helped me was joining a weight loss contest sponsored by a local hospital. The program offered a lot of free support through lectures, cooking demonstrations, a weekly exercise bootcamp class, and an online community forum. Now I workout out 3-4 days a week and I’m mainly concentrating on toning.”

Bridgette weight loss

Jacque lost 80 pounds in 7 months

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Update Oct 2015 – We featured Jacque’s story back in 2013.  This Zeta Phi Beta soror lost 80 pounds in 7 months.  She recently sent in an update to let us know that she’s not only maintained her weight loss, but also lost another 20 pounds for a total of 100 pounds gone. Check out her updated before and after.

jacque before and after

I have lost 100 pounds! I continue to workout by teaching Zumba and reducing my food intake. I stay motivated through my students. The biggest lesson I have learned is staying healthy is a way of life. If you eat everyday, you should workout everyday. Some days more than others. Whether you do a Zumba class or you take the stairs instead of taking the elevator, you should have some form of exercise daily.

I’m hosting a $1 Zumba class in Raleigh, North Carolina, hoping to help people in my area. The class is every Monday from 6pm to 7:15pm. My business, Z-Fitness with Jacque Inc., is all about helping women meet their fitness goals.

March 2013 – Featured weight loss success story of the day: Zeta Phi Beta Soror Jacque lost 80 pounds in 7 months.  She did it by working out and eating smaller portions.  She is now a Zumba instructor.

“Here is my weight loss picture. I did it in 7 months with mostly Zumba, treadmill and smaller portions of food. I am now a Zumba instructor and impacting many other people.  When I started this journey, I just knew I had to loose weight. I started out walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes twice a day. I didn’t diet.  What I did was used portion control. I ate my meals on a smaller plate. For lunch I had Progresso soup daily and didn’t eat after 6pm. I did cut out two of the foods I consumed the most of which was any type of bread and Pepsi’s. I also stopped eating at fast food windows. I started at 255 and now 7 months later I weigh 175. It was hard work but I feel like anything you put your mind and heart to you can do it!  Thank you for sharing and hope it inspires someone else.”

Update 9/25/2013: “Hi I’m coming to you again. I was featured on your page in March 2013. I want to show people how I’m still loosing weight as a Zumba instructor and personal trainer. Being featured on your page has let me inspire a lot of people. As I continue to loose weight, eat healthy and eat in moderation, I want others to know that you can do whatever you put your mind to. I went from weighing 255 at a size 22 and now weighing 169 at a size 8 (86 pounds lost). To God be the glory! I hope this inspires someone else.”

Facebook page: Z-Fitness-with-Jacque-Inc

Original photo

Jacque weight loss story

Updated photo

Jacque updated weight loss story

 

Jamila lost 100 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Jamila lost 100 pounds.  She joined the non-surgical weight loss program at a bariatric clinic for obesity.

“It’s official…I’ve lost 100lbs!!! I started this journey August 2011, once I weighed 244lbs. I started with P90x and lost 35lbs after the 90 days. I gained some of the weight back. I was able to maintain 215lbs for about 6 months with a lot of work. Once I started inching back up to 220lbs…I decided enough was enough so in July/August 2012, I went to a bariatric clinic for obesity and joined their non-surgical weight loss program, at that time I was 217lbs. Following their suggestions for exercise (move at least 45 minuter a day and do strength training 2-3 times a week) and for lifestyle changes, i.e. diet (1000 calories a day, 50 grams of carbs, 60-90 grams of protein, 8 cups of water, and serving size of 1 cup per meal), I lost 10lbs the first week. I was down 50lbs within 5 months. As of today, 20 months after starting my journey and after 7 months after joining the weight loss program, I have lost over 100lbs, 13% body fat, and gained 1 million percent self esteem, energy, and a renewed look on life.”

Jamila weight loss

Crystal lost 62 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story:  Crystal lost 62 pounds by working out and changing her diet.  She took up belly dancing and loves it.

I gained 75 pounds when I had my son almost 3 years ago.   Just over a year ago, I was almost 300 pounds and I knew that I had to do something about it!  So, I changed my eating habits (no soda,sugar,bread,etc) and started working out 3 times a week. I walked everyday and stopped eating after 7 pm. As of today I have lost 62 pounds!

I started in November of 2011. I started by going to a nutrionist and dietician who gave me some ideas for dieting. I cut out soda completely, not even diet and i only drank juice that was crystal light or sugar free koolaid. I only ate 300-400 calories per meal. No fried food, no fast food and no bread. I actually eat a lot of lunchables (crackers n meat kind), not to many calories and just the right portion size for me. I still drink coffee every morning but ive learned to have decaf and splenda. I walk on the treadmill for 45 mins a day and I do a full work out (sit ups, squats, push ups and belly dancing) 3 times a week. I found the belly dancing helps me a lot.”

Crystal weight loss journey

Ms. Mook lost 135 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Ms. Mook lost 135 pounds with weight loss surgery.  She has a very in-depth Youtube channel where she chronicles her weight loss journey.

I had lapband surgery Feb. 2010 but had minor complications within a two year period. I had a chance to learn about having my lapband taken out and going to Mexico to have my revision surgery from lapband to vertical sleeve. I had my revision surgery January 2012. I have lost a total of 75lbs since last January and an overall total of 135lbs. Having weight loss surgery was not an easy thing as most people believe. You still have to make sure you eat properly, take your vitamins, eat and drink your protein and also exercise. I speak of all my hard work on youtube.com/msmook1979 documenting my whole journey from lapband to sleeve.

Mook weight loss

Dominique lost 43 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story:  Dominique lost 43 pounds with Weight Watchers, prayer and fasting.  She gives honor to God for her transformation

“I’m proud to say I was 212 lbs and now 169 lbs.  Weight Watchers brought me down to 189.  Prayer and fasting with god brought me down to 169.  Now, I watch what I eat.  Instead of eating rice all the time, I eat onions and green peppers in place of the rice.   I eat meat once a day and I bake it.  I cut out the beef  in my diet because a good friend of mine (Eboni).   I also only drink water.   Without God I would not be here.”

Dominique weight loss

Marie lost 63 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Marie lost 63 pounds.  

“I decided to go on a diet last October for my sisters wedding. When I realized how great I felt after losing 15 pounds, I decided to push myself a little more.  Four months later, I’ve lost 63 pounds. I cut out soda, late night snacks, sugars, high carbs and I exercised more. I jogged a lot. I also did Zumba and other exercises at home. I just signed up for a gym near by.  I need to firm up, so I’m going to start lifting weights. I did this not only for myself but also for my 8 year son which I’m raising alone. I’ve always been insecure and it caused me to be an emotional eater.”

Marie weight loss

DeVarius lost 150 pounds with weight loss surgery

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DeVarius wrote us and shared about her 150 pounds weight loss.  She had gastric bypass surgery.

“I have lost 150lbs with the weight loss surgery.  I had the weight loss surgery (gastric bypass) 4 years ago and I lost a total of 150lbs. Although its comes right off after the surgery it’s still hard to keep it off after a certain amount of years. During that time I learned to eat right and cut back on my portions and I walk 30 minutes a day.”

DeVarius weight loss

Arlevia lost 202 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Arlevia lost 202 pounds.

“I’m so excited to share that I’ve lost a total of 202 lbs since 2008 when I began my serious quest for health & weight loss. I was weighing in at 377 lbs. I went to what some call an extreme. I became a vegetarian/pescatarian (No meat; I only eat select fish & shellfish). I stopped drinking sodas & began walking 3 miles every morning. I also asked my doctor diet pills for the 1st time in my life. I lost 70 lbs in the 1st year; was down to about 307. I gained back about 39 lbs after stopping the diet pills & continuing my exercise routine. I became so disgusted with the process because I went up to walking 4 miles 2x’s a day & nothing happened in a 1 & 1/2 year span. My weight stayed at 345 lbs, no matter what I did. I refused to ask 4 more diet pills because of how they made me feel & the negative effect of gaining back more than half the weight the 1st time. I was tired of not getting results, so I consulted a nutritionist. I began by cutting out all beverages with natural sugar. I don’t drink anything with more than 15 calories in it. I eat from a saucer instead of a regular size plate. I began by increasing my protein intake, exercising 90 minutes daily, drinking 64-72 oz of water daily, & eat 3 small meals & 3 healthy snacks (protein smoothie or protein bar daily). I’m now at 175 lbs, which is the smallest I’ve ever been.arlevia weight loss pics

Mia lost 129 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Mia lost 129 pounds with Zumba and becoming a vegetarian.  She is now a Zumba instructor.

“My name is Mia and I’m 41 years old. I’ve struggled with my weight all my life. In April 2011, I made a choice to change my life (mentally, physically and spiritually). I started doing Zumba and FELL in love.  This is from the girl that HATED working out. After a a month of Zumba 3 to 4 times week, I started seeing results. By then I was HOOKED on Zumba and started taking classes 5-6 times a week. Since then, I’ve lost 129 pounds, am now vegatarian (the girl that LOVED fried chicken:), became certified to teach Zumba, and now teach a Zumba class every Saturday and Wednesday. If I can do it, ANYONE can… #itsachoice

I was a junk food eater, fast foods, lots of chips… I decided to change that. I stopped eating all the junk, cut out red meat and pork from my diet. My diet consisted of lean chicken breast, lean fish, TONS of leafy veggies, fruits, grains and water (only). After eating like that for months, I decided to give up meat all together, which turned out to be the BEST thing. The weight REALLY started to come off then.”

Mia weight loss