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before weight loss

Charlotte lost 90 pounds

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Weight loss story of the Day: Charlotte lost 90 pounds going from 268 pounds to 178 pounds.  Her journey has not been a quick one and she knows that slow and steady wins the race.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

“I started my journey about 3 years ago. It started when my father passed away and instead of me crying and eating my pains away, I used that energy into working out. In 6 months, I lost 63 pounds.  As time went by I consistantly dropped the weight, in then end totaling 90 pounds. I did Zumba, walking, running, Beachbody’s Slim in 6 and Turbo Fire. I changed by eating habits by eating 5 to 6 small meals a day and counting calories. This was no easy task and it’s way harder to keep the weight off rather than losing it. I’m still in the process of toning my body and my journey will never be over.”

Charlotte weight loss

Charlotte weight loss story

Tanya lost 76 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Tanya lost 76 pounds and kept her curves.  She details for us her lifelong weight loss struggle and talks in detail about what it took for her to lose weight.  Here is her story:

Tanya weight loss story

“My starting weight was 319 pounds, my current weight is 243 pounds. My goal weight is 180 and below. I want to be a 9/10 but if need be squeeze into an 8 (honesty)!!! LOL

I can start this story from a lot of places so I will just let it flow. I have been overweight majority of all my life as far as I can remember. I was the shapeliest girl in grade school. I say shapeliest because my curves at that age were developed before I grew into them. In high school, my weight wasn’t my concern. As I got into my adult years when I would visit my family in Jamaica the first question they would ask me was “How did you get so big” like they didn’t know that food was the problem. I tried everything you can think of to lose weight; Slim Fast, Weight Watchers, LA Weight Loss, Jenny Craig!!! You name it and I was on that on that bandwagon. I can honestly say I was comfortable enough in my body to waste my money on all those things.

I have had a couple breaking points but I took none of them seriously! One stands out in particular though. I was at an amusement park and wanted to sit next to the people I came with on a rollercoater. I couldn’t because the row of seats didn’t have the “big” seat.This hurt but nonetheless I kept the same eating habits and never changed a thing.

Fast forward to present. I started January 1st of this year. I began going to the gym six days a week. I got really serious around the time I began waist training and I chose the easiest thing to do. I waited until the Lenten season and gave up rice and juice and red meat for 40 days. That how my weight really came off aside from waist training and exercising.
I was turning 30 and just wanted to “look different “. I wanted to cross off some of the “I have nevers” off my list!! Like I have never worn a two-piece. I could have but I chose not too. I also didn’t want to get diabetes and high blood pressure. Those are things I can prevent so that’s what I am doing. I have vain reasons why I want to lose weight also. I LOVE MY CURVES! Plain and simple! My current measurements are 36-32-51. My goal is 36-26-51! I have hips, butt, and breasts, all these things that people pay for I was given! Now, why would I want to hide all that with fat in my body? Cause let’s face it, I was plan ole fat! Not anymore though!! I am on a continuous journey to get to my goal size and weight.

Tanya before and afterAs I lose weight I really believe I can help others do the same. The two most important things I can tell you is to 1. NEVER give up and 2. Lose weight for no one but yourself. There is no right nor wrong way to do this. It’s not a diet, its a lifestyle change. If you need to incorporate supplements do it! Do what works for you. I do herbalife because sometimes I don’t feel like eating and I also wear a corset to help define the hourglass waist I have.

You can follow me on instagram at Seductively_Fabulous or shoot me an email at info@seductivelyfabulous.com and I will help you as best as I can. My aim is to help others who feel they are on this road alone and have no help! We can do this together!!!”

Shykia lost 44 pounds

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Snovia sent in her twin sister Shykia’s weight loss story of losing 44 pounds this year.  I think it’s so wonderful to see this sisterly support and that they are in this together.  Here is what she shared:

“This is my twin sister Shykia. She has recent lost 45 pounds. I am so proud of her. On and off there’s been a struggle with her weight and she is finally kicking ass!

Her motivation was our mom. She is very sick with diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Shykia wanted to live healthier life. She changed her habits by eating clean. We both purchased a NutriBullet and she has cut out sugar and fried foods.

Her workout routines consisted of going to the gym daily since May of 2013  She’s been working out diligently since May. weight training and using the elliptical machine. Her starting weight was 293 pounds and she now weighs 249 pounds…and is still losing.

I think her advice to others would be that  weight loss isn’t a physical challenge. It’s more mental. Stay motivated and positive!”

Twin weight loss story

Tyneisha lost 41 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Instagram diva Tyneisha lost 41 pounds off of her 5 foot frame with Weight Watchers and by embracing regular exercise after years of yo-y0 dieting and trying different plans. Here is what she shared with us about her transformation:

Tyneisha weight loss

“Hello, my name is Tyneisha (Ty) and my instagram name is @tantalizing_ty. I am 24 years old and I’ve lost 41 pounds since Feb of this year. My motivation to lose weight for good this time came from seeing my family members struggle with their health because of their weight. All of my grandparents and several aunts and uncles had or have diabetes and take blood pressure medication. Both of my parents have also had weight loss surgery within the past few years and have been trying to change their lifestyle for the better.

I changed my eating habits by joining Weight Watchers. I track my points, drink my 90 to 120 ozs of water a day and try to limit my carbs. I typically workout 4 to 5 days a week taking classes like Step Abs, Zumba and Kickboxing. My starting weight was 238 pounds and currently I am 197 pounds. My transformation has taken about 11 months and I am hardly finished yet.

My advice for others is to never give up, take a deep breath and keep pushing love. This is my third time on Weight Watchers and have yoyo dieted for the last 6 years. This time however I was determined that nothing was going to stop me and that this would be a lifestyle change. I also would advise others to be patient. Everyone’s body is different and therefore so will their weight loss journey.”

 

Michelle lost over 110 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Petite mom of 3 Michelle lost over 110 pounds with gastric bypass weight loss surgery. At 5 feet tall and 268 pounds, she decided that it was time for a change.  Here is what she shared with us:

Michelle weight loss surgery

“After being married for 17 years, I finally came to myself and realize that my drug addicted husband would not change. See, I was not raised with my father and always longed for that relationship so I stayed to LONG. I was so depressed I was now carrying 268 pounds on 5 foot frame. Krispy Kreme doughnuts had become a familiar friend every time I saw the Hot Donut sign. I thought no one would want a fat girl with 3 babies. I finally took charge of my life. I had life altering weight loss surgery.  With gastric bypass, I loss over 110 lbs. I also got a divorce, went back to school and completed a BSM and MA.  I am now 2 classes away from starting my Dissertation for my Doctorate.

When first having the surgery I could really only do protein shakes, eventually I could introduce soft regular foods. I still keep with the philosophy of protein first, and low carbs. My plan currently is 2-3 protein shakes a day, salad with protein for lunch and dinner with protein and veggie. Very limited carbs. For exercise I walk and I am looking into joining LA Fitness for the new year.

Yes, it was hard.  Yes, I cried..and Yes I complained sometimes. However, I looked at my 3 children and a fight for dear life rose in me. I am currently at 170 pounds and still have 30 lbs to get to my goal weight. I am now doing juicing for next 30 days and walking to jumpstart weight loss and reach my ultimate goal.”

Valerie lost 57 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story of the day:  Instagram diva and proud mom Valerie (aka @fabchickgetsfit) wrote in to share with us how she lost 57 pounds.  She sought out a weight loss plan that worked for her and began her journey to her wellness goals.  Here is what she had to say:

Valerie weight loss story

What was your motivation?

“Christmas 2012 I saw some pictures of myself from my 30th birthday 2 months before and was in shock. I knew I had tried so many times before to lose weight but this time was different. I was 30, obese, a workaholic and I needed to do something for myself. I no longer wanted to be the fat one in my friends, wearing a 22 and a 2/3x. So losing 100lbs was my goal.

When I reached 50lbs down around July, I decided losing 100lbs was no longer good enough for me. So I decided to take the next year to focus on competing. I WILL compete next August in the bikini division.”

How did you change your eating habits?
“I did lots of research and I eat 99% clean. I started prepping my meals on Sunday. I had a structured meal plan made for me by my online coach that I follow. For me, I was ok with eating the same thing every week. Structured plans work best for me.”

What did your workout routines look like?
“Lots of heavy lifting and consistent cardio. The cardio had to make my heart rate go up but I didn’t want to be on a treadmill for an hour. So I do HIIT and I love the stairmaster. I also enjoy no traditional cardio like tire flips and rope turns. So, I do cardio 4-5x a week and I lift 2 muscle groups a day, 5x a week.”

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
“My starting weight was 265 pounds in January. Currently I am 208 pounds.”

How long did your transformation take?
“11 months.”

What advice to you have for others who want to lose weight?
“Research and consistency are most important to me. What works for one person might not work for another so next would be to learn your body. I don’t like being on a treadmill for an hour so I had to learn my body and figure out what I love to get the same results. Really take the time to research foods and use an online tool to log your food daily. You will be really surprised at the end of the day with how well you did when you are holding yourself accountable by what you put in your mouth.”

Valerie fabchickgetsfit

Betty lost 54 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss journey: Betty lost 54 pounds.  This proud mom was inspired by ladies she followed on Instagram and she wanted to set a good example for her daughters.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss transformation:

Betty weight loss photos

“January 7th, 2013 was the birth of “A New Bee Jay!” Following three ladies on Instagram originally because of my love for Natural Hair is honestly what motivated me to start my journey. I’m down 54 pounds with NO: crack, wraps, shakes, pills, or shots…and I’ve never joined a gym!  Clean eating is how I lost the weight. I’ve never had a gym membership. I started with walking, TurboJam, TurboFire, and I’m currently completing TapOut Xt. This life is an obsession. I’m setting a good example for my two daughters. I feel healthier. I’m loving the extra confidence it has given me. And I’m not even done yet. I’m so excited to see what the Fit Future holds for me!”

Instagram: @pearlilacbear

Betty weight loss story

Shovann lost 89 pounds

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Updated photos for 2015: Instagram: @womenfourwellnessShovann update
June 2014: Congrats to Shovann on her 1 year weight loss anniversary!  She has maintained her weight loss and looks great.  Read her story below.

Shovann before and after

Apr 2014:  Shovann wrote in to say, “I’m now down 89 pounds. I’ve gone from a size 22 to a size 9/10.”  She lost 24 pounds since Dec 2013 when we first shared her story.  Check out her updated photos (See the photos below) and read about how she lost the weight:

Original Post
Today’s weight loss success story: Shovann lost 63 pounds.  This proud Nurse was motivated by seeing the weight-related illnesses affecting her patients and wanting to live a healthier lifestyle.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

“My Name is Shovann Staton. I’m a 34 year old Nurse that was inspired to loose weight after topping the scale at 253 pounds and wearing a 2x top and size 22 in pants. I felt like I lost who I was and I thought how can I save lives and not my own?  What Motivated me was that I decided to live Healthy and after seeing more younger patients with Diabetes, Heart Disease and Hypertension. I felt it was a great time to take my life in a better direction.

With that being said I’ve lost a total thus far of 63 pounds and I’m now wearing size 12 pants and large tops. I am looking forward to weight training in the next few weeks. My diet consist of 125g of protein and no more than 50 carbs daily.  I also drink 2 Liters of Water a day. Faith and prayer have taken me far. I started this Regime 6/16/13 and look forward to my new lifestyle. Healthy living is not a get slim quick scheme, It’s a way of life. My advice: Keep healthy snacks on hand and pack your meals daily. Don’t get discouraged. Even if you mess up, acknowledge your faults and pick up the pieces. Enjoy at least 30-45 min of cardio daily, eat healthy clean and watch that fat vanish…”

Facebook: WomenFourWellness

Shovann weight loss

 

Anissa lost 35 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Anissa.  She lost 35 pounds.  Changing her diet and using Leslie Sansone’s walking DVD were major parts of her weight loss journey.  Read more…

Anissa weight loss story

“Hi, my name is Anissa Hairston. I want to share my weight loss journey with you. I started my journey January 2013. My heaviest weight was 240 pounds as seen in the picture where I am wearing the yellow dress. I bought a walking DVD by Leslie Sansone and started walking everyday at home. I tried diet pills and they made me sick. I tried eliminating carbs from my diet completely. That lasted about 3 weeks and then I began to feel ill.

I continued to walk everyday and made more changes to my diet. I added more fruits and veggies. I ate more salads and started drinking at least 50-64 oz of water everyday. I changed my carbs to whole grain and only ate them during the day. Now, I hardly ever eat any carbs with my evening meal unless it’s brown rice or wheat pasta. I make fruit and veggie smoothies all the time as snacks. I use Fiber One brownies as my dessert most days and to satisfy my sweet cravings. They’re only 90 calories (but watch that you don’t over do it with them). I make soup often with a lot of veggies because it’s filling and tastes really good.

I also purchased a fitness game for my Xbox as well as a weighted hula hoop and I try to do some sort of physical activity daily. My goal is to burn 2000-2500 calories a day and I try not to eat more than 1800-2000 calories per day. I bought a FitBit pedometer that tracks my calorie burn, total steps taken daily, and it is so helpful. In the pic where I’m wearing jeans and a black shirt, I was 215 pounds. I’m currently 205 pounds and am still on my journey to reach my goal weight of 170 pounds. I just want to let you know that your challenges, success stories, tips, and words of encouragement are very much appreciated and I try to share everything I can from you onto my timeline so that others will be motivated to start their weight loss journey.”

Joanne lost 80 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Joanne lost 80 pounds.  She credits Boxing with changing her life. Here is what she shared about her weight loss and health journey:

“Boxing literally changed my life! I was 32, creeping up to the 300lb. mark, and on the verge of being placed on medication for high blood pressure medication. “Don’t try, just do,” were the first words of encouragement Mr. Floyd M. Brown of REGIMEN Boxing offered me on November 1st of 2011 when I started my wellness journey. I smile now when I think back on our first few workout sessions. Most times, I couldn’t tell if I was sweating or crying, but I was seeing results and more importantly I felt encouraged every step of the way.

My workouts consisted of heavy cardio, an array of calisthenics from burpies to jumping jacks, light weight work, and my favorite…….BOXING. I went from working out twice a week to no less than 4 times a week. I also had to tackle my unhealthy relationship with food. I am not the type that can just give things up, but I did learn the importance of moderation. Somewhere along the way, I also figured out how to make healthier choices. I traded rice for quinoa, chose to stop eating pork, cut down my red meat intake, and gained a new appreciation for fish in the process. I also increased my water intake, incorporated more fruits and veggies, and slowed down my sugar intake. More importantly, I often took the time to ask why I was eating before I sat down to do so. This afforded me the opportunity to determine if I was eating out of hungry or boredom, feelings of frustration, etc.

I now stand 80 pounds lighter, have run two 5K races, and live an all-around active lifestyle that I share with my 11 year old daughter. Boxing, Zumba, Boot Camp and conscientious choices are my weapons of choice in this battle called obesity. I am still a work in progress, but I have definitely come a long way with the help of Mr. Brown and the REGIMEN. I was and continue to be challenged every step of the way, but with each level of intensity comes the same level of support and truth be told that made all the difference in the world. The last time I can offer is when I get discouraged, I just think to myself “I just can’t give up now.” Stay encouraged ladies, we got this!”

Joanne weight loss journey