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Anastasia lost 46 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Anastasia lost 46 pounds. She stopped feeling ashamed about her weight and found the motivation to change. Adopting healthy eating habits and working out at home at least 6 days a week led to awesome results in 5 months. Check out her journey.

Anastasia before and after

What was your motivation?
My motivation came when I stepped on the scale and saw that I weighed 230 pounds! When I saw this number, I was ashamed that I’d gotten that big. Seeing that number is what motivated me to lose the weight. I told myself that I would never see that number again, and that I would lose weight at a steady and healthy pace.

How did you change your eating habits?
I changed my eating habits by eating healthier. I completely cut out soda, sweets, and junk food from my diet. I stuck to a calorie intake of 1700 calories a day and strictly drank water with my meals. My diet consisted healthy foods, like grilled fish, chicken and vegetables. I would eat out occasionally, but when I did I would use moderation. Moderation is so important… I just can’t stress that enough.

What did your workout routine look like?
During the first months of my weight loss journey, I did Tae Bo with Billy Blanks. I wanted start with an exercise program that I knew I could keep up with as a beginner. Later, I started using the Insanity program by Shaun T. During my journey, I tried to work out at least 6 times a week.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 220 pounds, and I currently weigh 174 pounds. I am 5’9″

When did you start your journey?
I started in October 2017.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
I’ve learned that weight loss is a MENTAL process, not a physical one. Yes, you have to exercise to physically lose weight, but losing weight starts with mentally preparing yourself! You have to tell yourself that you can do it and that no one will stop you from reaching your goal.

What advice would you offer to other people who want to lose the weight?
NEVER DOUBT YOURSELF! The minute you doubt yourself, you will give up on the process. Weight loss takes time, so don’t expect results overnight. Losing weight is a challenge, so never give up.

Also, take pictures of yourself for motivation. When you see pictures of your old self, that will make you push yourself even more. YOU CAN DO THIS!

Anastasia before and after

Disclaimer: Reference or link to any specific product, diet plan, exercise plan or service mentioned in the weight loss stories we share is for the information of our readers, and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Black Women Losing Weight.

Tanisha lost 40 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Tanisha lost 40 pounds. This petite mom of 3 faced pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Wanting to eliminate her risk for developing full blown diabetes and any other health issues, she decided to take control and take action to change her life.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

tanisha weight loss story

My name is Tanisha and I’m 37 years old. My starting weight was 180 pounds and I currently weigh 140 pounds (height: 4’11”).  I started my weight loss journey in December of 2012.  In 2002 when I was pregnant with my first child, I was borderline diabetic.  By the time I was pregnant with my second child in 2005, it turned into gestational diabetes.  During my third pregnancy in 2007, although I maintained a healthy weight, I still was at risk for just having the disease itself.  My doctor told me, after having my third child, that I needed to do something about my weight or else. I thought to myself, well, high blood pressure runs in my family and not only that, diabetes as well.  My weight became out of control because I became depressed and also because the depression medications didn’t make things any better, causing more weight gain.

So, in 2012 as I was sitting around doing nothing but watching YouTube videos and I thought, “Maybe there are some workout videos on YouTube!”  I started searching and so many videos came up.  I started by using those videos until I could purchase my own.  I worked out to Billy Blanks’ Tae Bo, Jillian Michaels DVDs and Charlene (Turbo Jam). I have also included walking/ running into my daily routine. These have been my coaches, inspirations and motivators.

Not only did exercising become a part of my life but I also started making better decisions about what I put into my body.  I stopped eating a lot of fried foods, pork and started baking my foods.  I also stopped eating beef and started eating leaner meats, such as goat and lamb. Eating fish with omega 3 fatty acids has become the norm for me and my house hold.  I also started eating more fresh fruits and green veggies, like kale, greens, asparagus, chard and the like.  I took artificial fruit juices out of my diet and started drinking fruit/veggie smoothies and juices.  I did a lot of research on artificial sweeteners like “Aspartame”, finding out that sweeteners like these cause you only to crave more sweets and junk food.

I have not only helped myself but also family as well.  I have become more confident in knowing that not only have I become a healthier person but I am also adding years to my life.  Did you know that when you are just sitting around all day, this actually takes years off of your life?  When I look at the old pictures of myself I can truly say: “I will not be stopped.” I feel better about myself and I feel good knowing that I’m adding years to my life by keeping a regular workout schedule.  My life has changed for the better.

Although it’s a struggle to keep the weight off I am determined to continue to get down to my weight loss goal of 120 pounds.  Right now, I’m weighing in at 140 pounds but I know that if I keep pushing I will succeed.  I will also keep living a healthy lifestyle for years to come.  I wouldn’t want to do anything different, it’s the best decision I have made.  I post about my journey on Facebook and I also post on Instagram: @kgguedes.

Lakeisha lost 64 pounds

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Update September 2017: Check out this update from Lakeisha. She’s kept the weight off for more than 2 years.

lakeisha before and after

What has worked in terms of eating habits?
Before I knew anything about nutrition, I gave up fried foods, sodas and watched my portions. When I’m hungry, I drink black coffee or eat a slice of pickle. I also drink plenty of water. I love alkaline water (I encourage people to do their research on alkaline water).

I gained some of the weight back while dealing a death and stress. Meal prepping helped me out a lot this time. Now, I’m back stronger than ever.

What have you been doing to maintain your success in terms of exercise? 
I started doing 2 hours of cardio. After two weeks of this, I’ll stop and go back into my normal routine… leg day, arms etc. I workout 6 to 7 days a week.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
I don’t care how much you workout, you cannot eat whatever you want… lol.

At this point, would you offer any new or different advice to women who want to lose weight?
Stay focused and don’t compare your success to others. Also, sometimes you have to switch up your routine when you don’t see results. Never give up on your journey. We all get off track but that’s what makes us fight harder.

lakeisha before and after

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Lakeisha lost 64 pounds and went from a size 24 to a size 14. This proud mom of 2 is now a fitness fanatic.  Here is what she shared with us about losing the pounds: KeishaJuly3blog My name is Lakeisha Thomas and I’m from Mississippi.  I’m a 34 year old mother of 2 (Tia 14 yrs old and CJ 6 years old). I’m also a nurse aid and a production tech at Nissan. When I first started my weight lost journey I weighted 254 pounds. I was shocked. I never cared about my weight until one day when my doctor told me I was obese. So, I started working out at home in my bedroom. I went from a size 24 to a size 14. I want to enjoy my kids and see them grow up.  Now, fitness is my life, my passion, my everything. This is why I love what I do, why I’m so passionate and why I share with others everything I do to stay fitt. I’m a #fitmom and I love my 2 children with all my heart.  Instagram: @KeishaaBeast

How did you change your eating habits? Chewing gum and drinking coffee has helped me out a lot on my journey. I started drinking plenty of water and cut out the sodas. I continue to eat what I always ate but in smaller portions. I work the night shift so that was a struggle as well. I’m not gonna lie, I fail daily but I never gave up. If I ate chips, ice cream, etc, I didn’t quit. I just went harder in the gym.

What did your workout routines look like? I started doing the Black Girls Workout Too & Billy Blank Exercise DVDs. I did a thousand sit up a day and started going to the gym 6 or 7 days a week. I also did HIIT workout that I found online (just do a Google search…there are tons of workouts). I did like a thousand ab exercises every night and every morning. Now, I’m doing like 500 abs exercises, 3 days out of a week.

What is your height? What is your current weight? I’m 5’7 and I weight 190 pounds. My goal weight is 175 pounds.

How long did your transformation take? I started in 2003 when I weighted 254.  I dropped down 54 pounds in one month (no lie). I just worked out that whole month. However, it was very unhealthy because I stopped eating as well. I was drinking one soda a day and eating cabbage greens. Since then, I have been on and off my journey.  So in 2012, I decided that I wanted to tone so I went harder and changed my lifestyle.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight? If you mess up along the way, don’t quit. Just keep going.  I’ve basically been tsame size since 2003 I just drop inches phuck yo scale…it didn’t take you 5 days to gain the weight so it’s not gonna take you 14 days to lose it. Keisha weight loss story

Chana lost 62 pounds

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Weight loss story of the day: Chana lost 62 pounds.  She says that eating right plus working out plus consistency = results and we agree.  Here is what she shared about how she lost the weight:

Chana before and after photo

“My motivation was Nakeisha James who started a group called Fit4life sisters after seeing different women losing weight and seeing there progress it motivated me to get going, also looking in the mirror seeing this person I no longer wanted to be.

How did I change my eating habits? I started by taking away the sodas, processed  foods, fried food, junk food, bread, pasta, etc. I added veggies, fruits, plenty water, salads, and baked food such as chicken, salmon, fish.  I also controlled my portions and food intake, and cut all starchy foods out.

My starting weight was 215 pounds.  My current weight is 153 pounds.  I started my journey December 2012. It took 11months for my transformation and I’m still going.

Workout routine wise, I started off doing Zumba 3-4 times a week and walking 5-6 times a week.  I did this  along with workouts from YouTube, working out on the treadmill, elliptical, doing strength training, lots of cardio. Workout DVDs such as Billy Blanks, Jillian Michaels, Shaun T, BGWT.  I’m currently doing Iron Core Kettlebell for toning by Sarah Lurie.

My advice to others is to have the right mindset, be determined and stay consistent. Eat right+Workout+Consistency=RESULTS”