Black Weight Loss Success

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black weight loss success

Krystina lost 103 pounds

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Update June 2015: Hi, Just wanted to update you all! I’ve lost 15 lbs since you shared my story back in November 2013. I’ve been working on gaining muscle now, so hopefully I’ll have a six pack by continuing my weight training. This was all done with no surgeries. To be honest I did reach a standstill where I didn’t think I could lose anymore weight or gain muscle and I became frustrated. Then I asked myself, “Are you really doing everything that you could possibly do? Are you really pushing yourself to the max?” So, I’ve joined a gym and I treat the gym like my second home. I starting lifting along with cardio workouts. I’m there 5 days a week. When they say that this journey is not just a diet, it it’s a lifestyle change…that true. It’s all mind over matter

krystina weight loss update

Today’s featured weight loss success story: Krystina lost 103 pounds.  This weight loss dynamo chronicles her weight loss journey on Instagram and it is IMPRESSIVE.  Here is what she shared with us:

Krystina weight loss photos

I’ve gone from 265 pounds to 142 pounds without surgery!  I’ve been overweight ever since I can remember. It’s always been a struggle. One time my mother bought me Slim Fast for a birthday gift. On November 30 2012, I looked in the mirror and just cried.  I cried like a little baby because I wasn’t happy with the person that I saw. That’s the moment I decided to finally lose weight. I started eating lean meat, fruits, and veggies. I also started and completed one round of the insanity workout. Believe it or not, I started noticing results the first week. It’s been one hell of a roller coaster experience, but it’s worth every bit of the frustration, tears, and sweat. You can see my weight loss journey on my instagram: @together_wecan

Krystina weight loss story

Delina lost 142 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss story: Delina lost 142 pounds.  She changed here eating habits and started with online workouts to drop the pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss story:

Delina lost weight

“My motivation was for my two loving kids I have . I didn’t want to stay big and not be able to do anything with them.  I started my journey last year when I went to a friend’s baby shower.  When I saw myself in the photos from the even, I didn’t like what I saw. When I started my weight loss journey my weight was 330 pounds (after having my kids). I started working out at home on my computer every night seven days a week.  The exercises I did on the computer were the Tae Bo workouts. I also did work on my upper body and lower body.  I continued with this until I joined a gym this year in January and I continued on from then. I changed my eating habits by cutting out all junk food, fast food, candy, soda and fried foods. I started eating healthy, and I also started doing juicing.  I learned portion control and I drink a lot of water.  My weight now is 188 pounds.  I will keep going until I hit my goal weight. My advice is do it for you and nobody else.”

Toshi lost 80 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Toshi wrote to us to shared her weight loss story.  She lost 80 pounds after having gastric sleeve weight loss surgery back in December 2012.  Here is what she had to say:

“Hello My name is Toshi. I would like to share my weight loss story. Back in December 2012, I was tired of being the big girl with the pretty face. I have been battling with weight problems since 1996. I did so many fad diets and took pills until I had reached my heaviest weight of 255 pounds. That’s when I decided that enough was enough. I was blessed to be able to join a healthy lifestyle program through Kaiser. This program is required in order to qualify for the weight reduction surgeries they offer. After successfully completing the 3 month course, I had the gastric sleeve surgery on December 19, 2012.

Today, I have learned to eat smaller meals more often and incorporate exercise in my life. I actually changed my eating habits by eating more frequently. I eat 5 to 6 small meals a day. My meals consist of high protein and vegetables with “good” starch. I eat proteins like chicken and fish. I also cook my food by baking and grilling. I have little to no fried foods. I also feel that my success is due to the fact that I had to make it a lifestyle and not a “at the moment” decision. As for exercise, I keep it real simple. I’m walking 2 to 3 miles a day. I also love dancing on the weekends and Zumba class every once in awhile.

I am currently down to 175 pounds from 255 pounds. I hope to reach my goal weight of 155 pounds by the first half of 2014. This will be pure success for me because my 30 year high school reunion is right around the corner. I will be close to the same size I was in high school when I reach that goal. I just want women out there to know that there are weight loss surgery success stories out there. I am living proof.”

Toshi weight loss success story

Taniqua lost 28 pounds

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Taniqua wrote in to share her weight loss story.  She is down 28 pounds with My Fitness Pal, clean eating, working out regularly and using the Weight Watchers weight loss plan.  Here is what she had to say:

Taniqua weight loss photos

“Hey y’all! I’m Taniqua but all my family and friends call me NeNe.  This is me at my heaviest (photo)!!! I was 214 pounds and I am now 186 pounds. I’m sooo proud of my progess over the last year. I have lost a total of 28 lbs so far and I vow that I will never get this big again because I had never been that big before!!! I looked at myself in this picture and was like “Ohh noo girl, you have gotten too big!!!!” It still took me another year to get motivated to lose the weight. Everybody would tell me that I didnt look like I was over 200 lbs but I was! Myfitnesspal.com, clean eating and Weight Watchers helped in addition to working out 3 times a week!!! I still have a ways to go because I still need to get rid of the rest of this belly fat!!!! I hope this story can help motivate somebody to just do it and you have to believe that you can. If all you can do is take a short walk everyday do it because she did it and she’s doin it and I’m proud of myself.
Yayyy Me!!! Lol

I started by eating fish, chicken and ground turkey. I would make protein shakes in the morning and have a nice lunch with veggies and chicken. I also would eat sandwiches with red and yellow peppers, instead of potato chips.  For dinner, I would have more veggies and a starch and chicken or fish. I stopped frying food and baked everything. As for exercise, I joined Planet Fitness for 10.00 a month I would work on legs shoulders and arms and then do like 45-60 minutes worth of cardio (depending on how I was feeling lol). I would rotate my days and on the that days I didn’t lift I would do just a straight hour of cardio on this machine called the Ark.  I love that machine. I’m a work in progress and I’m still trying to lose the rest of my belly fat, so im getting ready to start this challenge for flat abs for 30 days.  We will see how it goes!!! :)”

Daesha lost 62 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Daesha lost 62 pounds over the course of the last year.  This bright college student gained the pounds while at school as many women in college do.  After a medical wakeup call, she made the commitment to change her lifestyle and get healthy.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

Daesha weight loss story

“Started my journey on November 27, 2012. I’ve always been overweight, however, when I got to college at Mississippi State it escalated even more due to family problems. Being in college made it that much harder to eat healthier. By sophomore year, my weight topped a big 245 pounds and that still wasn’t enough. By the middle of sophomore year, I could no longer breathe at night laying down and I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux disease at the age of 20. That did it for me. I begin to drink up to at least 8 bottles of water a day and stayed away from sweets and greasy foods. I no longer eat at fast food restaurants. I did Zumba every day in the beginning of my journey.  Now that I know my body better i incorporate jogging about a mile and fast walking the the other mile totaling 2 miles a day, 3 when I push myself. I do strength training at least two times out the week. I workout 5 days a week and I have a “cheat meal” every weekend of my choice (no fast food). I’m currently a junior in college.  While I’ve lost 62 pounds so far with this transformation still in place. Starting weight was 245 pounds and my current weight is 183 pounds. My advice to people is to never give up and make sure that you’re losing weight for yourself and no one else. I advise taking lots of pictures and measuring yourself also because the scale doesn’t always show all of your hard work. Good blessings to everyone making a change for the better and moving yourself unconditionally.”

Janelle lost nearly 100 pounds

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Let’s show some love to proud mom Janelle.  She has lost approximately 100 pounds since June 2012 with calorie counting and by eating low carb.  She wrote in to share her photos and story with us:

Janelle weight loss photos

” I Wanted to share my progress with the group. I’ve released nearly 100 pounds, going from 315 pounds and now I weight 220 pounds. I cut out carbs & became more active with my children! They are the best lil calorie burners I know of. Lol!

I started my weight loss journey in June 2012. I originally started by counting calories on a mobile app called FatSecret and then graduated to the omission of carbs. The common name for the plan I follow is the 12 day diet. I eat 3 meals per day until I am full and have a cup of ruby red grapefruit juice with each meal. If I am feeling hungry between meals, I eat 2 tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter or cinnamon toasted almonds.  I also consume a gallon of water each day. I have lost 100 pounds and gone from a size 26/28 to a thick size 16. My exercise regime includes playing with my children, walking, and swimming. I keep active because of my little ones. I have 3 children, ages 10 and under. They are my motivation, I plan on living to see them grow, create families of their own and then some!”

 

Beatrice lost 84 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss story: Beatrice lost 84 pounds by working out and eating right.  She was inspired by her brother’s weight loss and decided to lose the weight after a wakeup call from her doctor.  Here is what she shared with us:

Beatrice weight loss story

“Hi, I would like to share my story. My name is Beatrice.  Exactly one year ago I started my weight loss journey. I went from 268 pounds to 184 pounds and from a size 24 to a size 10.  I did it by working out and eating right. I would love to be an inspiration to others.

My motivation was hearing the doctor tell me that I gained 40 pounds in five months. I couldn’t believe how that happened and was ashamed at myself. Also, my brother lost about 130 pounds and he motivated me.  I was also motived by being able to button a size 22 pants.

I stopped eating salt, fast food and processed sugar.  For exercise, I began walking around the park and playing tennis 4-5 times a week for the first 3 months. I lost 36 pounds.  Then, I joined a workout group at church where we do intense cardio classes 4 days a week.  The people there are so motivating.  Also, I lift weights at home and still play tennis during the day.

My advice to others is to have encouraging, motivating people around you. Keep a food journal so that you can monitor what you eat and how much you eat.  Also, drink lots of water and eat lots of protein. It’s hard work but at least you can say that you did it the right way and you will learn how to keep the weight off for good. It’s not just for the moment but it’s a lifestyle change.”

Tina lost 50 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Tina lost 50 pounds and has kept it off for 6 years.  We all know that it’s hard to get the weight off, but it can be even harder to keep it off.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hello, My name is Tina and I would like to share my story as to how I lost 50 lbs and keep it off for 6 years. My motivation was the health problems that some of my family members faced, like high blood pressure, diabetes, and difficulty breathing due to their weight.

I changed my eating habits by drinking a gallon of water a day and not eating after 6pm.At the time I started ,my workout plan was nothing, but then I decided I’d join the gym and get a regular routine going of crunches, cardio, and toning.

My starting weight was 197 pounds and my current weight is 147 pounds. My transformation took me about half a year. Now, I’m on an exercise regimen to where I go to the gym 3 times a week and when I’m not at the gym I’m here at my home working out in my small gym room. My diet is a gallon of water a day still and not eating after 6pm. I have protein drinks that I drink throughout the night to curve my appetite.  No sodas, no sweets and this pic is my motivation. My advice to others is to have supreme discipline when trying to loose weight and stay steadfast on your goal.

TinaOct13

T’Ericka lost 50 pounds

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Featured before and after story: T’Ericka lost 50 pounds and found her true self.  After struggling with weight loss and low self esteem since childhood, she was able to make lifestyle changes that are about more than just losing pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey: T'Ericka weight loss photos “Many people have been asking and inboxing me about my weight loss and the question that stood out to me most was ‘Why I did it and what motivated me to stay on track?’. So, here is my story: Growing up I’ve always been the chunky girl. I LOVED to eat (I still do lol) but then I didnt know how bad it was until I started started getting teased EVERYDAY for my weight. Tt bothered me but I always kept it in.  I turned 12 and I was into modeling so my mom took me to a nearby agency, only to hear from the lady that I was very pretty but too big to be a model for her. That crushed me and from that point on I had the lowest self esteem. I ate myself into being unhealthy. I used to ask God to make me skinny (lol) so that people could like me (smh). In school I always wanted to do different things but instead I put myself in the background because I thought everyone would be judging me on my weight. I really disliked who I was!! I always thought the world only welcomed skinny people!! Then I got older and wanted to make changes so I lost weight the fast way. Then I started dating my guy and gained it all back, which put me in my lowest self esteem EVER!! (I tried not to show it but I truly gave up on myself) I didn’t go out much. I didn’t take some opportunities because I was really in a BATTLE with myself! I was unhealthy physically and mentally! However, last year I had enough. I wanted to be at my full potential. I wanted to start a journey that would be a lifestyle change for me. It wasn’t just about losing weight, it was also about gaining who I knew God wanted me to be! I ate better and really started getting my business together. I go to the gym 4-5 times a week for an hour. I do cardio (40 mins) and weight training(20 mins)! I’ve added lots of fruits and green vegetables to my plate and cut out a lot of red meat (I eat red meat occasionally). I rarely go to fast food restaurants because that once was my weakness! Im just really enjoying this lifestyle change. I feel great! I wanted to be the best T’Ericka Tifany-Joy Mullen There was!! I WANTED THIS FOR ME!!! That’s why this 50 pound weight loss means so much to me! It makes me feel accomplished! I feel like I graduated from who I was and walked across the stage to who I always knew I had the potential of being!! I not only burned away some pounds but I burned my past hurts, my low self esteem, etc. I am still a work in progress but I refuse to go back to who I was physically and MENTALLY. This Journey wasn’t just about weight loss it was about gaining me back!! God Bless!

Denetra lost 67 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Denetra lost 67 pounds with weight loss surgery.  She decided to have the gastric sleeve procedure as a tool to fight stroke and high blood pressure. Here is what she had to say about losing the weight:

“Hi, wanted to share my photo. I had the gastric sleeve surgery last year on October 9th 2012 and I have lost 67 pounds with exercising and eating right. It is definitely a struggle but I encourage everyone to find what works for them . The photos are 2010 top left, 2011 top right, 2012 bottom left, and today 2013.”

What was your motivation? “My motivation to lose weight was when the doctor told me that I had high blood pressure. I was borderline for a stroke because of my cholesterol being so high. I also had constant back and neck pain.”

How did you change your eating habits? “I changed my eating habits but nothing was working. So I decided to have the gastric sleeve in October 2012.  Now, I eat 4 oz of food every 2 to 3 hours. I drink lots of water. No sugars no breads no heavy carbs…no fried foods. I can’t eat and drink at the same time because of the smaller size of my stomach. It’s definitely an adjustment especially when I used to eat and drink at the same time. Do that now and I will regret it. I eat 1800-2000 protein a day. Its hard and expensive.

What did your workout routines look like? “I now workout 3 to 4 times a week. It gets difficult at times, when I feel like I just don’t want to exercise. I look at where I was to where I am at now.”

What was your starting weight? “I weighed 230 pounds”

What is your current weight? “I am 163 pounds.”

How long did your transformation take? “It has been one year (October 9th) since I had the gastric sleeve.”

What advice to you have for others who want to lose weight? “When losing weight we can get lost in the wrong things, such as wanting to change for others or wanting to be able to get into that special outfit.  However, weight loss is for you and your health. You have to want to change and do it to make you happy. It gets discouraging at times but  you should surround yourself with positive people who will support you. Losing weight is mind over matter. It matters what you think about yourself, so don’t mind what others think about you.”

Denetra weight loss photos Denetra before and after photos