Black Weight Loss Success

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black weight loss success

Megan lost weight in a workplace weight loss contest

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Megan wrote in to share with us how a weight loss contest at work helped her to lose 13 pounds in about a month.  She shared with us how she did it:

Megan weight loss story

“Hello BWLW!!  Here’s a quick story about myself. Up until the age of 21, I’ve maitained a solid 150 frame. It wasn’t until the birth of my daughter in 2003, is where I began putting on pounds. The funny thing is I stayed in between 150-160 pounds for many many years. Moving forward to the present, July 1st this year and at my heaviest, I weighted 176 pounds. I was floored as to the amount of weight I’ve been carrying around it showed. My knees and back hurt, I was tired all the time, I had no energy to do anything. I knew I had to make a change and fast, I just didn’t know where to start. One day while sitting at my desk at work, an employee came up with the idea to host a “Biggest Loser” challenge (July 24th-Septemeber 24th) for any employee who wanted to joined. I thought about and brushed it off. It wasn’t until the last day for signing up that I said to myself “What’s the worst that can happen” so I entered the contest. Initially, it was all about the money and prizes one can win when losing the most weight but after a week of “detoxing” my body. I could care less about the contest and if I won because I felt great! The best I felt in a very long time. I started my weight loss journey 7/24/2013 and in that first week I went cold turkey! I came home, tossed everything out my fridge that was considered a bad food and replaced it with boneless/skinless chicken, fish, fruits and veggies. The first week was hard but I stuck with it and lost 7 pounds!! I was ecstatic! This was the motivation to keep me going. Two weeks later, I shed additional pounds! The weight is coming off slowly but surely due to hard work and dedication. After almost one full month and I went from 176 down to 163 pounds! I’m not a member of a gym yet but in the meantime, I stick to my routine of a 30 minute workout in the morning before work and after work, I do a hour routine of cardio and walking or jogging. I also maintain eating healthy, portion control and drinking plenty of water. I also take pointers from you guys, BWLW which have been a life saver for me. I still have a ways to go in my journey but I’m so happy to have embraced this lifestyle! Thank you BWLW!!”

Jacinta lost 65 pounds

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Let’s show some love to another Sista who wants to inspire others by sharing her success!  Jacinta lost 65 pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

What was your motivation?  “Waking up to my daughter telling me I was fat.”

How did you change your eating habits?  “I completely cut out soda pop and slowly increased my water intake until I was able to drink a of water gallon each day. I also cut out all fried foods and limited my restaurant nights to once a week. I have always been a big veggie eater, but after learning the benefits of raw veggies I began to eat more salads rather than just cooking them.”

What did your workout routines look like?  “Although I was a athlete in high school, after having  kids I became a couch potato and had to retrain myself. I started by buying an walking dvd and walking in my living room because I was to embarrassed of my body to go out.  As the weight dropped, I began to lift weights and slowly began to add on doing internet challenges.”

What was your starting weight? “My starting weight was 230 pounds.”

What is your current weight?  “My current weight is 165 pounds.”

How long did your transformation take? “11 months”

Jacinta weight loss success

Chandra lost 61 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Chandra lost 61 pounds.  This proud mom was motivated by her son who is fighting obesity as well.  Here is what she shared with us about how she is losing the weight:

“I’ve lost 61 pounds so far from my highest weight. I plan to lose 50 more. I’ve done this by switching to a high protein, low carb diet, drinking plenty of water, and exercising at least 3 days a week. I had to finally make up in my mind that I was ready to make a change.

My first motivation is to be an example to my son who is struggling with obesity. Secondly I just want to live a healthier lifestyle so I can live longer. I’ve struggled with weight all of my life and I’m ready to change for good. My starting weight was 336 pounds and my current weight is 275 pounds. My goal is 235 pounds. I’ve been working with a nutritionist who has been helping me with a high protein, low carb plan. I eat between 1200 and 1400 protein calories a day and no more than 30 grams of carbs a day. For exercise, I workout on the elliptical for 30 minutes, 3 times a week and other multiple machines that target my thighs, stomach, and arms.”

Chandra weight loss success story

Lorna lost 73 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Lorna lost 73 pounds.  This 54 year old proud mom says that she doesn’t mind getting older, but she is fighting the affect of aging.  She has changed her lifestyle in terms of eating right and exercising and the hard work has paid off.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

Lorna weight loss success story

What was your motivation?

I was epileptic as a child and exercise triggered my seizures. I eventually grew out of it, but, by that time…who wanted to go to the gym? In January 2009, I took my daughter to her first GYN appointment and had mine too to keep her company. They weighed me and told me that I was 272 pounds. I nearly fainted. I had NO….repeat NO idea. As a single mom, it wasn’t a priority to take care of ME! When my daughter went to college, it gave me time to focus on me. I don’t mind aging. I embrace ALL of my 54 years. I have decided to fight the heck out of getting old, though. Holding on to the extra weight was holding me down and back from what I wanted the next phase of my life to look like.

How did you change your eating habits? 

I eat a lot of fish and poultry. I have always liked veggies and fruit. I limit (bad) carbs, processed food, alcohol and sugar. For me, it’s all about picking my battles and I know that if I want something out of the ordinary, there is a price to pay. I try hard to look at the changes as a lifestyle change as opposed to a diet.

What did your workout routines look like? 

Initially, I could only do 7 minutes on the elliptical and 5 minutes on the stairmaster. Over time and with lots of persistence, I worked up to being able to do an hour on both. I SWORE I would NEVER spin and now…spinning is my most favorite workout. Currently, I am now ‘trying’ to embrace running. Typically, I do some type of workout 5 – 6 days a week. For the past couple of months, I have been working out with a fabulous trainer at my neighborhood rec center 3 times a week.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
Starting: 272 pounds Current: 199 pounds

How long did your transformation take?

I am still transforming…I started my journey in January 2009 and I am NOT done yet. I plan on getting things ‘right and tight’ and I am shooting (at a minimum) to be the actual weight on my drivers license of 172.

What advice to you have for others who want to lose weight?

Advice??? Never, ever give up! No matter what size you are TODAY or how old you are…it is never too late to redefine who YOU want to be. Also…don’t compare YOUR journey to that of anyone else. As you are unique…your journey will be as well. Just do YOU!

Tiffany lost 70 pounds

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Tiffany wrote to us to share her weight loss story.  She is down 70 pounds!  Here is what she had to say: ”

From February 2, 2013 until September 3, I’ve lost 70 lbs! I wanted to share my story because I’ve been so encouraged by the successful weight loss stories you’ve shared. Losing weight used to be difficult but since I started [a low glycemic diet, low calorie] Liquid Amino diet in February, it has been a wonderful transition into a new me. I’ve always struggled with my weight but in the last 10 years, after losing my parents and having a baby, the everyday stresses of life have taken a toll on my body along with a lack of exercise. Now, I no longer take blood pressure medication. I stopped eating pasta, corn, potatoes and bread.  I started eating 5 meals a day consisting of 5 proteins, 4 vegetables, and 2 fruits including half my body weight in water.  Almonds, chicken, salmon, eggs, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, turkey, etc no sugar or soft drinks. I feel energized and happy.  Also, I still have more weight to lose but the program has taught me how to eat clean and maintain a healthy lifestyle. I was miserable in a size 26. Now I feel and look better.

Tiffany weight loss success story

Malika lost 49 pounds

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Featured weight loss success story: Malika lost 49 pounds.  She tried a number of exercise and eating challenges to help her find what works for her in terms of changing her lifestyle.  Here is her story:

“Hi, my name is Malika, I just celebrated my 33rd birthday on 9/25. I am not really sure what my highest weight was but two years ago at a routine doctors visit I weighed at 248 pounds. The Monday before my birthday I weighed in at 199 pounds.  I went from a size 22 to 14. The dress on the left was actually a size 12, taken the day after my birthday.
How did I do it? I learned the hard way that there is no easy solution, no one thing that works for everyone. So in the past two years, I tried many different things to keep me motivated and on track.

I have a FitBit to track my daily activity and steps, I also use MyFitness Pal to track my food intake. I have done several walk/jog challenges like the “30 runs in 30 days” novice challenge where you have to log a minimum of 2 minutes of running a day for 30 days straight. I try to workout 4-5 days a week; I’ve done Zumba, Kickboxing, and Bootcamp. I like the variation in the workouts. The most important thing was having the support and accountability from my sister and close friends. I am not where I wasn’t to be yet, but I will never be where I was before.

My eating habits have changed drastically, instead of eating three big meals a day, I started off my journey with eating 6 small meals for my body type. My carbs were limited to once daily, but like my exercise routine, I also liked to have variation. I have participated in juicing and smoothie challenges, the 100 sugar calorie challenge and a Special K challenge. I did all of this to find what will work best for me and what could be sustainable. I found that preparation is key and I have taken something away from all of the challenges.  However, I found that a low carb and small meals work best for me.”

Malika weight loss photos

Whitney lost 82 pounds

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Let’s show some love to Whitney who has lost 82 pounds.  This lady of Zeta Phi Beta wrote to us to share how she pushed past the pounds and the pain of losing loved ones to obesity and began changing her life earlier this month.  Here is her story:

“Hello, my name is Whitney.  I stared my journey on Feb. 1st of this year at 490 pounds. I eat clean and workout everyday some times twice a day.  I want to show the world it doesn’t matter the size, we can all get healthy.

I’m 26 Years old and embracing this new walk of fitness. After losing my grandmother and my mother in their early 40’s from obesity, I feared that I would be next. Dealing with all the hurt and pain, I decided that enough was enough. I got on my scale and almost passed out at the fact that I had eaten myself into a 490 pound body. At that point I thought for sure life was over but after praying and turning it over to God I realized I had power to change. On February 1st, 2013 I got my first gym membership. I had no idea what I was doing and I couldn’t fit into any machines. This depressed me but I wouldn’t give up. So, I found one machine that I could fit and that was the elliptical bike. I rode that bike until I was able to burn 1000 calories a day. Then I worked my way up to the treadmill and the regular elliptical. I wouldn’t leave the gym until I burned 1000 calories. I also changed my eating habits. I would use My Fitness Pal as guidance. I then joined a boot camp class and the weight began to melt away.  I cut out all fried foods, I don’t eat any white carbs. Also, I eat three meals a day and nothing after 7 pm. I have a cheat snack (not meal) but only snack twice a month.

I’ve been on this walk for 8 months and I’ve lost 82 pounds. My current weight is 408. I am determined to walk out of this coffin I use to call my body. One meal, one workout, one day at a time, I’m doing things I never thought possible. Running, jogging, sit-ups, push-ups, squats, leg lifts, frog jumps, weight lifting…The whole works. Now, I’m able to help others who’ve thought they are too big to workout or be healthy. If I did it at 490 pounds I know that you can do it too. Join me in the movement. With God all things are possible. Follow my videos, pictures and food/ workout plans on Instagram @biggirl_workingout

My advice to anyone starting this journey is to remember we all have to start from some where. This is not a race but a lifestyle. We will have good days as well as bad days but we don’t give up and never quit. Working out is hard but day by day it will get easier. We have to push pass the pain and keep the mission close to heart. We can beat this fight of obesity. Remember God will break the chains but we have to break the habits. Be blessed!!!”

Whitney weight loss photosNow she can fit into one leg of her old size 36 pants.  AWESOME!!
Whitney weight loss story

Martina lost 111 pounds

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Featured weight loss success story: Martina lost 111 pounds.  She no longer suffers from pre-diabetes, sleep apnea, knee issues or high blood pressure.  She wrote to us and shared how making lifestyle changes helped her get healthy:

“Hi. My name is Martina and I am a 33 year old woman, wife and mother of two girls. I’ve lost a total of 111 pounds in 14 months. I used to weigh 253 pounds.  Now I weigh 142 pounds with the help of diet and exercise and the support of my family and friends. On July 14, 2012, I had a breast reduction and weighed 253 lbs at the time of my surgery. After my surgery, I decided to lose weight for various reasons. I decided to lose weight due to my health. I was borderline type 2 diabetic with high cholesterol, back problems and facing other health issues. I was also having heavy menstrual cycles, had trouble walking and sleep apnea. I was at my heaviest, so I decided that enough was enough.

Six weeks after my breast reduction surgery, with the support from my husband, I decided to join the gym.  I changed my eating habits by changing my portion sizes, cutting back on sweets and unhealthy snacks and eating more fruits and veggies.  I stopped eating pork and beef, drinking soda and sweet tea’s. I started drinking more water and green tea, walking and working out at home. I also downloaded an app on to my phone called My Fitness Pal that helped a lot with my weight loss. In the beginning, I worked out 7 days/week with cardio and did strength training for 1 to 2 hours.  I cut back to only eating 1500 calories/day or less. Now, I work out 5 days/week for at least 30 to 60 mins with cardio and strength training.  I eat no more than 1800 calories/day. I feel healthier, younger, and stronger than I ever did when I was in my teens and twenties. Since my weight loss, my cholesterol has gone down dramatically.  I’m not facing type 2 diabetes anymore and I don’t have trouble walking up and down the stairs due to knee issues.  Also, no more sleep apnea, my blood pressure is low and my menstrual cycles are not as heavy anymore.  Since my breast reduction, I went from a size 46DDD to a size 36C. My motivation was my family, my friends and looking at old pics of myself and saw how unhealthy I was. My advice is to keep holding on and believe in yourself and with prayer, determination, dedication, and hard work anything is possible.”

Martina before and after weight loss

Diana lost 120 pounds

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Weight loss story of the day: Diana lost 120 pounds.  Her turning point was when she almost hit 350 pounds.  She has gone from 340 to 22o in 14 months.  Here are the details of her transformation that she shared with us:

“Hello. My name is Diana. My Instagram name is @findinghealthydiana”

What was your motivation?

“I’m a nurse. My motivation was being able to go to work and set a positive example for my patients. I was severely overweight and felt like a Hippocrit telling them to live a healthy lifestyle when I wasn’t.  The moment I wanted to change my lifestyle is when I almost hit 350 pounds. I was embarrassed and didn’t want to leave the house.”

How did you change your eating habits?

“I changed my eating habits by first eliminating sodas and junk foods. I drank at least 70 mL of water a day and had and ate around 1800 calories per day. I cut back on red meats; I would only eat them once a week. I ate 3 large meals a day and 2 snacks. My snacks were fruits and my large meals consisted of a meat and a veggie. I only ate starches 2 times per week.”

What did your workout routines look like?

“I lost weight by exercising least 3 days a week.  I would do 60 minutes of cardio on the treadmill, elliptical, or arc trainer. I would do an hour of weight training once a week.”

What was your starting weight?

“My starting weight was 340 pounds. What is your current weight? My current weight is 220.”

How long did your transformation take?

“My transformation took around 14 months. I hit a plateau and gained a few pounds back. It has been a total of 3 years since I began my journey.”

What advice to you have for others who want to lose weight?

“My advice would be to hang in there. It’s a long process and it takes hard work, determination, and dedication. Find a picture of yourself that you absolutely hate and pull it out whenever you’re not motivated to go to the gym or want to eat an unhealthy meal. This helped me when I wanted to give up. Take it one day at a time, and eventually you will see all the hard work was worth it.”

Diana weight loss photos

You can really see the difference with this pair of pants.

Diana weight loss photos

Arresha lost 176 pounds with the REALIZE® Band

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Arresha!  She lost 176 pounds with weight loss surgery.  That is almost half of her original body weight.  She had the REALIZE® Adjustable Gastric Band surgery.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss:

“My name is Arresha.  I am a army retired spouse with 4 small children at 31 years young.  I started this weight loss journey on November 14th 2011. I was 343 pounds and had been that way for a few years before. Nothing was helping. I was depressed was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. I decided I needed to do something about it for me, for my children and my husband.  I was really overweight.

So, I had weightloss surgery.  I got the REALIZE® Adjustable Gastric Band. My doctor told me I would only lose 70 pounds in 3 years, but the band is truely only a too. You have to put in work, be motivated and dedicated. I had to change my eating habits to 6 small meals a day. I can’t eat bread or drink soda.  I hardly have caffeine and only eat lean meats. I walk for exercise and do sports with my children. My life has changed tremendously. After having 3 girls (less than 2 years apart for 2 of them and the other child 3-4 years apart) it was rough. All my pregnancies were high risk because of my weight. I also had high blood pressure and was unable to play with my kids because I was so tired all the time. Now I can run without being tired.  I have energy and I feel blessed to have gone from 343 lbs to 167 lbs. It truly has been a journey!  My advice: the band or weight loss surgery is only a tool. Tou have to be motivated and dedicated to lose weight. You are forced to change your eating habits with surgery but don’t get discouraged.  Just keep going. It’s a long journey.  Stick with it and the results will be awesome.”

Arresha weight loss surgery