The Official Blog of the Black Women Losing Weight Community. Tips, articles and weight loss resources for African American Women.
Today’s featured story: We featured Carmen’s weight loss success story back in Dec 2012 and she sent in an update. She’d lost 92 pounds when we first met her and now she’s down a total of 130 pounds. I love it that she is still going strong with her weight loss. Read the original story for more info on how she lost the weight.
Check out all her progress photos and weight loss inspiration on Instagram: ilift4life1
130 pounds lost!
Photo from Original post – 92 pounds down
Featured Weight Loss Success Story: Delta Sigma Theta Soror Autumn lost 78 pounds. This petite diva ended a lifetime of dealing with being overweight by committing to eating clean and exercising. She went from a size 18/20 to a size 6/8. Read her story and find out how she did it:
“My name is Autumn and for as long as I can remember I’ve been overweight. I can remember being in 4th grade and weighing over 100lbs. Although I was always overweight, I never realized just how much. After graduating from college in 2005, I became a probation officer and was faced with the challenge having to complete the police academy. I started going to the gym but didn’t change my diet. Over 3 years later, I was still working out, but I hadn’t lost any significant weight. One of my sorority sisters suggested we start a weight loss competition which made me actually put effort into my fitness journey. At my heaviest, I weighed around 235 pounds, which is a lot, especially on my 5’1” frame. I did great the first time and lost over 50 pounds but after going through losing my mom and getting married, I gained over of that weight half back.
At the end of 2012, I weighed 209 pounds and as of February 2014 I weight 157 pounds. At my heaviest I wore a size 18/20 in pants and now I wear a size 6/8. I’ve tried all types of things to help with my weight loss but what has worked the best is simply working out (4-6 days a week) and eating clean. I used to eat a lot of fast food, I didn’t eat vegetables and I drink a lot of juice. Now, I eat veggies daily, drink lot of water and stay away from processed foods. For the last few months I’ve used Fitness On Fire online boot camp, which helped me continue to reach my goals.
I would tell anyone to have patience, take it one day at a time and take lots of pictures. On those days when you are struggling with the journey, take a look back at those pictures to see just how far you have come.”
Instagram: @Autumn203
Featured Weight Loss Story: Sigma Gamma Rho Soror Temica lost 58 pounds and helped her husband to lose 120 pounds as well. She found a weight loss plan that worked for her, embraced healthy eating and worked out! I see you, Soror! Here is what she shared with us about her journey:
“My name is Temica Gross and 15 months ago I weighed 248lbs. I now weigh 190lbs for a preset weigh loss of 58lbs. I’m 32 years old, wife and mother of 1 and a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.”
What was my motivation?
“I have been heavy my entire life. I can’t ever remember being under 200lbs for longer than a few months. In Oct 2012 I ordered fast food for lunch while at work and as I was eating, the grease from my sandwich was dripping down my arm. It was a disgusting wake up call. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and instantly became embarrassed at my weight. I signed up for Weight Watchers within minutes and that was the beginning of my weight loss journey.’
How did you change your eating habits?
“My eating habits changed drastically. I began to prep my meals for the week ahead of time and incorporated “clean eating” for my entire family. I was now eating more fruits and vegetables with every meal and every snack instead of unhealthy options such as chips and chocolate. I also removed meat from my diet and consumed mostly fish and vegan protein. As a result, my husband also lost 120 pounds and our 2 year old son chooses dried cranberries and almonds over cookies!”
What did your workout routine look like?
“Each morning I would workout for 30 minutes a day with a DVD (Insanity, Walk away the pounds, Zumba) and again for an additional 30 minutes when I came home from work. I was too shy to sign up for a gym membership so working at home was all I did in the beginning. After 6 months,I had lost close to 30 lbs and I thought I needed a new challenge and signed up for my first 5K! My only goal at the time was to NOT stop running and to NOT come in last place…. I crushed both! I was so excited when I finished that I signed up for another the very next month!!”
What advice do I have for others?
“There is a plan out there for everyone. Do not get discouraged if one doesn’t work for you. Find what’s best for you and stick with it. But please remember, this is a lifetime commitment. Strive for long term goals and not a short/fast turnaround and you will succeed. Best of luck to you all!!!”
Instagram: @BeatbyMeek
Let’s show some love to Veronica. After giving birth, she is now down 110 pounds. This mom of 3 wanted to be an inspiration to her 7 year old who was being teased in school for being bigger than the other kids. Her story shows that you CAN lose the baby weight.
“I just wanted to share my story with you guys!!! I went from 280 pounds to 170 pounds. That’s 110 lbs lost. I did this by eating cleaner and becoming more active. I hit the gym 6 days a week and enjoy different activities when I’m there, like spin class, weight training and cardio.
My motivation was my babies. I have 3 boys and my 7 year old is being teased at school for being heavier then the rest of the kids. I started my journey to let him know that he doesn’t have to stay “chunky”, as they call him. I started drinking water and cut out all sweets and sugars. I eat a clean, lean diet. I also hit the gym almost everyday if possible. I do cardio 3 days a week and strength training with a group. We do the group thing to stay motivated and focused on our goals. Constructive criticism is given when needed and it only makes us push harder. It took me a year to get most of my weight off. My advice to other is that you can do it. ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE with God on your side and the will power to do so.”
Update Dec 2017: Back in 2014, Cookie Miller shared her amazing transformation story with us. She became a personal trainer and continues to inspire the masses online. Today, Dec 6th, you may have seen her on the Dr. Oz Show. She wrote to tell us that the show is looking for a new trainer to join the team and Cookie is in the RUNNING as a finalist! Let’s support this sista.
There will be two winners and voting can be done here:
www.doctoroz.com/article/dr-oz-show-trainer-competition-voting-form
Voting is available thru this Sunday, December 10th at midnight EST. Let’s show her some love.
Check out this post for more information about how she lost the weight.
Instagram: @CookieMiller
Facebook.com/CookieMiller
Twitter.com/CookieMillerFIT
Update: Cookie is now a personal trainer and you can check out her Youtube channel! More info: Helping Others to Succeed: Congrats to Cookie
Feb 2014 – Weight Loss Story of the Day: Cookie lost 70 pounds. She embraced running and training for 5k runs. She also found out that she was suffering from a common skin condition that cleared up as she lost weight and got healthy. Here is what she shared with us:
Feb 23, 2014: “Exactly one year and one day ago, I began a journey that would completely change my life and who I am as a person. I made a goal to train for a 5K run, get fit, and lose weight! I ran my first 5K in honor of my grandmother. Since then, I have run 4/5 more 5Ks, completed a #MightyMudDash and completed a 5 mile #SpartanSprint.
In the process of all of this, I have lost nearly 70 pounds and I’m not done yet! I am training for the #SpartanBeast (10-12 miles) and I will run with my mom for her first 5K this fall. The purpose of sharing my photos is to encourage anyone who wants to lose weight. I want to encourage anyone who is struggling with consistency, food addiction and any other mental blocks causing them to lose faith.
Losing the weight was always a goal, but to look in the mirror now and hardly recognize myself is almost unreal. Many people have asked me for tips and I always tell them to pray! Without God, I know I wouldn’t have come this far, because Lord knows I’ve had to pray myself through many workouts (and still do to this day)! Now that I am a year in and 70 pounds down, I realize that this journey never ends. Being fit IS my lifestyle. Eating well IS my lifestyle and I am glad about that. NEVER give up!
SKIN CHANGE:
Let me preface this by saying that neither of these pictures are filtered and I do not wear makeup. Meaning, I do not apply powder, base or whatever else to my face. I only use eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner and lip gloss. I literally do not know how to apply makeup (sad, I know). The point is the changes you see in my skin including skin color, dark leathery spots, dry/ashy spots etc. are a direct affect of the changes in my weight. I wanted to post this as a warning to those who may be experiencing weight gain and changes in their skin. I urge to visit your doctor as these changes in your skin are a only a sign of things to come. After having pretty “normal” skin (aside from eczema on my arms) all of my life, it wasn’t until I became extremely obese that I saw this change in my skin. I would have breakouts on my cheeks, eyelids, all around my neck and basically anywhere where there was a crease. My skin had stretched so much that it hurt to wash or try to exfoliate it. When I went to the doctor, I found out that I was pre-diabetic and that the changes in my skin were due to the weight gain.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, breast cancer, heart disease and so on ALL run in my family as in many other Black families. Many of these are preventative with a healthy lifestyle. I encourage you all to take care of yourselves and to pay attention to the signs such as changes in your skin.”
Connect with Cookie on Instagram: @cookiemiller
Side Note from BWLW: Ladies, the skin condition that Cookie was dealing with is more common than you may think. Many people suffer with a condition called Acanthosis Nigricans. It causes a darkening and thickening of the skin, breakouts, etc… and it’s related to insulin resistance Many black women deal with this condition, including myself. Here is some additional information. Talk to your dermatologist about your skin. There are a number of skin conditions that affect overweight people and those dealing with diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Let’s show some love to Brynn for her 65 pound weight loss victory. After being diagnosed with some very serious health issues, including being in a 2 day coma, she has changed her lifestyle and lost weight. Here is what she shared about her journey:
“Hello my name is Brynn Thompson and I would like to share my story. I was a fit girl until after high school. I moved out, ate junk and put on 80 pounds in one year to my tiny 145 pound frame. Shortly there after, I was rushed to the hospital where I slipped into a coma for two days. Later I found out that I had type 2 diabetes, but instead of getting healthy I got worse and ended up at 260 pounds. I’m only 5’3”. For years I yo-yo’d with my weight until last year when I was diagnosed with Pseudotumor cerebri, a condition in which the pressure inside the skull is increased. The brain is affected in a way that the condition appears to be — but is not — a tumor but is just as bad because it never goes away. This diagnosis happened last October. Since then, I’ve stared eating right and working out. I work out four to five times a week doing Zumba, running and lifting weights. I follow the American Diabetic Association’s 1200 calorie diet. I also cut out soda and alcohol. I’m down to 195 pounds and dropping. I knew if I did nothing I would not be around much longer for my wife and son, if I can do it anyone can!”
Weight Loss Story of the Day: Delisa lost 32 pounds. Instead of a gym membership, she joined a flag football team and a boot camp for exercise. She changed her eating habits as well. Find out the details of her weight loss journey:
At my heaviest, I was 197 pounds which was in March of 2013. I then knew that I had to do something about it. I knew I was lazy but if I put myself in something fun it would help me reach my goal. I joined a flag football team! I also ate better, drank lots of water and the weight just fell off. Now, since the season is over, I knew I had to keep busy so I joined a bootcamp and I’m sticking with it! I lost my first 5 pounds in July 2013 and I am now 165 pounds as of February 2014! I have made it a lifestyle and I now try to encourage others on their weight lost journey as well on my Instagram: @iamdelisa and my Facebook page.
What I did with regard to eating: I counted calories first. I ate to live and I didn’t live to eat, which is still a challenge. A lot of salad was eaten and a lot of chicken with veggies (they were the largest amount on the plate) and little to no carbs. If I ate carbs, healthy carbs were ok like oatmeal for breakfast, fruit, whole wheat bread or sweet potatoes. I drank only water, no soda, sweet tea or juice for a long time. As far as exercise, since I was on the football team and we conditioned for the season. I did a lot of running and a lot of cardio. I hated running but I would run a lap then walk a lap. The routines and routes we did consisted of running, stopping catching the ball and running again. Basically lots and lots of cardio. I have yet to have a gym membership. I don’t use equipment, I just run or use my body weight to strength train and gain muscle. I sometimes may use a medicine ball or 8 pound weights to add something new to my workout but for the most part cardio, cardio, cardio.
I just want to share a little motivation to let you guys know that this journey is hard as hell and everyday I wake up with my challenge of food! However, I never gave up! I tried and failed many more times than I succeeded, but the fact is I never gave up! I tried diet pills, the Atkins diet and the only thing that truly worked was changing my diet and exercising! You can do it! If nobody believes in you, I do because I did it and I’m still going! I feel better about myself! I have a new found confidence that I’ve never had before! As much as sometimes I really have to drag myself to the gym, I still go! So, please don’t give up just keep going! It’s not going to be easy and it’s gonna take time but just don’t give up! #workout #healthyeatting #loveyourself #healthyandfit
Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Proud mom Shaqualla lost 109 pounds with weight reduction surgery. She gained weight due to treatment for a serious medical condition and traditional weight loss methods were not working. She feels that surgery has been a blessing for her. Read about her journey:
“Hello, my name is Shaqualla Carter. I’m 34 years old and a mother of 2. I have been struggling with my weight my whole life. I have done every diet and every workout plan you can think of, but the weight still didn’t come off. As I got older and after having my kids I got bigger and bigger until I started having health problems. That’s when things only got worse. After being sick and in pain over a period of time, I went to the doctor and discovered I had a tumor on my ovary, I was devastated and didn’t know what to do. After decisions were made, I ended up on steroids to try and shrink my tumor and I gained ALOT of weight. I tried working out and eating right but that wasn’t working. When I got to my heaviest weight, I decided it was time for me to take my life back.
I was determined to get this weight off. After talking with co-workers and doing my own research, I decided to have gastric sleeve weight loss surgery and it changed my life forever. I now eat cleaner and healthier. I also workout 3 times a week. It hasn’t been easy to lose weight, even with the surgery. However, I can say with hard work and dedication I went from 292 pounds to my current weight of 183 pounds. I can’t put into words how I feel. This journey I’m on is wonderful. It’s been a year and a half and I’m already 109 lbs down and I’m aiming to lose 20 to 30 more. I know it seems unreal to some who are going through this struggle but know through God and prayer nothing can stand in your way. Thanks for letting me share my story with you God Bless :-)”
Nicollette wrote in this month to share how she has begun her weight loss journey. So far, she’s lost 15 pounds.
“Last year after my brother passed away I went into a depression & ended up gaining 30 pounds. I tried a million different short cuts and failed, but I’m thankful, because my failures taught me what works for me and what doesn’t. Last month I finally decided enough was enough after my mother-in law called me out about my weight gain at a family gathering. I was so embarrassed. I cried, but I finally made up my mind that I was gonna get the weight off and keep it off. I haven’t reached my goal but I did lose 15 lbs in 24 days.
The 1st picture I was 232 pounds & now I’m 217 pounds. I did it through diet & exercise. I completely cut out all sugary drinks. Now I only drink water, herbal teas and smoothies. I stopped eating meat and junk food. I cook mostly and snack on healthy foods like carrots when I’m busy. It sounds so constricting, but it’s not. I still eat some of my favorite meals, I just make healthy substitutions and try new healthy recipes. Healthy doesn’t mean you have to give up taste. I also work out (mostly strength training) with a trainer twice a week and do cardio 3 times a week. I also started juicing fruits and vegetables. I got new recipe books (amazon has some ebooks for free). I follow a lot of fitness and healthy eating pages on instagram. I also started reading memoirs of weight loss journeys like Former Fat Girl. These little things help keep me motivated when I lose track of my goal.
I feel amazing now. I can fit my old clothes and I’m not tired all the time. I have energy and I’m so motivated & committed to my health. I feel like a new person. My advice to anyone trying to lose weight is to be dedicated! It’s hard but it’s worth it & don’t let anything bring you down. You have to want it more then you want to be comfortable. You have to make a lifestyle change! Find what works for you! There are no secrets to weight loss, just eating right and exercising. If I can do it anyone can!”
Instagram: vanityyyslave
Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Proud mom Brandy lost 131 pounds. Exercise was key to her transformation and now she is able to be more active with her children. Find out how she did it:
“Hello my name is Brandy Francis. I’m 34 years young and a single mother of a 2 going on 24 year old. MY Battle with weight has always been just that, a battle, but in 17 months I have lost 119 pounds. My highest tipping weight was 292 pounds and I now weigh 161 pounds. That is a total of 131 pounds.
I have done every weight loss program and supplement, but to my surprise neither one would help me loose the weight I have currently. My employment with a warehouse is where the shedding of pounds started, it is equivalent to going to the gym 4 to 5 days a week working out and 4 to 5 hours on every part of my body. My eating habits changed because of my recent “singlehood”. I could no longer enjoy the luxury of fast foods 3 to 4 times a day. So, being in this warehouse they would only allow water on the floor which was a battle because I was addicted to Pepsi. At first I said, “Noooo Water.” but NOW water is my best friend. I’m no longer on blood pressure meds and I’m so much more active with my 29 month old. I’m so blessed and grateful that at one of the worst times of stress in my life I didn’t revert to old habits of binge eating or feeling sorry for myself. The biggest size I put on was a 24/26 at Lane Bryant and I’m now wearing a size 10/8. I will always battle with weight, but right now I’m winning!!”
