Black Weight Loss Success

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Nikia lost over 115 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story:  Nikia lost over 115 pounds and avoided high blood pressure medication by adopting healthy eating habits and working out daily.   Here is what she shared with us:

Hi, I’m Nikia. As I was doing a before and after picture collage, I decided to share my weight loss experience with you. My motivation started when my doctor told me that I would have to take blood pressure medicine due to high blood pressure. I asked if he could give me one month to make an effort to do something about it. I went back & lost 12 pounds just from changing my diet.  I also drank lots of water & worked out daily with Cardio & light weights. In 3 years, I lost over 100 pounds.  I went from 300+ to 185 pounds. I ate lots of greens, vegetables, fish, salmon, yogurt & fruit. Portion control is a must. Sometimes, I even made protein shakes.  I ate three meals a day with 3 small snacks in between.  I’m very proud of myself. Believe in yourself & you can do anything.

Nikia weight loss before and after

La’Shonda lost 65 pounds

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Update 2016: We shared La’Shonda’s story back in 2013. Now, she is updating us about her ups and downs, as well as her success. She’s lost a total of 102 pounds.

LaShonda

My name is La’Shonda, and I am emailing you to share my blessed testimony. I was featured about 3 years ago when I lost 65 pounds. I have been constantly trying to lose more weight, and at one small period, I regained about 22 pounds. Graciously, I managed to lose those 22 pounds, plus an additional 35 pounds. That’s a grand total of 100 pounds. I am extremely grateful for this testimony. I have 50 more pounds to go before I reach my weight goal.

I did not lose weight with any fad diets, diet pills, programs or surgeries. I just practiced clean eating and exercised regularly. At my largest, 318 lbs/size 24, I became miserably aware that I needed to alter my lifestyle if I wanted to live. I started slow just changing what and how much I ate and I did not exercise. Before I knew it, I had lost over 50 lbs. Eventually, I reached a plateau. After that, I suffered major life changes and then I began to regain some of my lost weight. I was determined not to succumb to the pressures of being obese again, so I made a conscious effort to persevere and push forward.

I begin to increase my fresh vegetable and fruit intake, as well as my lean meat intake. I also minimized my starch intake. I eliminated processed, “fatty” foods, and anything with high fructose corn syrup and/or carbonation in it; thereby, increasing my water intake (approximately approx. gallon a day).

Once I re-lost my original 65 lbs., I incorporated exercise into my weight loss regimen. My exercise regimen commenced with just walking, and today I run too. Eventually, I incorporated strength training and rigorous cardio activities such as Zumba (which is fun, fun, and more fun). Now, I take Boot Camp classes, HIIT classes, and Body Sculpt classes. I’m also walking/running the bridges, taking Zumba classes and doing strength training. It’s a constant struggle, but if I can do it anyone can. I just weighed myself today and I currently weigh 216 pounds. (total of 102 lbs. lost). Thank God for giving me the fortitude to accomplish this. I am still a work in progress, but at least I can see and celebrate the progress.

La'Shonda

2013 – La’Shonda lost 65 pounds by changing her eating habits, doing exercises like water aerobics and weights.  Let’s show her some love!

Hello members of BWLW! My name is Shon, and I would like to share my story even though I am a work in progress. I’ve lost approximately 65 pounds. Initially, I began losing weight due to illness. Once I realized that I was losing weight, I seized the opportunity to capitalize on the loss. I changed my eating habits. I incorporated more fruit, veggies, and protein into my diet thus minimizing my sweet and starch intake, but my secret weapon was water. I eliminated carbonated drinks, and I limited my consumption of sweet tea/lemonade and fruit juice (100% only). I didn’t really exercise until I had lost the first 50 pounds. Now, I do some form of exercise daily. I’ve also recently begun taking water aerobics classes, and while I’m at the gym, I indulge in other forms of exercise by utilizing the weight equipment. I’ve noticed that certain body parts are beginning to tighten where it was otherwise very flabby. I still have a long way to go, but now I can see the change.  That’s all the motivation I need.  Thank you for encouraging black women to lose weight.

LaShonda weight loss before and after

Dari has gone from a size 22 to a size 12

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Dari started at a size 22 and dropped down to a size 12.  She changed her eating habits, worked out with P90X and Zumba and now she is a personal trainer helping others to get fit and healthy.  Here is what she shared with us:

I remember one day at my house on WV, my sisters were there and of course Brittany was there too. Heehee! I looked through my old red camera and came across some pictures of myself. I sat in the family room crying and asking them, “Why didn’t y’all tell me I was this fat, I mean this big?” By then, I think we all had tears in our eyes. LOL I can laugh about it now, but that day I swore to myself I would never look like that again. See by then, I had already loss several pounds and had a successful business, but what I didn’t have was closure. Closure from the fat person I used to be. Look, I never thought even at my heaviest size 22, that I looked bad. Sounds funny, huh?! I knew I was cute, I could do my hair and make up and not to mention my clothes were nice, but inside I was depressed, unhappy and often thought about giving up on life. Wow, even typing this is hard.  You see, you can’t wait for someone else to tell you, you need to lose weight, you have want it for yourself. For years I wanted to lose weight, but didn’t have it in me. That “it” I’m referring to is Christ. It wasn’t until I totally surrendered all of my life to Him, that I started to “Make changes from the INSIDE OUT.” Now at a size 12, I still often cry and pray daily. That is what gets me through.  Now matter what size you are today, you can do it. You can get healthier! You can be fit! You deserve it! I deserved it too! XOXOXO

What did you do in terms of exercise?

To lose the weight, I started out doing p90x.  Then I joined the gym and started taking Zumba class.  Later, I started teaching Zumba.  I have become a personal trainer and I have been at it ever since. Started my fitness business in June 2010 (Workout Hunny Fitness). Now, I do corporate fitness, Bootcamps, personal training and Zumba.

How did you change your eating habits?

I cut my calories back to 1200 – 1600 per day depending on my workout schedule. I ate mostly a high protein diet. I drink at least a gallon of water daily. No soda, fried food, sugar.

Dari weight loss before and after

Maxine lost 205 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight Love to Maxine.  She lost 205 pounds with LapBand weight loss surgery. 

“I wanted to send you a picture of my continued weight loss. At my heaviest, I was 405 pounds. I had the lap band surgery.  Now, I workout, eat healthier; semi-vegetarian, and am happier for it. I am 41 years old and have 40 more pounds to go! Love your site. It is very inspiring. Stay Blessed & One Love!”

Maxine lapband weight loss surgery

JoAnn lost 126 pounds

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Today’s weight loss before and after story: JoAnn lost 126 pounds.  She used My Fitness Pal to count calories and gained a love for running on her journey. Here is what she shared with us:

Hello, my name JoAnn. I am a wife and mother of four. I have had three C-sections, a set of twins, and two gastric bypass surgeries (includes reversal). I have been overweight all of my life my heaviest 398 pounds. In my early twenties I had the Gastric Bypass surgery unfortunately I had to have the surgery reversed, for over a year I was what they called the walking dead my body wasn’t absorbing protein and I almost died. I lost 210 pounds however, after the reversal; I gained most of the weight back. March of 2010, I weighed in at 298 pounds.

I decided to get healthy after the premature deaths of my parents. My mother past away at 55 in 2009 from ALS and my father at 56 in Jan 2010 from high blood pressure and being on dialysis. Losing both parents so soon in life really took its toll on me. Having four kids of my own, I knew that I still needed my parents and there was no way I was going let something like my weight take me out sooner than necessary. Being here for my children and growing old with my husband is what sparked me to change my life.

My Philosophy is TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME. I am not perfect and do not claim to be. If I have a bad moment, I do not see myself as a failure, I just know that I will see the consequences of my decision on the scale and I keep going. People do not get that YOU are in control of what goes into your body. Therefore, if you make a conscience choice to eat junk, just know that you are going to have to put in the extra work to get it off with that said, you then have to decide if it is worth it or not, if so then eat it and keep it moving. However, always in moderation. I am a firm believer in counting and watching your calories I have been on My Fitness Pal for over 815 days.

I strength train 3 times a week and do cardio, but my true love is running. I learned to run using the Couch to Run program back in November 2011.  I ran my first race a 10k in March 2012 in 1hr 10 minutes. So far, I have competed in 13 races including a two half marathons and will run in three more before the year is over.

My Motto is NO EXCUSES I truly believe that if you want something bad enough you can do it. I find that people want to know so badly how I did it, when I tell them that I would get up at 4 am and workout  5 times a week run 15 miles over the weekend, they lose interest. Lol!  Everyone wants a QUICK FIX but when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off, SORRY but there’s no such thing.  I do not compare myself to others everyone is different and what works for me may not work for you. Changing the way you think is key to losing weight and keeping it off.

I had the infamous Ah Ha moment! For me, I refuse to turn 40 still dealing with my weight.  Sll my life I’ve had to deal with it and I am tired! Life is too short and enough is enough. If you want it, make up your mind and JUST DO IT!

Joann weight loss before and after

Caroline Jhingory lost 150 pounds and Kept if OFF

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Shout out to the amazing Caroline Jhingory! This woman released 150+ pounds and has kept it off for almost 20 years. Her story inspires us and lets us know that long term success is possible.

caroline before and after
Update Sept 2018: “The best compliment that I ever received was from a doctor here in my hometown Washington, DC. “You are an African-American woman that has lost and maintained a 150+lb weight without weight loss surgery and kept it up for over 15+ years. I’ve been a physician for double that 30 years, and I have rarely seen that.”

I will say that now in life maintaining my 150+lb weight loss is just as hard if not harder as it was too lose it. Metabolism and hormone changes, and it just seems food especially chocolate taste better and better in your 30’s. Still a positive support system of people and positive self-talk keep me in line.

Power-walking everyday is a regimented part of my life just as taking a shower. And I don’t bring any unhealthy foods into my home. I save indulges for dining out or family gatherings.”
– @CarolineJhingory

Author and weight loss expert Caroline Jhingory is definitely a weight loss success story that you need to know about.  She has appeared on the Dr. Oz Show, TODAY Show, the Huffington Post, and in PEOPLE, ESSENCE and SHAPE magazines.  You may have checked out her book, Half My Size: How I Ate To Lose 150lbs.  I had the chance to ask her the questions we ask all of our featured ladies.  Check out what she shared with us:

Caroline Jhingory weight loss interview

What was your motivation?
Ten years ago weighing over 307 pounds on a 5’2 frame a dermatologist told me that the dark blotches on my skin were an indication that I was pre-diabetic. That moment was what I call my rock bottom. I decided right then and there that I was going to make the rest of my life, the best of my life.

What did you do in terms of eating to lose the weight?
Being that I was pre-diabetic, my family doctor’s recommendation was to eliminate, not moderate all white foods from diet. Although these foods are not technically white, this meant all sugar, products made with flour, bread, rice, pasta, potatoes and corn. My new way of eating involved lean proteins (all seafood, chicken breasts and egg whites) and non-starchy vegetables only. (All vegetables, excluding corn, potatoes, peas, plantains, squash and carrots.)

What did you do in terms of exercise to lose the weight? 
I could not afford fancy personal trainers or a gym membership. So, I began to walk everywhere instead of catching the bus and subway here in my hometown of Washington, DC. Over the years, my body needed more of a challenge and strength gym. Eventually ,I was able to afford a gym membership and swore by machines like the elliptical fitness trainer and circuit machines. Now my primary workout is running on my treadmill at home while watching a ratchet reality TV show. It makes the time fly right on by!

Caroline also shared with us about having skin removal surgery.

Caroline Jhingory on the Dr. Oz Show – www.doctoroz.com/videos/secrets-skinny-pt-3

Jasmen lost 40 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Jasmen lost 40 pounds by working out 4-5 days per week and eating 1200 calories per day.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi, my name is Jasmen and these are my before and after pictures and weight loss story. Before I changed my eating habits and started exercising, I weighed in at 191 pounds in January 2013. As of today, I have lost 40 pounds and can finally wear a bikini proudly. I have always been body conscious even at my lowest weight, which was 130 pounds, but not anymore. I feel better than ever! I now weigh 151 pounds and have about 10 more pounds to lose. I eat around 1200 calories per day and do lots of cardio and strength training, at least 4-5 days per week. Getting back to my high school size/weight was my motivation. I hope I can be someone else’s motivation!

Jasmen weight loss before and after

Jimella lost 33 pounds

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June 2014 Update: “I was featured last year however I’ve made progress since then. I am down 40 lbs total, which is a 7 pound difference from before.  This is after adding running to my routine and incorporating weights a little bit more. I’ve noticed that I’m losing inches, especially through my midsection. After my story was featured on your blog and holidays rolling around I did gain about 10 lbs back. However, when the new year came in I got back on track. I’m not ashamed to admit that I gained because there’s definitely ups and downs with this weight loss journey. I always say it’s a journey with no destination because this is for life, even after the goal weight is reached. You still have to continue maintaining the lifestyle change. I love the BWLW page for constantly motivating and inspiring. My journey continues!” – Jimella @ear_candy_couture

Jimella before and after

Original Post – July 2013  – Let’s show some BWLW love to Jimella!  She lost 33 pounds and fought off high blood pressure with Weight Watchers and working out.  Here is what she shared with us:

I began my weight loss transformation Feb. 20, 2013 although I’ve been overweight since June 18, 1980 (the day I was born). Last time I went to the doctor my blood pressure was 185/110. I would have slight headaches periodically I’m sure due to increased pressure and my love of salty foods. I refused to get on any type of medication. I just couldn’t see myself taking medication everyday at (then) 32 years old. I felt too young to be doing all that especially when I knew this could be fixed with weight loss. Of course this runs in my family and I’ve seen it take such a great toll on close family from strokes to kidney failure and I just can’t find myself 20+ years down the road in that same cycle.

I began by changing my eating habits drastically. I started eating more vegetables and/or juicing, whereas before I would go days if not weeks at a time without eating any type of vegetation. I threw out ALL junk food and salty foods, which was hard at first because my weakness is juice and chips (which I still struggle with). Eventually I joined Weight Watchers which I love because it teaches you about portion control and how to make healthier eating choices. If I couldn’t calculate the points on it then I just wouldn’t eat it. I became active by working out 4-5 times/week in the gym. I started making my workouts more fun by doing outdoor activities like going bike riding on the beach and hiking and now I’m down 33lbs but the journey continues. My goal is to be in a comfortable size 14 jeans (currently size 18, previously size 22). I’m still in awe when I look at my pics. I love it! Once I start to see my collar bones pertrude a little more then I’ll really know I’m making extreme progress, LOL.

When I found pages such as this one and all the fitness and eat clean pages on Instagram, I became that much more motivated and encouraged. I love seeing all of the success stories from everyone but primarily from other black women because we have such a bad stigma on us when it comes to health and fitness (or should I say the lack thereof). It feels so good to see us conquering that stereotype and I’m even more proud of the discipline, strength, and dedication that God has blessed me with to join that fight.

Jimella weight loss before and after

Bridgette lost 40 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight Love to Bridgette who lost 40 pounds by eating clean, food journaling, and working out regularly.  Here is what she shared with us:

My primary motivation to lose weight was because my children!!! I wanted to be around for them. I lost my parents due to heart disease and I was determined not to leave that legacy for my children. My starting weight was 200 pounds in 2011 and over the next year, I managed to lose a few pounds. My real weight loss journey didn’t begin until December 2012! Over the last 6 months, I have lost a total of 40 pounds through walking/running, logging everything I eat and eating less carbs. I eat clean (vegetables, fruit, turkey, and chicken, No white carbs) 85% of the time.  On the weekends, I may have brown rice or pasta in a dish. I drink at least 6 glasses of water daily.  I plan to lose an additional 5-10 and I will have reached my goal of 150 pounds. This is a lifestyle change!!!

Bridgette weight loss story

 

Edisha Transformed Her Body

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Today’s weight loss success story:  Personal Trainer Edisha shows us how losing 20 pounds with a lot of hard work can make a major difference in the way your body looks.  Here is what she shared with us:

I lost 20 pounds this past 3 months with a before /after. I’m a personal trainer who dedicated her life to helping others lose weight. My mother was an inspiration to me from a young age. As a single parent 4 children, she battled with clinical depression after being raped in our home when I was about 4 years old; as a result, she then went from an active lifestyle to sedentary with food in her side as comfort. Her words always ring in my ears saying, “Desha, you better eat right and exercise. You don’t want to grow up and be fat and depressed like me.” I took those words unknowingly to the extent of my degree in Exercise Science and Wellness, with a minor in Psychology, to use in my every day life as an athlete then to helping others as a certified personal trainer, so much to where I forgot about ME. I gained a lot of weight working hard at helping others reach their goals, picturing my mom sitting in front of me. A fitness show inspired me to find balance and take my life back so, I could continue to set the example for those whom I help. Three months ago in the midst of surviving a 3-car collision, I started working towards a fitness show helping combat childhood obesity and on turn got my life back. Having lost 20 pounds of body fat in just 3-months by eating 5-6 times a day, exercising 5-6 days per week, and taking vitamins regularly with 8-10 glasses of water a day. I can truly say that I am a winner with just that. Now, I’m more confident and can continue to lead by example.

Edisha personal trainer