Black Weight Loss Success

The Official Blog of the Black Women Losing Weight Community. Tips, articles and weight loss resources for African American Women.

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BrownSun lost 70 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to BrownSun who lost 70 pounds by striving to be her greatest self, eating more fresh foods, drinking more water and going meatless.  Here is what she shared with us:

Greetings and Blessings, I would like to give kudos to Black Women Losing Weight because you guys are expressing and establishing positive conversations of hope and inspiration by your mission. I would like to know if you guys can feature me as well as a success story. At my biggest I weighed in at 260 pounds and now I’m down to 190 pounds. I started my journey in 2011 and I’m still striving for better holistic health and consciousness. My motivation was the destiny to become my greater self.  I’ve achieved my weight loss by eating more veggies, fruit, and water.  Also I recently stopped eating meat. I greatly appreciate you guys for staying positive and showing the beautiful black bold wombman another side to Facebook. Thanx

Brown Sun weight loss

Emicia lost 160 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Emicia lost 160 pounds with gastric bypass weight loss surgery, changing her diet and by facing the reality of her health issues.  She started at 404 pounds and was deeply moved by a neighbor who tried to reach out to her about health concerns and obesity.  I truly appreciate her openness and transparency.  Here is what she shared with us:

I’ll never forget walking my neighbor Ms.Barbara to my door that day. As usual, we had a long conversation, but this time when I gave her a hug good-bye, she held on for a bit longer. When we parted, she was crying, which she *didn’t* do. I was concerned, and apparently, so was she. “Emicia”, she began, “I love you, but you have to do something about your weight. I suffer so much [due to my weight] and I don’t want you to suffer like I do”. I was confused. The confusion would be cleared up on my way to work one day when I ran into 2 policewomen in the hallway. Assuming someone was robbed, I asked what was wrong. They pointed into Ms.Barbara’s apartment, where she lay…dead. I broke down. But as cruel as it felt for God to allow me to witness that, the lightbulb finally went off. “I don’t want you to suffer like I do!” now had an exclamation mark at the end of the sentence.

At that moment, there was no BBW rallying cry that could drown out reality. It wasn’t about being “big and beautiful”, or whether Lane Bryant also made cute clothing. I saw weight for what it really was, a life or death situation. Ms.Barbara’s death made me decide to chose life. I didn’t understand why stress made my body react so oddly. After watching both my [adoptive] parents die in hospitals, I could not bring myself to see a doctor. However, the week Ms.Barbara died, I gained 7lbs without any lifestyle change, which baffled me. That brought my weight up to an astonishing 404 pounds!!??!! I had to see a doctor. It took awhile of testing and exams to determine the cause, but I was finally diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Hashimoto’s, which explained the whole host of symptoms associated with my body attacking itself. One of the other symptoms, hypermenorrhea, had nearly killed me.

After being placed on medication, I found a nutritionist, a walking partner, and created a food journal. I also limited carb and sugar intake, ate more fresh vegetables and fish, and less beef and pork and I lost 30lbs. I needed to amplify my efforts and I wanted a tool that would give me portion control. On May 23, 2011, I had Gastric Bypass surgery. I’m not sure why it’s said to be the “easy way out” because it’s actually been quite difficult. I fought on, changed my diet, and continued walking. Now I stand here 2 years later and 160lbs lighter. I still have a way to go, but I’m on my way. I’m not sharing this to perpetuate the myth that big women are self-loathing, lazy or worthless. Quite the opposite!!! Many of the big women in my circle are the best mothers, grandmothers, everybody’s mothers, community leaders, businesswomen and worldchangers that I know. They’re the women who keep us healthy, so why not keep them healthy??? Ladies, I am on this journey with you and we will get there together. If you need any encouragement, advice or support, you know where to find me :o).

“I call heaven and earth to record this day … that I have set before you life and death … therefore choose life” -Deut 30:19

Emicia weight loss before and after

Nicey lost 74 pounds

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Let’s show Nicey some BWLW love.  She lost 74 pounds by changing her eating habits, dropping sugary drinks and adding exercise to her life.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is Nicey and I have struggled with being over weight my whole life…until now! Being the only child that my mother had made getting what I wanted very easily, especially FOOD!!!  I can remember wanting to wear certain clothing or get on rides at the fair with my cousins, who were slimmer than I was, but couldn’t. IT HURT!!!! I was so scared that I would become diabetic or, better yet, die in my sleep from being so big. I was tired of being disgusted with myself and decided to make changes in my life. In 2012, I was blessed to meet new people who had such an impact on my life and started a journey that I am still on…My weight lost journey!!! I am proud to say that I am now 74 lbs lighter by changing my eating habits, dropping sodas and juices and by adding exercise routines into my life. I exercise 5 days a week. You would find me walking, dancing, Hip Hop Abs with my home boy Shaun T and I even do a little Zumba. I have too much to live for and can no longer let MY battle with My weight continue. (By the way I’m winning) I can promise you that if you think that you can’t do it, you are so WRONG.  Surround yourself with a lot of positive people that will help get your motivation going. Trust me, I am no better than the next person but I am SOMEBODY and so are you! Don’t go for the gusto, just set small goals  and just like me you will be on your way to Fit, Fabulous and Fine!

Nicey weight loss before and after

Farah lost 75 pounds

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Today’s featured before and after weight loss story: Farah lost 75 pounds by changing her diet, embracing green smoothies and working out religiously.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

Hello, I wanted to share my journey thus far. It’s long but I know it’s attainable.  I reached my highest weight when I was pregnant with my last son. When I was at 39 weeks, I weighed 294 pounds.  Despite not getting the support I needed at home , 6 weeks postpartum I went down to 282 pounds. I still looked so puffy I pictures I’ve seen of me at this weight.

Prior to me getting pregnant, I was into fitness and nutrition. So, I knew what I had to do. I had to completely stop procrastinating and stop being all in the feeling from my past. I still had my gym membership.  I started back going to the gym 5-6 days a week, doing cardio and strength training.  I was also eating 80% clean eating.  The only thing I ‘m doing different now is using a Nutribullet, which I love , love , love.  I use it once or twice a day. Everything I use too make my protein/veggie/ fruit drink is raw.  No cooking required.  Some times I add a little bit of healthy fats . Of course, I drink tons of water everyday day.

I’m still under construction, but I’m happy with what I have accomplished thus far. The tools I use; Your monthly challenges, my fitness pals, free weights, cleaningeat.com, Google for healthy Recipes, Zumba, boot camp, elliptical, treadmill with incline, jump rope, planks, Squats, ankle weights, burpees, mountain climbers, dvds, cable machine, other people’s success stories and a heart monitor Ft4. I can’t thank god enough. #stillaworking progress  Now I weigh 219.6 pounds.

Farah lost 75 pounds

Yolanda lost 100 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Yolanda.  This proud mom lost 100 pounds in 10 months with weight loss surgery and no longer has high blood pressure and arthritis.  She expresses in her story that her weight made her feel safe and she was able to hide behind it.  Here is what she shared with us:

On Sept 5, 2012, I had weight loss surgery. I have lost 100 pounds! My start weight was 262 pounds and now I’m down to 162 pounds. From 2000 to 2012, I had two babies, high blood pressure and arthritis in my spine. I could barely barely walk 100 ft. without catching my breath and experiencing extreme pain in my legs and lower back. I put my life on hold for all those years, because being bigger made me feel safer for some reason. I literally hid behind my weight and it controlled my life. I can’t believe how much my life has transitioned in 10 months. The high blood pressure and arthritis are gone!! No more riding around on a scooter to shop in stores! I can walk now without losing my breath or being in pain.

I did not gain weight from overeating. I gained it from not eating enough food, not exercising, stress and not getting enough rest. The fat in my body stayed stored up due partially to starvation. My routine was 1 to 2 meals a day, if that. Now that the weight is gone, I feel like the most wonderful person in the world! I have my life back! I love going to the gym three times a week to work out. I eat more now to maintain my weight, meditate, and try to keep myself stress-free! I hope my story inspires someone out there who is struggling and hiding behind their weight like I did. You are not alone in this fight! It takes courage and don’t worry about what others think, because you only get one life and one body! So do what is best for you and live your life like it is GOLDEN! I took control of my life and it was the best decision I ever made! Blessings!

yolanda weight loss

Latese lost 60 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after: Latese lost 60 pounds with Zumba, protein shakes for meal replacement and portion control.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi, My name is Latese. When I graduated from high school, I weighed 145 pounds and even at that weight I thought I was fat. After high school, I never worked out.  I also ate what I wanted, mainly fast food, and enjoyed mango margaritas at least four times a week. My clothes got bigger, but I remained in denial about how much weight I had actually gained. January 28, 2012, I weighed in at 225 pounds. It was shocking and depressing. At that moment, I made a vow to lose 50-60 pounds.

I joined a gym and started taking Zumba classes at least five times a week.  When I wasn’t doing Zumba, I was in boot camp classes. I also stopped drinking those mango margaritas and replaced many of my meals with protein shakes. I pretty much ate what I wanted, just in portions. I cut back on fast foods as well. I still drink protein shakes as a meal replacement now.  I am proud to say I have reached my goal of losing 60 pounds. I weigh 165 pounds.  I’m only 20 pounds away from what I was at 18 years old. I have more energy, and can fit into the clothes I never would have been able to a year ago 🙂

Latese weight loss success

Paula lost 170 pound with weight loss surgery and working out

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Paula wrote us to share her weight loss journey.  She had weight loss surgery in 2003 and lost 130 pounds.  In 2012, she renewed her weight loss efforts and dropped 40 pounds.  She joined weight watchers and amp’d up her exercise efforts.

My name is Paula and I have struggled with weight my entire life.  After my second son who was born in 2002, my weight really got out of control and I knew I had to do something. Over the years, I have tried every diet under the sun and they just didn’t work.  I needed to do something quickly so I could be around for my boys. That is when I decided to have weight loss surgery on April 23,2003. On that day, I weighed in at a whopping 400 pounds (the before picture I took 2 days before surgery). Once I had the surgery, I lost just about 130 pounds and I felt great.  Life was good.

Now, fast forward to 2012.  Still feeling good, but not feeling healthy.  I knew that if I didn’t want to see 400 pounds again, I needed to revamp my eating and get active. So, that’s what I did. I started out by cutting junk foods and making healthier food choices.  I also started working out at home, doing Zumba and the Biggest Loser on the Wii. In 6 months, I lost 30 pounds. Next, I joined a local gym by my home and started taking Turbo Kick classes, spinning, and any other cardio class they offered.  I also joined Weight Watchers, which was a godsend because it helped me learn about portion control and how to really make healthier food choices.  It also helped me dropped another 10 pounds.

Now, I am a GLADIATOR lol.  I take Tabata Boot camp classes at 5:30 am in the morning,where me and several other women go HARD w/the best trainer performing HIIT drills and challenging our bodies. The best part of it all, is that I have also fulfilled a dream I have had since I was a little girl. I am now a full blown RUNNER! I did my first 5K in Oct 2012, since then I have ran another 5K and an 8K in March 2013! My second 8K is coming up in June and then it’s time to train for my first half marathon! Losing almost 200 pounds has literally changed my life. I am am now a much happier, healthier and confident person then I ever was or ever thought I would be.

Paula weight loss surgery

Sawanda lost 57 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Sawanda lost 57 pounds.  She overcame many challenges that many working single mothers face and was able to lose the weight.    Here is what she shared with us:

What was your motivation? I was turning 36 years old.  I looked at myself in the mirror and realized that a whole decade was about to end for me. I didn’t like the way I looked nor felt. I have lost weight in the past, but allowed depression from a marriage separation and the challenges of having a special needs child lead me bad eating and workout habits. I recognized that if I didn’t do anything about my weight NOW, then my 40s were going to look the same obese way! I couldn’t do that to myself or my child. My sick and tired days were OVER.  I was sick and tired of FINALLY being sick and tired!  My 40s were going to look better than my 30s.  I was determined!

How did you change your eating habits? I was introduced to myfitnesspal.com and I LOVE IT! I thought it was going to be hard to track all of my daily calories, but, it’s really simple! It keeps me conscious of how much I’m eating during the day. Normally, I eat pretty healthy. I love organic veggies and fruits, whole grain carbs and lean, grass fed-free range meats, so my food choices did not change.  However, my portions did! Healthy food does not mean they do not have calories. THEY DO! I eat clean (simple, whole foods) at least 85% of my time and allow a cheat meal once a week.

What did your workout routines look like? I made EVERY excuse in the world to not get to the gym. With a special needs child, a full time job and a part time business, it was challenging to get to the gym! My co-worker told me about Jillian Michaels, 30 Day Shred DVD work out program. I have never been a fan of home workouts (I was without a child and business when I wasn’t a fan) a long time ago.  I knew that a changed mindset was needed, especially if I’m ever going to lose this weight. I bought the DVD and LOVED IT! I loved the fact that it’s only 25 minutes of my day and there were NO MORE EXCUSES for not working out! I did that for 2 months 5 to 6 x a week, then added Jillians Kickbox DVD and the Couch to 5K running program! Currently I work out at least 5 to 6 times a day, still using Jillian Michaels DVD’s.  I’ve started to finally MAKE time for the gym to use weights and strength train!

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight? On July 1st, I was 221 pounds. As of today (May 30th), I am 164 pounds – a total of 57 pounds! I would like to get to 155 pounds before my birthday (July 11)! 9 more pounds to go! This is a lifestyle change and I am ready for my 40’s to be fit and fabulous!

How long did your transformation take? When I stopped relying on SPANX is when I realized my transformation had begun. After the first 25 pounds were gone, I was still using it, then one day I looked in the mirror after I put my dress on and noticed that I didn’t have to put SPANX on underneath! LOL! Everything looked smooth and “in place!” LOL! It took me 8 months to go from a size 16/18 to a solid size 10 (and can fit size 8’s)!

I know there is a woman out there who is just like me.  I had the mindset that I just didn’t have time for my health! Running a household, a full time job and a business can be crazy!  Then I thought, if I don’t take care of me and drop dead, then those people and things I hold so dear won’t have me anymore to take care of them.  I know this is cliché’, but if I can do it, with all the responsibilities I have on my plate, trust me, you can do it too! Just remember to K.I.S.S. (keep it short (and) simple)!

Sawanda weight loss story

 

Kimberly lost 63 pounds

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Let’s share some BWLW love with Kimberly who lost 63 pounds with the help of an exercise bootcamp and by following at 1500 calorie eating plan.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hello, my name is Kimberly and I’m 33 years old.   I decided that I would lose weight about 18 months ago, after being diagnosed with high blood pressure.  I knew that I was living a very unhealthy lifestyle.   I chose to follow  a diet plan of 6 small meals for 1500 calories a day.  I joined a extreme workout boot camp here in Chicago.  I’ve lost a total of 63 pounds in 7 months by eating healthy and working out 3 days per week.

I wanted to become healthy again.  I also wanted to look better, after looking in the mirror one day and seeing an image of someone I didn’t recognize.  That’s when I knew that I had to make a change. I was also tired of shopping in a plus size stores.  I was 228 pounds and my current weight is 165 pounds.  Thanks for listening to my story.

Kimberly weight loss

Natalie lost 112 pounds

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Update 2015: “It has been 2 years and I have kept my weight off. I did gain 30lbs last year, but I quickly turned it around. The BWLW Facebook page has helped me and kept me focused. I was able to lose the 30 pounds I gained plus and 11 lbs. Today, I weigh 174 pounds.” That’s a total of 123 pounds gone. Instagram: @new_natalie

natalie before and after

Today’s weight loss before and after story:  Natalie lost 112 pounds by embracing regular exercise and changing her eating habits.  Here is what she shared with us:

Natalie weight lossI went from 297 pounds to 185 pounds. I did it all on my own and would love to share my story. Started my journey on 9/20/2011.  What motivated my journey was trying on clothes and being almost out of a size 24 pants, about to be a size 26 pants.  I cried in the dressing room and all the way home. I then threw out all my bad food and began my new life that day. I only baked or grill my meats.  I only eat chicken or turkey meat.  Water or tea are my only drinks. I eat lot’s of fruits and vegetables. I learned how to turn my favorite meals into healthy meals. For instance, I love pizza and now I can make it healthy by using 100 calorie whole wheat pita and low fat cheese, chicken and all the vegetables I can fit on it.  That would be considered a treat for me.

I love the gym now, it’s my stress reliever. I started off not really being able to do anything in the gym before feeling like I was going to pass out. I set little goals for myself.  When I started I was running and one minute and 30 seconds in I was ready to stop. Each week I went up a minute and now I am able to run 4 miles on the street.  In the beginning, I worked out twice a day for an hour or two per session. I used every machine in the gym and sometimes I would freestyle routines or watch YouTube to pick up tips. I always set little goals and my first goal was to get into a size 22.  Once I did that, I kept going down in size until I reached my goal of a size 13/14. My goal weight is 175 pounds. I cried many nights and prayed for the strength from God to help me through this. I have empowered my little sister to lose 46lbs this year and have helped some friends as well. I love telling my story, because may help one person who feels like I did.  It may help them know that they too can do it.  It was a long road and is still a long road, but I will never gave up and never will.

Natalie weight loss before and after