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Crystal lost 90 pounds

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Today’s featured before and after weight loss story: Crystal lost 90 pounds with regular exercise, changing her diet and seeking out expert help.

I’ve lost a total of 90 pounds. I did it by totally changing in my lifestyle. With the help of a nutritionist, Zumba classes and a personal trainer (as well as really supportive co-workers who workout with me), I can say ” I’m healthy”!

I married, adopted two children, had one more child and graduated from college in a span of six years. One day, I looked in the mirror and didn’t know who was looking back at me . Motivated by the threat of diabetes and high cholesterol, I knew I had to change. It started with diet modification. I made sure none of my foods have more than 10 grams of sugar and I limit my carbohydrate intake to 40 grams or less. I don’t drink any sodas. I drink water or vitamin water zero. I eat three balanced meals a day and I try to always have breakfast. When I first started the weight loss journey I was 247 pounds. I now weigh 157 pounds. I started my workout regimen with Zumba classes. If you are a dance lover, Zumba is great cardio and it builds your endurance while having fun. After my body became acclimated to Zumba, I changed to freestyle gym workouts using various gym machines. I have a personal trainer that I work out with one day a week. My co-workers helped me as well, because I had real insecurities about walking into a gym. I found that having my gym buddies helped me overcome my fears and grew my love of exercise.  I’m happy with the weight lost and pray I can maintain it!

Crystal before and after

Updated: Yvette lost more than 50 pounds

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Update Nov 2013: Yvette recently wrote in to update her weight loss story.  She lost 17 more pounds bring her total weight loss to 51 pounds.

Yvette before and after weight loss

“I was featured in May after I lost 33 pounds. I am now down over 50 pounds. My starting weight was 264 pounds. Today, my weight is 213 pounds. My goal weight is 175 pounds. I’m still walking and using Mapmyfitness. No fried foods, junk food, soda or eating out. I keep a journal of my food and activities. I participate in abs and arms challenges as well as your monthly challenges.

My journey continues as I work to live a healthy lifestyle, maintain being free from diabetes (which runs in my family), and live long enough to see my grandchildren grow up. I love bike riding with my granddaughter. She was amazed to see me ride a bike and swim. Never in 7 years had she seen me do neither of these activities until this summer. I had not rode a bike or been a swimsuit in over 10 years. Now, I set small goals for myself. My next goal is to be under 200 pounds by 2014. My ultimate goal is to be at my goal weight by my 44th birthday which is in April 2014. Slow, but steady progress.”

Yvette weight loss photos

Original post: Let’s show some BWLW love to Yvette. This 43 year old mom of 2 lost 33 pounds by walking and changing her eating habits.

I begin my journey in July 2012 at 264.8 pounds. I’ve lost 33 pounds so far. My goal weight is 175 lbs. I was invited to join a group on Facebook called Campaign 2 Move. It’s a group of about 100 ladies. We practice Meatless Mondays and Wednesdays, and we post our movement/exercise progress daily. We also share daily encouragement and meal ideals. My movement is walking. I use the MapMyFitness app and I walk 4 miles at least 5 days a week.

I eliminated fried foods, pork, and soda from my diet (on occasion I have a piece of fried chicken or fish, but not to often though). I drink water, water and more water all day long. Sweet foods and drinks have never been an issue for me. Each month, I gave myself a personal goal and for the month of April I limited my carbs (no rice, mac & cheese, potatoes…etc). My personal goal for May is to walk 3 times a day (morning, noon, and evening).

I’m 43 years old with two grown daughters and a granddaughter. They are my motivation. I want to set an example and hopefully they follow my lead. Thank you for interest and noticing my transformation.

Yvette before and after weight loss

Adrienne lost 60 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Adrienne lost 60 pounds on the Digest Diet.  She has shared the details of her amazing story with us.  Check it out:

Unfortunately, I have always had an unhealthy view about my weight.  Mostly due to insecurity visited upon me at an elementary school age.  However, I was never overweight.  Looking back, I was in great shape and even a strong member of my high school gymnastics team.  But weight is not about food, it’s about insecurities and pain.  Food is the tool we use to cope—just like alcohol is the tool alcoholics use and drugs are the tools that drug addicts use.

My first major weight gain was as a teenager.  I used to cut school frequently because I felt so out of place there.  My local candy store sold Linden’s cookies and I would literally go there every Thursday when they got the new shipment in.  The cookies came three in a pack for twenty cents and I would buy the whole shipment—about twenty-four packs.  My favorite was chocolate chip and double chocolate chip.  Sometimes I would go home with shipments of both.  I gained twenty pounds very quickly.  To people who didn’t know me, I wasn’t fat.  However, those who did know me saw the rapid weight gain.  I was always very active and obsessive about exercise so my weight gain pretty much stayed around twenty pounds for a long while.  However, my mental weight battle continued throughout the rest of my twenties.

Adrienne before and after weight loss

My weight spiraled out of control when I was purchasing my first home at the age of thirty. The constant phone calls from my real estate agent, lawyers, mortgage broker, etc. was overwhelming.  The home I really wanted was being held up in probate…ahhhhh!!!  I was also in a dead end job that I absolutely hated and totally felt suffocated because I wasn’t living my best life of creativity (writing/acting).  I was miserable.  Every day, multiple times a day I would run outside to one of the many Manhattan delis and grab “a quick snack.”  This would be high calorie sugary sweets that satiated me for the moment but made me even hungrier.

First I gained about 20 pounds and honestly it was hard to even walk a city block.  I also hadn’t been exercising so I was very out of shape.  Then my weight gain went to thirty and next thing I knew a couple years later I was about seventy pounds overweight.  I went from 140 to 215 pounds—a size 6 to a size 18.  Oh gosh!!  People in my past life didn’t even know who I was.  I walked past an ex boyfriend at the bank—he didn’t even know me!  The stares from friends were not judgmental but they were sort of like wow, or awwww….

Extended family members I hadn’t seen in a while were shocked.  I mean, I almost can’t blame them.  When ex gymnastics team members came together for a funeral one made a comment saying, “You know we look good.  We all look exactly the…”  She stopped, everybody glanced at me because I was the only one that had gained a bunch of weight.”  AND three of them had kids!

How I lost the weight:  I was working for a magazine and my boss had written a very successful fitness book.  She was in the midst of writing a new one.  I was in her office looking at pictures of the woman who had lost a lot of weight from her first diet book and said, gosh I want to be her.  So when the Executive Editor working on the book sent out a company wide email asking people to be on the test panel for The Digest Diet, I jumped at the opportunity.  It’s a 21-day diet plan that focuses on flooding the body with nutrients and natural fat releasers.  In the first four days I lost 7 pounds and after 21 days I had lost 18.5 pounds.  I WAS STUNNED!  I had NEVER lost that much weight so fast.  Plus I realized I didn’t know how to eat healthy which is why I could never lose weight.  I went for prepackaged foods, hundred calorie snacks, etc.  That stuff is highly processed and doesn’t have any healthy ingredients in it.  The Digest Diet is all about healthy non-processed foods that you prepare yourself.

I stayed on the diet and started exercising—I couldn’t do much at first so I started by dancing to music I burned on cd’s then in a few months I started doing workout dvd’s like Jillian Michaels and Jani Love.  Within about ten months or so I lost 60 pounds!  My body totally changed, I had definition, I was able to exercise, I had tons of energy.  Mentally I was happier and people were staring at me now because they liked the way I looked!  I remember once I had a date with this guy.  I stopped to get a manicure for the date and realized I was wearing the same shirt I wore on our last date.  I dipped into a store and was able to find something, right off the rack to change into!  That was such a huge confidence boost for me.  When I was overweight it would take sooooo long to find something that looked right on me.  I probably would have canceled the date and went back home.

My life has changed for the better.  I am so excited!  What I would say to anyone trying to lose weight is:

  1. Don’t be a slave to the scale.  Weigh once a week to see where you are but pay attention to how clothes fit you, your energy level and how your food choices have changed for the better.
  2. Exercise.  Even if it’s just walking up the escalator instead of standing there, get some exercise in.  Challenge yourself to go farther and if you think there is a particular workout you can’t do, try it.  I NEVER thought I would get through a Jillian Michaels workout and now I’ve done it at least a hundred times!
  3. Do the mental work to figure out why you use food as a crutch/soothing mechanism.  This is NOT normal and we need to get down to the bottom of what is really troubling us.  Know that being a food addict is a life long battle.  Just because you have lost the weight doesn’t mean you are cured.  Continue to persevere and notice your triggers so you can find new ways to deal with them.
  4. Look for places of inspiration.  I met Oprah and it changed my life!  It gave me an extra boost of confidence about life in general.  I also found inspiration in God, my family and in myself.  I learned to love who I am.

God bless all of you.  It’s not easy but it also is not impossible.  You can do this.

Check out the article on Adrienne from Reader’s Digest.  Here is another article on her.

Get the Digest Diet Book.

DigestDiet.com – More info on the Digest Diet

Kim lost 35 pounds

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Update from Kim! She has lost a total of 45 pounds (down from 210lbs): Feb 1, 2014 – “Hello, Ladies just wanted to give you an update on my story since my last post. I have lost an additional 10 pounds, which now puts me at 165. I was planning on waiting until I hit my goal of 20 more pounds at 155lbs, but decided to give an update since it has been so long. I also want to be held accountable and get really motivated again.

Okay, so I hit a major plateau since I first shared my story and it has been hard to lose the additional weight. My experience is once you hit a plateau, you really have to change up and increase the workout intensity. You also have to scale back more on eating. I will admit I have been a little lazy and with the holidays and being really busy at work I slowed down a lot. I was so use to my routine, I hated to have to change it up and push harder.  My eating has stayed about the same. I still prepare my own meals and do not eat out. I continue to make better choices and just really practice portion control. However, I have indulged a little on some days and my workouts went to three days a week instead of 6.  I could have honestly made my goal last year, but I got really comfortable at my new size and liking the way my clothes fit. Nevertheless, I still have some additional weight to lose on my stomach and back. I am also still considered overweight for my height according to my physician. This year, 2014, I plan to start trying some of the smoothie recipes here on BWLW and I also have started back drinking more water and cutting back on sweets. In the next couple of weeks, I will go back to 6 days a week at the gym. Right now I am spending an additional 10 minutes on the elliptical machine and treadmill. I also am getting ready to start Zumba classes consistently. I am still lifting weights which are amazing in transforming the body. Okay, so that’s it for now. I will post again when I hit my goal of weight! Thanks BWLW! I thank God for this website! The tools, resources and success stories really help me stay on track!”

Kim updated weight loss

Check out this before & after story from Kim who’s lost 35 pounds, dealt with high blood pressure and took control of her health!  Here is what she shared with us:

I have struggled all my life with my weight. I was 130 pounds in high school.  When I first started college, the weight went up to 145 lbs, which I did not think was too bad.  By the age of 24, I went up to 165 pounds. I lost weight and went to 140 lbs, which was short lived because I went on a fad diet. I gained 20 pounds back fast and then got pregnant and gained 13 more putting me at 173 lbs. I was determined not to go back to work fat after maternity leave, so I got down to 150 pounds.

Over the years and as a result of going back to poor eating habits, I bloomed up to 210 pounds.  I was so unhappy with myself. I had started and stopped diets all my life. In March of 2011, I got motivated and in about two months got down to 190 by walking outside every day and portion control. From June of 2011 until the beginning of January 2013, I would gain and lose five to eight pounds. I finally decided at the end of January of 2013 that I was tired of being unhappy with my weight. I wanted to be healthier, fit in all my cute clothes that had been sitting in my closet for over a decade and lastly just be the best I can be for myself and my daughter.  I also have a family history of diabetes and high blood pressure and did not want to go down that road of health issues. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure when I was 28 and told by my doctor that it was weight and stress related. He told me if I would just exercise, relax and eat right I could get off the medicine.  I never really took the medicine consistently because my pressure never was that high and when I would get my yearly checkup all my blood work would come back normal.
kim before after weight loss

On January 27, 2013, at 41 years old, I decided to take charge of my health and to stop taking it for granted. I noticed I was starting to have a lot of headaches and that my blood pressure was starting to be high despite me finally taking the medicine consistently and that scared me.  I decided to start using my membership to the gym that I have had since 1998 and signed my daughter up as well. She plays basketball and begged to join me so that she could stay in shape. It has been a true blessing! We motivate each other, our relationship is better and I call her my own little personal trainer because she taught me how to lift weights. I started at 195 this time around and now weigh 175 with 20 more to go.

I actually found BWLW through my older brother who is a fitness guy. He encourages me at least every other day and although some days he can be really hard on me, it pushes me to stay on track because I know it’s all done out of love. I make better food choices, control my PORTIONS; I do cardio and lift weights four days a week in the gym. I also power walk two days a week at the park to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. I do not count calories or fat grams, too much work for me personally. I just bring my lunch to work every day and cook my dinner every night. No more fast food for me! If I really have an urge to eat out, I normally do a 6 inch deli sub and soup. I will share an occasional piece of cake with my daughter if I get an urge for sweets, but that’s it. I also try to eat light for breakfast and lunch so that I can enjoy a nice dinner at night without making major changes to the menu. I will post again when I hit my goal weight of 155. We can do it LADIES! I have not felt this happy and motivated in years! I love reading all the success stories and thanks so much for reading mine!

Tinesha lost 110 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after photos: My Sigma Gamma Rho soror Tinesha lost 110 pounds.  In the beginning, she had lap band weight reduction surgery.   She worked on how her emotions and mental state affect her eating and learned to eat healthy.  She no longer suffers from high blood pressure, sleep apnea or asthma.

I wanted to submit my before/after pic of my weight loss journey but I’ve hit the craziest plateau and I’m kind of down on myself. I’ve lost so far 90 pounds (110 total before the injury) but I’ve broken my ankle and gained some weight back. My goal is to lose the remaining 60 pounds and celebrate. This site has been an inspiration and I would like to motivate others as well.

We live in a world where we are conditioned to believe in the overnight sensation. For some time, I bought into it and I occasionally found myself wanting things to happen so quickly, particularly with my weight loss. However, I learned in this process that the race is not for the swift, but the one who endures.  What I had intended to be something quick and easy, turned out to be more than that for me. As a result, I wouldn’t change this experience for the world because I’ve learned so much about myself in this process.

weight loss before and after Tinesha

For those who are overwhelmed by the time it takes to lose weight, I wrote this for you, with the hopes that you not give up your dream and your journey. I realize it didn’t take 8 months to put my weight on, so chances are in my case it may take me longer for it to come off. Just as long as it comes off!!

On March of 2010, I undergone a Lap Band Procedure for weight loss. At the time I weighed 340 pounds. Not only did I suffer from asthma, but I lived with chronic back pain, high blood pressure and obstructive sleep apnea. It was my Sleep Specialist who suggested I do the Lap Band procedure, citing that it would be as helpful to me as insulin to a diabetic. And, for the first 6 months it was.

I lost a lot of weight the first 6 months, through banding and walking an hour and a half 4 days a week. It all went well, but I really wanted to learn how to eat without the restriction of the band. So in September, 2010 I received my third and last band fill and decided to work on proper eating and exercise on my own.

As a result, I discovered that weight loss is a three fold journey of healing the mind, body and spirit. It is one thing to lose the weight rapidly and look good, but I discovered for me that if you still have negative feelings or trauma from your past, you might emotionally eat your weight back on. I realized that much of my struggle with weight was not due to poor eating habits and a lack of discipline, but was due to personal pain and overcoming stumbling blocks in my life that I used food to numb and bring empty pleasure. Eating was the one thing I had control over when everything else was out of control. I never dealt with matters that concerned me until I took this journey.

As a result, I see a therapist regularly and view my life in terms of it being a journey and not a destination to lose weight. I’m in a plateau now that I have been for quite some time. I know it is associated with the emotional aspect of this process, plus, I’ve recently broken my ankle and have been immobile for 2 months.

I recognize for my success, my mind, body and spirit must be in balance. The upswing to all of this is that I am far from 340 pounds. Even if I have not made goal, I’ve gone far and still moving forward. Furthermore, I am patient and active in the process.

My total weight loss in my journey was 110 pounds, with my lowest weight being 230 pounds. I am currently maintaining a 90 pound weight loss as I work to regain strength in my ankle and get into the regular routine of positive energy, healthy eating and regular exercise. I will not be down about the weight that crept on, for it is a reflection of my journey. This process is never over and it makes me stronger and more aware of myself as a woman every day. I feel better now than I did in my 20s. I do more now than I did in my 20s and I know with 40 creeping down the street and around the corner the best for me is yet to come. I no longer suffer with High Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea or Asthma. I no longer have back pain. With every day I challenge myself mentally and emotionally to overcome personal traumas and stumbling blocks. And for this I feel I am a winner, even if I haven’t made goal. I am a winner because I’ve made the steps to being a wholly healed woman. Not just a smaller chick, nor a pretty chick. But a whole and healed woman. And to me that is beauty beyond measure.

I am thankful for this site in allowing me to share my story, as it serves as a reminder to me of how far I’ve come and the opportunities I have to make the best of my life right now.

Crystal lost 140 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Update Dec 2013 – “Hello, I was featured several months back. My name is Crystal Coffen and I had gastric sleeve weight loss surgery in October 2012.  I wanted to give you an update and let you know that I’ve lost a total of 140 lbs (38 more pounds gone). I eat a lot of protein and vegetables. I also exercise some but not enough! My motivation is my kids and a special guy in my life that keeps me encouraged” Check out her updated photo!

Crystal weight loss story

Original Post

Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight Love to Crystal.  She went from 410 lbs to 308 lbs with gastric sleeve weight reduction surgery, changing her eating and exercise.

My name is Crystal and I had Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy weight loss surgery on October 5, 2012.  My starting weight was 410 pounds. I’m now down to 308!  I exercise at least 3 times a week, while eating healthy with lots of water, protein and low carbohydrate intake!  I still have a ways to go and I’m confident that I will get there! I enjoy shopping now more than ever before!!!

My motivation was wanting to be around for my 2 kids, ages 2 and 8!  I wanted to be able to get on the slide at the park instead of sitting on the bench and watching. I changed my eating habits. I don’t eat junk food daily, and I no longer drink sodas! I’ve learned portion control instead of just depriving myself of foods that I do like , like fried chicken.  I use to eat 4 pieces in one setting now I only eat half of one piece and I’m satisfied!  Right now my workout is mostly cardio. I walk on treadmill for 45 minutes at least 3 times a week! I also use my shake weights while walking! Thanks

Crystal before and after weight loss

Laura lost 70 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after: Laura lost 70 pounds by switching to low carb eating (with fruit and veggies) and regular exercise.  

What a differences a year makes! I reached my goal in March 2013. I really exceeded my expectations when I started this weight loss journey on April 17, 2012. It was on that day last year that I made up my mind to lose, to live with motivation, dedication and determination and last but not lest, make a commitment to accomplish my goal even if it took a whole year!  Now, I look back and say Wow.  I never could have made with out God, Team Fit, Team Chisel, BWLW -and my biggest fan/supporter my husband. My workout consisted of 1hr 30min cardio workout, mon thru fri.  Some mornings, I did a 5:45 am boot camp.  Evenings I did Zumba class and strength class.  I took 2 mile uphill walks on my break at work.  My diet consists of water, meats, veggies, fruit. Today my goal is to move forward and maintain with my same routine. Loving the new ME!

My diet is low carbs.   I knew that sweets and sugary beverages were my weakness so i reduced them from my diet and eliminated the beverages.  I drink water and on occasions crystal light was my treat.  I renewed my LA Fitness membership and begin to exercise everyday. My motivation was my own Team Fit Facebook page members and BWLW Facebook page members. I was experiencing an underlying medical issue and felt if I could get this weight off my medical condition would improve which is what has happened.   My doctors are so proud of my accomplishments. I’m proud to be a member of Black Women Losing Weight.

Laura before after weight loss

Bianca lost 106 pounds with weight reduction surgery

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Bianca lost 106 pounds and is an advocate helping women who have had weight loss surgery and working to remove the stigma associated with having weight reduction surgery.

Hey, I love your page and I love the healthy lifestyle you guys promote for black women. I myself have lost 106 pounds, going from 300 plus to now 196.  I have dedicated myself to helping others (especially chicks like myself ) increase their awareness on options for weight loss. I chose gastric bypass weight reduction surgery. Now, my goal is to promote awareness about surgery in order to stop the stigma and misconception that is attached to the process especially among black women (i.e. the Star Jones syndrome).

When I did my research for surgery there was no one that looked like me on the weight loss surgery websites.  Also, many of those who had gone through it were more comfortable pretending that they didn’t than admitting to surgery. My mission is simple: to let people know that even though the surgery helps lose weight you still have SO much work to do afterwards in order to keep the weight off.  I started a blog and support group called S.I.S (Sisters in Surgery) I’d love for you to check it out: sistersinsurgery.blogspot.com

Keep up the dope work!!

Bianca before and after weight loss

Monica lost 91 pounds

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Let’s show some “You DID that, Girl” love to Monica who has lost 91 pounds.  The mother of triplets + one more completely changed her diet and embraced exercise and meal planning.  Here is what she had to say about her weight loss journey:

I started my weight lost journey on December 16 2011. The moment I stood on the scale at the doctor’s office for my yearly check up, I felt like crawling under a rock. I had no idea that I weighted 278 pounds. I knew I had to do something right at that moment. With the doctors advice, I started walking three times a week for 30 min, eating five smaller portioned meals and drinking water (no sodas).  I stopped eating after eight and made sure I got at least eight hours of sleep. I thought that there was no way this was going to work, but with in four months I lost 50 pounds. I also learned that white carbs did not agree with my body so I stopped eating white rice and white bread and replaced it with whole wheat bread. I cut out the sweets and replaced them with fiber bars and fruit. I also found out skipping breakfast was bad, because that was slowing down my metabolism.  Now, I never go without eating breakfast.  My meals are usually oatmeal, cereal in the morning, fruit as a am snack, salad with baked/ grilled chicken or a lean protein with a vegetable for lunch and dinner.  I have fruit or yogurt as a afternoon are pm snack.

I never knew that this would be a true lifestyle change but it has been. As a mother of triplets plus one, I have to step back and get my health in check. By planning my meals in advance and watching others with there journeys on youtube, BWLW, and weight loss friends on Facebook, my motivation stays up. I am currently down 91 pounds, and still going on with this lifestyle change.  This has truly been a journey getting to know about health and about myself in general. I am doing this for me so I can build myself up to the best person that I can be both physically and emotionally.  NO ONE SHOULD THINK THAT THEY CAN’T DO IT, BECAUSE ITS POSSIBLE!!!!

Monica before and after weight loss

Yas lost 102 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after:  Weight loss blogger Yas lost 102 pounds with workout DVDs, MyFitnessPal and protein shakes.

yas weight lossI am ready to share my story. I have been over weight most of my life but was pretty active playing softball and being in the Marching Band in High School and College. There were many things that motivated me to lose the weight and get healthy. I had a miscarriage right before getting married in May 2011. I took it pretty hard and ultimately left the Doctorate program that I was in partly because of depression. After the miscarriage I continued to gain weight. In April 2012, my maternal grandmother got really sick and was in the hospital for about a month before finding out that she had lung cancer along with the High Blood Pressure and Diabetes that she had already been diagnosed with. She ended up passing away a week later. I did get to see her before she past and it really was a terrible experience. I knew at that point I had to do something about my health.

Fast forward to May 2012. My husband and I had just purchased our first home that had upstairs! I always said that I didn’t want a home with stairs. I could barely get up the stairs without stopping. So, because I wanted to be healthy for myself, my husband, my family, and my future children is why I lost the weight.

I have lost 102 lbs since June 20th 2012. Initially, I lost it by walking using Walk-Away-The-Pounds, cutting out all drinks except for water, using myfitnesspal and drinking nutritional shakes (Shakeology) for my breakfast. I eventually added in dancing and two a day’s workouts. I did some awesome boot camps through Groupon. I started working out using Turbo Fire this past January. I am now doing Insanity and feeling great!

Check out her blog – TheGirlyEngineerGettingFit!

yas weight loss before and after