Black Weight Loss Success

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Updated: Carmen lost 130 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Nov 2016: I have maintained my weight by eating small portions. I’m also very active and I love to walk. On this journey, I have learned not to go back to old habits. I stay away from the scale these days. I don’t focus on how much weight I’m lost. Instead, I just focus on my lifestyle change and I don’t beat myself up.
Instagram: @angelcarm

Carmen

June 2016: I’m 4 years out from having gastric bypass surgery. I’ve lost over 100 pounds and kept the weight off for more than 3 years. I’m still eating small portions and staying active.

carmen before and after
June 2016

Dec 2015: Carmen has lost at total of 130 pounds with gastric bypass surgery and hard work. We’ve been following her story since March 2013 and she’d released 65 pounds at that time. More than 2 years later, we asked her what she’s been doing to maintain her weight loss. She says, “To maintain my weight loss I still drink protein shakes, drink water, eat small portions and continue to stay active. Also, my faith has brought me thru.”

carmen before and after

April 2014: Carmen wrote in to let us know that she is still going strong with her weight loss and has lost 65 more pounds, for a total of 130 pounds lost after weight loss surgery.  She says: “I would love share my story. I was battling with diabetes for 12 years. It took my faith in God to make a change in my life. I lost a total of 130 pounds with in 12 years. I had my ups and downs but my faith in God kept me going.”

Carmen before and afterCarmen weight loss story

Original Post – March 2013
Let’s show some BWLW love to Carmen who lost 65 pounds with weight loss surgery.  She feels that it is the best decision that she has ever made. 

She wrote to us at the end of February saying…

“I lost my weight by having weight loss surgery 9 months ago. I have lost 65 pounds.  It was the best decision that I have ever made.  To God be the glory!  I been dealing with diabetes for about 12 years.  What woke me up was realizing that I needed to make a change in my life.  My doctor told me that I was heading towards dialysis if I didnt do something about my weight. I give GOD the glory for being with me every step of the way.  If you have question please feel free send a message GOD bless.”

carmen weight loss surgery

Tamika lost 147 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some love to Tamika who lost 147 pounds with weight loss surgery.  She wrote us saying…

“I’m Tamika I lost 147.8 pounds after having vertical sleeve gastrectomy. My surgery was Dec. 2011 and I was 348 pounds at the time.  I am currently 200.2 pounds. I have found a new love for Zumba.  I go five to six times a week.  I also have a personal trainer that I see twice a week.  I take exercise classes including kettle bell, kickboxing, aqua Zumba and spin.   I use the elliptical machine and do strength training as well. My goal for 2013 is to lose my last 27 pounds.”

Tamika weight loss

Tamberlyn lost 68 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Tamberlyn lost 68 pounds by making simple diet changes and walking.

She says: “I lost weight by not eating anything after 8 pm and I cut out a lot of bread and starches. I cut out all sodas and I drink more water.  Also, I walk for exercise three times a week.  My starting weight was 343 pounds and now I weigh 262 pounds. I wore a size 28w and now I wear a size 18w.”

tamberlyn weight loss

Angela lost 110 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Angela who has lost 110 pounds with Gastric Sleeve weight loss surgery.  She says:

“I had Gastric Sleeve on Nov 18, 2011! My highest and last weigh in before surgery was exactly 260 lbs! I was a type II Diabetic as well! Since having the Gastric Sleeve and working out, I have lost 110 lbs.  I am  no longer taking medicine for Diabetes!  I started out eating only 1500 calories daily, after losing around 50 lbs.  My doctor increased my daily calorie limits to 1700, which is what I still go by.  Exercise wise, I do a lot of cardio exercise daily.  I thank God everyday for keeping me!! I feel great!!

angela gastric sleeve

Elaine lost 42 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Elaine lost 42 pounds and has gone from a size 20 to a size 14.  She credits God, changing her eating habits, juicing, and exercise for her transformation.  She says:

Elaine weight lossMy Journey was not an easy one. I had so many trials going on at one time. My family was affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, In 2006 my son (who never been in trouble) was facing charges of 10 yrs.  He was charged with Guilt by Association in Oklahoma City and I didn’t have the finances to get an attorney (He was cleared of all Charges).  By 2008, I was going thru a divorce. So long story short ” Life Happened”.

I remember crying after looking in the mirror one day and asking myself “How did you let yourself get like this”.  I was 242lbs, and had severe high blood pressure of 200/144.  I have always been a fighter, and it was time to fight!  From my hospital bed, I surrendered my life to God and asked Him to save me and restore me. After I was discharged from the hospital, I knew If I wanted to live I had to change some things in my life. I was a good mother, my kids deserved to enjoy me at my best. They are my true motivation!!!

I seeked help thru counseling, because I realized I was eating every issue that I was going through. After 2 months of counseling, I was ready to do whatever I had to do to start loving myself again and with God’s Grace, I could save my life.

I started researching for list of nutrients that were healthy and would be most beneficial for my body in order to heal from all the toxic and bad food that I fed to myself. I made a list to eliminated all junk foods and drinks, labeling them “Non Factor Foods”, because they were not serving a purpose in my temple. The lifestyle changes I made was more like the foods listed in the Daniel Fast , but I added olive oil, coconut oil, whole wheat bread and Oatmeal with some pecans.  I ate 50% less sugar to keep from depriving myself. I also purchased Leslie Sansone: Walk at Home – 5 Mile Fat Burning Walk at Home Videos. After 3 weeks of dedication, walking everyday 1 mile and increasing my miles…the weight started falling off. I later upgraded to Shaun T Rockin Body videos and I also started juicing between meals. And 42lbs later…Here I am. God is Good and I give Him all the glory. My heart, mind, body and soul have been restored and I just want to help, inspire and encourage as many people as I can.

Chanelle lost 52 pounds

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Today’s weight loss story:  Chanelle lost 52 pounds by watching what she ate and exercising regularly.

“Hi, my name is Chanelle. I’m a single mom of twin boys and a daughter.  If u look at the old pics on my profile, you’ll see that I have gone from 260 pounds to 208 pounds By Myself!  I work out and watch what I eat.   No soda and no sugar!!!!  I also work out and do toning exercises.  I have serious self control!!!  These photos show the results of changing bad eating habits and working out regularly…and I’m going to lose ten more lbs!!

Will power and depression prompted my changes on this journey. I started working out Aug 2011 just for fun and too see what would happen.  I realized that I didn’t want junk food after all that hard work.  By Aug 2012, I’d lost 52 pounds.  I go to the YMCA  and I do classes (body combat, step interval, and every now and then a spinning class) and I keep toned with regular cardio and weights..and a lil prayer helped too!!”

Chanelle weight loss

Kemba went from a size 22 to a size 14

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Today’s featured success story: Kemba went from wearing a size 22 to a size 14.

“I went from a size 22 to a 14 and counting.  I’m not sure how much weight I’ve lost so far but I did it naturally. For me, my weight lost started mentally.  Once I decided I was going to lose weight I was ready. I have an oatmeal shake for breakfast most mornings. I took meat out of my diet.   I eat small portions and exercise three times a week.   My last meal for the day is at 8pm.  Sometimes I wanted to give up but I had GREAT support system.  Good luck on your journey!!! It can be done…1 pound at a time.”

Kemba weight loss

Stephanie lost 30 pounds

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Today’s weight loss story:  Stephanie lost 30 pounds.  She did it by changing her eating habits, doing workout programs (P90x, Zumba, Turbo Fire) and running.

“My name is Stephanie and I started my weight loss program on November 2012. Starting weight was 230 pounds. I’m currently down 30 pounds by doing P90x, Zumba, Turbo Fire and running. I’m not done by far and cant wait to see more changes. In terms of eating to lose weight, I changed my eating habits by eating more veggies, fruits and lots of water.  I also completely cut out fried foods and started to bake more food.  I also switched from hamburger meat to turkey.  Thank you to my Family and Friends who have been by my side on this exciting new journey.. WE CAN DO THIS!!!!! MOTIVATION!!!!! :)”

Stephanie weight loss

Alicia lost 72 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Alicia lost 72 pounds by walking and watching her portions.

Before (in the dress) and After in the Jeans (photo below).  I lost the weight by watching my portions.  I love my sweets,.  Istill eat them, only in moderation now.  Exercise?  just walking mainly.  I actually started walking as a stress reliever, and the end result was the weight started coming off.   The more I walked as I saw results.  I went from a size 24 to a size 12.  It took a year and a half..for the weight loss…best side effect I ever experienced in my life. Every now and then i did do Zumba. I drank water, water,water!! 72 lbs lighter.

I do include more veggies and I now eat a lot of baked chicken and fish.  I watch my portions and if need be (if I am having something I know I have no will power) I will reach for a salad plate or saucer.

Alicia weight loss

 

Nikkia lost 52 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Nikkia lost 52 pounds by using MyFitnessPal and embracing plant-based eating.

“My name is Nikkia and I have been on a weight loss yoyo. A couple years ago, I joined Weight Watchers and started going to meetings and such. I would do good for a couple months and maybe lose 20 pounds but then i would fall back into old ways. During this time I became vegetarian and it seemed like I gained even more weight because I migrated to cheese more.  Even though I worked out some I blew up to a size 18 and 256 pounds. I knew I had to do something.  My coworker told me about an app called MyFitnessPal. It helps you track calories and workout activity.  It was the best thing ever and it works for me. Now I am at 204 pounds and have lost a total of 52 pounds so far and counting! I am now as of 2 weeks ago a full blown vegan, so we shall see where that takes me.”

nickmar13