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Crystal lost 52 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss story: Crystal lost 52 pounds.

crystal's weight loss photos

She’s said,
“I’ve really made MAJOR lifestyle changes. I eat healthy and drink protein shakes. I drink at least 64 oz of water everyday and eat at least 60 grams of protein and no more than 120 complex carbs everyday. I utilize my fitness pal to keep up with my caloric intake. I ride a mile on my bike everyday . I also do Zumba 6 times a week . I have a long way to go but I’m so proud of my accomplishment. My goal weight is 140 so I still have a long journey ahead of me.

Five Things We Can Learn from Jennifer Hudson’s Weight Loss

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Jennifer Hudson has become one of the major faces of weight loss in the 21st century as she has kept off the weight in addition to losing it. What can women learn from her success?

photo: www.weightwatchers.com

Benefits of Weight Watchers
Hudson used the Weight Watchers program to achieve her weight loss, and have been inspired to follow in her footsteps. They are able to visually see the benefits of going through this specific program, and everyone, from a stay at home mother to a corporate executive, can incorporate these changes into their lifestyles.Overcoming Tragedy
Only just a few years ago, Hudson suffered an unimaginable loss when several members of her family were murdered. Despite this horrible tragedy in her life, she has been able to still overcome her personal struggles and reach incredible goals. Women can be inspired to start eating better or to exercise, even if they are having huge personal problems. They do not need to see these personal barriers as an end.

Empowering Women
It’s also important, in a day and age when women are still sometimes treated as inferior for men, for positive role models to inspire young girls. Teenagers can look up to Hudson as a source of inspiration and motivation to help them on their roads to becoming women. She wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she’s a regular girl who’s rise to fame was a combination of undeniable talent, luck, and hard work.  They will be able to see that they are able to reach all of their goals and dreams just as a man would.

Empowering Black Women
In addition to women in generally being made to feel inferior, racism is still unfortunately alive in some parts of the country. Many Black women feel that life is made more difficult for them, at least partially due to stereotypes and the like. Body image and self esteem are also affected by racism and American’s focus on a european standard of beauty.  When these women see Jennifer Hudson on their television screens or in advertisements, they are drawn into trying out the program as well.

Being a Better You
Jennifer Hudson is truly a likable actress, and many people enjoy watching her work. People might feel as though they can be just like Jennifer Hudson by going down the same route that she did.

Truly, Jennifer Hudson is a real inspiration for women who are fighting the battle of the bulge.

Ada’s Rules Book Club Questions #2

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Hey Ladies, 

Ada's RulesI hope you are loving Ada’s Rules and following along with our bookclub during our November Challenge.  Here is our second set of bookclub questions.  Give your answers in the comment box.

Ada’s Rules is about loving the body you have while being willing to transform that body in the service of your own health.

6. What are some of the things that Ada loves about being big?

7. At the outset of the novel, it seems that Ada is estranged from her own body—has fallen out of love with it. What does she do that helps her fall back in love with her body?

8. Ada’s concern with her fitness is not only about her health, it is also about the physical health of her daughters. Which do you think was the stronger motivator for Ada’s change—her daughter’s health or her desire for a romantic adventure?

Do black women have a problem with the concept of being “thin”?

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Do black women have a problem with the concept of being “thin”? I ask this question because of the reaction that always comes out when I post success stories where the before photo doesn’t show a woman who is “classically” overweight.

I understand that one woman’s before photo could be another woman’s after photo. For example, The 180 lbs that you want to decrease to 140 could be the goal weight of someone else who is 100 pounds heavier than you. I get that. What I’m trying to understand is the undertone of negativity that I hear when we comment on people who have “lost too much weight”. Can’t we just be positive and celebrate someone’s weight loss without finding fault?

I haven’t posted any photos of women who from a health standpoint are too skinny for good health. In fact, the traditional American standards of beauty may even say that many of the successful women I post are still quite heavy…but we don’t go by those standards for a number of reasons.

I’m rambling on. I’d just like to know your thoughts.

Natasha lost 95 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss story: BWLW Online Community  member Natasha lost 95 pounds going from 225 to 130 lbs.  She was featured in the Huffington Post’s Healthy Living weight loss success profiles.   

Natasha's weight loss

In our online community we always ask what people’s weight loss goals are.  Natasha says, “I’m in maintenance mode now, after having lost 95 lbs. I strive to continue to exercise, eat right and to do right by my body, soul and spirit.”

One of the other BWLW community members asked her about her workouts and she said, “I haven’t focused on one particular area, but by working out (at least 3-4 days a week), I have managed to tone my body all over.”

From the Huffington Post article:

“Breaking Point: I was pregnant (and eventually miscarried) at the age of 21. I miscarried at five months, during my second trimester. I was 185 pounds when I first learned I was pregnant, and I gained a total of 40 pounds during that five-month period of time. Granted, I was never a small person to begin with, but I was tipping the scale at 225, and I knew something would have to give. There was never an explanation as to why I miscarried, but in my heart, I always knew that my weight gain was a factor…”

“How I Lost It: “…I began the Atkins’ Diet in August of 2003, and by the end of my first month, I’d already lost 20 pounds. I continued on, and by February of the following year, I was down to 160 pounds. I also signed up for a gym membership, and that helped me maintain my new-found weight loss for quite some time.

I went back to school in January of 2005 to begin working on my Master’s degree, and by the summer of 2006, I had regained 20 pounds. This time, I knew that I couldn’t go back to cutting carbs. I was going to have to learn how to eatcorrectly if I wanted to maintain long-lasting, lifetime weight loss. I joined Jenny Craig in October of 2007. The pitch at that time was, “Lose 20 pounds for $20, plus the cost of food.” Well, I was 175 when I entered the program, and by January of 2008, I rang in the new year at my lowest weight to date: 155 pounds…”  Click here for the full details of how she lost the weight.

 

Shamieka lost 40 pounds by eating right

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Shamieka lost 40 pound by changing her diet.

Shamieka's weight loss photos

She says,
“I started out losing weight in Feb 2011 at 210 lbs. As of todays date I am 170 lbs and I have continued to live and eat healthy. I feel so much better mentally and spiritually!!!  I changed my whole diet at first…no fried, no rice, no sugars, no potatoes, no bread unless whole wheat…no sodas, no juice unless 100% juice…baked n grilled everything, a lot of veggies, worked out 2 times a day, drank a gallon of water everyday.  I have one day where I cheat but I detox the next day.  I also added vitamins to my diet.”

Angelic has lost more than 70 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story:  Angelic has lost more than 70 pounds. 

Angelic 70 pounds

She says,
“My before and after picture! The before is from my company Christmas party 12/10/11 and the after is from 7/4/12. I have lost over 70 lbs the hard way-Eliminating white sugar, flour, bread, pasta, and processed foods. Doing the work—Walking, drinking 1/2 my body weight in ounces of water daily, Eating Salads, Vegetables, Fruit, Lean Meat-Chicken, Turkey, Fish, Whole grains, drinking green tea and VERY limited sweets-(6) vanilla wafers, (4) graham crackers or (8) animal crackers only, once a day!!! I got even closer to God, because I needed Him EVERY step of the way! I’m a Southern Girl that LOOOOOOVES to cook, bake and does it all DIVINELY!!! The sacrifice has been more than worth it! I’ve accomplished getting my body and energy back!!! I am SO addicted to eating right and exercising, which is a place I NEVER thought I would be!!! I get excited just seeing someone jogging down the street! To all that think they cannot do it without surgery, pills and/or potions,–I am living proof that you can!!!! Let’s get it!!!”

Jeanine lost 70 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Today’s Weight Loss Success Story: Jeanine has lost 70+ pounds and gone from a size 22w to a 10/12.  She is a member of our online community.

Jeanine

She says,
“My journey: I am 5’2” and come from a family of plump women, so I talked my self into believing that it was okay for me to balloon up and was heading towards 300lbs. I became the biggest one in the family. My joints ached, blood pressure became a problem, simple tasks like walking a few feet became a chore and I started to have some sleep apnea issues. I got tired of feeling like 1 more lb and I would implode. I had no energy or pep in my step. One day I had a coming to Jesus with my doctor, I cried and realized I couldn’t deal with the physical ailments that were so frequent and I also didn’t want to live my life anymore being obese. I shared with her family health issues cancer, blood pressure and kidney problems runs deep and mostly related to weight. I didn’t want to die and leave my son behind and also wanted to be a positive model for him. You name it, I’ve done it! Weight watchers, LA weight loss, Adipex, Richard Simmons, lean cuisine, medifast and the list goes on. I researched lap band surgery and went to bariatric surgeon. I immediately went on 1500 calorie eating where I use the Lose It IPhone app. It was difficult but the weight started coming off slowly but surely. For me being a carb and sweet tea junkie, I had to let that go for the most part. Lots of lean protein and veggies and crystal light became my bestie. Eventually I lost 40lbs and decided to go though with surgery anyway, with the objection of my family. It’s been the best decision of my life. After a short recovery I started doing Zumba and couch to 5k on IPhone. This chunky diva never ran a day in her life! Now 2 5k’s later, receiving my zumba instructor license and Clinical Social Work license, I feel great! I can walk, jog, hike, dance which I love to do now. WLS isn’t for everyone and lapband is a tool that helped me achieve success and keep my yo yo dieting and weight loss under control. It’s not a panacea and believe you me, I have to work at it everyday! It’s a mental battle, that I have to fight daily, especially went I want to eat a tub of ice cream or another piece of cake. I still enjoy carbs and sweets but now I rarely if ever eat bread, pasta or rice. Sweets perhaps once or twice per week. I focus more on ensuring that I get enough protein in, as the nutritionist indicated that’s what will keep you full and more satiated versus empty calories. I feel better, my son is proud of me and so are the people in my life that love me. Now they tell me slow down girl! My son says: “mom why are you walking so fast?” I say I can’t help it. I’ve gone from a 22W with the buttons bulging to wearing size 10/12. My bras went from 44c to 38c. Foot went from 9 or 9 1/2 to size 8 1/2. Am I finished? no! I want to get toned and build more endurance as well as muscle. I say to others: Do what’s best for you, that makes you happy and life more fulfilling. Everyone has their opinions but at end of day it’s your life and your vote that counts. Now I often laugh when people use the word small or skinny in a sentence with my name or I walk into a store and the don’t have my size (M/L) or I get seated and I’m amazed I can fit in the seat. I am thankful for BWLW, which I saw post from friends FB page. This is the first time I have told my story to anyone other than close friends and immediate family. I feel even more free and I hope I have inspired you all to run on and see what the end will be! God bless.”

Jacqueline lost 74 pounds

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Today’s Weight Loss Success Story: Jacqueline lost 74 pounds by eating 6 small meals per day and getting her cardio on!

She says,
“The pic on the left is at my heaviest 330. The pic on the right I am 256…that’s a total of 74 pounds..i am also 5″11…I am 26lbs away from my first goal weight. I will be in the 100lbs lost club. It has taken me almost 4 yrs to lose the weight. I had to relearn the way to eat, which has been the hardest part. I use portion control by eating six small meals a day and exercising 5-6 days a week for an hour to hour and a half. I do lots of cardio (Zumba, elliptical, spinning and jogging on the treadmill) and now I am putting strength training in my routine. I also drink 2 liters of water a day. I went from a size 26-28 to a 14-16…I have more energy and endurance than ever before. Not bad for a 40 year old woman :)”

Ada’s Rules – Online Bookclub Meeting #1

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Ada's RulesHi Ladies, I hope that you are enjoying Ada’s Rules.  I loved the book and now I’m re-reading it along with you.  I believe that any woman who was ever on a diet or is a chronic dieter should love this book.  As a black women, I could see myself as well as women in my family and my friends in this book.  I really connected to Ada’s self sacrifice and being too busy to take time for yourself.  From an age standpoint, I really could relate to the plight of her unmarried daughters as well.

So, here is our first set of book club questions from the official Ada’s Army website.  Please discuss below.

Ada has a lot of things on her plate: running a daycare center; keeping in touch with young adult twin daughters; cooking for the vestry and other responsibilities of a Preacher’s wife; as well as cooking and cleaning for her parents who are battling both hoarding and depression. We might say she has way too much on her plate—except everything she does needs doing and there’s no one else around stepping up.

1. Does Ada find any kind of joy or satisfaction in performing mundane daily tasks and simply doing her duty?

2. Which of her “jobs” seems to bring her the most pleasure?

3. Which of her “jobs” presents the greatest challenge to her sanity and self-esteem?

4. How is being overworked detrimental to Ada’s health?

5. The first rule is “Don’t keep doing what you’ve always been doing.”  Is that a rule you can apply to your weight loss efforts?

6. The second rule is “Make a plan: set clear, multiple and changing goals”.  What did that mean to you?  What are your goals and your plan?