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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Parish has lost 47 pounds in 6 months!

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Today’s Success Story: Parish has lost 47 pounds from April 2012 to Oct 2012.  You can connect with her on our online community to see more photos of her transformation.

Parish's weight loss

She says,
“When I went to the doctor in March 2012, I was at my heaviest weight ever and I couldn’t believe that I completely let myself go.  I was 223lbs, my pressure was high, my self-esteem was low and I was headed to an early grave.  I was headed to see Oprah on April 4th in New York and decided to that once I got back I would start a lifestyle change.  On April 8th I started counting calories and working out.  The picture you see is from the MS walk April 14, 2012.  I’m not proud of it by no means but that was a reality check for me.  I had no idea I looked so out of shape, but with hard work and determination I’ve loss 47lbs in 6 months.  I’ve gone from a size 16/18 to a size 12.  I still have 26lbs to go to reach my goal of 150lbs but i’m well on my way.  I’m feeling the 3 F’s (Fine, Fit and Fabulous) using the 3D’s(Dedication, Determination and Drive).  No diets, No surgery, No weight loss pills…just eating healthy, drinking plenty water and circuit training, walking and jogging.  I enjoy the skin I’m in.”

Thank you so much for sharing with us, Parish!!

Qui lost 106 pounds

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Update: Qui wrote in to share what’s she’s been doing since she shared her story of losing over 100 pounds 4 years ago. She gained some of weight back, but after being diagnosed with PCOS she understood why she’d experienced rapid weight gain and what changes she needed to make to release the pounds.

Qui

I was featured in on your page a few years ago. So much has happened to me since 2012. For the most part, I managed to maintain the weight loss. However, at the end of 2014 and most of 2015, I gained almost 60 pounds. 30 pounds of thoese pounds were gained in about 5 months. I acknowledge that I fell back into some old habits, but I couldn’t figure out why I gained that amount of weight so quickly.

Later in 2015, I met with several doctors who diagnosed me with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome which help to explain a lot. I had a glucose intolerance that didn’t wasn’t helped by the amount of carbs I was ingesting. In December of last year, I set a goal to drop half of the weight that I gained and I will continue with the other 30 pounds this year. In the photos, you can see my before and after. I’ve managed to lose a net total of 28 of the 30 pounds I wanted to lose, so I still have some work to do. I am optimistic about meeting and surpassing my goal this year. I can’t stress enough the importance consulting with a physician before starting a diet, because if I didn’t I would have never known about PCOS and how it could negatively affect my results.

Qui before and after

Today’s Weight Loss Success Story: Qui lost 106 pounds! She focused on nutrition and exercise to get the job done.

QuiApr14

She says,
I absolutely love this site!!!! I wish I would have found it during the beginning of my journey. It is important that we have support during such a transitional period. I lost 106 pounds and finally hit my goal after a few years of struggling. Don’t give up ladies…Keep grinding 🙂  I initially started with my diet. Nutrition is about 80% of the fitness journey. I used the South Beach Diet and the 4 day diet to set the foundation for my current life style. I dont eat white rice, white flour, white sugar, or white bread. I began to do Turbo Jam because I was ashamed to go into the gym. After I lost my first 20-30 pounds I decided to go to the gym. 30 minutes turned into an hour on the elliptical and then I gained enough courage to lift [weights]. Towards the end of my journey I worked out 5-6 days.

Check out her Facebook page: facebook.com/QuisChronicles

Jessica has lost 40 pounds since May 2012

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Today’s Featured Success Story: Jessica has lost 40 pounds since May.

jessica before after

She Says,
I limited my processed carb intake. no bread, no rice, no pasta. I then incorporated ALOT of fruits in my diet by making fruit smoothies every morning for breakfast and sometimes dinner. I eat alot of lean meat.and vegetables. as far as exercise, I do cardio and aerobics about 3 to 4 times a week. I lost about 40 pounds since May 2012.

Jessica weight loss

Jessica's weight loss photos

Lucretia has lost 40 pounds!

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Today’s Featured Weight Loss Success Story: BWLW Online Community member Lucretia has lost 40 pounds!

lucretia weight loss

She says,
“From last September to this, I have lost 40 pounds through diet and exercise. I feel a lot healthier and I love the feeling of being able to run without pain. I feel successful and am very grateful to my family for the support. I have drastically increased my fruit and vegetable intake. I drink more water and less soda. I am counting calories in vs those expended. I workout at least 5 days a week for at least an hour. My workouts include Zumba, Dvds by jillian Michaels, the biggest loser Dvds, weight lifting, and jogging.”  Great job, Lucretia!!! Thank you for sharing with us!

Darnette has lost more than 70 pounds!

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Today’s Featured Weight Loss Success Story comes from Darnette who has lost more than 70 pounds.  She has a supportive family.  How do I know?  Her sister Kope (another BWLW member) submitted her story to us!  Great Job, Darnette!
Darnette Before After
Here is what her sister told us about Darnette’s transformation:
Fitness Encouragement!  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. – Phil 4:13
9 months ago my sister, Darnette, set out on her weight loss journey.  She pressed through all of the obstacles before her and hit the gym almost everyday while completely changing her diet! She has lost 70+ pounds! I am super proud of her! The good news is, this is ONLY the beginning: This is a journey, not a destination.
My sister ate 5-6 small meals a day, which included things like green vegetables, lean meats like fish & chicken, brown rice and Greek yogurt. Instead of frying these meals, she started baking a lot of her food. She also allowed herself the occasional cheat day. It is very important to keep a FOOD LOG and count your calories. She keeps her calories under 1200 – 1500 per day.
I put together a “before and after” picture so you can see how far she’s come. She’s HOTT and SEXY!!! Oh and she’s taken too! She is married with 5 or 6 kids, or something like that. *Just kidd’in* So yeah! This is her journey, not her destination… Woot-Wooten!

Anniese has lost 45 pounds and is striving for 15 more.

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Today’s Success Story: Anniese has lost 45 pounds and is striving for 15 more.
anniese weight loss
She says,
I started working out in 2011 and I was 215 pounds.  Now, I’m 174 pounds. I began working out 1 hour a day and drinking lots of water.  I just stopped eating fast food and stopped drinking sodas and stopped eating sweets. The weight came off slow. I’m down 45 ponds and have 15 more to go.  Wish me luck.

Ebony has lost 50 pounds

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Today’s Featured Success Story: Ebony has lost 50 pounds since May 2011.

Ebony weight loss

As of May 2011, I was 217 lbs. I took a Nutrition Course online that helped me calculate my calorie intake! We had a semester long journal of all of the foods we would eat on a daily basis. I used drink alcohol a lot, but I went cold turkey on that as well. I’ll have a soda once or twice a month depending on what I eat. I eat a lot of fiber too. I am currently 167 and I am honestly trying 2 maintain those lbs. Nothing more, nothing less! Any more questions, pics, etc, I will happy 2 share that with u as well!

How did you change your eating?
It was a lot of things I had 2 let go! I haven’t eaten Pork in nearly 10 yrs. This month marks a year since I’ve eaten beef! No alcoholic beverages, drinking a lot of water, and including a lot of fiber in my diet plan helped those unwanted pounds shed! I feel so much lighter on my feet!
What about exercise?
I was working out DAILY for 30 minutes a day until I sprained my knee (last June) My Dr. Told me 2 be easy b/c of that injury so I just pretty much do what I can, when I can even if its 15-30 mins every other day!
Tell me more about the course you took.
I took the course Bio-Nutrition at the Community College I attended last summer. We had 2 keep a journal of every meal, snack & beverage DAILY & 2 my surprise I wasn’t getting enough calories per day that was calculated using my BMI…It was VERY beneficial 4 me b/c I learned the ins & out of EVERYTHING I was putting in my body! Very complex course!

Crabs in a Barrel?: Are Black Women Supportive of Other Sistas Who Lose Weight?

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Question: By and Large, are we as black women supportive of one another’s weight loss efforts?  Are we quick to encourage or find fault?  Having run this site for a while, I’ve been impressed with and overwhelmed by the amount of love that I’ve witnessed.  We really know how to lift each other up and share our successes & challenges with each other.  However, I’ve also been dismayed at the negativity and judgement that we throw at each other when it comes to weight loss.

  • Have you felt support from other black women as you strive to lose weight?
  • How do you encourage other sisters to stay strong and commit to their goals?
  • What does it mean to be supportive when you don’t agree with another sista’s choices?
  • Should people criticize or keep their opinions to themselves?

I’d like to hear about your thoughts and experiences.

Shawntia has lost 48 pounds

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Today’s Success Story is Shawntia who has lost 48 pounds.  This mother of 2 started her weight loss journey on Feb 2011 at 203 pounds and reached 155 by Sept 2012!
Shawntia before and after
She says,
“Hello ladies! Im Shawntia and I love this site. People need motivation &*inspiration like this for weight loss.   I myself has struggle with weight loss throughout my whole life. As a mother of 2 I had to do something about my weight. So I started running and walking everyday, and doing Zumba at home. Once I started noticing that I was losing weight I got a gym membership. Started eating healthier and smaller portions. Now after a year I’m almost at my goal weight.”
Thank you so much for sharing with us, Shawntia!!!

Valencia has lost 50 pounds

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Today’s Featured Success Story: Cheers to Valencia who lost 50 pounds over the course of a year and a half!!!

Valencia before and after

She says,

“A work in process. My weight loss has been a roller coaster up and down. I have loss over 50 pounds by eating right and exercise, and yes a few bad days( junk food) in between. My children do not believe that is myself in the before picture. i not going back up this time. Stay tune for I am not finished yet!!”