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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Starlet has lost 67 pounds!

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Today’s Featured Weight Loss Success Story Comes from Starlet who has lost 67 pounds going from 263 to 196.

She says, “I took the picture in the brown Sept.2011, the pic in the black dress was around Feb 2012 and the far right photo was taken about 8 days ago. I started walking back in 2010 (3 miles a day) but that didn’t do much for weight loss it really just gave me energy and though I was still heavy I could walk through the mall or take a flight of stairs without giving out of breath. So in May 2011, I just started removing bread and starch like potatoes and rice from my diet…and after about 3 or 4 months I could start to see some changes..believe it or not that picture in the brown is not my heaviest weight.  I weighed in at 272 in 2010 but I can’t find any pic’s of me and I definitely know why (too ashamed) in Nov 2011, I began juicing and protein shaking and in March 2012, I had lost about 30 lbs.  This is when I saw significant changes in my health and my physical appearance…so I just started putting a little more effort to losing the weight after that by protein shakes in the morning and light lunches and dinners that do not contain bread, potatoes or rice..that’s it.  I walk daily in my neighborhood and just recently got a gym membership.  Sept 11′:263lbs and Oct 12′:196lbs.  I would like to say thanks for what you do because it is so important to let people know that you can do this…if you put your mind to it.  I have struggled with my weight for over half of my life.  I have been smaller before (160 lbs about 15 years ago) but being a big girl is pretty much all I know.  It’s a constant struggle to maintain low weight especially on a naturally voluptuous women but my pictures are constant reminders that I got to commit to whatever I need to in order to keep myself alive. Thanks”

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Starlet!

Video: Kim has lost 84 pounds!

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Kim Rainey is today’s featured weight loss success story!  She has lost 84 pounds! No pills, no shots, no lose weight schemes.. just hardwork and dedication.

kim rainey

She says, “On this day 1 year ago, I made the first steps to change my life. My wight over the years had always went up and down(but mostly up). I had never had a problem with the way I looked even at my highest weight of 282lbs I still felt beautiful… the problem is that I was completely unhealthy. On this day i said NO MORE. I started walkind 3 days a week and started watching what I ate. The weight just started falling off and this motivated me even more! I got a personal trainer to help me target and tone. I also started doing Zumba which is my favorite cardio!  84 pounds down I am smaller than I was in high school. No pils, no surgery, no lose weight quick schemes… just constant determination and hard work. If I can do it , anyone can. I also have a youtube video for my weightloss journey!”

Yolanda lost over 45 pounds

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Today’s Featured Weight Loss Success Story comes from Yolanda who has lost over 45 pounds with Zumba!!
Yolanda before and after
She says, “My name is Yolanda & I started my weight loss journey in December. Since then I have lost over 45 lbs. Diet & excercise works together. I am now a licensed Zumba Instructor and I teach a class called ZGoGo (Zumba to GoGo Music, those who live in DC, MD, & VA knows what GoGo music is). I was inspired by other women friends who were losing or have lost weight and now I am inspiring people. :-)”
Thank you so much for sharing your success with us, Yolanda!

Day 9 – New Workout Resources – BWLW October Challenge

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HEYYYYYYY, BWLW LADIES!  LOL!  Sorry, I’ve been listening to the “Gangnam Style” song during my elliptical machine workouts.  One of the best things you can do is put together a great playlist of music for your iPod or mp3 player that really motivates you to work out.  Sometimes those songs will carry you when you feel like giving up.

It’s Day 9 of Black Women Losing Weight’s October Challenge and I’m on track with my workout goals.  I hope you are too.  Today I want to share 3 great workouts that I’ve found online that you can do at home.  No excuses.  You don’t need to have a gym membership to get fit, Ladies.  Give these great , free workouts a try.  They are challenging, but that’s what we want. Workouts that will challenge us and give us results.

Women’s Health: The Ultimate Boot Camp Workout – Check out the link for photos of the exercises.

Crazy Home Boot Camp Workout from BodyRock.tv – This one is for those who have been working out for a while and want a challenge.

Natashia has lost over 30 pounds!

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Natashia who has lost over 30 pounds!  She says, “On October 3, 2011, I weighed in for my college’s Biggest Loser Challenge at 200.0 pounds. On October 3, 2012, I weighed in at 167.8! Over 30 pounds lost and I’m feeling (and looking) GOOD!! For all of you who are struggling with your weight, please understand that weight loss is a PROCESS. You’re NOT going to achieve true, and sustained, weight loss by doing a 30-day this or 60-day that program… It doesn’t work!! Slow and steady wins the race because remember, it’s a LIFESTYLE CHANGE, not a temporary fix. While I still have a little more to go to achieve my goal, I am no longer uncertain of if it can be achieved because I have now set up a solid foundation that will foster longstanding weight loss/maintenance and health. Even though I never really believed in the accuracy of the BMI, I was all smiles when I learned that I am now in the green zone! *If I can do it, you can do it!* **Proud of myself!**

I mostly focused on my diet. I utilized calorie counting systems such as MyFitnessPal (my favorite!) and made it my mission to stay within my calorie restrictions. I started eating more fish as opposed to the heavier meats, I cut down on my fried food consumption, and cut down on my sugary drink consumption (e.g., sodas, lemonade, fruit juices). I started bringing my breakfast and lunches to school/work with me to avoid the temptation of stopping at the drive through or visiting the vending machines. I also started walking around the neighborhood after dinners instead of sitting/laying on the sofa for the remainder of the evening. Lastly, I allowed myself cheat days. When you’re doing well, reward yourself and don’t feel bad about it… Just make sure you get back on your game plan once the night/weekend is over! All of these little things made the difference and I have never seen such steady and consistent results!!”

Amazing Transformation!!  Thank you so much for sharing your victory with us, Natashia!!!

Imani lost 40 pounds!

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Today’s featured before and after comes from Imani who has lost 40 pounds!

She says, “About a year ago I made a decision to loose a noticeable amount of weight to make myself feel good as I made some transitions in my life. I signed up to a gym and began going everyday. I started taking classes like kickboxing and Zumba. I began to curb my diet to healthier foods like salads, cold cuts and I watched my calorie intake. I cut out fast food and junk food. Before I knew it I had shed a total of 40 pounds and I’m still going. I have gained some control over my life and I feel great!”

Congrats and Thank you for sharing with us, Imani!

Monique has lost 123 pounds!

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Today’s featured success story comes from Monique who has lost 123 pounds with the help of her supportive fitness family at the workout studio she lost the weight with.
She says, “My highest weight was 346 pounds and I am 223 now…..so I’ve lost roughly 123 pounds…and counting.  I got moving about 4 years ago it has been a slow process but the LIFESTYLE change has been definitely worth it. Now I do marketing for the studio that I loss my weight at. I have never missed more than a week of working out. Even when I broke my ankle and wrist last year. We believe in capable, no excuses workout. Everyone can do something. I have the best fitness family that nurtures our mind body and soul.”

Tamara has lost 94 pounds

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Tamara has transformed her health and weight losing 94 pounds.

She says, “Hey Ive been so inspired through this page, I wanted to share my story to hopefully motivate another strong beautiful woman struggling with weight loss. Sept 14,2012 marks my 1 year weight loss epiphany. Sept 14,2011 I choose ME. I set out to conquer a task I’d never regret. I’ve cried ,cursed ,fallen , got up ,fell harder but most of all I CONQUERED ! And I NEVER gave up. I weighed myself on this anniversary and I’m 94 lbs lighter then I was 12months ago! My many friends and supporters have filled my heart with love and blessings! I Thank family ,friends and instructors who have been there and who are still there cheering me on as this is far from over! 50 lbs to go! #team GETITIN


Initially I used weight watchers online that helped me control my portions as I was a fast food junkie and that program allowed me to still have it in moderation until eventually I phased it out completely. Then incorporated that with the curves program 30 min 3 times a week, incorporated lean meats good carbs, fruits and veggies . The biggest help was a simple equation sugar =fat I kept my sugar low and my foods clean limiting processed and high sodium foods! As I’m still trying to loose I’m on a high protein regimen I work out 5 days alternating cardio, strength and conditioning at the gym and 2 days doing a sport of my choice swimming running etc i hope this helps thank you for sharing my story.”

Tamara, Thank you SO much for sharing the details of your transformation with us!!

Donna is down 55 pounds

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Today’s Featured Weight Loss Success story comes from Donna who is down 55 pounds!

She says, “In May 2012 I began my journey to a healthier lifestyle. I traded fast food and junk food for things like salad and chicken.Drink more water and Crystal and less diet sodas and sweet tea. With the love, support and help of the people in my life I am making progress. I regularly attend Zumba and water aerobic classes. I’ve even taken my niece’s dog for a walk. The result is Now I am 55 pounds lighter. I still have a long way to go, but for today I am proud of myself. I am going to use these photos as inspiration to keep trying.” Congrats, Donna!!!!

Syree has gone from 328 to 191!

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Let’s show some love to Syree who has gone from 328 to 191 with the help of weight loss surgery!

She says, “I have met my goal! I am officially in the maintenance stage. I shared my story a little while ago. I had gastric bypass surgery on October 26, 2011. 3 weeks after surgery I began working out with a trainer. I worked out on average 2-4 hours a day. Some days more, working out twice a day. Since my journey started, I have done the Warrior Dash. This is a 5k obstacle course and I am now a licensed Zumba Instructor. 2 weeks before surgery, my high weight was 328 lbs. I wore a size 26. I now weigh 191 lbs and wear a size 12 (I’m 5’11”). I am an entirely different person and will never go back! I’m thankful for forums like this where I can share my story and hopefully inspire and give hope to others. We can do this ladies!!!!” Great job, Syree!!!