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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Tracey transformed her life with weight loss surgery and healthy lifestyle changes

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BWLW Online Community Tracey E.’s before and after photos are very popular in our community.

She says,

“My inital lost of 100 pounds was changing my diet and exercising.  I had to lose that weight the before they would consider surgery and then it took a little time for my insurance to apporive it and all the other technicalities I had to go through to get approval for the bariatric doctor to do the surgery.  I had tried for years and went through the big weight lost only to gain it all back plus.  I was frustrated and my mother was asking my general practitioner to please recommend me for something because she and my dad were worried that I would pass before either of them.  I had not other issues except diabeties and the excessive weight but that would eventually lead to the other problems of high blood pressure and other complications that diabeities could cause.  I had been diabetic for over 20 years.  I was finally approved for weight loss surgery in October/November 2008 and had my surgery 4 days before Christmas.

I had gastric bypass surgery.  It has almost been 4 years and the doctor told me that after 18 months I would continue to lose but not as rapid.  At almost 2 years I decided I would crank up my exercise routine which was nothing more at the time them trying to walk more than normal.  Parking my car a little farther in the lot.  Walking to the other building to eat in the cafeteria instead of my desk.  I moved up to water aerobics 3 times a week and now I have added a little weight lifting for toning and walking about an extra miles everyday.  I still have issues with learning to walk correctly and I have pain in my knees if I walk too much but my muscles are getting stronger and that issue has almost been alleviated.

I have lost over 220 pounds total.  I know I am not where I need to be and I am at a serious plateau right now, in fact I have gained a little back.  I did get rid of all my medications and now I am taking lots of vitamins and I must eat a lot of protein so I still have a challenge because I must eat better and eat the right things.  So weight loss surgery does not make it much easier.  You can still gain your weight back with one slip or eating the wrong foods.  I am finding thatout each time I reach a plateau.  I just have an internal tool that help me control my weight.  It still can be defeated and you have to have the right mindset to accomplish this.

Once I saw the result, I was determined that I would never go back.  I have changed my whole attitude and I am reminded everyday that I have done a good job and I look so much better.  I never thought I looked so bad until I saw I could lose the weight and I could look a lot better.  I learned a lesson from just thee weight loss.  We learn to live with where we are and then we just stop trying and live how we have become.  May not make any sense but until you succedd in losing the weight and feel how different you are you will never understand where you been and how you can accomplish your goals.  Never give up no matter what.  As I have said my struggle was not to lose the weight but to maintain what I have accomplished and that will be a lifelong struggle.  I did not gain the weight over night and I knew I would not lose the weight over night but the losing is not the issue.  The keeping it off is my real goal!

Let me stop here since I could go on forever but I just want to emphasis that just becuse I had weight loss surgery doesn’t make my struggle any easier that anyone else losing weight.  Since I am almost 55 and have been overweight my entire life, I did not want to let my weight issues take over my life anymore.  I tried the weight loss from the very beginning but it was not working and as I got older it worked even less.  So there is my stroy in a nutshell but it is not the end.  Thanks for all your encouragement because also without it and from many others, I probably would not have gotten as far as I have today.  Thanks for all you have done for ladies like us.  You are such an inspiration.  Keep up the good work!.”

Thanks so much for sharing your story with us, Tracey!

Obesity and African-American Women – I See Smoke

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Today’s Inspiration | I know that many people feel that government stats are just used to put more stigma on the black community. For example, stats that note the number of blacks in jail, the number of black male youth not in college, or a report that came out a few years back on black women and herpes. I know that when we hear these stats many times we dismiss them as negative and skewed. We

don’t believe the numbers, and in the face of institutional racism we all understand why. However, we know where truth lives in our own communities. We may not believe the exact numbers, but we also know that everything is not peachy keen in terms of health in the black community. Many of us doing quite well, but just like any other community, many of us have issues. I say all this because I want you to consider some widely quoted stats from the CDC and HHS.– African American women have the highest rates of being overweight or obese compared to other groups in the U.S. – About four out of five African American women are overweight or obese.
– In 2010, African American women were 70% more likely to be obese than Non-Hispanic White women.
– More than 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.
– People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high levels of blood fats, and LDL cholesterol — all risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
– Deaths from heart disease and stroke are almost twice the rate for African Americans as compared to Whites.

These stats are high and your can argue with them. You can call them fiction, inflated, or an attack if you want. That’s not what matters. What matters is that there ARE African Americans who have health challenges that are directly related to their weight. What matters is that we look at ourselves and our families and consider whether we are dealing with obesity or if we are lying to ourselves. We have to determine for ourselves. No government report can define our health. No government stats can cure the effects of obesity. I take these stats as a alarm. I may not see fire, but if I see smoke…I know it’s time to move. I see smoke in terms of how weight and obesity is affecting our community. We don’t need stats to see that.

Angel has lost 50 pounds!

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Angel has gone from 230 to 180 and is still working toward her goal of 150!

She says, “I started in 2010 I wt 230 wasn’t motivated at all till I started taking pictures of myself and I would be disappointed…at that moment I decided to jo

in a gym…I exercise six days a week doing a lot of classes such as spinning boot camp and step aerobics…I also had a trainer that help me tone up two days a week…I stop drinking soda eating out ate six to seven small meals a day….I lost the weight slow took me a year to lose fifty pounds…but I maintained till now…now I’m setting myself a new goal and want to get to a wt of 150…there was no surgery diet pills or fad diets just strict discipline and motivation….” Yay!! Thank you so much for sharing your transformation, Angel!

Norma has lost 20 pounds by juice fasting

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Let’s celebrate 20 pounds down since 7/31 with Norma.  She looks amazing.
She says, “I currently lost a total of 20lbs so far, my starting weight was 173 on 7/31 when I started the “FAT SICK AND NEARLY DEAD” juice fast by joe cross and I have 8lbs left to go to get to my goal weight of 145lbs. I walk for an 1 hour a day or more except weekends and I do some exercises at home such as squats, light weights, jumping jacks and push ups. I have been a vegetarian for about 5 years now and by doing this juice fast I will transition myself to a vegan/ raw food lifestyle.” I believe in the power of raw food too, Norma. Congrats!
For more great before and after photos, visit www.blackwomenlosingweight.com

Chéf Florine lost 53 pounds over 6 years.

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Chef Florine is sharing her transition from 2006 to 2012.  Slow and steady wins the race, right Sistas?!?!

She says, ” I started off at 270 now i weigh 217. I had a regular diet. Of course more like a lifestyle change. Eating habits changed and also working out as well. No gimmick diet either lol. I went from eating whatever to counting calories on the hour everyday. lol it was a huge challenge but i was determined. Im 217 today and i cant even remember the last time i weight this much. I used to work out everyday but now i workout at least 3-4 times a week. I go to the gym or i stay home and work on my insanity workout. This was life changing for me because everything i was used to doing i flipped and did the opposite… and thank you so much for replying i appreciate it. Anyway this story of mine could help others would be heart-touching!” You are touching hearts, Ms Chef!!!!! Thank you for sharing with us.

For more great before and afters, visit www.blackwomenlosingweight.com

You have to HELP Yourself, Sista

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Help YOURSELF! There are tons of free websites out there with detailed weight loss info, like Sparkpeople.com, Myfitnesspal.com, and MayoClinic.com. There are thousands of books on losing weight. There is an amazing amount of information out there that can help you to lose weight if you want to. Here are the top 5 problems I see:

  • People feel overwhelmed by starting the process and knowing what to do so they never start.
  • People don’t want to do the work and do the research for themselves. They want someone else to give them a plan that works for them.
  • People don’t want to try a plan unless they think it will work. When it doesn’t work the are discouraged and feel like failures. (Not every plan works for everyone or they may not be able to stick with the plan)
  • People want quick results.
  • People are unaware of their medical problems or don’t face the fact that their medical issues are hindering their weight loss (thus weight loss may be slower for them).
How do you overcome these issues?
  • Don’t look for quick results.
  • Realize that your weight loss journey will be unique to you. You may not get the results that someone else gets doing the same thing.
  • Any effort you make to improve your health is worth trying. Small changes can add up long term.
  • Do your research and come up with a plan that works for you. You need a healthy plan that creates weight loss results that you can maintain over time. Strive for permanent weight loss, not quick results that you will gain right back. You won’t know what works if you never try.

You don’t have to weight for someone else to show you the way. Start helping yourself today.

Courtney lost 210 pounds over 5 years!

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I’m so happy to share Courtney’s story with you, Ladies. She lost 210 pounds over 5 years.

She says,”Hi Ladies, I decided to share my journey for those that have been in this battle for a long time and are possibly feeling discouraged. My before pictures are from March 2001. I was 23 years old, 400+ lbs and facing death by obesity. I chose Weight Watchers as my weapon in the battle and managed to lose 210 lbs in 5 years. The road got rocky after my initial success and I spent the next few years fighting a rebound gain and spinning my wheels.

Fast forward to May 2012. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis) and it turned my world upside down. After research and recommendations, I decided to experiment with the Paleo diet and see if it made a difference with my pain level and joint inflammation. My “experiment” has turned into a new way of life. I have lost 47 lbs in the last 4 months and more importantly, my pain has decreased tremendously. I still have a few bad days with RA, but life has definitely improved. Embracing the concept of whole foods and eliminating processed junk has been a godsend. I stay active with spin class, outdoor cycling and regular visits with my friend Gym. 🙂 I am also blessed with a support system that keeps me on track and offers unwavering encouragement.

So…what am I trying to say? STICK WITH IT. Even if I never lose another pound from today, going back to my “before” is simply not an option. Embrace a lifestyle change and love yourself now…don’t wait to reach your goal weight/size to appreciate your hard work. :)” AMAZING job, Courtney!!

Black Women, Don’t be Afraid to Lose that Booty

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Today’s Inspiration | Don’t be afraid to lose that booty, Sistas! It’s not going anywhere. If you look at photos of black women from centuries back, the booty is there. If you look at sista’s on the mother continent who don’t eat a westernized diet, the booty is there. There are thousands of black women who have lost weight, but not the booty. Don’t let the fear of losing your God given curves stop you from losing the weight. God gave them to you and nothing can take your divine beauty from you. It’s more than just your figure.

“Glorious Glutes” by MyJunkyTrunk
Much love to MyJunkyTrunk for sharing this image with us!
PS: Ladies, strength training and squats are your friends in terms of tightening and firming the booty.  Don’t worry about losing it if you’ve got it or getting a new one if you’ve never had it.  You can have a nice backside no matter how much of how little you’ve been blessed with.

Niecy is down 33 pounds and Loving it!

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Let’s celebrate 33 pounds down with Niecey!

She says, “I am submitting my pic to show my progress. I started Weight Watchers last year but due to my crazy schedule I have managed to lose 33lbs total. However I have lost more inches then anything. I have lost 8.5 inches in my waist; 4.5 inches in bust; and 6 inches off my thights. I try to walk at letast 2 days a week and swim 2 to 3days a week. I also have a support system with close friends and family. The picture of me in the gray shirt is my before I started WW picture. The orange is my progess as of August 1, 2012” So proud of you, Niecey. Keep up the good work!!