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Deborah lost 89 pounds

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Weight loss success story of the day: Dr. Deborah D. Grison lost 89 pounds after being diagnosed with a serious illness. She went from a size 18/16 to a size 4/6.  Here story shows the power of eating healthy, unprocessed foods that are full of life and nutrients. Here is what she shared about her journey:

“My name is Deborah D. Grison. I am writing to share my weight loss and healing success story. In January of 2012, I made a decision due to health the physical challenges of a pre-diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (being unable to walk) to change my eating behavior. I began to prepare all of my own meals, eliminating processed foods, sugars and all things bad. I have been doing this for two years come January 2014. My physical activity consisted of walking everywhere as I live in New York City. In August of 2012, I did begin strength training at a local NY gym that added to my weight loss success. All in all, I have lost 83-89 pounds within a year just by changing my food behavior. Going from a size 18-16 to now a size 4-6. My health challenges have subsided and I am now walking again unassisted. I am continuing with what my program and health initiative I started call EAT LIFE! Its a Movement Not A Moment. www.eatlifeonline.com It will be 2 years in January 2014, that I have lost and maintained my health and wellness success. See photos of my transformation below.”

Dr. Deborah weight loss Deborah before and after photos

4 Prescription Weight Loss Pills You Should Know About

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There is some good news about the change in how obesity is viewed as a disease by the medical community.  It may now be easier for you to have access to medical weight loss and weight management treatments covered by insurance, if you and your doctor feel it is the best choice for you. There are many different prescription diet pills that your doctor can prescribe and find the best one to help you reach a healthy weight. The other news is that now YOU have to educate yourself on these prescriptions so you can be an educated patient.  It’s a little extra work on your part, but the payoff is worth it, especially because some past pills have had negative side effects and were taken off the market.  Here are 4 prescription diet pills that you should know about.  (Talk to your doctor about these drugs so that you have all the info you need since this is just an overview.)

prescription diet pillsQsymia

Qsymia is one of the new hybrid prescription diet drugs that have come on the market that combine two or more prescription drugs to create one pill to address obesity. In Qsymia the combination contains phentermine and topiramate. Phentermine is a popular appetite suppressant and topiramate is an anti-convulsing. In combination with diet and exercise, Qysmia is most often prescribed to those with weight issues that are related to diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. The fact that Qysmia includes an anti-convulsant should be a sign that this is a diet drug that is not meant for anyone. There is a risk of potential addiction due to the phentermine ingredients and you should not suddenly stop taking Qysmia as there can be a risk for seizures. Qysmia should not be taken by people with a history of glaucoma or thyroid disorders and should not be taken if you are pregnant or nursing. There is a potential for complications from drug interactions and increased stress on your liver and kidneys so make sure to check with your doctor that this is the right diet pill for you.

Orlistat

Orlistat can be confusing to people as it is also sold under the name Xenical and Alli. The last branding of the drug does not require a prescription due to it being a much smaller dose than is clinically indicated for weight loss. Orlistat works by blocking fat absorption from food. It can block almost 20% of the fats taken in as a meal and the excess fat is passed from the body through regular bowel activity. Orlistat is generally combined with a reduced calorie diet and has a successful track record in morbidly obese patients that are at risk or have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or arteriosclerosis. The main concern with Orlistat beyond the typical ones of drug interaction lies with a unique form of vitamin deficiency that can occur while on the drug. In blocking the fat from being absorbed, Orlistat also blocks the body’s ability to absorb vitamins A, E, D and beta-carotenes from the fat, so a multi vitamin is recommended. Orlistat has a specific warning on it about interaction with many blood thinning drugs.

Xenical

Xenical is one of the brand names that the weight loss drug Orlistat is sold under. Unlike the other branding, Alli, Xenical maintains the clinical recommended dosage of 120mg per dose which is why it requires a prescription and alli does not. The dosage amount in Alli is not suggested to be of benefit to those who are morbidly obese. While Xenical is considered safe to take, there are some risks for side effects involved. Some people have experience hives, sweating, rashes or rapid breathing while taking Xenical. It is recommended that it is taken with a reduced calorie diet and a multi-vitamin as it blocks the natural absorption of some key vitamins from food as well as blocking fat absorption.

Phentermine

Phentermine is one of the best known of the prescribed diet pills and can be hugely effective when combined with a reduced calorie diet, exercise and lifestyle changes. It is a psychostimulant drug and is similar in composition to an amphetamine. It is used medically as an appetite suppressant and has been extensively studied. One of the biggest cautions about phentermine is that it can have addictive properties for people. The other main concern is that it can interact with other drugs in the same family, many of which are available without a prescription. If you are taking any antihistamine, decongestants or cold medicines be sure to let your doctor know. Phentermine is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing.

4 Things to know about Bariatric Surgery and Insurance

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Bariatric surgery has become recognized as the safest and most efficient way for someone who is morbidly obese to lose weight fast. For some people, the length of time it would take to lose weight using diet and exercise alone may not help them to avoid severe medical complications due to obesity. It may also be unwise for some people to exercise until significant weight has been lost to reduce stress on the joints and heart. Affording bariatric surgery has just gotten trickier, not easier over the years. Here are 4 things you need to know about Bariatric surgery and insurance.

How much will it cost on average?

insurance benefitsWhile the three main types of procedures are all priced differently, the overall average cost of any type of bariatric surgery will be about $42,000. The surgery itself can cost from 8 to over 16 thousand dollars, but that is just for the surgery. Bariatric surgery is a term used to refer to the process of preparing for the surgery and the recovery.  As a process, this can include extensive testing, therapy in some cases, in-patient recovery, out-patient recovery and follow up procedures. Unlike many surgeries that rely on one type of specialist and a generic support team; Bariatric surgery uses a specialized Bariatric team during the entire process and the whole procedure. This is why it is one of the most expensive procedures.

Pros and Cons of The Fast Diet

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the fast dietOne of the newest diet trends is the Fast Diet, as described by Dr. Michael Mosley and Mimi Spencer in their book, The Fast Diet: Lose weight, stay healthy and live longer with the secret of intermittent fasting (Atria Books, February 2013); is gaining a lot of notice for its promises, criticisms and anecdotal evidence of effectiveness. Before you rush out to try it, there are several things that you should consider when looking at any new diet plan. The Fast Diet is too new to have a body of supporting clinical evidence to call its own, but it is based on some historical nutritional studies that reveal the potential pros and cons of adopting this approach.  In addition, the concept of fasting is one that has been embraced for centuries, but more so for spiritual reasons and body cleansing.

The reality check

One of the basic rules is that if a new diet appears and proves popular, then just about everyone with a name and a title is going to come out and tell you why it doesn’t work and how cutting calories and increasing exercise is the only way to lose weight. Within this rule is a grain of truth, but the fact is that there are many diets that prove popular and are an effective means to lose weight.  There will always be supporters and people who think a the diet is horrible. The other solid fact is that not all diets work for everyone and every diet is best supported by regular exercise and responsible nutrition.  You have to find out what works for you and you have to determine for yourself if it’s healthy.

The 5:2 Fast Diet Plan

Dr. Mosley presents the Fast Diet plan in a 5:2 structure. This means for 5 days you get to eat whatever you want and for 2 days you fast. He spends the 244 pages of the book explaining why this is not as simple as it sounds. You don’t just eat fast food and junk Monday through Friday and then nothing at all on Saturday and Sunday; Mosley presents a careful balance of nutritional elements that are designed to redefine your basic diet and calorie intake and to add in the balance of intermittent fasting.

What is intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting is defined as a reduction of calories to 500 calories a day for women and 600 for men. You are allowed to drink as much water as you want. Mosley also outlines that the 5 days of eating should be broken up with a day of fasting every 2 or 3 days, rather than placing them back to back. The book contains many suggestions and recipes for how to ease into the fasting day so that you do not experience hunger pains or any symptoms of a drop in blood sugar levels.  I think this is a much better method than just not eating for days on end.

The Pros of the Fast Diet

While the name and presentation of an intermittent fasting diet may be new, the diet itself is not. There have been numerous clinical studies done that show that it is a safe and effective way to lose weight. There are also many studies that suggest that it may have a positive impact on reducing certain types of estrogen receptor cancers, such as breast cancer; as well as provide other health benefits that do not appear in other diet plan studies.

The Cons of the Fast Diet

It is probably a disappointment to quite a few that the “Fast” in Fast Diet doesn’t refer to a quick weight loss, but the diet cycle is imagined over a 6 to 8 week time frame. For people that are obese, the results from the first cycle are reported to be dramatic. The biggest drawback of the Fast Diet is that if you do not eat a balanced diet, you can cause nutritional deficiencies easily. It can also be easily taken to extremes that can reinforce unhealthy eating patterns as well.

What should you do?

Talk to your doctor before beginning any diet plan if you have any health concerns or conditions. If you are in good health, then it’s safer to try a weight loss plan like the Fast Diet. If you use the 6 week plan as an opportunity to change your eating habits during those 5 days, you may benefit greatly from the structure and approach of this diet.  Or this could not be the plan for you.  If you are prone to extremes with your diet, stay away; fasting is something that you should not flirt with if you have problems with your body image.

Pros and Cons of Colonic Irrigation Therapy

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colonic irrigationColonic irrigation therapy is gaining popularity. During the past 10 years, many doctors are hearing from their patients that they have started to receive this treatment for relief of everything from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), chronic gas, nausea, chronic fatigue and as a catchall detoxifying process. Given that the therapy is neither approved or regulated by the FDA for treatment for any disorder or disease, many people are wondering if there is any real benefit from having a colonic done. Some are even saying that the risks are too great, and colonics can create more problems. Colonic therapy has both pros and cons. Neither side has absolute evidence of either opposing belief and both sides claim anecdotal proof. Before you decide to try colonic irrigation, here are some things you should know.

What is a colonic?

Colonic irrigation therapy, sometimes referred to as colonic hydrotherapy, is similar to an enema but very different. With an enema, water is pushed into the colon through the rectum using a syringe or gravity fed enema bag. The water rarely goes beyond the first several inches of the colon. With a colonic, water is forced up into the colon via a hose inserted into the rectum to fill the larger intestine. The colon and intestine both have a natural cramping reaction to force the water out, pushing out any fecal matter or debris that is held within as well. While the process sounds uncomfortable, it is pain free for most people (some medical conditions could make it painful) and done in such a manner as to be hardly felt at all. At a colonic clinic, you are taken into a private room where you lay on your side with one leg drawn up on a special table. Sterilized medical equipment is used to introduce the hose into your rectum and then the waste water retuned is siphoned directly into a disposal drain so you will not even smell any odor or see any of the waste removed from your body. It is most commonly recommended that you do not have the procedure performed more than once every 6 weeks as the colon and sphincter muscles need to recover from the expansion and expulsion action forced by the colonic.

The Pros of Colonic Therapy

Colonics work to remove bacteria and debris from the colon and intestine that the body has not been able to pass naturally. This can assist in relieving stomach and lower back pain due to chronic constipation. It can also help to promote weight loss (improved elimination and nutrient absorption) and create a sensation of lightness and well-being. The proponents of colonics also state that the removal of the bacteria and debris acts as a detoxifying action. By washing the colon clean, the body may be able to better regenerate healthy bacteria that are needed to aid in food digestion and metabolism. Some people have a difficulty in emptying their own colons naturally and regularly because the modern diet contains processed foods that are difficult to digest, void of fiber and water intake is not enough to aid the natural elimination process. Also, a general lack of adequate exercise means that for some people the muscles involved cannot control the colon efficiently.

The Risks of Colonic Therapy

Oddly enough, the very same reasons given as a benefit of colonics are also stated as the risk in having the therapy done. Medical science is only just beginning to understand the role of bacteria in the intestinal system in aiding metabolism.  There are questions over how necessary, or beneficial, it is to be constantly starting the bacterial growth and flora from scratch. While probiotics are often used in conjunction with colonics, replacement bacteria are not as adapted to the evolved diet as that which was originally in place in the person. Another valid concern about colonics involves the lack of oversight and regulation in providing the therapy. There is no standard certification or licensure for a colonic therapist and no set methods and procedures for ensuring that safe health management practices are used in the clinical setting. Even the equipment used to perform colonics is not standardized and can vary from practitioner to practitioner. Experts advise caution in using colonics as an aid in weight loss as it may create an electrolyte imbalance, especially in the elderly, that can cause serious health problems.

My advice is that you speak with your medical professional of choice before having a colonic to review the pros and cons and get some sound information to help you make a decision.

 

5 Things Diabetics Should Consider When Dieting

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diabetesThere are things concerning your health that you have to consider if you are a diabetic who is trying to lose weight.  There are a lot of complications that can occur if you have diabetes and you don’t follow the medical protocols you’ve been given, whether type 1 or type 2 (type 1 often has more dietary complications, but you do have to keep an eye on these for type 2 as well).  Changing your eating habits and exercising can have a negative or positive impact on your health so it’s important that you discuss what you are doing to lose weight with a medical professional so that you don’t put yourself at risk.  Here are a few things you should consider:

1.  Diet is a big part of your blood sugar control, and if you reduce your calories too much, you can start to have issues. This is probably the biggest thing that you have to keep in mind when you are dieting as a diabetic. You have probably been told that you have to eat certain things in a certain way in order to maintain your blood sugar levels throughout your day. It is not a good ideal to dramatically change what you’ve been told to do simply because you’re trying to lose weight. For example, small portions have always been thought to be helpful with weight loss, but diabetics have to make sure that they are still getting the appropriate amount  and type of food to regulate blood sugar.

2. Keep an eye on your carbs and eat them throughout the day. Many diets tell you to cut out most of the carbohydrates you eat, but as a diabetic, that can really be detrimental. So don’t totally cut them out; it’s okay to lower the number of carbohydrates that you have in your diet as long as the amount that you keep in is sufficient enough for you to stay healthy as you are trying to lose weight. Your doctor can help you determine which carbohydrates to keep, which ones to drop, and how low you can (or should) go.

3. Exercise is something that you really have to watch, because if you push too hard, you can kill what you’re working toward. Some diabetics will try to develop their exercise regimen on their own, but that doesn’t always work in their favor. You may push yourself too hard, or you may throw your blood sugar way out of whack. Because of these risks, many diabetics will actually opt to work with a personal trainer or seek professional help. Why? Because trainers usually have be taught how to work with people with special medical needs (including diabetes) and they will be able to develop a safe exercise regimen that will encourage weight loss but won’t put other areas of your overall health at risk.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

4. You cannot make too many changes too quickly or you may throw your body into shock. This is a good rule whether you are diabetic or not. If you try to change everything about your diet and exercise all at once, your body may not be too happy about what you are doing to it. As a diabetic, the risk is higher because your blood sugar will likely go all over the place, which will force you to change the amount of insulin that you are using throughout the day. It may be better for you to make gradual changes and keep a very close eye on your blood sugar. Then, you can make a particular change, wait for your blood sugar to adjust to the change, and then make a new change after your blood sugar has corrected itself.  Slow and steady wins the race.

5. Eating slowly is still important, diabetic or not.  In our culture, we have a tendency to “scarf down” our food, and even though that’s a side effect of how quick our current world moves, it’s not good for our digestive systems. The nutrients that we need don’t absorb as well, we don’t enjoy the taste of our food as much, and our digestive system isn’t very happy with that sort of result. So, make sure that you sit down and enjoy your meals, instead of just eating everything as quickly as you can. It will help with the overall process of weight loss and make you feel more satisfied.

If you have diabetes and you want to make sure that you lose weight safely and effectively, make sure that you talk to your doctor early on in the process. Then, they can help you make the appropriate changes in a timeframe that is safe and sufficient for the weight loss that you are seeking. Contact your doctor as soon as possible for guidance and advice on the topic.

Travia lost 83 pounds

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Update Feb 2014: Travia is now down to 247 pounds.  She lost an additional 33 pounds (83 pounds total) and is still going strong.

Travia weight loss story

Original Post:

Facing 330 pounds at age 23 and with her doctor suggesting weight loss surgery, Travia took her health into her own hands and changed her lifestyle.  She has lost 50 pounds since April 2013.  Find out how she did it below:

Travia weight loss

“I have lost a total of 50 pounds so far by making my home into my personal gym. I walk around the yard twice a day for an hour.  I exercise with the biggest loser cardio workout.  I also cut out the sodas and I drink plenty of water.  Eating wise, I snack on 100 pack calories snacks and if I eat any bread it’s wheat bread. Also, I mainly eat fruits like green grapes, apples, and bananas.

My Motivation: April 24, 2013, My doctor told me I needed to lose 30 pounds by July 24, 2013 or we need to talk about weight loss surgery.  Since then I have been on a mission for myself. That was it for me.  I wanted the weight off of me and a new beginning.  I left the doctor’s office and I have been working hard ever since.

Even though I got off track a few times I wasn’t about to let that stand in my way. I’m only 23 years old and I’ve been dealing with obesity majority of my life.  I made up in my mind that I no longer want to live the rest of my life dealing with obesity. The journey is not easy but I know that when I reach my goal weight it will be well worth it. In the end, my goal weight is to be down to 180 pounds and this is only a diet for me but it is a lifestyle change as well.”

What Is Body Mass Index and Why Should You Care?

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When it comes to determining the state of your well being, sometimes it all seems to come down to numbers – your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol. All of these numbers give doctors an idea of how healthy you are. A vital number that measures your health and overall risk for disease is the BMI or body mass index. Your BMI measures your assumed body fat in relation to your height, and it is one of the most reliable ways to measure body fat since muscle mass, bone density, and the size of your frame aren’t taken into account with other simple weight measurements.  It’s not perfect…

Let me say up front that I know that the concept of BMI is debated in terms of it’s validity.  It is a formula that was created back in the 1800s and of course body image and eating habits have changed dramatically.  It also doesn’t take into account any tendencies for some women to be more curvy or social norms in communities like ours (black women) about weight and size.  Many people are shocked when their BMI  denotes that they are obese or extremely obese and they don’t feel that they fit that description.  I’m writing about it because I think you should be very aware of it since the medical profession uses it and your doctor, nutritionist or other medical professional is likely using it as a guide to determine whether you are “overweight”.  You have to make your own decisions about whether you think BMI is a valid measurement.  Many do not.  That being said, let’s talk about what BMI is.

BMI: Where You Are and Where You Should Be

All it takes is a simple math equation to determine your BMI. If the math is too daunting for you, there are also BMI calculators online that allow you to punch in your numbers and get an answer without crunching any numbers yourself. To calculate your BMI you will need to know how much you weigh (in pounds) and your height (in inches). Following is the equation you should use to calculate your BMI:

(Weight / (Height x Height) ) x 703 = BMI

Your BMI says a lot about your health. In fact, it is a better indicator of obesity than the number on the bathroom scale. Your BMI will also tell you if you’re underweight. Take a look at the following to see what your BMI says about you:

  • 18.5 and Lower – Underweight
  • 18.5 to 24.9 – Healthy Weight
  • 25 to 29.9 – Overweight
  • 30 to 39.9 – Obese
  • 40 and Over – Extreme Obesity

Why Your BMI Is a Useful Measurement

Maintaining a healthy weight involves a great deal more than hitting a “golden” number on the scale. In fact, most people inaccurately estimate what their healthy weight should be and overshoot or undershoot their ideal weight. Instead of picking a weight goal and working toward it, most doctors recommend tracking your BMI for a better look at the whole picture. Here’s why your BMI is a useful measurement:

  • Assesses Risk – Your BMI is an extremely important predictor of risk when it comes to cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, and diabetes. People who are considered overweight have an increased risk for these diseases and those with a BMI of 40 or greater have an extremely high risk for developing these conditions.
  • Predicts Disease – People with high BMIs are more at risk for developing several types of cancers, osteoarthritis, respiratory issues, infertility, gastro esophageal reflux, incontinence, type 2 diabetes, and strokes. Simply by knowing your BMI, your doctor will know what types of diseases to screen for during your routine examinations.

Special Considerations

In some cases, BMI measurements aren’t accurate. For example, someone who is a professional body builder will weigh more due to muscle mass. While their BMI might indicate they are overweight, they are anything but. Following are some exceptions to the BMI chart:

  • Competitive athletes and body builders
  • A person with high muscle mass and high bone density
  • Pregnant women
  • Children (without the aid of a growth chart)

For these groups of people, the BMI is not a good measurement of overall health. In the case of children, BMI measurements can shed some light on health and weight issues but it must be cross referenced with a growth chart in order to determine where a child falls in relation to his peers. Age must also be taken into account.

How to Lower Your BMI

If your BMI is higher than it should be, you can lower it by making positive, healthy changes in your life. The best way to lower your BMI is by eating a healthy, balanced diet and increasing your physical activity in an effort to lose weight. And it doesn’t take a great deal of weight loss to dramatically bring down your BMI. If you lose as little as 10-percent of your body weight, it can have a profound impact on your BMI. Making simple, modest changes today can greatly impact your overall health and your BMI tomorrow.

Angelique lost 50 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Angelique who lost 50 pounds.  This 5’1″ wife and mom was able to improve her health and weight by changing her eating habits, using MyFitnessPal and exercising with workout DVDs.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

My name is Angelique and I am a mother and a wife. Back in February 2011, I looked at myself in the mirror and had an “ah ha” moment. I cried so long and so hard. I decided at the weight of 215 pounds, my heightest ever, that it was time for a change. I am only 5’1 tall and that much weight on my frame was not flattering. I went to see my doctor and she advised me that I was prediabetic, had high cholesterol, and was at risk for other chronic illnesses. I decided enough was enough! I did my research and on July 27,2011, I decided to embark on my journey to wellness. I cut out all sweets, fried foods, minimized my pork and beef intake.  I also stopped eating processed foods, got rid of the sodas, started eating more fruit, increased my water and got moving! I started juicing and drinking smoothies. I am happy to say, as of now, I am down 50 pounds and I have a goal to lose 30 more. My children and my husband are my big motivators. They push me when I feel like I want to stop. I use My fitness pal, C25K, Insanity, Hip Hop Abs, and I love Jillian Michaels DVD’s. I try to get in at least 30 minutes of cardio everyday. I eat as clean as possible. You can do it, I have, never give up! My dream is to be a runner and it’s going to happen!

Angelique weight loss story

Kim lost 35 pounds

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Update from Kim! She has lost a total of 45 pounds (down from 210lbs): Feb 1, 2014 – “Hello, Ladies just wanted to give you an update on my story since my last post. I have lost an additional 10 pounds, which now puts me at 165. I was planning on waiting until I hit my goal of 20 more pounds at 155lbs, but decided to give an update since it has been so long. I also want to be held accountable and get really motivated again.

Okay, so I hit a major plateau since I first shared my story and it has been hard to lose the additional weight. My experience is once you hit a plateau, you really have to change up and increase the workout intensity. You also have to scale back more on eating. I will admit I have been a little lazy and with the holidays and being really busy at work I slowed down a lot. I was so use to my routine, I hated to have to change it up and push harder.  My eating has stayed about the same. I still prepare my own meals and do not eat out. I continue to make better choices and just really practice portion control. However, I have indulged a little on some days and my workouts went to three days a week instead of 6.  I could have honestly made my goal last year, but I got really comfortable at my new size and liking the way my clothes fit. Nevertheless, I still have some additional weight to lose on my stomach and back. I am also still considered overweight for my height according to my physician. This year, 2014, I plan to start trying some of the smoothie recipes here on BWLW and I also have started back drinking more water and cutting back on sweets. In the next couple of weeks, I will go back to 6 days a week at the gym. Right now I am spending an additional 10 minutes on the elliptical machine and treadmill. I also am getting ready to start Zumba classes consistently. I am still lifting weights which are amazing in transforming the body. Okay, so that’s it for now. I will post again when I hit my goal of weight! Thanks BWLW! I thank God for this website! The tools, resources and success stories really help me stay on track!”

Kim updated weight loss

Check out this before & after story from Kim who’s lost 35 pounds, dealt with high blood pressure and took control of her health!  Here is what she shared with us:

I have struggled all my life with my weight. I was 130 pounds in high school.  When I first started college, the weight went up to 145 lbs, which I did not think was too bad.  By the age of 24, I went up to 165 pounds. I lost weight and went to 140 lbs, which was short lived because I went on a fad diet. I gained 20 pounds back fast and then got pregnant and gained 13 more putting me at 173 lbs. I was determined not to go back to work fat after maternity leave, so I got down to 150 pounds.

Over the years and as a result of going back to poor eating habits, I bloomed up to 210 pounds.  I was so unhappy with myself. I had started and stopped diets all my life. In March of 2011, I got motivated and in about two months got down to 190 by walking outside every day and portion control. From June of 2011 until the beginning of January 2013, I would gain and lose five to eight pounds. I finally decided at the end of January of 2013 that I was tired of being unhappy with my weight. I wanted to be healthier, fit in all my cute clothes that had been sitting in my closet for over a decade and lastly just be the best I can be for myself and my daughter.  I also have a family history of diabetes and high blood pressure and did not want to go down that road of health issues. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure when I was 28 and told by my doctor that it was weight and stress related. He told me if I would just exercise, relax and eat right I could get off the medicine.  I never really took the medicine consistently because my pressure never was that high and when I would get my yearly checkup all my blood work would come back normal.
kim before after weight loss

On January 27, 2013, at 41 years old, I decided to take charge of my health and to stop taking it for granted. I noticed I was starting to have a lot of headaches and that my blood pressure was starting to be high despite me finally taking the medicine consistently and that scared me.  I decided to start using my membership to the gym that I have had since 1998 and signed my daughter up as well. She plays basketball and begged to join me so that she could stay in shape. It has been a true blessing! We motivate each other, our relationship is better and I call her my own little personal trainer because she taught me how to lift weights. I started at 195 this time around and now weigh 175 with 20 more to go.

I actually found BWLW through my older brother who is a fitness guy. He encourages me at least every other day and although some days he can be really hard on me, it pushes me to stay on track because I know it’s all done out of love. I make better food choices, control my PORTIONS; I do cardio and lift weights four days a week in the gym. I also power walk two days a week at the park to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. I do not count calories or fat grams, too much work for me personally. I just bring my lunch to work every day and cook my dinner every night. No more fast food for me! If I really have an urge to eat out, I normally do a 6 inch deli sub and soup. I will share an occasional piece of cake with my daughter if I get an urge for sweets, but that’s it. I also try to eat light for breakfast and lunch so that I can enjoy a nice dinner at night without making major changes to the menu. I will post again when I hit my goal weight of 155. We can do it LADIES! I have not felt this happy and motivated in years! I love reading all the success stories and thanks so much for reading mine!