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eating for weight loss

Nicey lost 74 pounds

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Let’s show Nicey some BWLW love.  She lost 74 pounds by changing her eating habits, dropping sugary drinks and adding exercise to her life.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is Nicey and I have struggled with being over weight my whole life…until now! Being the only child that my mother had made getting what I wanted very easily, especially FOOD!!!  I can remember wanting to wear certain clothing or get on rides at the fair with my cousins, who were slimmer than I was, but couldn’t. IT HURT!!!! I was so scared that I would become diabetic or, better yet, die in my sleep from being so big. I was tired of being disgusted with myself and decided to make changes in my life. In 2012, I was blessed to meet new people who had such an impact on my life and started a journey that I am still on…My weight lost journey!!! I am proud to say that I am now 74 lbs lighter by changing my eating habits, dropping sodas and juices and by adding exercise routines into my life. I exercise 5 days a week. You would find me walking, dancing, Hip Hop Abs with my home boy Shaun T and I even do a little Zumba. I have too much to live for and can no longer let MY battle with My weight continue. (By the way I’m winning) I can promise you that if you think that you can’t do it, you are so WRONG.  Surround yourself with a lot of positive people that will help get your motivation going. Trust me, I am no better than the next person but I am SOMEBODY and so are you! Don’t go for the gusto, just set small goals  and just like me you will be on your way to Fit, Fabulous and Fine!

Nicey weight loss before and after

Farah lost 75 pounds

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Today’s featured before and after weight loss story: Farah lost 75 pounds by changing her diet, embracing green smoothies and working out religiously.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

Hello, I wanted to share my journey thus far. It’s long but I know it’s attainable.  I reached my highest weight when I was pregnant with my last son. When I was at 39 weeks, I weighed 294 pounds.  Despite not getting the support I needed at home , 6 weeks postpartum I went down to 282 pounds. I still looked so puffy I pictures I’ve seen of me at this weight.

Prior to me getting pregnant, I was into fitness and nutrition. So, I knew what I had to do. I had to completely stop procrastinating and stop being all in the feeling from my past. I still had my gym membership.  I started back going to the gym 5-6 days a week, doing cardio and strength training.  I was also eating 80% clean eating.  The only thing I ‘m doing different now is using a Nutribullet, which I love , love , love.  I use it once or twice a day. Everything I use too make my protein/veggie/ fruit drink is raw.  No cooking required.  Some times I add a little bit of healthy fats . Of course, I drink tons of water everyday day.

I’m still under construction, but I’m happy with what I have accomplished thus far. The tools I use; Your monthly challenges, my fitness pals, free weights, cleaningeat.com, Google for healthy Recipes, Zumba, boot camp, elliptical, treadmill with incline, jump rope, planks, Squats, ankle weights, burpees, mountain climbers, dvds, cable machine, other people’s success stories and a heart monitor Ft4. I can’t thank god enough. #stillaworking progress  Now I weigh 219.6 pounds.

Farah lost 75 pounds

Latese lost 60 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after: Latese lost 60 pounds with Zumba, protein shakes for meal replacement and portion control.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi, My name is Latese. When I graduated from high school, I weighed 145 pounds and even at that weight I thought I was fat. After high school, I never worked out.  I also ate what I wanted, mainly fast food, and enjoyed mango margaritas at least four times a week. My clothes got bigger, but I remained in denial about how much weight I had actually gained. January 28, 2012, I weighed in at 225 pounds. It was shocking and depressing. At that moment, I made a vow to lose 50-60 pounds.

I joined a gym and started taking Zumba classes at least five times a week.  When I wasn’t doing Zumba, I was in boot camp classes. I also stopped drinking those mango margaritas and replaced many of my meals with protein shakes. I pretty much ate what I wanted, just in portions. I cut back on fast foods as well. I still drink protein shakes as a meal replacement now.  I am proud to say I have reached my goal of losing 60 pounds. I weigh 165 pounds.  I’m only 20 pounds away from what I was at 18 years old. I have more energy, and can fit into the clothes I never would have been able to a year ago 🙂

Latese weight loss success

Sawanda lost 57 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Sawanda lost 57 pounds.  She overcame many challenges that many working single mothers face and was able to lose the weight.    Here is what she shared with us:

What was your motivation? I was turning 36 years old.  I looked at myself in the mirror and realized that a whole decade was about to end for me. I didn’t like the way I looked nor felt. I have lost weight in the past, but allowed depression from a marriage separation and the challenges of having a special needs child lead me bad eating and workout habits. I recognized that if I didn’t do anything about my weight NOW, then my 40s were going to look the same obese way! I couldn’t do that to myself or my child. My sick and tired days were OVER.  I was sick and tired of FINALLY being sick and tired!  My 40s were going to look better than my 30s.  I was determined!

How did you change your eating habits? I was introduced to myfitnesspal.com and I LOVE IT! I thought it was going to be hard to track all of my daily calories, but, it’s really simple! It keeps me conscious of how much I’m eating during the day. Normally, I eat pretty healthy. I love organic veggies and fruits, whole grain carbs and lean, grass fed-free range meats, so my food choices did not change.  However, my portions did! Healthy food does not mean they do not have calories. THEY DO! I eat clean (simple, whole foods) at least 85% of my time and allow a cheat meal once a week.

What did your workout routines look like? I made EVERY excuse in the world to not get to the gym. With a special needs child, a full time job and a part time business, it was challenging to get to the gym! My co-worker told me about Jillian Michaels, 30 Day Shred DVD work out program. I have never been a fan of home workouts (I was without a child and business when I wasn’t a fan) a long time ago.  I knew that a changed mindset was needed, especially if I’m ever going to lose this weight. I bought the DVD and LOVED IT! I loved the fact that it’s only 25 minutes of my day and there were NO MORE EXCUSES for not working out! I did that for 2 months 5 to 6 x a week, then added Jillians Kickbox DVD and the Couch to 5K running program! Currently I work out at least 5 to 6 times a day, still using Jillian Michaels DVD’s.  I’ve started to finally MAKE time for the gym to use weights and strength train!

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight? On July 1st, I was 221 pounds. As of today (May 30th), I am 164 pounds – a total of 57 pounds! I would like to get to 155 pounds before my birthday (July 11)! 9 more pounds to go! This is a lifestyle change and I am ready for my 40’s to be fit and fabulous!

How long did your transformation take? When I stopped relying on SPANX is when I realized my transformation had begun. After the first 25 pounds were gone, I was still using it, then one day I looked in the mirror after I put my dress on and noticed that I didn’t have to put SPANX on underneath! LOL! Everything looked smooth and “in place!” LOL! It took me 8 months to go from a size 16/18 to a solid size 10 (and can fit size 8’s)!

I know there is a woman out there who is just like me.  I had the mindset that I just didn’t have time for my health! Running a household, a full time job and a business can be crazy!  Then I thought, if I don’t take care of me and drop dead, then those people and things I hold so dear won’t have me anymore to take care of them.  I know this is cliché’, but if I can do it, with all the responsibilities I have on my plate, trust me, you can do it too! Just remember to K.I.S.S. (keep it short (and) simple)!

Sawanda weight loss story

 

Natalie lost 112 pounds

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Update 2015: “It has been 2 years and I have kept my weight off. I did gain 30lbs last year, but I quickly turned it around. The BWLW Facebook page has helped me and kept me focused. I was able to lose the 30 pounds I gained plus and 11 lbs. Today, I weigh 174 pounds.” That’s a total of 123 pounds gone. Instagram: @new_natalie

natalie before and after

Today’s weight loss before and after story:  Natalie lost 112 pounds by embracing regular exercise and changing her eating habits.  Here is what she shared with us:

Natalie weight lossI went from 297 pounds to 185 pounds. I did it all on my own and would love to share my story. Started my journey on 9/20/2011.  What motivated my journey was trying on clothes and being almost out of a size 24 pants, about to be a size 26 pants.  I cried in the dressing room and all the way home. I then threw out all my bad food and began my new life that day. I only baked or grill my meats.  I only eat chicken or turkey meat.  Water or tea are my only drinks. I eat lot’s of fruits and vegetables. I learned how to turn my favorite meals into healthy meals. For instance, I love pizza and now I can make it healthy by using 100 calorie whole wheat pita and low fat cheese, chicken and all the vegetables I can fit on it.  That would be considered a treat for me.

I love the gym now, it’s my stress reliever. I started off not really being able to do anything in the gym before feeling like I was going to pass out. I set little goals for myself.  When I started I was running and one minute and 30 seconds in I was ready to stop. Each week I went up a minute and now I am able to run 4 miles on the street.  In the beginning, I worked out twice a day for an hour or two per session. I used every machine in the gym and sometimes I would freestyle routines or watch YouTube to pick up tips. I always set little goals and my first goal was to get into a size 22.  Once I did that, I kept going down in size until I reached my goal of a size 13/14. My goal weight is 175 pounds. I cried many nights and prayed for the strength from God to help me through this. I have empowered my little sister to lose 46lbs this year and have helped some friends as well. I love telling my story, because may help one person who feels like I did.  It may help them know that they too can do it.  It was a long road and is still a long road, but I will never gave up and never will.

Natalie weight loss before and after

Karen lost 30 pounds

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Let show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Karen who has lost 30 pounds.  She was motivated by a diagnosis of diabetes.  Here is what she shared with us:

I changed my eating habits.  I stopped eating pork.  Now I eat chicken, fish and less beef.  I also eat a lot of vegetables and have cut down on sweets.  I don’t drink soda, only water or sweet tea.  I walk 2 – 3 miles, 3 days a week and I workout two days a week.  In addition, I trained myself to eat small portions so now I get full fast with less food. My motivation was my doctor telling me I have diabetes and I might have to take insulin.  She said that  if I lose the weight, I can over come diabetes. Being overweight, you start having high blood pressure and diabetes.  I didn’t want that for myself.  I’m 41 years old and I feel that the older you get the harder it’s is to get the weight off. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen and for having a page for us.  When I see your page, it encourages me even more.

Karen weight loss before and after

Elisa lost 80 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  BWLW Online Community member Elisa lost 80 pounds by eliminating junk food, portion control, and working out.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hello BWLW Community, I am so happy to be a part of a community where there is so much positive support. Thank you for this opportunity.

My Motivation

My motivation came from the desire and need to see my son grow up.  I was tired of being tired and wanted a change.  I knew in order for me to be healthy I needed to start somewhere. I began my journey the summer of 2011.  I was going to the gym but wasn’t seeing any results, so I decided cancel my membership and focus on me.  I knew that going to the gym and eating the same foods was counterproductive.  I always knew that I needed to lose weight but it wasn’t until I was emotionally ready that I was able to be committed to this journey.

My Eating Habits

I realized my weakness was rice and junk food candy, ice cream and soda. When I started my journey, I began eliminating junk food especially soda. I started drinking water with lemon and hot tea in the mornings and eating fruits, vegetables. Portion control helped me lose the weight. Over the course of 2 years I managed to lose 80 pounds now weighing 245 pounds. I had to come to terms, and be honest with myself about what I was putting in my body.  I found that denial is real, especially when battling weight loss.  Once I got over the denial part I let it go. Food for me now is not for comfort.  I eat when I’m hungry and if I want a sweet snack I will get a small piece. I have tried going cold turkey in the past and I would end up eating more than I needed. I eat 3 meals a day with lunch being my heaviest. Dinner is usually fruit or something light depending on what I ate earlier in the day.

Workout Routine

I began walking a few blocks in my neighborhood and increased my duration it each time I went. I began walking 3 blocks and later began walking around the park.  In the past I would take the short cut around, but as I continued I was able to complete the entire walk around the park. I also workout at home using some of the routines I learned while going to the gym.  When I was going to class I would get off the train stop furthest from my school and walk back.  I am looking forward to getting back in the gym now that I have control over what goes in my body.

I feel confident that I will reach my goal weight one day at a time!!

ElisaJune13