God

Maria lost 35 pounds

April 26, 2013 by Ajima Jackson 10 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Maria lost 35 pounds. She was inspired to change her life after suffering a number of life trials and seeking God. She was lead by a friend to watch some helpful documentaries which opened her eyes to what she needed to do to get healthy.

I’m a strong believer that “Everything happens for a reason” even when it hurts. Back in November 2012, I had a miscarriage (insert sad face) which sent me into a downward spiral. Shortly after, maybe 3 weeks later, I caught pneumonia and shortly after that, tonsillitis. My body was just so weak and I felt like I was dying, literally. Not to get too deep, but in that moment, I felt like God had left me, even though I knew in my heart, he had not, the devil was just messing with my mind. God visited me and reassured me that He was right there with me. I picked myself up and dusted myself off and said, it’s time for a change, no more excuses!!

Now, I was already a plus size woman and had been “talking” about losing weight for years, but I guess I just didn’t have enough motivation to do it. A friend of mine, was talking to be about exercising and becoming a personal trainer. They told be about these documentaries, “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead”, “Food Matters” and “Hungry for Change” and I watched all 3 that night on Netflix. Watch these films changed my life!!!! It was like a light bulb went on and it all made sense. So immediately, I took pork and beef out of my diet. I removed just about all processed foods, some dairy and started eating whole foods, fruits, leafy green veggies, and JUICING!! I started out walking 30 minutes a day and did 20-30 min of cardio for 5-6 days a week! So far, I’ve lost 35 pounds and it feels great!! This is no “Diet” plan. It’s a Lifestyle change, and I will continue as long as I’m on this earth! I want to encourage as many people as I can, that it can be done, and even though my journey isn’t over, I now know that anything is possible when you put your mind to it…and if I can do it, anyone can! Start now, today is the day, tomorrow isn’t promised. God Bless!

Keisha lost 90 pounds

April 13, 2013 by Ajima Jackson 5 Comments

Today’s featured weight loss success story: Keisha lost 90 pounds by changing her eating habits, following the Daniel Fast with her church, exercising regularly and going Vegan. She gives God ALL the glory for her transformation.

From 1/11 to 3/29/13, I lost my 90 pounds by fasting, praying and hanging what I ate. I also exercised. God is good! My motivation was turning 40 years old! You hear all the time about how much harder it is to lose weight after that age and my father passed away at 40. He wasn’t very healthy. I made a commitment to myself that by the age of 40 I wanted to be under 200 pounds and I reached that goal 3 months after turning 40. I didn’t give up. It really is about Choices. Eat this not that. Drink this not that. I started my own program 1/1/11 when my job did a biggest loser contest. I dropped 26 lbs in 3 months and WON! In January of 2012 my church did a Daniel Fast and I adopted that lifestyle for nearly a year. I became vegan. I started exercising more, walking mostly. I drink about a gallon on water everyday. I count calories and I eat lots of fruits and veggies. No sodas, no alcohol, no processed white food – sugar, rice, bread, etc. I pray a lot and I fast often. To God Be The Glory!!

Cledra lost 75 pounds and transformed her life

April 1, 2013 by Ajima Jackson 12 Comments

Ladies, I want to bring you the weight loss journey of a very inspiring sista named Cledra. She overcame real tragedy and transformed her life. Now she is working to inspire others.

“The work you do to support our community is PHENOMENAL! I recently completed a Half Marathon and if my story can serve your audience I am more than willing to help ! MANY black women especially think that running is NOT possible. I started jogging at 246lbs (as you can see below) BUT you do need the right education about running! OK….. Here’s my before and my “continuously evolving” picture! NOW changes in every moment as you know!

My motivation……
I was a woman who lived my life by a checklist. College, Grad school, corporate job, get married, and have a baby. It wasn’t until the day after Mothers Day 2007 when I went in for my 2nd trimester ultrasound that my entire life changed. I discovered that my baby’s heart had stopped. It was the darkest time of my life and just when I thought it couldn’t get any darker, less than 90 days later my then husband sat me down to tell me he was seeing someone else. Life by design had become life by destruction. Having doubled in size during my pregnancy and the grief of my baby and my “fairy tale” life, I started running.

In the picture on the left I was 246lbs and it was 2 weeks after the memorial service for my baby. Running was my sanctuary. Many days I couldn’t tell the difference between the sweat and the tears but God had spoken to me during my baby’s service and said “lay aside the weight….run on….run on”. My life had been sparred for some reason and at the time I didn’t know why. Obese, filing for divorce, trying to wrap my mind around just how my life ended up this way I joined Jenny Craig because the thought of planning meals, counting, points, or doing anything beyond getting out of bed each day with the weight of grief and pain in my heart was just too much. I got 40 lbs off with Jenny Crag but then would binge repeatedly and self sabotage. This went on for so long I got professional help and realized that at 205lbs (which was the what I weighed when I got pregnant) I would have flashbacks of my baby and I would eat to numb the pain.

I was diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and at that time to get past 205lbs I decided I needed stronger intervention for my obesity and I got lapband surgery. It had just been approved for people who were obese and had one other illness which for me was also high blood pressure. With a lot of therapy, a life coach, and prayer I was able to move past 205lbs and drop another 35lbs. My journey has been long and at times I made it longer by looking for the quick fix. I want women to know that when life deals us cards of disappointment, tragedy, and heartbreak that we can PRESS. We can PRESS when it doesn’t make sense. We can PRESS with a heavy and broken heart. We can PRESS with a “mrs” or without. We can PRESS if God spares our baby or not. PRESS and see what GOD has. Now my life is once again beyond what I ever imagined. I help other women drop ALL weight…not just physical but the weight of bad relationships, the weight of childhood messages, the weight of the “happy face mask”, and so much more. I also just wrote my first book “8 Weights to Drop to WAKE UP to your BEST life”. God has given me beauty for ashes and kept every promise to stay close to the broken hearted and to give double for my trouble. I hope my story inspires a woman who is in the dark right now. A woman who feels loss, hopeless, and perhaps even forsaken. I’ve been there and I KNOW there is HOPE.

EXERCISE:
I workout ALL the time! I was the classic woman who always worked out but OVERATE and so NEVER saw results! I just completed a half marathon but my typical workout regimen(which btw I worked out 90% of the time at home…no gym membership…at least not one that I used!) is 3 days cardio and 2-3 days the FIRM DVDs (aerobic weight training) and 1 day yoga/hot yoga and sometimes 1 day active rest like a bike ride. Working out is my anti-depressant! In my darkest days my OB doctor told me that 30 min of activity had the same benefits of taking a pill without the side effects and I was SOLD! I wanted healing and so in a way ….exercise is the way I cooperate with my God in restoring my soul each and every day!

My site: www.planBEcoach.com There’s a FREE ebook “Stop the INSANITY of QUITTING on your BEST body and BEST life”
My book: 8 weights to drop to wake up to your best life. All the BEST! -Cledra”

Updated Photo (Nov 2013)

Cledra plan be weight loss book

Updated: Carmen lost 130 pounds with weight loss surgery

March 31, 2013 by Ajima Jackson 10 Comments

Nov 2016: I have maintained my weight by eating small portions. I’m also very active and I love to walk. On this journey, I have learned not to go back to old habits. I stay away from the scale these days. I don’t focus on how much weight I’m lost. Instead, I just focus on my lifestyle change and I don’t beat myself up.
Instagram: @angelcarm

Carmen

June 2016: I’m 4 years out from having gastric bypass surgery. I’ve lost over 100 pounds and kept the weight off for more than 3 years. I’m still eating small portions and staying active.

Dec 2015: Carmen has lost at total of 130 pounds with gastric bypass surgery and hard work. We’ve been following her story since March 2013 and she’d released 65 pounds at that time. More than 2 years later, we asked her what she’s been doing to maintain her weight loss. She says, “To maintain my weight loss I still drink protein shakes, drink water, eat small portions and continue to stay active. Also, my faith has brought me thru.”

carmen before and after

April 2014: Carmen wrote in to let us know that she is still going strong with her weight loss and has lost 65 more pounds, for a total of 130 pounds lost after weight loss surgery. She says: “I would love share my story. I was battling with diabetes for 12 years. It took my faith in God to make a change in my life. I lost a total of 130 pounds with in 12 years. I had my ups and downs but my faith in God kept me going.”

Carmen before and after Carmen weight loss story

Original Post – March 2013
Let’s show some BWLW love to Carmen who lost 65 pounds with weight loss surgery. She feels that it is the best decision that she has ever made.

She wrote to us at the end of February saying…

“I lost my weight by having weight loss surgery 9 months ago. I have lost 65 pounds. It was the best decision that I have ever made. To God be the glory! I been dealing with diabetes for about 12 years. What woke me up was realizing that I needed to make a change in my life. My doctor told me that I was heading towards dialysis if I didnt do something about my weight. I give GOD the glory for being with me every step of the way. If you have question please feel free send a message GOD bless.”

Elaine lost 42 pounds

March 29, 2013 by Ajima Jackson 32 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Elaine lost 42 pounds and has gone from a size 20 to a size 14. She credits God, changing her eating habits, juicing, and exercise for her transformation. She says:

Elaine weight loss My Journey was not an easy one. I had so many trials going on at one time. My family was affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, In 2006 my son (who never been in trouble) was facing charges of 10 yrs. He was charged with Guilt by Association in Oklahoma City and I didn’t have the finances to get an attorney (He was cleared of all Charges). By 2008, I was going thru a divorce. So long story short ” Life Happened”.

I remember crying after looking in the mirror one day and asking myself “How did you let yourself get like this”. I was 242lbs, and had severe high blood pressure of 200/144. I have always been a fighter, and it was time to fight! From my hospital bed, I surrendered my life to God and asked Him to save me and restore me. After I was discharged from the hospital, I knew If I wanted to live I had to change some things in my life. I was a good mother, my kids deserved to enjoy me at my best. They are my true motivation!!!

I seeked help thru counseling, because I realized I was eating every issue that I was going through. After 2 months of counseling, I was ready to do whatever I had to do to start loving myself again and with God’s Grace, I could save my life.

I started researching for list of nutrients that were healthy and would be most beneficial for my body in order to heal from all the toxic and bad food that I fed to myself. I made a list to eliminated all junk foods and drinks, labeling them “Non Factor Foods”, because they were not serving a purpose in my temple. The lifestyle changes I made was more like the foods listed in the Daniel Fast , but I added olive oil, coconut oil, whole wheat bread and Oatmeal with some pecans. I ate 50% less sugar to keep from depriving myself. I also purchased Leslie Sansone: Walk at Home – 5 Mile Fat Burning Walk at Home Videos. After 3 weeks of dedication, walking everyday 1 mile and increasing my miles…the weight started falling off. I later upgraded to Shaun T Rockin Body videos and I also started juicing between meals. And 42lbs later…Here I am. God is Good and I give Him all the glory. My heart, mind, body and soul have been restored and I just want to help, inspire and encourage as many people as I can.

Dominique lost 43 pounds

March 7, 2013 by Ajima Jackson 13 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Dominique lost 43 pounds with Weight Watchers, prayer and fasting. She gives honor to God for her transformation

“I’m proud to say I was 212 lbs and now 169 lbs. Weight Watchers brought me down to 189. Prayer and fasting with god brought me down to 169. Now, I watch what I eat. Instead of eating rice all the time, I eat onions and green peppers in place of the rice. I eat meat once a day and I bake it. I cut out the beef in my diet because a good friend of mine (Eboni). I also only drink water. Without God I would not be here.”

Bridget lost 70 pounds

January 15, 2013 by Ajima Jackson 34 Comments

Today’s featured weight loss success story: Bridget lost 70 pounds. This mother of 4 credits willpower and faith with helping her to battle the pounds and deal with Lupus.

Here is what Bridget had to say about her weight loss journey:

“I am a Lupus sufferer and mother of 4. God has been Good. I used to weigh 210 lbs. I am down to 140 lbs. Total of 70 lbs lost!!

No pills, no diet shakes. All will-power and Faith. It can be done. Anything you put your mind too, can be done. ~Amen!~ I also wanna share that I’m a Lupus sufferer. I had to take steroids and I have a thyroid issue. I pray for anyone who is battling weight-loss, to never give up. It took me some time, but it paid off.

I cut out fried foods, sugar, sugary drinks and processed foods. I drink water daily and eats lots of fresh fruits, veggies and chicken or fish only. I grill all my meats and exercise daily for 30 min. I suffer from Lupus so at times my joints would hurt or I would be tired from fatigue, but I didn’t give up. I just rested when I needed. and picked back up with my routine. After a while, eating right, exercising and drinking water is just as natural as brushing my teeth and combing my hair. Prayer and Persistence guided me to a healthy weight. God Bless you all!~Much love!”

Vickel lost 41 pounds

January 6, 2013 by Ajima Jackson 9 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Vickel lost 41 pounds going from 207 to 166.

She says,

“Just wanted to share to assist in inspiring others. The first photo I weighed in at 207 pounds. During my highest weight, I was diagnosed with hypertension and was on two tablets. My doctor told me I was too young to be on it. I’m no longer on it. The second photo I am currently weighing in at 166 pounds. Currently I am 36 years old and completed my weight loss journey with a wonderful group called Team Fit. Like this group, they encouraged and motivated everyone! I contribute all of my weight loss journey to God, water, and my son. I began my journey with simply walking, now i am taking spin classes, weight training and I am now running! My goal is to become 150 but more importantly healthy. Continue to be a blessing to others!”

Twyla lost 42 pounds

January 3, 2013 by Ajima Jackson 5 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Twyla lost 42 pounds.

Here is what she had to say about losing the weight:

“I’m 42 lbs. down at this point with more to go. I’ve had good days and bad days but by the grace of God I’m reaching my goal of health!! I always looked at everyone else’s before & after pictures in amazement praying that one day I would have one of my own. After battling health issues for the last 6 years and I’m only 30 something had to give. I want to be here for my kids for a long time and not dead in my grave because of my own self negligence. Gluten free eating, minimal meats, water only, intense cardio, and strength training has helped me thus far. I’m going to keep praying and keep pushing for a healthier ME :)”

DeAngela lost 76 pounds

December 26, 2012 by Ajima Jackson 32 Comments

Today’s featured weight loss success story: DeAngela lost 76 pounds going from 215 to 139 by changing her eating habits and exercising.

DeAngela weight loss

Here is what she said about her weight loss journey:

“If I can do it, you can do it too!!! From 215 lbs in April 2010 to 139 lbs now. Hey, with God ALL things are possible. No pills, no surgery, just pure change of eating habits & exercise. I started with small changes transitioning from fried to “mostly” baked & grilled foods & decreasing my intake of carbs. From there, I did a strict 6-month regimen of only seafood & veggies. During that time, I not only saw the weight coming off, but as I increased my cardio & added weights, I became leaner, decreasing my body fat percentage from 33 to 19.8%. Today, I still do some high intensity interval training, Zumba + other cardio (rope jumping, arc trainer, & some walking/jogging, & weights for lean muscle building. MyFitnessPal.com is a phenomenal tool to help u keep track of such things as calories, fat, sugar, protein, & carbs. I’ve been logging my food & exercise on that tool since March 1. As they say, “steady wins the race”, but ya gotta keep pushing….pushing beyond fear of failure, pushing past comfort zones, & pushing in spite of plateaus. With God ANYTHING & ALL THINGS are possible!”

God