healthy eating

Sherie lost 50 pounds

August 3, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 3 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Zeta Phi Beta Soror Sherie lost 50 pounds. Through hearing some harsh words from her doctor, Sherie got a wake up call. She changed her lifestyle and took her health into her own hands. Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

Sherie weight loss

My motivation was having high blood pressure and being called overweight by my doctor. My doctors comments hurt me and helped me at the same time, because those words motivated me to get healthy. I’ve learned that I am a self motivator. I didn’t have a personal trainer so I had to take this journey into my own hands.

To change my eating habits, I gave up sodas, sweets, chips, fried food, and fast food. I also started drinking more water, eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and reduced my calorie intake to 1200 calories a day. My exercise routine consisted of cardio (running, treadmill, elliptical), core exercises, Zumba class and cycling. I exercise 4 times a week.

My starting weight was 220 pounds. (I am 5″4″.) My current weight is 170 pounds. It took about 14 months for this weight loss transformation. The advice I have for others who want to lose weight: you can do it once you’ve made up in your mind that you want to be healthy.

More than Weight Loss: Zhivi Tranformed Her Body

August 2, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 9 Comments

Today’s Weight Loss Story of the Day is a little different. Zhivi didn’t just lose weight, she transformed her body. She lost 22 pounds and then put on muscle to sculpt her body the way she wanted it. Now, she is inspiring others to get healthy. Here is what she shared with us about what she did to change her life.

zhivi body transformation

When I decided to started to come back to fitness, in December of 2012, I weighed 149 pounds and everyone told me I didn’t need to lose weight. That was nice of them to say, but my journey was really never about losing weight. It was about getting my stomach to look like it did when I was 27 years old. I had a photograph of myself when I was 27 and I told Tiffany Rothe [amazing Black fitness expert] when I joined the Inner Circle FitClub that this is what I want my stomach to look like. She told me that it would look better than what was in the picture. I believed her. So, I started my journey by following the workouts and eating plan to a T. I was determined to put in the time and commitment to get the results I wanted.

I started taking pictures of myself every four weeks so I could see my progress. This was the first time in my life I wore a bikini and let other people see me in it. I trusted the ladies in the Inner Circle, so I posted the pictures and shared them with the members. I would wear the same bikini for months. One day, Tiffany and one of the other ladies of the Inner Circle told me it was time for a new bikini because the one had been taking pictures in was too big. I did not notice bathing suit had gotten too big. I purchased more swimming suits to take picture in. The summer of 2013 was the first time I wore a bikini in public. The experience was a little awkward, but I did it.

Zhivi This journey for me was filled with ups and down. My husband, co-workers, friends told me I was losing too much weight and wanted me to stop. I kept going because I have to live with this body and I wanted it to look a certain way. I kept working out and following the food plan that was given to me and no matter what anyone said I was going to keep going until I thought I was too small. The food plan given to me consisted of, eating a lot of raw and steamed vegetables. My carbs consisted of oatmeal, brown rice and sometimes red skinned potatoes. I love black beans now and eat them also. The only drinks I have are water, almond milk and lemon water. All of my meat (turkey, chicken breast and fish) is baked. I also eat 5 times a day. I eat three meals and two snacks.

Once I hit 127 lbs. (57.60 kilos) that was too small for me. I began the process of gaining weight back, but not by eating unhealthy foods. I planned to build muscle instead. Now, I am up to 136-138 pounds. I am fine with this weight. I don’t mind going up in weight as long as it is not from fat. Not only do I track my weight, but more important is that I track my body fat percentage. I am at 20.2 % body fat. It took me 3 months to transform my body. I have accomplished much more than I have ever thought I would on this healthy lifestyle journey. Although this journey started out about getting my stomach down, I now have a women’s fitness specialist and fitness nutrition specialist certificate. I learned that I love to motivate individuals on their healthy lifestyle journey. At some points on this journey, we all need someone to motivate and encourage us to keep going.

I ran my first half marathon in November 2013. This is something I have never thought I would do, nor had I ever planned on running a half marathon, but I decided to challenge myself. I ran the half marathon in 2:18 with minimal training. I could have done much better if I trained for the race. I have done personal training and radio interviews. I’ve learned the importance of living this lifestyle in front of others. We never know who is watching us and who will decide to change their lifestyle because of us. One of the best feelings in the world is when someone tells you, “Because of you, I have decided to eat healthy and lose some weight.” You never know where this journey is going to take you, but as long as you continue on it through the ups and downs, good and bad times, you will accomplish what you have set out to do. Remember, living a healthy lifestyle is something you do for the rest of your life; it is not a diet. You don’t start living a healthy lifestyle today and complete it once you reach your goals. Once you reach your goals, you have to continue to do what you are doing to maintain your goal weight. If you don’t, the weight will begin to creep back on and usually you gain more than what you started with. Encouraging others is what keep me motivated and keeps me working out and eating healthy.

Check her our online: leadingbyexample.us and Facebook Group

Tamara lost 55 pounds

July 26, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 3 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Tamara lost 55 pounds. She worked out at home and gave up sweets to lose the pounds. I love that she is sharing her journey with the world on Instagram to inspire others. Here is her story:

tamara weight loss

August 2013, I started my weight loss journey. I’ve struggled with my weight for basically my entire life. Sure, I’ve lost weight then gained it back, but that was before I discovered Beachbody. I had been watching the ShaunT’s Hip Hop Abs infomercial for 4 months. Finally, in August, I decided to buy it. On August 13th, 2013, I started with Hip hop Abs. Two weeks later I had ordered and started doing the RockinBody program as well. On Oct 17th, I started Hip Hop Abs ‘Extreme’, After that I STILL needed more, so October 23rd I started T25 Alpha, Beta, and 5 weeks of Gamma. On February 4th, I started Insanity and April 14th I started Round 2 of Insanity. Later, on June 30th I started another Round 2 of T25. Recently, July 2nd, I joined Gold’s Gym because I felt the need to build more muscle to loose more fat.

Two months after starting to workout daily, I started eating healthy 85-90% of the time. I gave up donuts, which was pretty much my favorite thing to eat for breakfast (I had them 3 times a week). I cut down significantly on sweets because I had one of the biggest sweet tooth problems out there.

I have lost a total of 55 lbs totally by working out daily and eating healthy. I’m now 200 pounds at 5’2″. You see, it IS very possible with hard work and dedication. I feel so empowered now because I’m getting stronger and healthier every day. My advice to others is to not be scared about starting your journey but to just Do It. If I can do after being overweight basically ALL my life (and I’m 44 years old), then Anybody CAN DO IT. Trust me!

Instagram: @tamaras_360_fitness

tamara before and after

Anitra lost 153 pounds

July 25, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 6 Comments

Weight Loss Surgery was not a “magic pill” for weight loss as Anitra thought it might be, but she made the lifestyle changes necessary to see lasting weight loss. Her story illustrates the ups and downs that even people who’ve had surgical weight loss procedures face. Read about her journey to learn more…

Anitra weight loss

My name is Anitra Bell-Robinson and I would like to share my weight loss journey with you. In January 2004, I had weight loss surgery. Years of emotional eating and yo yo dieting finally resulted in my weight ballooning to 315 pounds. I spent many nights visualizing how my new body would look. Needless to say, surgery was the jumpstart I so desperately desired. The problem was that I totally depended on the procedure I had undergone to do all the work. Although I got down to 167 lbs, I had no desire to truly change my lifestyle so that would maintain my weight loss. I found ways of snacking that let me avoid the “dumping syndrome” and did not exercise much at all. Yes, I guess you could say I thought I had found the “magic pill” that would sustain the weight loss. That year, I got married and in 2005 had my daughter. My weight slowly but surely increased to 226 lbs.

Desperate and depressed, I said “What else is there to do?”. Half of my stomach is cut out and I failed at reaching my goal. It was not until an elderly lady pointed out my weight gain that something snapped in me. (I sure didn’t appreciate her remark at the time). The following summer I started going to the YMCA. I remember being jealous of a fellow coworker who could exercise on the ellipitical machine for what seemed like forever. When I got on it my thighs burned so badly that I could not make it more than 2 minutes. However, I was determined not to give up! What other choice did I have? By the end of the summer, I had built my endurance up to one hour on the machine. I returned to school 50 lbs lighter! Back to school means hard work, juggling schedules, and eating on the run. I gained about 25 lbs back by the end of that school year.

During the fall of that same year, a YMCA was built about 5 minutes away from my house. I started with Zumba. I was so out of breath… but I stuck with it. Eventually I began attending more challenging classes such as Boot Camp, kickboxing, circuit training and added weight training. I also made a deal with myself to change the way I looked at food. I started with just portion control which was how I change my eating habits after my surgery in the first place. That’s when the weight started coming off and staying off. I then started feeling so good that I took another look at my diet. I decided to eat less processed foods and less fast foods.

Today, I weigh 162 pounds. My goal is 150 pounds, but I would secretly love to be 140 pounds (in my mind). I love my body now and I’m often amazed at what it can do at 46 years old. People ask me all the time how I do it and I am very honest with them. Yes, I have tried the cabbage soup diet, the Beyoncé lemonade diet, and anything else you could think of. It was not until I had my mind, body, and spirit aligned that I understood that the body God has given me is precious. It has allowed me to have two beautiful children and I want to do all I can to live a healthy lifestyle for them and my husband. Oddly enough, my husband wants some more meat on my bones. Don’t get me wrong, I love my curves but I don’t miss the pain in my knees, feet, and back due to carrying excessive weight. I no longer feel guilty about going to the gym 6 days a week. That is my time carved out for me. I encourage anyone that is struggling with their weight to take the first step and that is get your mind right. It takes time and it is a journey, but it is a journey worth seeing through to the end. I thank God for this revelation and hope to keep inspiring others.

Isis lost 80 pounds

July 24, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 11 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Isis lost 80 pounds. This young lady decided to stop living an unhealthy life and is now inspiring others to loss the weight. She has transformed her body and is still working toward her goals. Here is what she shared with us:

Isis weight loss success story

My name is Isis Shannon. I have ALWAYS had a problem with my weight. When my grandmother died, I gained 50 pounds! When I was 12, I had gotten up to 290 pounds. I was depressed about it, but instead of taking care of the issue I still continued to eat ! When I turned 16, I was 352 pounds which was in October 2013. When I started my fitness page, I was 356 pounds and I was tired of living a unhealthy lifestyle! I am now 80 pounds down with healthy eating and exercise. I turned my can’ts into CANS. Now I’m on my way to being a healthy teenager. With the help from God, my family and friends I know I can continue my journey!

My highest weight was 364 pounds. My starting weight was 356 pounds. My current weight is 276 pounds (I’m 5’11”). I count my calories every single day. I don’t go over 1800 and I don’t go under 1400 calories. I cut out all fried foods, no fast foods, no pork and no junk food. I also drink a gallon of water a day. I workout 5~6 times a week for 45 minutes or more! I started my journey in March and I’m still going. I have learned I can do this if I put my mine to it!

Instagram: @_100poundsjourney

Isis before and after

Tamara lost over 230 pounds

July 22, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 7 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Tamara lost over 230 pounds. She found a weight loss program, online tools and mobile apps to help her stay on track with her goals and see results. She has extensively documented her journey on Instagram and is inspiring others (20,000+ followers). Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

Tamara before and after

I’ve been overweight/dealt with food addiction my whole life. One day in 2011, while being depressed and deciding to give up on life, I realized that I no longer wanted to die. I then signed up with Weight Watchers, weighing over 430 pounds. I counted points, completed 3 months of the program and lost approx. 35 lbs. I really didn’t like at the quality of food, just the point system. I cut out soda and white bread and added more fruits and veggies. After three months, I signed up for My Fitness Pal and logged my calories. At that time, I slowly cut back on fried foods and my favorite cookies. I decided that this was for life and I wasn’t going to rush this time. I slowly changed my diet, my lifestyle, along with doing whatever exercises I could at the gym or outside. I must say that the road to living has not been easy, but it has been worth it!! I no longer have high blood pressure, diabetes and joint pains. Above all, I’m taking my life back, and I want you to know that it is possible. YES, there are days, perhaps weeks, where we find ourselves off track; but I encourage you to keep fighting and stay positive. I realized along the way that I AM worthy of living a healthy life. And, guess what? You are worthy, too, so let’s live a positive and healthy lifestyle together!!! Instagram: @gettingmylifebacknow

This journey was not a diet but a lifestyle change so that I understood how I got the weight off. I knew I had to continue to do it for life. Lean meats, complex carbs and green veggies were my go to foods for the most part. My favorite snacks were Greek yogurt or almonds. I had treats here and there. I even tried cheat days/meals but that method didn’t work for me because I’m a recovering food addict. Moderation was/is key for me, so if I wanted a treat here and there I made sure it fit within my calorie range and that I worked out that day. I slowly cleaned up my diet and eliminated most processed foods. Ultimately in 2013, I eliminated meat all together and now eat a plant based diet. I do not label myself vegan or vegetarian I just choose to eat foods that my body loves. I now consume a gallon of water a day. I must say I didn’t use to drink water at all and when I added water into my regimen the scale started to change drastically. I had treats within moderation and in 2013 I literally cut out my weekend alcoholic beverages because it was stalling my weight loss..

When I was 400+ lbs I rarely worked out. I would maybe walk 2 times a week and slowly added more time and days. For the most of journey I was what you would call a cardio queen. I would do 60 min cardio on treadmill or elliptical, five days a week. In 2012, I became real serious in the gym with the weights which transformed my body. I highly recommend women to lift weights if they want to sculpt their bodies because weights do the body good. I would do 30 min cardio and 30 min weights. I highly recommend the app JEFIT for the people rant can’t afford a trainer but would like to figure out a weight lifting plan. When working out at home, I would use Fitness Blender or Tiffany Rothe videos on YouTube. I currently workout 5-6 days a week and do mostly weights with 30-45 min cardio most days. My weight fluctuates a lot ranging from 197 – 203 pounds give or take (height is 5’11”. (weight lifting does that) My goal is continue to decrease my Body fat percentage.

5 Tips For Having Self-Control Over Your Eating Habits

July 21, 2014 by Ajima Jackson Leave a Comment

self control over eating

What happens when food is more than food? What if food is your medicine or what helps you cope with life? Tantalizing meals and treats can take us on refreshing trips down memory lane or just away from reality. This can feel like a blessing or a curse. While food may comfort us in the moment, be it because of boredom, depression, excitement, or loneliness, we are often just distracted from the larger issue at hand. Some people lose all sense of control when it comes to the intoxicating aromas and tastes creeping around kitchen corners or out of fast food bags. In reality, there are fine lines between the occasional cheat meal, emotional eating or an eating disorder. You may be concerned about the possibility of having a serious issue that could affect your health via overeating, the effects of being overweight or binge eating and purging. Let me give you some information to start you on your journey to self control.

Why Do You Eat?

Remember back in school, teachers always taught students to identify the root of the issue before beginning to work on it. The same is true for matters of the subconscious. You know you like food, who doesn’t? But- what’s going on under the surface? If you took an honest assessment of your past, can you pinpoint the moment when overindulging and self medicating with food first started to “make sense”?

Identifying the “Big Why” may come easily to some. Others may have to do a bit more soul searching to reveal their dark obstacles. Keeping a journal about your eating or speaking with a nutritionist can really help you determine what is normal eating and where you are eating for a non-hunger reason. Sexual abuse, past relationships, violence you’ve experienced, rejection, depression and mental illness are all serious issues that can contribute to eating habits. Therapy (group or one on one) is a successful treatment option that allows patients to unlock the emotional blocks we develop as a means of protecting ourselves from unfavorable memories of the past. You can talk to your pastor or religious leader as well. Relaxed and unguarded, you and a trained professional can reveal what’s been clinging to you and help you work through it. You could just be eating because it makes you feel better or takes the boredom away. Your “WHY” doesn’t have to be tragic for it to be significant. It’s just important that you know what the issue is before you try to stop having these habits.

New Coping Skills and Habits

After identifying the cause of your overeating, it’s time to discover your “triggers”. Does a certain topic make you uncomfortable every time it’s discussed? What situation makes you so anxious you can’t rest until you find food? Could you be your own trigger? Sometimes our own thoughts and feelings stress us more than the outside world. Whatever sets you off, the next step to taking back control is to create distractions. Maybe you have to much free time. Joining programs and groups in your community will help keep your mind busy. Finding a hobby or exploring your passions can also help. The key is to create new actions that you take instead of seeking out food. You also want to be proactive to keep yourself busy mentally so that there is something to counter your natural leaning toward food for comfort.

As you become more active, thoughts of overindulging will soon be in your past. You’ll feel better about yourself, and you’ll create an emotional outlet for that suppressed energy. Do something that makes you feel like you’ve made a difference. Mentor, volunteer, or create a program of your own. Take yourself out on a couple of dates or do something you’ve always wanted to do. Just remember, your new distraction has to feel good, so good that you won’t need to comfort yourself with food.

Delayed Gratification

Delayed gratification is a concept that can improve every aspect of your life. In essence, it is the art of bypassing an immediate reward for a bigger and better reward in the long term. For instance, when you’re ready to purchase your first home, downpayment funds in your savings account can be tempting. A trip to the Caribbean or a quick shopping spree may sound good for the moment, but what do you want more? Delayed gratification means bypassing momentary indulgences for the huge benefits of your ultimate goal.

In health, delayed gratification applies to the choices you make throughout the day. Second and third-helpings of food sound good for the moment, but what do you want more? What’s more important- being happy right now or enjoy a long, healthy life? Having the cupcake today or losing 15 pounds over the next 3 months? You must learn to transfer from a mode of self-indulgence to a life of self-discipline with your dreams and goals in mind.

Find Yourself Amidst Confusion

Sometimes, the best thing we can do to heal ourselves is nothing. Well, not in the literal sense, but it can appear so externally. By the time a problem, issue, or means of discomfort reaches the surface, the internal damage is already done. When things become overwhelming, many times we’re taught to look to someone else for help. At times, our loved ones can give great advice but, especially with issues such as over eating, they may not be able to relate.

Don’t be mistaken, over 27% of girls age 12-18 display prominent signs of having some sort of eating disorder. Doctors are also reporting more cases of women 30+ who are dealing with deep rooted disorders. It’s almost impossible to give an accurate statistic because most women (and men) keep their feelings towards food a secret. Even less take action to deal with it. Even people who aren’t battling a clinical eating disorder, but feel that they can’t talk about the overeating or unhealthy eating that they love to do and that helps them cope.

Rather than adding well-intended, but potentially misguided opinions into your already overworked brain, take some time to sort things out at your own pace. Many have turned to a personalized prayer/meditation/deep breathing routine to achieve inner peace. When life’s pressures or a particular “trigger” starts affecting your ability to focus, take some time for yourself and regain your control. In addition to the therapy and professional help I mentioned earlier, you have to learn how to calm yourself and deal with life on your own after you’ve received good advice.

When you make the conscious decision to live positively and change your eating, the onset of even the smallest negative influence can seem suffocating. Panicking or succumbing to your anxiety will only make the battle more difficult. Instead, don’t resist and don’t engage, rather find peace in the present moment. Stop and count to 10. Leave the room and go outside. Do what you have to do to get to a peaceful place. It is the inability to forgive ourselves for past mistakes, and the piercing apprehension over the outcome of the future that steals the gift of the present from under our feet. If you haven’t been able to control your eating in the past and have failed at diets over and over…forgive yourself. Live through the experience and don’t focus on being perfect with your eating. Just focus on doing the best you can and having your ultimate goals in mind.

Meditation can also help. Don’t let the idea of meditation intimidate you. There are countless videos, tutorials, and guided audios available that can help you get the most out of each session. In fact, meditation, deep breathing, prayer and positive affirmations can aid you in overcoming the emotional damage from your “Big Why” and change your entire outlook on life.

Journal Your Thoughts

There’s an unspoken power that comes from putting pen to paper. It’s probably the reason so many people find relief from keeping a journal or diary. Noting your thoughts, realizations, and revelations along the way is a great way for tracking your progress. I suggest creating a journal as your first step to recovery. You can use it to identify your “Big Why” and your triggers. You can also use it to write out your positive affirmations, prayers and the things you learn from your meditations. As time goes on, you can gauge your progress by going back and reading some of your entries. Imagine the feeling of gratification that comes with that “a ha” moment or seeing how far you’ve come. When you finally have your, “I remember when I used to think like that.” moment you will see how you’ve grown. When you say, “I remember when I was held hostage by my own subconscious…but look how far I’ve come.”, it’ll all be worth it.

Reference: http://www.eatingdisorderfoundation.org/EDFFAQ.htm (eating disorder statistics)

Lakeisha lost 64 pounds

July 18, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 3 Comments

Update September 2017: Check out this update from Lakeisha. She’s kept the weight off for more than 2 years.

lakeisha before and after

What has worked in terms of eating habits?
Before I knew anything about nutrition, I gave up fried foods, sodas and watched my portions. When I’m hungry, I drink black coffee or eat a slice of pickle. I also drink plenty of water. I love alkaline water (I encourage people to do their research on alkaline water).

I gained some of the weight back while dealing a death and stress. Meal prepping helped me out a lot this time. Now, I’m back stronger than ever.

What have you been doing to maintain your success in terms of exercise?
I started doing 2 hours of cardio. After two weeks of this, I’ll stop and go back into my normal routine… leg day, arms etc. I workout 6 to 7 days a week.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
I don’t care how much you workout, you cannot eat whatever you want… lol.

At this point, would you offer any new or different advice to women who want to lose weight?
Stay focused and don’t compare your success to others. Also, sometimes you have to switch up your routine when you don’t see results. Never give up on your journey. We all get off track but that’s what makes us fight harder.

lakeisha before and after

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Lakeisha lost 64 pounds and went from a size 24 to a size 14. This proud mom of 2 is now a fitness fanatic. Here is what she shared with us about losing the pounds: KeishaJuly3blog My name is Lakeisha Thomas and I’m from Mississippi. I’m a 34 year old mother of 2 (Tia 14 yrs old and CJ 6 years old). I’m also a nurse aid and a production tech at Nissan. When I first started my weight lost journey I weighted 254 pounds. I was shocked. I never cared about my weight until one day when my doctor told me I was obese. So, I started working out at home in my bedroom. I went from a size 24 to a size 14. I want to enjoy my kids and see them grow up. Now, fitness is my life, my passion, my everything. This is why I love what I do, why I’m so passionate and why I share with others everything I do to stay fitt. I’m a #fitmom and I love my 2 children with all my heart. Instagram: @KeishaaBeast

How did you change your eating habits? Chewing gum and drinking coffee has helped me out a lot on my journey. I started drinking plenty of water and cut out the sodas. I continue to eat what I always ate but in smaller portions. I work the night shift so that was a struggle as well. I’m not gonna lie, I fail daily but I never gave up. If I ate chips, ice cream, etc, I didn’t quit. I just went harder in the gym.

What did your workout routines look like? I started doing the Black Girls Workout Too & Billy Blank Exercise DVDs. I did a thousand sit up a day and started going to the gym 6 or 7 days a week. I also did HIIT workout that I found online (just do a Google search…there are tons of workouts). I did like a thousand ab exercises every night and every morning. Now, I’m doing like 500 abs exercises, 3 days out of a week.

What is your height? What is your current weight? I’m 5’7 and I weight 190 pounds. My goal weight is 175 pounds.

How long did your transformation take? I started in 2003 when I weighted 254. I dropped down 54 pounds in one month (no lie). I just worked out that whole month. However, it was very unhealthy because I stopped eating as well. I was drinking one soda a day and eating cabbage greens. Since then, I have been on and off my journey. So in 2012, I decided that I wanted to tone so I went harder and changed my lifestyle.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight? If you mess up along the way, don’t quit. Just keep going. I’ve basically been tsame size since 2003 I just drop inches phuck yo scale…it didn’t take you 5 days to gain the weight so it’s not gonna take you 14 days to lose it. Keisha weight loss story

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Hannah lost 56 pounds

July 14, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 2 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Hannah lost 56 pounds. This proud and petite single mom tried many methods to lose weight and had an unfortunate experience trying on clothes that was the last straw, opening the door for her to start her weight loss journey. Here is what she shared with us:

Hannah weight loss

Hello My name is Hannah Ngae (aka Noni). I was born in Kenya. I moved to this country when I was a little girl at 16 yrs old. Now, I’m a proud single mom of a two year old boy named Jordan. A year ago, I weighed 199 lbs at only 5’2″ feet tall. Today, I weight 143 lbs. I have lost 56 pounds. Before, I was depressed and stressed out. I tried all sorts of diets and pills but nothing seemed to work. In May of 2013, that’s when my life changed. I went to the store and tried on like 10 dresses and pants but nothing seemed to fit. I looked at myself in the changing room mirror and decided enough is enough. I won’t lie to you, I shed tears. I decided to give up everything and get committed with one goal. I always put God first in everything I do. I prayed and asked God to guide and walk with me during the start of my weight loss journey. May 1, 2013 I gave up sugar and white carbs. I started drinking lots of water and green smoothies. I started noticing a changes as my skin became smooth and soft. My stomach started disappearing as well. I was so exited because my friends started noticing my progress too. In that first month, I lost 8 pounds. I continued till I joined a gym on Nov 5th.

Magic started happening. I met a good friend who we became close. She trained me. We could spend hours at the gym. I did cardio mostly which made me shed all the weight. Elliptical is my best friend. It has flattened my tummy toned my bum and thighs.
I have left fast foods alone and I now make my own healthy meals. I always measure and weigh my foods regardless. I don’t do processed foods or fruits, I would rather spend millions buying fresh foods. I don’t eat rice now. I use quinoa instead, which I love. I take 5 meals a day, under 1200 calories total. I workout 7 or 6 days a week and sometimes go in at 4 am. I do cardio for 30 minutes, stretch 15 minutes, lift weights and do another 15 minute of Cardio.

My Transformation has taken 1 year, and I’m not done yet. I’m just getting started. I have set a goal to loose 15 more pounds before August 15. Loosing weight has becoming Addicting to me and I’m so proud of how far I have come being that I’m a mom, student and also an employee.

Your health is one of the most important things in your life, and you really need to make time for it. I was too busy with things that ultimately didn’t matter to take care of myself, and I ended up being Obese. To change your weight you need to change many aspects of your life so that you can lean more towards healthy living. A big part of that is emotional well being and motivation. Recognize when you are eating out of habit not hunger. Learn to tell the difference between feelings satisfied and feeling stuffed. Get support from a partner or friend. I advise every one to focus on what you want your life to look like not just your body. Never Give Up! It’s the easiest thing to do and then it becomes hard to regain the strength to loose all the weight over again.

Instagram: @NoniJordan

hannah before and after

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Jazz lost 217 pounds

July 13, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 4 Comments

Update: We shared Jazz’s story of losing 217 pounds back in 2014. She sent us an update to say that she’s kept the weight off and lost 7 more pounds. Check out her story below.

Hello! I currently weigh 243 and my goal is to be 200 pounds. My height is 6’3″. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea few years back and I decided to take action. I’m still a work in progress.”
Instagram: @kiss_of_death90

jazz before and after

July 2014 – Weight Loss Story of the Day: Jazz lost 217 pounds. This 6’3″ beauty decided that she would work to avoid diabetes and high blood pressure that run in her family’s health history. At 467 pounds, she knew to she had to make changes to her lifestyle to improve her health. Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

jazz weight loss success story

I’ve lost over 200 pounds and counting. How did I do it? Hard work motivation and dedication. I drink half of my body weight in ounces of water each day. I stopped eating junk and processed food. My goal for each week is to lose 2-5 pounds. I workout every other day and sometimes twice a day. I’m not where I want to be but I’m determined enough to not throw in the towel and give up that’s easy to easy. Diabetes and high blood pressure runs in my family and I’ve motivated myself to not join the team. I was on the edge of having diabetes if I didn’t do anything about my health.

I changed my eating habits by cutting down on the junk, fried and process foods by having smaller portions. Then I gradually worked my way over to not craving it at all. Everything is a process. Always remember that a slow process is better than no process. My workout routines went from 10 of everything i.e. (jumping jacks, lunges, sit ups, push ups and even long walks) to doing 200 of everything every other day. My starting weight was 467 pounds and my current weight is 250 pounds. Im 6’2″ tall. My transformation took 2 years. My advise to others goes back to what I said in the beginning: a slow process is better than no process. Nothing happens overnight. You must have willpower. Before eating those donuts or fried foods think about how many calories and fats are in those choices. Think about how hard you would have to work to get it off.

Jazz before and after