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how I lost weight

Brandi lost 23 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Brandi lost 23 pounds.  She credits her sister and the Weight Watchers program for helping her to lose weight and improve her health.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

brandi before and after

I decided to lose weight in 2012 because my health was at risk. At the time, I was almost 21 years old and I was having horrible health trouble. Because of my weight, I began to have bad anxiety, breathing problems and thyroid problems. I always had goals of living a long life, but I knew that could not happen if I didn’t take care of myself. In 2012 I began the Weight Watchers. I didn’t have a job to pay for Weight Watchers. My sister knew my heart and knew I wanted a change so she paid for it.

I began my Weight Watchers journey and began exercising regularly by using the exercising bike for 40-60 minutes a day. I cut out soda and would only drink water or unsweet tea with sweetener. I ate a lot of grilled food, such as chicken, and I would try to eat something green everyday. My favorite green vegetable is broccoli. My weight has fluctuated between 2013 and 2015, but I am still pushing because I have goals!

My advice to anyone on this journey is to not wait until you start having complications with your body to lose weight. Start taking care of yourself now, no matter what your current weight is. A little exercise routine and eating the right foods can go a long way! Also, don’t give up! It’s okay to fall-off (because I have before), but keep pushing! It will be worth it!

Instagram: @b_lovelyy13

Shakeena lost 54 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Shakeena lost 54 pounds.  This busy business owner found the motivation and the time to change her eating habits and workout regularly.  Read about how her weight loss journey…

shaken before and after

My motivation for change was getting to a point where I felt defeated. I was not comfortable with myself and my lack of progress. The last straw for me was going to the mall to look for pants and having a situation that should have been a typical event turn in to a something depressing and sad. Once I started looking around, I realized the clothing for a plus sized woman just didn’t look appealing. At that point I decided that I would create motivational clothing for women who were at a point similar to me. From that point Crush Tees was birthed. This is a company created by me to motivate and inspire, it features motivational work out Tees and it even branches out to plus size work out clothing. (crushtees.com)

I was inspired because as I started doing Turbo Jam at the local YMCA I realized working out could be fun. I found the atmosphere to be great and encouraging. It was in Turbo that I met my workout partner. I then began to not only work out on a regular basis but to also understand accountability. My workout partner was knowledgeable and friendly and really inspired me to push when I wanted to quit. Once I got my routine down it was just a matter of loving me through the process of transformation. Initially, my workout routine consisted of Turbo Jam five times a week, but little by little I added weights and running.

In the beginning, I ate a lot of Smart Ones and Lean Cuisines. I had no idea how to lose weight, I just knew that I wanted to lose weight. I knew that those box dinners would help me to change my eating habits, and until I really started learning about nutrition that is what worked. From there, I started doing my own meal prep and modified my previous eating habits to eating five times per day instead of just three. I was a pizza lover. I would order pizza several times per month. I was also single at the time and own my own business (Salon) so I ate a lot of fast food. Pizza, fast food and Mountain Dew had to be cut completely out of my diet.

My beginning weight was 207 pounds. My current weight is 153 pounds at 5’6″ tall. My transformation took 13 months and it’s a constant commitment to keep the weight off. The advice I have for others is to be disciplined and consistent. None of us can outwork a bad diet. Bad eating habits must change. Eat to live, don’t live to eat!

Instagram: @crushtees

shaken weight loss shaken losing weight

Naftal lost 152 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Naftal lost 152 pounds. After being told that she had diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, she knew she had to change her life to change her health.  Here is what she shared with us about what she did to lose the weight.

natal before and after

On March 31, 2012 at the age of 42, I was told by a doctor at a free clinic (I was an uninsured grad student) that I had Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I’d come to the clinic that day because I’d had a period that lasted 16 days and was heavier than I’d ever experienced. The doctor told me that was related to my obesity and insulin resistance. She put me on several medications, something which I’ve never been a big fan of. Also, my father had just recently had issues with his heart. I felt like, we couldn’t both be sick. I was supposed to be helping him get better and I couldn’t do that if I was sick myself. So, after that doctor visit, everything pretty much crystallized for me that I had to change things.

Early on, I went cold turkey. I cut all the carbs that didn’t come from non-starchy vegetables and some fruits. I also cut out all processed foods. I basically ate a lot of steamed or sauteed veggies, chicken, fish, some eggs/cheese (real, not processed), nuts and fruit. For the first few months, if I didn’t prepare it myself, I didn’t eat it. And my rule about drinks was if it wasn’t water or sugar free tea, I wasn’t drinking it lol.

Honestly, my workouts have not been super strenuous. I do a lot of walking, some zumba, and I’ve recently taken up tai chi. Because I have a large hernia in my stomach that I’m not in a position to get repaired currently, I try not to do much to aggravate my abdominals.

My starting wight was 316 pounds. I currently weigh 164 lbs. I’m 4’11” and a half tall. I went from size 24-26 to a current size 12. I’d like to lose another 8 lbs, but it has gotten much harder to lose pounds, so we’ll see lol. I started in March 2012 and I’m still on my journey. I lost the first 90 or so pounds in a year, but it has taken the last 2 years to lose the 60 additional pounds.

My advice for others;

1. Don’t look to far ahead into the future. When I first started, the day I left the doctor’s office, I didn’t have enough confidence in myself that I would even lose 5 pounds, let alone 150+ pounds. All I could say to myself was “Let’s see if I can get through the rest of this day with no cookies or candy. Let’s see if I can make just though today.” and I did! The next day I did the same thing, and so on, and so on…

2. Don’t beat yourself up when you have inevitable setbacks. When I would slip up or fall off the food wagon, I ultimately knew that I had the tools in my mind to get positive results. So, I just shook off the slip ups and got back on track the same day. Every day is another chance to get it right!

3. For me, my motivation was being diagnosed with diabetes. The thought of shooting myself with insulin and pricking my fingers with needles, and possibly losing limbs, was enough for me to get my mind together to change.

But motivation is a very personal thing. And just because you feel like something SHOULD motivate you doesn’t mean it will. Be true to your feelings and release the guilt, and begin to continuously contemplate what is REALLY important to you in your life. Eventually, I believe that your true motivation will reveal itself to you. What that motivation is and when it will be revealed is different for every individual.

Instagram: @Naffy70
Youtube channel: cocoapeach

Melinda lost 26 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Melinda lost 26 pounds, going from a size 12 to a size 4. She has reshaped her body with weight lifting and healthy eating.  Read what she shared with us about her journey…

melinda before and after

Hello, I just wanted the share my journey with you. My name is Melinda Cecil and I started my weight loss journey on January 18, 2013. I’m 5’4″ tall and I weighed 178 pounds wearing a size 12/large. I woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and simply wanted to look better naked..lol!! My goal was to just get my weight down to 145 pounds and I did that in 6 months by eating healthier and working out everyday. I would walk for 3 miles in 45 minutes until I was able to run. I started weight lifting and fell in love with the weights. I stopped eat so much junk food and I don’t drink pop, juice or Kool-aid anymore, just water. I’ve stopped eating red meat for about a year now. Now, I work out 6 days a week.

I’m still in the process of building a better me. Over 2 years later, I now weigh 152 pounds and wear a size 4/small. I feel fabulous and healthy! The advice I’d give to anyone who wants to lose weight is; eat healthy, workout, and stay focused! It gets hard sometimes, but don’t give up! My Instagram is @Mrsrome1

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Donna lost 95 pounds

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Update May 2016 – Donna is celebrating her 10 year weight loss anniversary and she’s written a book about healing from food addiction and transforming her life.

“It’s been 10 years since I started my journey to lose 100 pounds. In 2016, I ran my first marathon at Disney, continued to teach boot camp classes that motivate women like me, and was recently nominated for Chattanooga Tennessee’s Best of the Best Trainers. In 2011, I shared my story in Ebony Magazine and since then I have written a book about my battle with food addiction! We all have addictions and mine were Chocolate chip cookies. My book is called Smoking Cookies: A Real-Life Guide to Conquering Food Addictions and Transforming Your Life. My goal is for God to use me to empower women to move for a lifetime and feel their best! I’m a former fat girl who understands the struggles of being teased and being able to find that “starting point”. I love who I am ten years later! God is good.”

donna before and after

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Donna lost 95 pounds, going from a size 24 to a size 12. This dynamic Radio/TV personality has taken her personal triumph and turned it into a movement to help women lose weight and get healthy. Read all about how she lost the weight.

donna before and after

I’ll never forget Labor Day 2004. It was a day with family, food, and lots of laughter. I’ll never forget that day. Kids in the family were playing outside and I was STUCK inside. Why??? Because I was still eating my second plate, too tired, and too lazy to get outside and enjoy life with the rest of my family. I knew right then that I had to change my mindset because I had an addiction. Yes, food is an addiction. Sone people drink alcohol, some people smoke cigarettes. I used to SMOKE A PACK OF COOKIES every night! LOL…Labor Day was the day that changed my life forever. I knew that I had a wonderful personality inside ready to come out. I wanted people to see something besides the girl with the “pretty face” wearing a
size 22.

I was the kid that was teased in school and the overweight Radio/TV personality in the public eye. I wanted to LIVE and that’s when the journey began. I spoke with my mother and my then eight-year-old son. I told them that I needed their support! I wanted to lose weight and KEEP IT OFF! My mother and I joined a weight loss program and began working out together. She has lost 100lbs also! My son would be at the gym working out and cheering us on. I had then lost 50 pounds! Yes!! Then another life changing event happened in my family. A close relative was battling cancer for years. We would have talks about my weight loss, because she also struggled with obesity for years. I told her I was thinking of being a fitness instructor for plus size women. She then gave me words that changed my life. ”Donna, when you teach, take the time to talk to women about how they can change their lives and why they over eat!” I listened and I began teaching thru healthy lifestyle coaching! My relative passed from Colon cancer and I remembered her words and was reminded that God called me to do more! I realized I had a platform in media, that I could use to encourage other women like me!

donna Ebony articleI began working out at D1 Sports Training. My son Brandon, 14 at the time, suggested I teach there. My response, “No Brandon, those people are too athletic there…But do you think I can do it? “ He said, “Yes Mama, I know you can!” I began my own program in 2010 at D1 Sports Training in Chattanooga; Donna’s D.I.V.A.s (determined individuals valuing activities) workout classes. I had several people that told me it wouldn’t work. “Black women won’t workout! Women don’t have time, they have families!” However, that was untrue. My first class had 65 women from all walks of life; mothers, wives, daughters, career women, blue collar. We all had one goal….to LIVE, to lose weight, and invest time for us. Through my mom’s encouragement, the trainers at D1, my son’s motivation, Donna’s D.I.V.A.s and realizing I’m worth it, I’ve lost almost 100lbs. I was a size 24 and now I’m a size 12! (height 5’11″). In April 2011, I WAS FEATURED IN EBONY MAGAZINE!!  People ask me how long has it taken? I have decided to take things slow! There’s no rush because I don’t want to gain it back like before. I have lost 25lbs per year and have practiced maintaining it and then I go on to the next loss.

I started working out 10 years ago and I began with Weight Watchers and now I use My fitness pal. Now, I make better choices. I focus on eating in moderation instead of elimination and I give myself treat days! I workout 5-6 times a week and I have ran 2 half marathons. I am really into Cross Training at D1 Sports Training. We flip tires, push buggies, sprint, etc. I am now an athlete and I’m doing all of the things I couldn’t do when I was overweight! Occasionally I do other classes but I love the hardcore fun stuff! God has been good!

I know I can only continue this journey if I help others. I have motivated over 2,000 women to move so far in Chattanooga, Birmingham, Huntsville, and Nashville and my goal is to get 100,000 women nationwide to move for a lifetime. My advice is to be patient, have a support team, forgive yourself if you fall off, push away from the table and get your POWER back by hitting the gym (learn to love it) because you are WORTH IT!

www.donnaellewellness.com
FB: Donna’s D.I.V.A.s workout classes
Instagram: @donnaelleonline

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Ashley lost 123 pounds with surgery

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Ashley lost 123 pounds with weight loss surgery.  At 341 pounds, she decided that it was time to change her life and opted for gastric sleeve surgery. Here is what she shared with us about her journey.

ashley before and after

Hello, I wanted to share my weight loss journey. My name is Ashley Brown. I am wife and a mother of two. I reached my highest weight of 345 pounds and I had to make a change after numerous attempts with dieting that failed. I am married to my high school sweetheart and he always loved me the way I was. I just didn’t feel sexy anymore. I stopped wearing heels like I used and I didn’t feel like my bubbly self! The last straw was when my daughter and I went to an amusement park and I couldn’t fit on a ride. She had to get off and her face said a million things to me. Thinking about it now brings tears to my eyes.

I went to a weight loss seminar and met my doctor, Dr. Dovec at GBMC in Towson, Md. First, I was scared of surgery and everyone shunned it. In August 2014, I was 341 pounds and a size 22 (My height is 5’5″.) and I decided to have the gastric sleeve procedure. This weight loss surgery takes 80 percent of your stomach away and leaves you with 20%. After maintaing a healthy diet and exercising, now (April 15) it’s 8 months later and I am 222 pound. I wear a size 12/14 and my ultimate goal is to get to 198 lbs, so I have a little more to go. Having surgery was the best lifestyle change I could have ever made for me and my family.

I changed my eating habits by only having less than 50 grams of carbs, 70-90 grams of protein per day and I only drink water. My exercise routine was the elliptical, treadmill and 30 minute intervals bike. Baked salmon and chicken are my favorite foods with 21 grams of protein. My favorite protein snack would be a boiled egg or beef jerky, both high in protein!

To my other black women out there dealing with a weight loss, I am here to tell you that bariatric surgery is not a quick fix. You have to put in the work in to get the results you want. It still takes dedication and your mind has to be ready to deal with all the changes that come with it. Ladies, do not give up on any journey that you are trying to accomplish.

ashley weight loss

Rhonda lost 110 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Rhonda lost 110 pounds.  She lost the 55 pounds she gained during pregnancy and an additional 55 pounds on top of that.  Her story should serve as inspiration to anyone who wants to lose lingering baby weight.  Here is what she shared with us…

Rhonda before and after

Hi, My name is Rhonda Jackson. I’m 39 years old and 5’4″ tall. I’ve been battling my weight all my life. I had my baby in March 2014. I’d gone from 225 pounds to 280 pounds at delivery. After I had her, I was the same weight when I went for my 6 week check up and I was not happy. I said to myself, I’m not young anymore and I want to live healthy for my baby. So, on May 1st, 2014 I decided that it was now or never.

I started walking 5 miles a day, and in the cold months I hit the gym. I do hour of cardio and a half hour of weights. I also embraced clean eating. No fast, fried or junk foods for me. I enjoy fruits, salads and poultry.

I currently weigh 170 lbs and I’ve actually lost 110lbs since my journey began. May 1st is my One Year Anniversary. This is my journey and it will always be a struggle. I tell people to do what works for you. I had to find what works for me and that’s when I started to see a difference. I hope and try to inspire others on my IG page @MzzJaxon and Facebook. I think it’s working cause I get a lot of inboxes asking how I did it, which makes me feel good. My journey will continue for the rest of my life. I’ve learned that it’s lifestyle change.

rhonda weight loss

Felicia lost 50 pounds

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Update: Felicia lost 50 pounds and has kept the weight off for more than a year. Check out her story and her update.

felicia before and after

I can hardly believe it has been a year already. I have kept the weight off and launched my health coaching business, “Victorious & Holistic Health” (www.felicialateef.com). I started leading holistic health and fitness challenges for women. I’m now in my 2nd semester of graduate school in the Masters of Science Program studying Complementary Alternative Medicine with an emphasis in Holistic Nutrition. I also accepted an offer to become a “Champion For Change” Regional Representative for the California Black Women’s Health Project (www.cabwhp.org). I hope to continue being an advocate to help women in areas of health, disease prevention, stress management and fulfilling their purpose with passion. I’m still a full-time working single mom, but with the right support system in place I have been able to share my journey. I feel blessed to help others now as well. Instagram: @Victorious.Holistic.Health

4/2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Felicia lost 50 pounds.  After having a baby, dealing with a divorce and having a serious health challenge, she found a way of living and eating that has allowed her to lose pounds and life a healthier life.  Now she is a health coach helping others to thrive. Here is what she shared with us…

felicia before and after

In 2002, I had my beautiful daughter and gained over 50 lbs. during the pregnancy. I was able to lose some weight but continued to struggle for several years never finding the right formula for me. Whatever the latest trend was I would try but then would gain the weight back and sometimes even more because I had implemented a holistic approach to my health.

By 2010, while going through my divorce, I reached my highest weight of 197 pounds. It was no longer baby fat and I was facing my second serious health challenge. I had an emergency biopsy to determine if my multiple cysts were cancerous. By the grace of God, the results came back negative and I knew something needed to change but I did not what the answer was to get my health back on track. I had been working out at the gym after spending a ton of money on fitness trainers but did not have any lasting
lifestyle change results.

It was not until 2012, when I took a leap of faith by incorporating my spiritual beliefs and decided to try a holistic approach to my health and completed an elimination diet. I lost a total 40 lbs by eating clean and incorporating regular exercise. Initially, I followed a wonderful program by JJ Virgin and maintained the weight loss, but I know my body better and have identified the best formula for me. I stopped eating diary, soy, eggs, gluten, sugar, corn, peanuts. That lead to less or no coffee and ice cream, sweets, packed food, fried foods and fast foods. I started eating more leafy greens, berries, aloe, nuts, and chia seeds and drinking more water and herbal teas. For protein, I bulk up on leafy greens first and then fish second and minimize my meat intake to just a few times a month. For exercise, I did a lot of cardio, mostly running and spin class. I also added in free weights for toning.

Since reaching my goal last year, I have gone back to school to add expertise to my journey and now help others as a health coach, mostly through no-cost or low-cost Church and/or local community service programs. My passion has continued and I am now applying to a Master Program in Nutrition that starts in the fall. There is still more personal growth to be done. I have other fitness goals on toning and endurance to achieve and now know that I can and will do it.

I am a single mom and have a full-time career in marketing at a top entertainment company. I enjoy servicing in the leadership groups at my church and ministry with our choir. Spending time with family and friends is key for me. I have a love the fitness, cooking and performing arts. The BEST is yet to come! If I can do it anyone can do it.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 197 lbs. My current weight is 147-151 lbs. I’m 5’ 7” tall

How long did your transformation take?
It took me 6 months to loss the weight.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
To stay positive and push through the challenging workouts and healthy meals even with you don’t feel like because eventually it will become routine and ultimately your way of life.

Be open to trying new food and new exercises. You won’t know what works best for you otherwise. When you find the cardio exercise or favorite veggie make it apart of your regular routine.

Surround yourself with a loving support system. If this is a challenge, then be willing to end toxic relationships with people and with food. Your life is worth the fight to finish the race strong.

Aleya lost 100 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation Story: Aleya lost 100 pounds.  This proud mom of two went looking for answers on how to feel better and healthier, which led to her weight loss journey.  She had support of her husband, loved ones and friends, as well as her faith to inspire her.  Here is what she shared with us.

aleya before and after

I’m a thirty something, married, mom of 2. I began my weight loss journey in June 2013. I had been feeling bad for a while and didn’t know why. Going to various doctors and really not getting any answers was the inspiration for me to change. I made up in my mind that I needed to change and then maybe I could feel better.

I just started small, by walking during my morning and afternoon breaks. I cut out sugary drinks and just drank water, along with adding in more fruits and vegetables for my snacks. I cut down on the junk food and a lot of the fast food. As I got more energy, I started doing more exercise, like Zumba, and still walked during my breaks and lunch hour.

It took a year and a half, but I lost 100 pounds (height: 5’5″). This is been the hardest thing I have done in my life. Some days are good, some days were not so good, but I continued to encourage myself. The support from my family, friends, coworkers and church members was a great motivation for me.

To those who want to lose weight, I would say focus on being healthy. Give yourself small goals to reach. That way it helps to keep you motivated and encouraged. You have to be determined and truly want to make a change. Also, find things that are fun to you as ways to work out. I love dancing. My husband says that I have literally danced the pounds off! I’m thanking God every day for being the center of my strength! Sending love and encouragement to all the ladies out there!

Latavia lost 47 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Latavia lost 47 pounds.  This proud mom of 4 was inspired to change her life after losing two loved ones to complications with diabetes and other health issues.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

latavia weight loss

My name is Latavia. I am a single mother of 4 children. After I lost both of my grandmothers to complications with diabetes and other hereditary health problems in their early 60’s, I knew I had to make a change. Since July of 2014, I have changed my diet. I drink 160 oz of water a day and I’ve cut down my portions of food. I don’t eat any fast food and I watch my portions very closely. I have limited my eating of meat, especially pork and beef. Now, I eat a lot of veggies and fruits and started eating more beans too. I walk 3-5 miles, 3 times a week and work out for 30 minutes a day.

Since I started my journey, I have lost 47 lbs (height: 5’7″). My starting weight was 272 lbs.My goal is to get to 200 pounds by July of 2015. My advice to others is not give up. It was definite a challenge to find the time to fit in a workout. However, I made time. I go on YouTube and find 30 min workouts that aren’t too strenuous on my back or knees. I have also have been using the workout calendar that BWLW provided for the month of March.

latavia before and after