Lajuana lost 30 pounds. She realized that she was not just curvy, but overweight. After facing major health issues and surgery, she decided it was time to change her life. Here is what she shared with us:
“My name is Lajuana Wood and I am so happy to be able to tell my story today! Throughout my life I was told that I was “thick” or “big boned” as individuals like to say in the black community. I didn’t realize that I was really overweight with a curvy shape, leaving me to buy into the coke bottle hoax. I grew up in a single parent home with 4 brothers and most of our meals were soul food and any other easy processed thing we could get our hands on. All our plates looked the same and there was no difference in portion sizes; therefore I never knew any different until I got older.
It wasn’t until I found out I had Hypothyroid that things changed. I knew I’d been gaining weight at an alarming rate but didn’t know what was wrong. Once diagnosed, I had to have my thyroid removed leaving me with a very large scar that scales my chest. This was devastating to me. I was now overweight with this hideous scar and a disorder that keeps my weight on a constant fluctuation. I was so down and I knew I needed a change. I embraced my scar and then embraced needing to live a healthier life. I struggled with the idea of living healthy. “What does that mean?” is the question I kept asking myself each and every time a new diet failed or I had to switch medications.
I never knew the benefit and power of eating fruits and vegetables and how satisfying and light they make me feel. Today I workout 5 days a week, eat regularly health conscious meals, support my healthy life style with supplements like Herballife, and a great support team. As of July 3rd I am down 30 lbs. and counting. I feel amazing and happier than ever because I did this for me, not him or her but for me and I thank God he allowed me to live this long so that I could see myself accomplish this victory. Now that I am on this journey I asked others join it as well. I send out weekly weight loss progress reports; I post motivational quotes and invite others to join me each and every day. I want everyone to experience the joy I have found.”
Working out with the kids really helped me step up my game but also finding a challenge group full of people doing the same workout as me helped me stay accountable. I recommend getting into a group of people with similar goals who are doing similar things on their journey and being an active member. It really helps you and others stay on track. I loved getting fighting fit so much I decided to pay it forward and become a coach myself.”
“A little over a year ago I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I weighed 240lbs. At that time, I lived on Pepsi cola. I had to change my lifestyle and eating habits. My family made accommodations for me that year at Thanksgiving by making my Sweet Potato Pie with Splenda (gross). At that moment, I wanted to get off the medication that my doctor prescribed for me. I gave up drinking 2-liters of Pepsi a day and changed my eating habits some…LOL. Got my membership to Planet Fitness and worked out 2 hours a day for 3 months. Then I stopped and at the time I weighed 245 lbs. That was this past Spring. Then I took ill and had to have an emergency hysterectomy. As I recovered I took eating healthy more serious. I began walking 5 days a week for 1.5 miles. This helped me out tremendously. Today I weigh 194 pounds. I haven’t weighed anything under 200 lbs in over 10 years. This weight loss journey took me 13 months including the breaks. If you are looking to be successful with weight loss and a healthier lifestyle, you have to stick with it and keep supportive people around you. Do it the healthy way. Make sure you go to the doctor on a regular basis and encourage yourself.” Instagram: 
“My name is Ace. A year and a half ago I made a decision that cheanged my life. I decided to have bariatric weight loss surgery. I was 34 years old and weighed 234 lbs at 5 foot, 3 inches tall. I worked in health care so I was always on my feet. I had a knee problems that led me to a orthopedic doctor who said that I needed to loose weight to relieve some of the pressure off my knee. However, I couldn’t exercise due to the pain. A good friend of mine mentioned bariatric surgery. She had it done a few years prior. The rest is history!
