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how I lost weight

Felicia lost over 60 pounds

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Weight loss story of the day: AKA soror Felicia lost over 60 pounds and was able to improve a pain issue that had her walking with a cane in her thirties.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

“I’ve loss a little over 60 pounds and it took a complete lifestyle change. I count carbs and calories. I put down the sodas and brownies! Lol I also hit the gym 4 times a week doing at least 30 minutes of cardio and some light weights to tone because you become quite flabby with extreme weight loss. I feel so much better. At the age of 35, I found myself having to walk with a cane because I had severe back and hip pain. Some of my problem was inevitable because of my body structure but it became worse as the weight packed on. Thought I was going to have to have a hip replacement until the doctor mentioned getting at least 50 pounds off would ease my pain, and he was right.”

Felicia weight loss photos

Audrey lost 47 pounds

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Weight loss story of the Day: Audrey lost 47 pounds.  She credits making changes to her eating and drinking habits as a major factor in her weight loss journey.  Here is what she shared with us:

“Hello, My name is Audrey and it took my about 1 year and 3 months to go from 207 pounds to 160 pounds. I worked out 5 days a week starting off. I stopped drinking juice and pop totally. I only drink water, green tea, and milk. I still eat pretty much the same food, I just cut back on portion size and minimized how many sweets I eat.

I was motivated to start cause I never really reached over 200 pounds., only during pregnancy. I also have asthma so I knew if I lost some of the weight that would help tremendously. I started gaining weight after going through a lot of things going on in my personal life with eating and drinking (alcohol). I first lost 17 pounds just buy cutting juice out of my diet cold turkey. After seeing the results it pushed me even more to try going to the gym. I would go at least 4-5 days a week doing at least 1 hour of cardio and weight lifting, abdominal exercises, etc. I stopped eating after 7/8 pm, stopped eating fried foods, eating more fruits, vegetables, & eat more lower calorie foods/snacks. After of months doing this I just made it a way of life. I don’t go to the gym as much now but to maintain my weight I still don’t over eat and at least walk on my lunch break while at work on days I don’t go to the gym.”

Audrey weight loss story

Deborah lost 89 pounds

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Weight loss success story of the day: Dr. Deborah D. Grison lost 89 pounds after being diagnosed with a serious illness. She went from a size 18/16 to a size 4/6.  Here story shows the power of eating healthy, unprocessed foods that are full of life and nutrients. Here is what she shared about her journey:

“My name is Deborah D. Grison. I am writing to share my weight loss and healing success story. In January of 2012, I made a decision due to health the physical challenges of a pre-diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (being unable to walk) to change my eating behavior. I began to prepare all of my own meals, eliminating processed foods, sugars and all things bad. I have been doing this for two years come January 2014. My physical activity consisted of walking everywhere as I live in New York City. In August of 2012, I did begin strength training at a local NY gym that added to my weight loss success. All in all, I have lost 83-89 pounds within a year just by changing my food behavior. Going from a size 18-16 to now a size 4-6. My health challenges have subsided and I am now walking again unassisted. I am continuing with what my program and health initiative I started call EAT LIFE! Its a Movement Not A Moment. www.eatlifeonline.com It will be 2 years in January 2014, that I have lost and maintained my health and wellness success. See photos of my transformation below.”

Dr. Deborah weight loss Deborah before and after photos

Jessica lost 64 pounds

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Weight loss story of the day:  Jessica lost 64 pounds. This proud mom gained weight after suffering the loss of her fiancé.  She wanted to get healthy to to make sure that her children didn’t lose both parents.  Here is what she shared with us:

In July of 2012, I lost my fiancé unexpectedly! By December 2012 I was 317 pounds. By the time April 2013 arrived I was 331 pounds! My blood pressure was out of control and I knew I had to get healthy! My 2 children were my inspiration, I didn’t want them to grow up without a mother and father. In May of 2013, with the encouragement and motivation of my co-worker, I started my diet! I would walk 1-2 miles a day, 4 days a week and I used an app called My Fitness Pal to track my calories! I changed my eating habits by eating smaller portions and drinking more water. As far as exercise, walking and Zumba were my only forms of exercise.

Once the weight started to drop, my blood pressure got better and eventually I was taken off all blood pressure meds! By October 2013 I had lost 64 pounds! I went from a size 32 to 20, and I was 267 pounds! In the new year I plan to start fresh (the holidays got me)! I plan to lose another 67 pounds and become 200 pounds! My co-worker has stuck by me the entire time and I thank Kristi Tyson Reeves for the motivation and encouragement!

Jessica weight loss story Jessica before and after

Chana lost 62 pounds

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Weight loss story of the day: Chana lost 62 pounds.  She says that eating right plus working out plus consistency = results and we agree.  Here is what she shared about how she lost the weight:

Chana before and after photo

“My motivation was Nakeisha James who started a group called Fit4life sisters after seeing different women losing weight and seeing there progress it motivated me to get going, also looking in the mirror seeing this person I no longer wanted to be.

How did I change my eating habits? I started by taking away the sodas, processed  foods, fried food, junk food, bread, pasta, etc. I added veggies, fruits, plenty water, salads, and baked food such as chicken, salmon, fish.  I also controlled my portions and food intake, and cut all starchy foods out.

My starting weight was 215 pounds.  My current weight is 153 pounds.  I started my journey December 2012. It took 11months for my transformation and I’m still going.

Workout routine wise, I started off doing Zumba 3-4 times a week and walking 5-6 times a week.  I did this  along with workouts from YouTube, working out on the treadmill, elliptical, doing strength training, lots of cardio. Workout DVDs such as Billy Blanks, Jillian Michaels, Shaun T, BGWT.  I’m currently doing Iron Core Kettlebell for toning by Sarah Lurie.

My advice to others is to have the right mindset, be determined and stay consistent. Eat right+Workout+Consistency=RESULTS”

Karen lost 60 pounds

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Let’s show some love to Karen.  She lost 60 pounds after dealing with years of tremendous loss and sleep apnea. Here is what she shared about improving her health and losing the pounds:

Karen weight loss diet

“Hello my name is Karen. I am 47 years old. My weight loss is a testament of God’s Grace and Mercy. My weight gain began my sophomore year in college and gradually progressed through the years. I had several storms in my life which caused me to be depressed. My brother was murdered at the age of 25, my childhood friend died soon after. My closest friend in college died of sleep apnea. My father died in 2000 and I lost my grandmother in 2010. My grandmother was with us until the age of 107. She was the rock of the family. I spent a lot of time with my grandmother. People say just think they had a long life or it was their time. Knowing all of this does not take the pain away. Even though we move forward their still in our hearts. I was in an emotional roller coaster relationship that was not healthy for me. I begin to stress eat and before I knew it I had gained quite a bit of weight.

Because of God’s Grace and Mercy I knew that changes needed to take place in my life and that meant I had to be willing to make those changes. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and menopause in my early 40’s. I had gone to several doctors and no one could really diagnose what was wrong with me. I was frustrated. About four years ago I had gone to an urologist and he suggested that I go through a sleep study for sleep apnea. I was in denial. I said, no. I did not listen. However, I continued to have the same symptoms only by this time I was sleeping all day after coming home from work. My mother would send my sisters to my house to check on me. I would become so angry because they were interrupting my sleep. I now know that I could have slept on and not awakened. I was transferred on my job. This sent me back into a state of depression and I began to eat foods that made me feel good such as ice cream, cookies, and hamburgers from McDonalds, Taco Bell and Popeye’s. This hurt because I was happy where I was working I had been there for fifteen years. It was difficult for me to accept this change. I tried a new doctor and when I told him my symptoms he immediately suggested that I had sleep apnea and suggested that I be tested to validate the diagnoses. In February of this year I went through the sleep apnea clinic and was diagnosed in April. I knew that my weight was a contributing factor to my condition. All I could think about was that my friend had died from sleep apnea 25 years ago. He had given up and I had to fight for him in my mind.

I was overweight I needed to change my eating habits and lose weight. My doctor put me on a 1200 calorie diet. I lost 20 pounds in two months. I walked ten miles a day even though I was supposed to walk for 30 minutes. I wanted it! The third month I only lost 3 pounds. I decided to go on the HCG diet. It takes discipline as with any diet however, this was a weight loss tool that worked for me. It is a low calorie diet. It consists of fruits, vegetables, chicken, turkey, shrimp, and lean hamburger meat just to name a few. I have lost 60 pounds and I am continuing my weight loss journey. I want to lose another 40 pounds. I am no longer on blood pressure medication. It is because of God’s grace that I am still here. I know that I have a purpose to fulfill in this life’s journey. I awaken every morning reading two of Steve Maraboli’s inspirational quotes: “Renew, release, let go. Yesterday’s gone. There’s nothing you can do to bring it back. You can’t “should’ve” done something. You can only DO something. Renew yourself. Release that attachment. Today is a new day!”. And the other quote: “When you rise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive-to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love –then make that day count!”. We are faced with many obstacles in life however; it is up to us to make that change. We are going to make mistakes in this life. We are human. Just start again and just do not give up. Remember God’s grace and mercy will carry one through. I am a living witness that he will help you on your journey. Don’t give up keep moving forward! It is through change that I have grown. I end with this quote Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication.

‘Remember all things are possible for those who believe.’
— Gail Devers”

Andrea lost 68 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Proud mom Andrea lost 68 pounds in 7 months by changing her habits to create a healthier lifestyle.  Here is what she shared about how she lost the weight:

Andrea before and after weight loss

“My motivation to lose weight was a better ME. Once I became a mother (9 years ago), I just let myself go and put myself last in everything. I knew I had gained a lot of weight (number wise) but I never saw myself as being as overweight as I really was (reality hit looking at pictures of myself before and after my weight loss). I am blessed to not suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol issues, or any other disease associated with being overweight and I wanted to ensure that remained the case as I approached the “dirty 30’s”. The ultimate motivation/goal was that I wanted to lose at least 50 pounds by my 30th birthday.

I changed my eating habits mainly with using the “myfitnesspal” app in counting calories. I cut back on sweets as this is my biggest struggle (I cut them out completely in the beginning), no sodas, rarely eat fast food and when I do I eat healthier choices. I hardly eat fried foods and I make moderations to what I eat.  For example, if I eat a sandwich, I use one slice of wheat bread and I use mustard instead of mayo. I am more conscious of what I eat and how much I eat and counting calories is the biggest help of all.

My workout routines consist of walking/running on the treadmill 3-4 miles 5-6 days a week. I did Hip Hop Abs for 3 months along with monthly challenges on Black Women Losing Weight page. I have only exercised at home; no gym membership!

My starting weight was 249 pounds (my heaviest) when I went to the doctor in April 2013 and that is when I started making small changes with foods and slowly walking at least 1 mile a day on the treadmill every day. I went back to the doctor May 2013 and weighed 246 pounds and that is when I kicked into high gear on this weight loss journey. As of December 12, 2013, I weighed in at 181 pounds. My goal weight (after losing the first 50 pounds) was 175 pounds by my birthday (December 15). Although I missed that goal, I am still so very proud of myself and how far I have come. I am now aiming to get down to 165 pounds (hopefully by May 2014).

My advice to others is to never give up! Gaining weight is easy and losing it will be one of the hardest things you ever have to do. It is hard, takes commitment, strength, determination, will power, and faith. There are good days and bad days but when you have a bad day, pray about it and start over tomorrow-don’t beat yourself up. I have been on this journey for 7 months strong and I have days when I fall off the bandwagon but I just get back up and keep going. Every step and effort you make makes a difference and equals a step closer to a better and healthier you! I encourage others to lose weight for themselves and no one else because when you do it for the wrong reasons, it probably won’t last as a weight loss journey is about a lifestyle change for the rest of your life. No two stories and experiences are alike so you have to do what works best for you and your life. The Black Women Losing Weight page is an excellent source for women on a weight loss journey as it gives women hope and motivation that if “she” can do it, so can IJ

***Picture on the left is from December 2012 and picture on the right is from November 2013***”

Shalonda lost 75 pounds

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Featured Weight Loss Success Story: Shalonda lost 75 pounds with Weight Watchers, ditching red meat and exercising regularly.  Find out more about her motivation and the details of her weight loss journey:

Shalonda before and after

“Hello, my name is Shalonda Robinson. I began my weight loss journey January 27, 2013. To date I have lost 75 pounds doing Weight Watchers. I have always had a weight issue since I was a little girl, but I never imagined I would balloon to over 300 lbs (At my heaviest I was 335 lbs.) after I had my daughter 17 years ago! It had gotten to the point where I was scared to go to sleep for fear I have a heart attack in my sleep. I was tired of my knees hurting, my feet swelling, and just generally not feeling good. I’m 42 and I knew I wasn’t getting any younger and it was only going to get worse. I want to be around for a long time, so I decided enough was enough. I still have 96 lbs to go and I’m determined to reach my goal and keep it off.

I decided to join Weight Watchers. Many people think it’s a diet but they truly teach you how to make smart and healthy decisions. I basically eat all day, but instead of snacking on a bag of chips or a candy bar, I opt for a fruit smoothie or raw veggies to satisfy that desire for crunch. I’ve cut out red meat and pork. That wasn’t something taught by Weight Watchers, however. Really, with Weight Watchers you can eat just about anything. It was a personal decision. I drink 80-96 oz of water daily. I’ve increased my fiber and multi grain intake. My exercise of choice is walking. I walk on the treadmill, while it’s been cold, for about 45 min 3-4 times a week, but I prefer walking the trails in the park. That’s just about it. I will admit, I could be further ahead, but when I slip, I don’t beat myself up over. I just dust myself off and start again. This is a battle I will always have, but I never feel defeated because it’s all in my hands.”

Shay weight loss story

Jasmine lost almost 100 pounds

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Weight Loss Journey of the Day: Proud mom and teacher Jasmine lost almost 100 pounds after deciding to make a life change after reaching the 300 lb mark.  She made time in her very busy schedule to change her lifestyle.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey to greater health and weight loss:

Jasmine weight loss story

“Almost 100 lbs down, and still a ways to go, but I’m ON MY WAY!!!! My journey has been probably 90% mental & only 10% physical. After struggling with weight my ENTIRE adult life, I had finally hit & surpassed the 300 pound mark. I was beyond embarrassed & depressed & it was impacting my day to day life. I finally realized the only way I could stick to a workout routine was in finding activities I enjoyed with supportive friends that I knew I could bare my soul to. I started with hiking, which was practically therapeutic. After hitting a plateau, I dug deep and found the courage to work with a trainer at a small local gym. That was the change maker. Not the training, but finding a place where I was more than just a card carrying faceless member. I NEEDED accountability.

After a few months I hit a plateau & became depressed again. I began cheating MYSELF, being inconsistent & not putting my all into it. One of the girls from the gym invited me to try “just one” bootcamp class the next morning. The rest is history. My morning bootcamp classes brought accountability to a whole new level. Now I had dozens of people expecting to see me, texting me & messaging me on Facebook Even more than that, by doing a workout in intervals that incorporates the scary W word, WEIGHTS, I’ve seen absolute transformation! I’m able to push myself because I know as hard as any particular station may be, I’m only doing it for a minute, then it’s on to the next one. Finding a workout that’s never the same, combines weight training, resistance, cardio, high intensity intervals, accountability, & is fun has been a life changer! I do bootcamp 6 days a week, & many days do 2-adays. I wouldn’t dream of starting my day without getting my workout in!

Of course with all this work, I don’t dare sabotage myself with eating habits.  I make sure I’m getting plenty of protein, lean meats, the more colorful my fruits & veggies the better, & I finally cut out breads & cut down on processed food. Finding what worked for me has changed my world, my attitude, & confidence, and I look forward to continuing on improving myself. I’ve accepted that I’m not competing with anyone but myself and only working on making myself better today than I was last week. I’ve learned it’s about “progress not perfection!” I’m a single mom of an active teenager in multiple sports and a public school teacher. It’s not about having time, it’s MAKING time! Your health, life, happiness depend on it. If I can MAKE the time, anybody can!”

Faneshia lost 41 pounds

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Regular exercice and cleaning up her eating habits helped Faneshia lose 41 pounds.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

“Greeting, I was speaking to my friend on the phone and she was talking about how excited she was to have joined a local fitness center. I do not know what is was, but when I heard her say, “I am tired of being overweight, and I had to do something about it.”.  That made me realize that I was tired of being overweight too. That conversation on June 6, 2013 and it was the start of my weight loss journey. After I hung up the phone, I knew I had to make a change… A lifestyle change! Therefore, I made a grocery list and went to the store to purchase chicken, fish, and vegetables (of all kinds). I made a weekly menu and pre-cooked many of my meals. I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with two snacks in between meals.

I also began working out 5 days a week. My workouts consist of two days per week of Zumba, one day per week of strength training, and two days a week of running and hiking. I began my journey weighing 196 pounds and after 6 months I am down to 155 pounds and have melted away over 34 inches. Additionally, I log my food everyday on My Fitness Pal. I find that logging my eating habits holds me accountable for what I place in my mouth, and helps me make healthier food choices. I am not where I want to be, but with hard work, consistency and a great supportive husband I will meet my goal and stay living a healthy and fit life!”

Faneshia before and after photos