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Natalie lost 43 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Natalie lost 43 pounds by eating healthier and working out 4-6 hours per week. Her story shows that weight loss has it’s ups and downs and it takes time, but you can re-commit and have success.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is Natalie and here’s my story. I have struggled with my weight for my entire life. My two wake-up calls happened during during my freshman year in college. First, I wasn’t able to fit into a roller coaster ride at a theme park and had to get off the ride. Second, I had to do an assignment for one of my classes which required us to weigh ourselves. I found out I was 240 pounds (left picture). I was devastated. This information was enough for me to decide to change.

I started counting calories (1500 per /day) and working out for 1.5 to 3 hours/three days a week. In eight months, I lost 60 pounds. Unfortunately, I was not eating healthy during this time. When I stopped calorie counting, I gained about 24 pounds back over the course of three years. Now, I am restarting my journey to lose weight. I started about a month ago (after my college graduation) at 204 pounds and I am now about 197 pounds (right picture). I am eating MUCH healthier and only drinking water. I workout 4-6 hours a week doing a combination of running, elliptical, modified INSANITY workouts, Zumba, weight training, and walking. I realize now that this is a lifelong commitment. I am currently working to lose about 15-20 pounds before the beginning of November. I am so inspired by the success stories of the women on this Facebook page!

natalie weight loss pictures

Keya’s Emotional Weight Loss Story

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I had to share Keya‘s moving story that she posted to our Facebook page.  She didn’t note how much she lost (you can see it in the photos) but I think the details of her story are far more important and inspiring.  Here is what she shared (Update Oct 2013: See her updated photo and more info below the original post):

Many people don’t believe me when I tell them I got to 200 lbs. I was at a place of hopelessness and despair. My husband was in prison, I was raising 3 children as a single mother all while working 40+ hours a week and maintaining a 4.0 average in college. I had no time to take care of me and I had no time to love me.  All the love that I could muster each day was distributed evenly amongst my 3 children. A life of pain including suicide attempts, miscarriages, infidelity, not being wanted by your mother, finding out at 26 that your biological father is in fact your mother’s step dad and SO much more…was a building volcano waiting to erupt.  I am finally at a place where I am getting back to the basics! I found my voice and no longer allowed those things to hold me bondage. I use them to help others and that allowed the chains to break free.

We often time live life as though we are invincible, well, I had a mini stroke back in 2009.. It was one of the many times I had a brush with death and I just kept praying that God would help me to live because I was not ready to die. Finally, once again, I AM LIVING Y’ALL! Get your health right, you only got ONE life! I changed my eating habits and I workout with a trainer 4 times per week including electrifying cardio and Zumba classes. I also walk/run 5 miles on the 5th day. I hope to inspire someone, as I know what it feels like to have no inspiration or motivation in life.  I love y’all to PEACES! ♥~Keya

Keya weight loss pictures

Update – Keya has lost 40 pounds: “I just wanted to share a more updated picture, I’m still losing pounds and inches and wanted to reshare my story in hopes of helping another.”

Keya weight loss photos

Candyce lost 51 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Candyce lost 51 pounds with the help of the MyFitnessPal app, learning to eat her favorite foods in moderation and working out regularly. Here is what she shared with us:

What was your starting weight?  What is your current weight?

In the before photo I’m at 206 pounds in August 2012.  In the after photo I’m at 155 pounds in July 2013.

What was your motivation?

My motivation was mostly my babies. When my then 2 year old told me “Mommy, you got a big fat belly!” I knew that it was time to make a change! Also, I was sick of not being able to run and play with the children.

How did you change your eating habits?

I didn’t cut out my favorite foods, I just ate them in moderation. I also changed the way I prepared things, such as using wheat flour instead of white flour and using whole wheat pasta. I wasn’t a bad eater to begin with, but like most of us, I tended to overindulge. I also started using the MyFitnessPal app to keep track of what I ate.

What did your workout routines look like?

When I first started, I was going to boot camp classes twice a day.  I had to cut that out when I sprained BOTH ankles. So then, I turned to YouTube for some low impact cardio, arms, leg and an workouts.

How long did your transformation take?

My transformation took 7 months and I have maintained it for four months so far! Thanks for keeping black women encouraged!

Candyce weight loss pictures

Courtney lost 186 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some love to Courtney!  She is a long time member of BWLW and was one of the first people featured on our Facebook page (before we had a blog).  She lost 186 pounds after having vertical sleeve weight reduction surgery about 7 years ago.  She wrote to us to update her story:

“My name is Courtney and I have been big all my life.  At 21 years old, I changed my life by having weight loss surgery! I had the vertical sleeve procedure in 2007.  Then, I was wearing a size 28-30.  Now, I’m in a size 6-8 and I weigh 140 pounds, down from 326 pounds!!! I had a baby in December 2011 and I still maintained my weight.  I’m over joyed with the healthy me.  I had the surgery because that was my last hope after trying everything under sun and spending lots of money! So, if it works for you great!! Thanks so much for your time!”

courtney weight loss surgery

 

Lindsey lost 140 pounds

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Update: Lindsey has lost a total of 140 pounds and her loose skin removal surgery is being chronicled on a new show, Skin Tight, on the TLC network. (Jan 27th at 10pm EST). More info on the show.

lindsey before and after

July 2013: Today’s weight loss before and after story: Vlogger Lindsey M. Adams lost 126 pounds.  She realized God’s healthy plan for her life, left an abusive relationship and learned to eat right and exercise with programs like Weight Watchers.  Here is what she shared bout her weight loss journey…

Lindsey weight loss storyLuke 1:37 “ For with God nothing shall be impossible “ That is the foundation that transformed a 5’5″, 307 pound women into a healthy, whole and fit 181 pound woman today. After 126 lbs. lost and still losing; God has been my number one source, provider, intercessor, healer and motivator. I started my Journey in July 2011, after the Lord spoke to my spiritual accountability partner about the enemy’s plan to kill me with morbid obesity. I wore a size 22/24 and weighed over 300 pounds. Most importantly I had low self- value and esteem and was in abusive relationships for over 8 years. I found myself being the “other woman” or the “side-line” piece because I tried replacing my feelings of rejection with male attention. Between July 2011 and October 2011, I lost 26 pounds by walking 1 hour on my local track for 3 days a week. In October 2011, I joined Weight Watchers and a nutritional program called “Body Breakthru”. As a member of these programs, I learned lifestyle changes and ways to face my weight loss challenges. I also joined LA Fitness and became an avid group fitness participant. Over a total of 15 months, I lost my first 100 lbs. Today, I am a size 10/12 and 181 pounds. I am excited to reach my goal and I continue to add variety and intensity to my workouts. I also work diligently to stop over eating and emotional eating, as well as to practice better portion control and honest calories tracking. I have been a motivational speaker for the Weight Watchers’ Jennifer Hudson Center in Chicago.  I am also an online personality creating videos about my weight loss journey on LindseymAdams.com.

weight loss success photos

Brittney lost 40 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Brittney who lost 40 pounds in the last year.  She started walking and then jogging.  She also started juicing and worked to change her eating habits. Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

Hi! I’ve been really serious about losing weight for the last year. After getting married, having 4 beautiful children receiving my Master’s of Education degree, I had gained 80 pounds. I got to the point where I got tired of buying clothes and having to return them because they were too small. I felt smaller on the inside, but it didn’t reflect on the outside? After setting my mind on being a better, healthier me I started to walk 3 miles, 3-4 times a week. Within 6 months, I started jogging a little, but increased my total workout to 4 miles. In the last 3 months, I have started jogging 3 miles and walking 1 of those miles. I even broke my treadmill from using it so much.

I have  cut back on my portion intake.  Instead of eating my entire meal when we dine out, I save half for lunch the next day or I choose healthier options of the menu. I juice regularly, drink a gallon of water a day and take full advantage of a fresh fruit salad everyday. I even participate in BWLW monthly exercise challenges. I have successfully lost 40+ pounds and I am working toward the next 40! Thank you for the motivation and encouragement.

Brittney weight loss pictures

Pebbles lost 54 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Pebbles lost 54 pounds.  Her weight loss and fitness journey was featured on the Dr. Oz Show (Dec 2012).  Now, she teaches others about mental as well as physical fitness.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi, I’m Pebbles Armwood.  I am just a regular woman who at times gets busy, overwhelmed, and engulfed in everyday life. Around this time last year, I weighted 234 pounds and my doctor told me I was borderline diabetic. I knew at that very moment that I needed a change in my life. It’s one thing to be born with a health condition, because you’re not in control of that. However, to allow myself to become sick from something that I have control over is different. At any cost, if I can avoid, stop, and prevent any type of disease that’s what I will do. I knew that exercising was a must, so I had fun doing different fitness routines. I used dancing, walking, weight training, intervals, group workouts, etc. The key is that I had fun with my mental, emotional, and physical fitness. It took me 10 months to lose over 54 pounds.  Today, I am 180 pounds and still working on it. My message is simple, “It’s about mental fitness.. the physical part will follow.” I believe perception is reality which can make things hard, impossible, and unachievable for ourselves. Once I stopped playing the victim role, the sky was limitless. I soon realized that losing weight was a lifestyle change and not a fad. It’s all about small easy steps that will create big change. I had no idea losing weight would turn into purpose. I was a guest on The “Dr. Oz” Show after sharing my story. I now help others reach their goals thorough my blog, radio interviews, and one on one sessions. I also inform people about juicing for health. I now have a business called Pebbles Armwood Presents Mental Fitness. I do speaking events sharing my 3 Easy Steps To Mental Fitness.

“I love to dance, so I would go to the gym just do a lot of cardio because there was a lot of fat I needed to burn,” Armwood said. “I did cardio, I did elliptical, I did intervals, I did weight lifting. I love lifting weights. I could probably bench-press more than a lot of men. I would dance at home. I would go running, I would go jogging. I would do my own little made-up boot camp. Armwood also made changes to her diet, working in more parsley and lemongrass green tea into her diet, and into smoothies each morning before hitting the gym, both tips she learned from the show.” – Patch.com

Pebbles weight loss story

Chavone lost 37 pounds

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Chavone wrote to us to share her 37 pound weight loss success story.  She started in January 2013 and has lost weight by changing her diet and working out 4-5 times per week.  Let’s show her some love.  Here is what she shared:

My names is Chavone. I’ve gone from 186 pounds to 149 pounds, losing 37lbs. My weight transformation began January 21, 2013. My motivation was family. At that time, my grandmother recently had a triple bypass surgery and never quite recovered. I don’t want to be unhealthy. I cut all red meat out of my diet. I made the decision to not eat any sugar and to only drink water. Cleaning up my eating habits and getting healthy has been a great decision. I workout 4 to 5 times a week.  I do really high impact cardio and weight training for 45 minutes per day.

Chavone weight loss before and after

Sylvia lost 56 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Sylvia lost 56 pounds using My Fitness Pal as a calorie counter, running, aerobics and strength training.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is Sylvia and I am from Atlanta, GA.  I have struggled with my weight for years. But during graduate school I was stressed and in an unhealthy relationship which started the weight gain spiral.  In 2009, my mother passed away and I lived across the country from my family. Needless to say getting and staying motivated was tough.

I had the goal of losing weight for years but this year something finally clicked. I weigh in every week and post my results on a door that I walk by everyday. I also created a “thinspiration” wall of quotes, pictures and weight count down chart; essentially its a vision board. I use the My Fitness Pal app to track my food and a calendar to track my workouts. In addition, once a month I post my weight loss progress on Facebook.  For me, all of these tools together have helped with my accountability.

Eating habits – I use a calorie counter (My Fitness Pal). I try to stick to a 1500 calorie diet. A food scale, measuring cups, sandwich and snack bags are your best friends. You will be amazed at what a “true portion” once you start using them. I did try juicing (one meal) for two weeks until I got to a point where I liked fruits and vegetables. I don’t believe in restricting foods because it makes you binge. Everything in moderation.

Exercise – I started running in 2010 but I became a runner in 2011. I joined Black Girls Run-Atlanta and they helped me train for races. I started with a 5k, got hooked, and now I run half marathons. I also like cardio kickboxing and step classes. Additionally, I lift weights at the gym. If you really want to see results, lift heavy weights and read body building articles. Strength training is what truly changes the shape of your body.

In 2009, I was 240 pounds. Now, I weigh 184 pound. A 56 pound weight loss over the course of four years. I try to encourage people not to worry about how long it takes. Just know that with time and hard work, you will achieve your goals.

Sylvia weight loss success

Jennifer lost 51 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight Love to Jennifer.  She has lost 51 pounds since April 2nd of this year and is striving to lose 49 pounds more!!  Here is what she shared with us: “I’d like to share my story.  I’ve lost 51 pounds since April 2, 2013.  How did I do it?  Just by stopping drinking soda, cutting out sweets and with an intense exercise regiment.  I also eat clean. I went from 386 pounds to 335 pounds.  My goal is to lose another 49 pounds and maintain my new lifestyle. My motivation was when my doctor told me that I could not have another child due to my weight.”

Jennifer weight loss before and after