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LA Fitness

Nakia lost 82 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Nakia lost 82 pounds.  She is still on her journey, but she shared with us about how watching her carb intake, eating clean and working out regularly helped her lose the weight.

nakia before and after

Hi, my name is Nakia and I lost a total of 82 lbs in a year and a half. I went from 279 pounds to 197 pounds and I’m 5 feet 6 inches tall. I gave up all junk food, watch my carbs and started eating clean. I also worked out 4 to 5 times a week. It is a hard road, but I keep pushing!! Taking care of myself has completely made me a new Woman inside and out.

My motivation for losing weight was that I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, my doctor gave me 30 days to get to work on getting my pressure down or she was going to put me on medication. I was also a year out from turning 40 yrs old and I wanted to get myself together, so I joined LA Fitness and haven’t looked backed!

I started with changing my diet. I meal prepped all my meals and used the My Fitness Pal app to count my calories. I eat clean…a lot of protein and vegetables. If I do have carbs, I will have it my cardio days at the gym.

My workout consists of a hour of cardio. I do a lot of HIIT (high intensity interval training ) and running on the treadmill. I also do a half hour of weight training.

I’m still hard at work with my transformation. I’m not sure if I want to call it that. I’m just taking care of myself. This is a lifetime journey that I’m on and I will never stop!  If you need any motivation or advice, I’m on Instagram: @Mz_kia37. Keep going!

nakia weight loss

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Shavon lost 75 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Shavon lost 75 pounds, down from 350 pounds. After experiencing the loss of a loved one and the loss of a relationship, emotional eating contributed to her weight gain (as it does for so many of us).  She found the determination to make the lifestyle changes she needed to make for healthy, lasting weight loss.  Read her story:

Shavon before and after

“Hi, my name is Shavon and I’ve lost a total of 75 pounds. After experiencing great depression from the loss of a close loved one and breakup of a relationship, I began to find comfort in food. At 32 years old, I was weighing in at my heaviest of 350 pounds. I could no longer walk or stand without my feet and ankles swelling and being in excruciating pain. Not to mention, I was just not happy with what I saw in the mirror. June 16, 2013 is the day that I woke up and decided to take control of my health and change my life. Through prayer and determination, I first purchased a Sam’s club card and begin to buy fruits and veggies in bulk. I begin to cook and prepare my own meals on a daily basis. I begin walking daily at the park and eventually joined LA Fitness. 6 months later, I took up my now favorite hobby of Swing Out dancing. I engage in these 3 activities at least 4-5 days a week for exercise. WATER WATER WATER has become my best friend! Lol.  As of today, I’m down to 275 pounds. My ultimate goal is to reach 190 pounds. My advice to anyone is to do what works for you. I am NOT on a diet, I just learned to listen to my body, have fun and do what works for me! Moderation is KEY.”

Michelle lost over 110 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Petite mom of 3 Michelle lost over 110 pounds with gastric bypass weight loss surgery. At 5 feet tall and 268 pounds, she decided that it was time for a change.  Here is what she shared with us:

Michelle weight loss surgery

“After being married for 17 years, I finally came to myself and realize that my drug addicted husband would not change. See, I was not raised with my father and always longed for that relationship so I stayed to LONG. I was so depressed I was now carrying 268 pounds on 5 foot frame. Krispy Kreme doughnuts had become a familiar friend every time I saw the Hot Donut sign. I thought no one would want a fat girl with 3 babies. I finally took charge of my life. I had life altering weight loss surgery.  With gastric bypass, I loss over 110 lbs. I also got a divorce, went back to school and completed a BSM and MA.  I am now 2 classes away from starting my Dissertation for my Doctorate.

When first having the surgery I could really only do protein shakes, eventually I could introduce soft regular foods. I still keep with the philosophy of protein first, and low carbs. My plan currently is 2-3 protein shakes a day, salad with protein for lunch and dinner with protein and veggie. Very limited carbs. For exercise I walk and I am looking into joining LA Fitness for the new year.

Yes, it was hard.  Yes, I cried..and Yes I complained sometimes. However, I looked at my 3 children and a fight for dear life rose in me. I am currently at 170 pounds and still have 30 lbs to get to my goal weight. I am now doing juicing for next 30 days and walking to jumpstart weight loss and reach my ultimate goal.”

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

Lauren lost 94 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Lauren lost 94 pounds.  She was scheduled for weight loss surgery but lost 50 pounds before her surgery date with Weight Watchers and changing her eating habits.  She went on to lose more after adding exercise.  Here is what she shared with us:

My journey of ACTUAL weight loss started Labor Day weekend 2011 on a whim. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired AND fat. I, on that whim, joined Weight Watchers Online.

My journey mentally started before I joined Weight Watchers. I was all primed to have weight loss surgery. I had gone to all the initial appointments. I had been to the all of the pre surgery appointments (psychiatrist, sleep study, primary care to get a letter of medical necessity, blood work, cardiology, gastroenterology, nutritionist and radiology). In my mind, I was going to have gastric sleeve surgery January 2012.

I had no idea how I was going to make Weight Watchers and weight loss happen but I was going to try. I have always given everything 100%, even eating so I was going to give losing 100%, too. I slowly explored the website. By slowly, continuing to make the same food AND measuring WWs taught me to make better food choices. I began to see the weight come off. I ate more fresh fruits and vegetables, even making them fresh myself.

I had done all the pre surgery work for my gastric sleeve surgeon and gone back to set a date. He said you are doing well, let push your next appointment with me out 6 weeks which I did. By the time, that 6 weeks rolled around I cancelled that appointment, too. By January 2012, I had dropped 50lbs and was ready to start exercising. I joined LA Fitness and started with a personal trainer 1x weekly.

It is now April 2013; 17 months later; 94 lbs down. I have gone from a size 22/24 to a 12/14. My shoe size has even gone from a 9 ½-10 to an 8 ½-9. I have lost at least 25 inches as of December 2012. And I am not finished yet. I am 12 lbs from my original goal and may tack another 20lbs on to that. And I am doing the C25K program with Black Girls Run starting this spring and hope to run my first 5k in June. I am also trying to quit smoking. And the thing that I am most proud of is that I am an inspiration to others!!!! I move more than I ever thought I would!!!! I work out at work. I go to the gym. I go to a group workout session on Saturdays in Camden, NJ with a GREAT trainer called Team Poke. I have done Zumba. All I want to do is move!!!!! My next “moving” is paint balling and rock wall climbing!!!!! This has been such an adventure. I have learned so much about myself and I continue to learn!!!!!

So the developments since I originally wrote this. I have, as of June 1st , have given up meat. I am learning to cook without meat. It is very interesting and exciting. I am now on the ecigarette. I’m closer to 100 lbs but I have more energy. My skin is clearer (switched to all natural products)!!!! I’m enjoying this experience and it is soooo empowering.

Lauren weight loss before and after