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Arica has maintained her weight loss of over 100 pounds

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Update 2015: We shared Arica‘s weight loss story in May 2014 (she lost 107 pounds). She wrote in today to let us know that she’s he’s maintained her weight loss and started a group to help others.

Learn more about her weight loss journey in the original post.

Arica before and after

Hello everyone. My names is Arica. I was featured on this site last year. I am two years out from having the Sleeve Gastrectomy. Before weight loss surgery, I weighed 234 lbs. My lowest weight was 127 pounds and I’ve maintained a weight in the 130s for the last year. I exercise 5 days a week. I do not eat fast food, fried food, red meat, sweets or drink pop/juice. I’ve earned this body!

Healthy eating and fitness have become my new life style. I want to help other people achieve their goal of living a better life so I created a fitness group. It’s called Go Hard Or Go Home. This is the group that you join if you’re SERIOUS about LOOSING WEIGHT, HEALTHY EATING & FITNESS. We don’t coddle. We don’t procrastinate. We don’t whine. We don’t make EXCUSES. We Do give hard love. We DO achievements. BIG & SMALL. We do what’s necessary to get the results that we want. In this group… We GO BIG OR GO HOME!

Update Jan 2016: “I became a personal trainer with an additional cert in fitness nutrition. I would like to take this knowledge and help others reach their goal to be healthy. I specialize in bariatric patients. You can inbox me or email me at fitthisfitness@yahoo.com”

arica before and after

Jasmine lost 118 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Jasmine lost 118 pounds in a year. This proud single mom of 2 worked to create a better life for her and her children on several fronts.  She not only took action on her daughter’s behalf but she’s taken steps to improve her health and drop the pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

Jasmine

Hello, I’m Jasmine. I was once at a very unhappy place in my life. I got comfortable with just existing in this world. It wasn’t until I started really living that I realized I needed to change my life. I never had health issues, like diabetes or high blood pressure. I changed my life because I wanted to. I got tired of looking in the mirror and hating how I looked. I got tired of being unhappy with myself.

After ending a long term relationship with my children’s father, I became a single mother of 2 beautiful little girls. One of my daughters has emotional issues. I worked as a section 8 case manager and when my daughter started having issues in school because of her father not being around it was stressful. Then the weight started piling on me. I was crying a lot and eating to comfort myself. In South Carolina where I lived there isn’t much help for kids with emotional issues other than putting them on meds and I refused to put my beyond smart daughter on meds. After a year of fighting with the school board, being depressed, being unhappy and gaining weight, I reached 317 pounds. I started doing research and talking to people and family up north. In 2012, I left my career, my friends, my church and my Mom in South Carolina and moved to Boston. It was one of the hardest decisions in my life.

Let’s fast forward to January 2015. Now, I am beyond happy! My 2 daughters are doing wonderful in school and they are very active with dance and cheerleading. My daughter with the emotional issues is doing phenomenal in school with the help of therapy twice a week…and guess what? She’s not on meds! I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life!

Feb 1, 2014, I realized since everything else in my life was going well for me as far as my Section 8 career, my kids and my finances I figured that it was time for me to work on ME. I just got tired of hating the physical and at 29 yrs old I’m too young and too pretty of a girl to just let myself go like that. I started working out at Planet Fitness 5 days a week. The first 2 weeks were so hard and uncomfortable for me but I pushed myself. I did 45 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weight lifting for 5 days a week. That helped me drop weight but to get more results I HAD to change my eating habits.

Being a single mother, working full time with 2 kids being in school and doing extra curricular activities plus therapy twice a week can make it hard not to eat on the run. I HAD to learn to eat 3 small meals and 2 snacks a day. I had to learn to eat breakfast at home everyday and pack my lunch and snacks for work. My diet consists of a lot of greens and fruit. Sweet potatoes and asparagus became my best friends. As well, I learned to drink water and now I drink a gallon a day. I have my cheat meal once a week but because I am in habit of my healthy lifestyle I don’t over do it.

Exercising and healthy eating is not a diet…..it is a LIFESTYLE. I still work out 4-5 times a week at the gym. I go running around my house at times when I can’t make it to the gym. Currently, I am at 199 pounds so I’ve lost 118 pounds, Feb 1, 2015 will make it a year since I’ve decided to change my life! I went from a size 3x to an xlarge. Aside from work, my kids and the gym; I’m a cheerleading coach as well and will be coaching on the competition level this year. My advice to all women out there trying to lose weight…..NEVER GIVE UP! There is nothing easy about this lifestyle but NOTHING in life comes easy. Don’t let fear, awkwardness, or excuses stop you. I moved 15 hours away to find happiness and help for my daughter. I’m in the city with little to no help with my daughters and a career. My daughters keep me busy with sports, extra curricular activities and therapy. If I can make time everyday or at least 5 days a week to workout then ANYONE can do it!

Update: Theodora lost 100 pounds

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Shout out to Theodora! She is working hard and keeping the pounds off in 2017.

Well today is the day, my 3 year fitaversary! I took that left pic in January 2014, but it wasn’t until April 22nd of that year that I finally decided enough was enough. I believe I was 303lbs in that January pic but when I finally started I was 318.5lbs! I probably would’ve been close to the 400s if I hadn’t gotten my act together. I’m not at the lowest weight I had gotten to when I first started this journey but I’m still sooooo proud of myself for never giving up. I’ve struggled a lot these past few years but I have never completely strayed from this journey like I have in the past. I think a big part of the reason I’ve stayed consistent is because I made this separate fitness ig. I never imagined the support and motivation perfect strangers could give, thank you all so much, especially those of you who have been here since day 1 on this account. I thank God for giving me the strength and determination to change my life and I pray he continues to guide me along this difficult but rewarding journey!! #fitaversary #weightloss #weightlossjourney #fitness #fitnessjourney #motivated #dedicated #determined #cantstopwontstop #nevergivingup #lifestylechange #persistence #consistency #progressnotperfection #blackwomenlosingweight #thickfit

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Update 2015: We featured Theodora‘s story back in Aug 2014 (52 pounds gone). She recently sent in an update to let us know that she’s lost a total of 100 pounds and is sharing her weight loss journey online.  She lost the weight in 8 1/2 months and looks great.

Check out the original post for more info on how she lost the weight.

theodora weight loss

Hi! I’m writing to you to update you guys on my story and tell you that I am now 100lbs down! I also have created an instagram account dedicated only to my weight loss journey, it’s @theodoragetsfit.

The biggest thing I’ve taken from this journey is to never turn to food when I’m feeling depressed because the weight goes on much easier than it comes off. As far as my diet since you featured my story, it has pretty much stayed the same. As I got closer to losing 100 pounds and the weight loss slowed down, my personal trainer advised me to eat only green vegetables instead of the mixed vegetables I was eating every day. I used to do cardio for an hour and weight lift for about 20-30 minutes, but after I hit a plateau I increased my cardio to 1 hour and 15 mins and started lifting heavier weights.

On this journey I have learned that I can do anything I put my mind to. I never thought that I would lose 100 lbs in 8 1/2 months! My advice for anyone trying to lose weight is to decide to do it and commit. Don’t compare yourself to others because this is your journey and you can go at your own pace. Stay committed even when the scale isn’t cooperating because it is not the only way to measure your success. Finally, keep God first! God truly helped me through this journey.

Want to share your weight loss transformation? Submit Your Story Today

Regina lost 111 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Regina lost 111 pounds with weight loss surgery after years of yo-yo dieting.  She decided that Gastric Bypass was the best option for her and too control of her weight.  Here is what she shared with us…

Regina before and after

Hi, My name is Regina Willis and here is my story. My entire adult life I have been overweight. I have tried time and time again and used every fad diet out there. At my heaviest, I weighed 330 pounds and it was a struggle to workout but I did. I walked, bought a Treadmill and joined Medical Weight Loss. I lost 30-40 lbs and gained it back.

ReginaI lost My mother and 24 year old sister to diabetes and I refused to end up sick or dead, so in 2012 I decided to have Gastric Bypass weight loss surgery. I had the hardest time getting approved because I was in perfect health. “Wow”, you say. No, I didn’t have high blood pressure, diabetes or heart issues, After a long fight, I finally got the approval and almost 2 years later and over 100 pounds lighter I’m still maintaining my weight loss. I would like to lose 60 more lbs and I will keep you all updated on my progress.

I changed my eating habits by eliminating fast foods, less sugars and white breads. I also cook more chicken turkey. I work out 3-4 times a week and recently started using weights. My starting weight was 330 and my current weight is 219 pounds (I’m 5’8″).

My advice for anyone trying to lose weight is to do research on all diets or surgeries. I struggled for years with yo-yo diet fads  and one day I just made the choice that was best for me and you should do the same. It’s your life and you only get one.

 

Agosthina lost 120 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Agosthina lost 120 pounds. Facing obesity and a number of health issues, she decided to change her life to be an inspiration to her children.  She’s reached that goal and is inspiring many more as a health coach.  She shared her awesome weight loss transformation story with us…

AgoJan152blog

 

My name is Agosthina Louis (Aimee). I am a Certified Holistic Health Coach and a Certified Lifestyle and Weight Management Specialist (NESTA). I was born and raised in the beautiful country of Haiti. I am a mother of two beautiful children and I call South Florida home for the past 18 years.

As a young girl, I was always the skinniest kid in my class and among my neighborhood friends. I weighed 110 lbs up until I was 21 years old. I started gaining weight when I was pregnant with my daughter. I did not know how to eat right and have never exercised. At my heaviest, I weighed about 285 pounds.

Two and a half years ago, I was morbidly obese, depressed and unhappy. I had prediabetes, my cholesterol levels and blood pressure readings were high and my waist measured at 51 inches.  I had constant headaches and no energy. I used to skip breakfast on most days thinking that was going to help me lose weight. As a result, I’ve always ended up overeating at lunch and dinner time. I knew I had to make a change. I did not want to be a diabetic because I experience my dad’s daily struggles with that disease.

I started my weight loss journey by slowly changing my eating habits. I started drinking more water and eliminated coffee, sodas, fruit juices and all sugary drinks. Later on, I added more fruits and veggies to my meals. I also did a 30-day green smoothie challenge where I had a green smoothie daily for breakfast and ate regular clean meals and snacks throughout the day. The challenge helped me consume more veggies and curb my appetite. Before the challenge my typical breakfast used to be coffee with creamer, lot of sugar and bagel with cream cheese or I used to skip it entirely.

I went on to eliminate all refined carbs (white bread, sugar, white rice, white potatoes…) and replaced them with complex ones (whole wheat bread/pasta/couscous, brown rice and quinoa). I went vegan for 4 months; however it was hard for me to keep up with it. I now only eat fish and poultry (without skin) and no red meats or dairy.

I completely eliminated refined sugar from my diet except for occasional natural honey in green tea. I no longer eat fast food, fried foods or drink coffee which I was previously addicted to. I drink a green smoothie daily for breakfast, and eat clean portioned meals and snacks throughout the day. I meal prep every Sunday and pack my lunch, snacks and water with me daily in a cooler – this is the secret to my weight loss success. I drink an Apple Cider Vinegar drink (8 oz. water, 2 Tbsp. ACV and fresh squeezed lime juice) and green tea daily before breakfast. I take a multivitamin, fish oil, probiotics and vitamin C and D daily. I aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep and meditate daily.

I was very heavy so it was hard to do strenuous workout routines; therefore I started walking for 20 to 30 minutes daily around the block, at the park and at work during lunch time. It was very hard at first. I was very slow. I had shortness of breath and I had a lot of knee pain, but I kept pushing.  I love walking; therefore I walk daily either outside or at my community’s fitness center on the treadmill.

In 2012, I had 2 gym memberships; but right now I have none. I work out mostly at home and at my community’s fitness center. I have a bunch of workout equipments at home such workout DVDs, dumbbells, medicine ball, resistance bands, jump rope, exercise ball, waist trainers, pull up bar, kettlebells and more. My favorite workout equipment is the elliptical and I use it all the time.

I like Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred (DVD) and I’ve completed that program twice with great result. I also completed the “Bikini Body Mommy” 90 day challenge and lost 20 pounds. Last summer I purchased and completed Beach Body’s Piyo workout DVD program and I am now more flexible as a result. I love Piyo and will continue to do it whenever I need more flexibility in my routine. Current workout schedule: I workout 5 to 6 days per week which includes 2 to 3 days of strength training and 5 days of cardio.

  • What was your starting weight? 285 pounds
  • What is your current weight? 165 pounds
  • What is your height? 5’4 1/2″
  • How long did your transformation take? 2 and a half years
  • What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight? Don’t focus so much on the number on the scale, but rather on being healthy and the weight loss will follow. There is no magic to weight loss; we just have to eat clean and add activities to our day. “Consistency is key.”

IG: @aimeenaturalswellness
Facebook: aimeenaturalswellness
Website:   Aimeenaturalswellness.com

Agosthina before and after

Quon lost 101 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Quon lost 101 pounds in 9 months.  After having a wakeup call via a workplace video, she decided that it was time to change her lifestyle with healthy eating and exercise.  Learn more about her weight loss journey…

Quon before and after

Hello, my name is Quon Cason. I am a 39 year old mother of two and my motivation for losing weight was to become healthy and to prevent obesity related illnesses. Even more importantly, I wanted to feel good about my myself. What initially jumpstarted my journey was when a co-worker filmed me at a company event. I watched the video and I was flabbergasted when I saw how out of control my weight had gotten. Yes, I knew I was overweight. However, to see myself in the video and not recognize that woman and realize how out of control I had gotten FLOORED ME!

From that day forward, I went cold turkey on eating junk food like processed foods, soda, fast food and all the other crap I loved and was clearly addicted to. I started juicing, eating clean and working out at least 4 days a week. My workouts consist of cardio, strength training and HIIT (high intensity interval training). My starting weight was 297 pounds and my current weight is 196 pounds. I would like to lose 10 to 15 more pounds.

I have so much more energy, and when people see me their reaction is priceless. The best response is when I am not recognized at all. I must admit that I am proud of myself for sticking to my plan and accomplishing my initial goal of 100 lbs gone in 9 months!! I hope to inspire others. I am the walking billboard for “If I can do it, so can you”, because Lord knows I have failed so many times before.

Quon weight loss story

Nikiel lost 102 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Nikiel lost 102 pounds.  As a nurse she’s witnessed how being overweight can affect your health and she wanted to be there to see her kids grow and thrive for years to come, so she made a change.  Read all about her journey…

Nikiel before and after

My journey started over 9 years ago. Now I’m down 102 pounds!!!!! I’m 5’7″ tall and my current weight is 178 pounds. I can remember getting up to at least 280 pounds. I had always been overweight and dealt with low self-esteem. My career in the medical field as a nurse exposed me to the realities of physical difficulties and illnesses that come as a result of being overweight. Many patients were suffering from conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Even my family members were suffering from heart disease and I saw myself potentially becoming a statistic, so I decided to make a change. That’s what motivated me and wanting to see my children grow up is what inspired me.

My eating habits changed little by little. I mainly cut calories by keeping those cookies and chips to a minimum and eating baked chicken and fish, fresh fruits and vegetables. I was following a plan cutting calories Monday thru Friday leaving the weekend to have a cheat meal or two because that is what worked best for me at the time. I initially lost about 70 pounds following that routine as well as doing TAE BO and the The Firm DVDs for women. However, the biggest obstacle was gaining about 50+ pounds back when I got pregnant with my last child over 6 years ago.

It seems like it took forever to loose the weight but I went back to my roots where I started from and added some new things I had learned on the way. Over a year ago I introduced running into my routine by joining a local running group. This move helped me to lose an additional 30 pounds and that has been great. After losing the weight there is definitely a sense of accomplishment that I felt and looked better but my real accomplishment comes from the fact that I have encouraged others. My goal is to lose about 20 more pounds, tone up more and become a personal health coach.

My advice to those who want to lose weight would be to just start small and work your way up.  Do not beat yourself up when you have a bad day because the next day is the first day of the rest of your life. Keep positive people around you and remain positive yourself.  Find out what works for you and have fun. Always remember that it is a lifestyle change and not simply a “diet”.

Instagram: @purplelady_curvyslim

Nikiel weight loss story

Ebony lost 126 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Ebony lost 126 pounds.  To avoid a family history of high blood pressure and diabetes, she decided to get help and begin a new healthy lifestyle.  Here is what she shared about her journey…

Ebony before and after

I wanted to share my weight loss story with someone in hopes to inspire them! Your page inspires and motivates me everyday. I want others to know they are not alone and that they can do it to. Its possible! I’ve lost over 120 lbs. All natural. No gimmicks, no wraps, shakes…just through eating right and exercise. BWLW, Thank you for your daily inspiration!

My motivation was my overall health. I was 21 years old and facing high blood pressure. My family has a history of high blood pressure and diabetes, so I didn’t want that for myself. I went to the doctor one day and she was telling me about my blood pressure and how I would have to take medicine. I had been obese my whole life, but I knew that if I wanted different for myself, I had to take my health and my life back.

I started out by talking with a friend of the family who happened to be a personal trainer and had been trying to get me to workout for years but I never really gave it a thought until then. He took me grocery shopping, helping me pick out food. I started eating lean meats, veggies, drinking a gallon of water a day and complex carbs. I was also eating six small meals a day. For the first two weeks he watched my eating to make sure I was serious. Within the first two weeks, I dropped 15 pounds, and thats when I began to workout. I worked out about five times a week, and a lot of it con consited of cardio, running and strength training.

My starting weight was 331 pounds, which wasn’t even my biggest. I am now 205 pounds. (height: I’m 5’11”). I started my journey in March 2013. By November 2013, I was down 100 pounds. After that I hit a long plateau, but I’ve changed up my workouts by adding weights and the numbers have been dropping. I am still transitioning; this is a lifestyle. My advice to others would be to never give up on you, and that the best project you’ll ever work on is you, so invest in yourself!

Instagram: @ebbydanny

Ebony weight loss

Precious lost 105 pounds

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Update Dec 2015 – We featured Precious’s story of losing 105 lbs a year ago. She is still going strong and has lost 15 more pounds. “I’ve lost 15 more pounds and have built lean muscle. Total weight loss to date: 120 lbs. Since my story was featured back in 12/2014, I been working towards becoming a certified personal trainer and fitness nutritionist. Now, I am helping other women in my life (family and friends) reach their fitness/health goals by working out with them through fit camps and at the gym!  My children are still my biggest motivators. They even workout out with me now. My next goals is to compete in a physic competition.
Thank you again – keep doing what you do!!!”

precious before and after

Dec 2014 – Weight Loss Story of the Day: Precious lost 105 pounds. She was inspired by her family’s health history and the words of her daughter.  Healthy eating, drinking green smoothies and regular exercise helped to reach her weight loss and wellness goals.  Here is what she shared with us…

precious before and after

I wanted to share my story with this awesome group and I hope it helps someone! This group is amazing & inspiring! Thank you for creating it.

What was your motivation?
My children were my motivation. My daughter hugged me one day and said, “Mommy, I can’t get my arms all the way around you.” That was kind of a trigger for me to get myself together. I couldn’t run and play with my children like I should. It was time for a change. Not to mention my family has a history of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, just to name a few.

How did you change your eating habits? What did you stop or start eating?
I cut out all white foods – sugar, bread, rice, pasta and potatoes. No fried foods. No fast food. No soda, coffee or juice. I increased my water intake to half my body weight at the time. I began drinking green tea and other herbal & detox teas (Yogi & Triple Leaf brand). I joined gym the day after my birthday in March 2013. I also began the 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse by JJ Smith in July 2014.

What did your workout routines look like?
I walk to and from work every day – 4 miles each way (8 miles daily total). I go to the gym at least 4 days a week and work out with the personal trainer there at least 2-3 times a week. My workouts consist of cardio (walking, jogging, jump rope, jumping jacks, just to name a few things) for about 30-45 mins. I followed the cardio with push-ups, mountain climbers, squats, ab work, etc. for about 30-45 mins. I do a lot of dancing around, just having fun –lol. I crank up my favorite songs and have a ball!

What was your starting weight and what is your current weight?
A few years prior to March 2013, my heaviest weight was 275 lbs. When I got on the scale in March 2013, I weighed around 240 lbs.

My current weight is 170.5 pounds.

How long did your transformation take?
My transformation took 19 months. I have a bump in the road for a few months and fell off with exercise & eating right, but I got back on track. From March 2013- September 2013, I lost 53 pounds and was weighing 187 pounds. I put back some pounds from September 2013 – March 2014. From July 2014 to present, with the help of the Green Smoothie Cleanse, I’ve lost 45 lbs weighing 170.5lbs. From a size 18 to a size 8/10 OVERALL, from my heaviest weight of 275 lbs to my current weight, I’ve lost around 105 pounds!

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Love yourself no matter what, but love yourself enough to change for the better! Don’t give up! Even if you don’t see results right away. Some things take time and everyone’s body is different. Don’t compare yourself to anyone! Surround yourself with supportive people! Set realistic goals. Hard work pays off!

Instagram: @precious_theunstoppableone

Sophia lost 104 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Sophia lost 104 pounds. She believes that weight loss should be a lifestyle change, not a phase you go through temporarily. After being diagnosed with diabetes, she committed herself to changing her eating habits and working out regularly.  Read more about her journey…

Sophia before and after

What motivated you?
My motivation was being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 17 years old. What inspired me was my son and seeing him grow. I’m a proud single mom who losing weight. I was also motivated by the compliments that I received from my family and friends during my weight loss journey.

Sophia weight lossHow did you change your eating habits?
I changed my eating habits by using proper portion control. I started with that first and then I started with healthier choices. I stop cooking with a lot of grease as well. To tell you the truth, I still eat pizza, fried chicken, steak, mashed potatoes, etc…but I eat those rarely and in reasonable portions. Ultimately, what worked for me was portion control and less greasy food with as much exercise as I can do.

How did exercise figure into your weight loss journey?
I joined a gym and I use to go every day after work, straight from work to the gym. I made a it a ritual so that there was no work without gym time.

How long did your transition take?
In 2003, my heaviest weight was 290 pounds after I gave birth. From there I got down to 230 in 2010. Even though it has taken time for the weight to come down I never gained it back. Now it’s December 2014 and I am 186 pounds. I am almost to my goal weight 170-180 (maybe a little bit lower but I will be ok with that). If you look at it from 290 to 186 it’s a huge difference. I feel just like I look, GOOD!!! Lol

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
The advice that I have for others is find your motivation first. It could be a spouse, your children, yourself or that diagnosis from the doctor. Next, find a routine you can follow and stick with because losing weight should not be hard or sad. Losing weight should fit in your schedule and everything that you do already. In my case, I throw my gym clothes in my car and go to the gym after I leave the office. I use to tell people that I get off at 7pm  instead of 5pm  because technically that’s when I’m free. Most importantly, don’t make it a temporary thing make it a lifetime thing. Exercise and eating right should not be a phase you’re going through. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Instagram: @Ms_thickness33167

Sophia before and after