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Mecca lost 65 pounds

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Feb 2016 Update – Mecca wrote in to let us know that she’s down a total of 92 pounds. She’s made a lot of progress in the last 7 months. Check out how she did it below.

“Hi, this is Mecca. You guys shared my pic sometime ago. Thank u very much! I just wanted to give you an update. I’m down another 27 pounds. I’m feeling very blessed and I’m still going.”

mecca before and after

June 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation Story: Mecca lost 65 pounds. Motivated by wanting to improve her blood pressure, she changed her eating habits and started working out regularly. She shared her before and after photos with us and told us bit about how she lost the pounds…

mecca before and after

My name is Mecca and I’m down 65 pounds. I’m still working hard to succeed at ultimate goal, but I wanted to share my story.

My motivation was my health. I got high blood pressure, as well as aches and pains in my joints. In the beginning, I changed my diet and started working out twice a week. I went on a very strict diet that is high in protein. I left bread and rice alone and cut out anything with sugar. Now, I walk at least 1 mile each day and do circuit training 3 times a week. My starting weight was 307 pounds. Today, my current weight is 242 pounds and my height is 5’6″ and a half.  It has taken me 6 months to loose the weight. My advice to others is focus on your health. We have long lives and lots of time to walk the hard road it takes to get healthy and it is so worth it.

Instagram: @mecj718

Mecca weight loss

Lee lost 48 pounds

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Update April 2016: It’s been almost one year since we featured Lee’s story and she is still going strong.

My weight loss story began almost 2 years ago. I was overweight and overwhelmed and didn’t even know where to start. I got up the day after I weighed myself, shocked that I had gained 30 lbs, and decided that I need to make drastic changes. So, I did! I started eating balanced, low carb meals and did high intensity interval training and weight lifting. I managed to lose 50lbs. That’s 20 lbs more than I thought I would. I am now happy than I’ve ever been and I’m still a work in progress. @happy_curves

lee before and after

June 2015 – Weight Loss Story of the Day: Lee lost 48 pounds and 6 dress sizes over the past year. Changing her eating habits and doing high intensity workouts helped her reach her goals.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

leonie before and after

Instagram – @happy_curves
Starting weight – 170 pounds
Current weight – 122 pounds

Motivation – I was very depressed about my weight and I lacked confidence. One day I decided that feeling that was not worth the instant gratification eating junk food gave me.  Since last year June, I have managed to lose 48 lbs and 6 dress sizes. I almost gave up after one month because I didn’t see results but I am SO grateful that I kept going and stayed consistent. I am so happy to have knowledge about my own body and what works for me.

Eating plan – I had to completely change my eating habits. I stopped eating processed food and fast food and switched to a high protein, slow carb diet which consisted of lean chicken, beef, fish, turkey and other seafood and vegetables. I include healthy fats (avocado, salmon, nuts etc) in my diet and I avoid dairy and gluten.

Exercise- I am not obsessed with exercise. My weight loss has been mainly due to my change in eating habits but I stay active too. I do 30 minutes of tabata or high intensity interval training about 5 days a week, incorporating weights when I can.

My advice for those seeking to lose weight – DONT GIVE UP. Weight loss is a slow and ongoing process but if you want sustainable and healthy results you need patience and consistency. You want to lose weight at a healthy pace.

leonie weight loss

Avicia lost 78 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Avicia lost 78 pounds.  After years of yo-yo dieting and fad plans, she found success with green smoothies, clean eating and exercise.  Now she wants to help others change their lives.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

avicia before and after

Growing up, I was always a thin girl and never had any weight concerns. I would eat anything I wanted with no issues. I began taking birth control and gained about 30 lbs, but once I stopped taking it the weight fell. Then in 2000, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and within the first year of having her I lost the 70 lbs I gained while pregnant. I was wearing a size 8 again. After gaining a pound here and there, within 5 years I was just over 200 lbs. I started doing whatever quick fix was available. Any new fad for rapid weight loss, I tried. I did lose a few pounds doing that but it soon came back plus some when I stopped following the fad plan. By 2008 I weighed 230 lbs, which was what I weighed the day I gave birth to my daughter.

I started to go to the gym regularly, even spent a couple of thousand dollars on a personal trainer and I lost about 15 pounds over the span of 6 months. Approaching my 29th birthday, I weighed 215 pounds and I took a week off to celebrate. However, one week turned in a month, a year and then 2 years had passed and I had not stepped foot in the gym. The scale continued to move up and by my 30th birthday I weighed 250 pounds. I tried a few diet pills and nothing happened. I talked about losing weight daily but put forth no action. By the end of 2011, I weighed 263 lbs (my heaviest) standing at 5’3” tall. Still unhappy and yet unmotivated, I accepted my weight and thought that I would be a big girl forever.

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In February of 2012, I had to undergo a breast reduction and I immediately lost 10 lbs. I began to walk at the track near my home that spring. I lost 5 pounds over that summer, but things were not happening fast enough for me so I gave up yet again. By 2014, I was back in the 250’s and unhealthier than before. Then in April 2014, a friend asked me to join her on the 10 day Green Smoothie Cleanse by JJ Smith and I my exact words were “Girl, I can’t be drinking no smoothies all day.”  After more persuasive talks from her and some much needed prayer I decided to give myself 10 days. I began the green smoothie cleanse on 4/20/14 and those were the most challenging 10 days of my life. I can remember sitting in my car in tears while eating an apple (day 5) but I would not let myself give up again. I had to do it for me. I completed the 10 days and continued a couple more and by my birthday on May 2nd I had lost 13 pounds. On that day I decided that I would never go back to my old eating habits and that it was time for me to take control of my life.

I focused on clean eating and ate lotss of vegetables and protein. My day will usually consist of a smoothie for breakfast and lunch then a light dinner, like chicken or fish with veggies and brown rice. I eliminated soda, coffee and juices, so I drink water, green tea and herbal teas. No artificial sweeteners, I will only use stevia if needed. I snack on crunchy veggies like carrots, cucumbers and celery throughout the day. I do my best to stay away from processed foods and foods with GMO’s. The biggest change for me was prepping my meals for a couple of days at a time. It’s helps tremendously. I also prep for upcoming events. No one wants to give up their favorite foods so I plan accordingly. If I know I have an event coming up I really buckle down and eat right so that when the time comes can enjoy a nice cheat meal without guilt. I love cardio, so I walk/run at least 4-5 times a week and I completed my first 8k in March. I recently started yoga and I enjoy it. I also have started some weight training to build muscles.

I followed the guidelines set in place in that book and other books by JJ Smith. Throughout this past year I have been able to lose over 70 pounds. It has been very challenging but extremely rewarding. Today, I weigh 185 lbs, my initial goal was just to get less than 200 lbs, but now I have a new goal set in place of 170 pounds. I am more determined than ever to continue this journey, for me this is a lifestyle change and I will never go back to the old me. The best advice I can give anyone trying to lose weight is to change your perspective. Don’t look for quick fixes because those are temporary solutions to a lifelong problem. Don’t look at it as dieting because dieting comes to an end. If you want permanent results you have to make permanent changes. It’s a lifestyle change!!

I recently attended the Sexy by Summer conference in DC and I became a certified green smoothie cleanse leader. This means that I have been trained by JJ Smith herself and I can teach anyone everything they need to know to be successful on the cleanse. I’m so excited about this new journey.
Facebook group: Vee’s healthy habits
Instagram: @thenaturalpurpleprincess
Weilos: @kurlykurvynfit

avicia weight loss

*Disclaimer: This book info contains an Amazon Affilate link. We may be compensated if you make a purchase.

Michelle lost 66 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Michelle lost 66 pounds in 5 months, going from a size 28 to a size 18. At 49 years old, she has embraced healthy lifestyle change and is seeing results. Here is what she shared with us about her journey.

michelle before and after

Hi, my name is Michelle.  I’m 49 years old, from Philly and sending my transformation photos in hoping to inspire others! I started my weight loss journey on January 4, 2015! I’m 5’11” tall and I was 340 pounds at the time.  As of today, I am 66 lbs lighter weighing in at 274 lbs. I’m far from finished and I am amazed how the weight is drooping off! From a size 28 to a size 18! I would have never believed that I could have done this. Just WOW!!

In November of 2013, I fell down my basement steps and cracked my fibula in my right ankle! I sat at  home for three months, gaining more weight from being confined to my bedroom. Once I was able to return to work in 2014, the weight just became to much for me to bear! Walking up steps…heck, walking a distance period was a task on top of my ankle beginning to ache after 5-10 minutes of walking on it! I just got tired of being tired!

I begun with the 21 Day challenge (actually I did it for 30 days) by not eating any sweets, sodas, fast food or any thing that just wasn’t plain ole healthy! In February, I joined the Kroc Center (a fitness center in my area) and I go 3 times a week. I now bake all my foods and continue to stay away from foods that are not good for me! I have learned that this is a lifestyle change and that I MUST continue this in an effort to keep the weight off. I’m happy with the results thus far and looking forward to continuing my transformation.

I go to the gym 3 times a week, which consists of 40 minutes on the elliptical machine, then a series of strength training exercises. If time allows I try to make the 55 minute Zumba class in addition to my workout. I’m gradually increasing my elliptical time and strength training week by week.

I’m a spiritual person, and I stay prayed up asking God to give me the courage, strength and fortitude to stay focused through this journey. So whatever your faith, lean on it to help you through! Support from family and friends and colleagues are also very encouraging. Following social media sites such as BWLW is very encouraging as well.

 

Kira lost 60 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Kira lost 60 pounds.  After doing the Daniel Fast, she dedicated herself to perfecting her body temple with clean eating and lots of exercise.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

kira before and after

I just completed my third Daniel Fast! It was this fast that helped me get my journey on track almost three years ago. I asked God if he gave me the strength and endurance to make it through I would clean his temple, my body, from the inside out. Upon completion of my first Daniel Fast, I started alternating between home and gym workouts 3-5 times per week. Over time, I increased my workouts adding boot camps with @_thecommission_ fitness and clean eating. Almost one year ago, I also added a personal trainer to my journey. Between the two; I now workout between 8-10 times per week and some days I do 1-4 workouts. I work out Sunday -Thursday.

  • Sunday Monday and Wednesday: cardio and weightlifting
  • Tuesday and Thursday am: cardio and ab workouts
  • Monday and Thursday evenings:one hour boot camps which consist of cardio and HIIT workouts
  • Friday and Saturday are rest days
Daniel Fast Books

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I keep dining out to a minimum by only choosing to do so when the occasions are special. I replaced white sugar with agave nectar and replaced dairy with nut milks. I also removed complex carbs from my diet (white bread,white rice,pasta). I don’t eat pork and I indulge in beef occasionally.

I fill my free time with family and fitness. To date I have lost 60 lbs. No pills, surgery or supplements…just a simple formula of prayer x hard work x clean eating. I am grateful everyday for how far I have come and I continue to work hard like it is day one! During each workout I tell myself that this journey is not just for me, but prayerfully I hope to inspire someone else who may have the same struggles I have. I share my journey constantly on instagram (@shoegal1275) and Facebook. If I can inspire at least one person I have paid it forward!

Sheila lost 39 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Sheila lost 39 pounds. Determined not to let a family history of obesity and illness affect her future, she embraced regular exercise and changed her eating habits to lose the pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about how she did it…

sheila before and after

Hi, my name is Sheila and I am 43 years old. In March of 2014, I had finally had enough. I had become sick and tired of being sick and tired. I had tried time and time again to lose weight but always gave up. After seeing first-hand the effects of obesity and rheumatoid arthritis, which both run rampant in my family, I finally was scared straight into making changes in my life. At 5’3″ tall and 202 pounds, I started working out with a trainer 3 days a week, doing strength training and very little aerobic exercise.  Then, after 6 weeks my trainer dropped me out of the blue. The scale hadn’t moved but I lost a few inches.

I wanted badly to quit at that point but looking back at my family’s health issues I decided to pick up the ball myself. I begin increasing my aerobic activity to 45 minutes three times a week and then up to 5 days a week, mostly walking on the treadmill. I dropped all the fast food I was eating and started cooking and eating more healthy food by incorporating more salads and fresh vegetables into my meal plan. I also added more protein and that helped me with food cravings. Exactly one year later, I’m now happy to report that I weigh 163 pounds. While I am still 33 pounds from my goal, but I am proud of myself. Trust me, if I could do it anyone can. Thank you for letting me share.

sheila weight loss Sheila

5 Free Wellness Apps That Can Help You Reach Your Goals

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5 free wellness apps

The biggest struggles of weight loss and just improving your overall wellness involves a combination of remembering to write down what you eat, keeping track of your weight loss, calculating how far your run was and other such chores that can be easily forgotten.

Tracking your progress in the form of calories, miles ran and workout time is important for motivation and overall improvement of your health since it will allow you to see where you may be missing out. Since most people have a smartphone with them everywhere they go, mobile health and fitness apps have become quite popular.

Save yourself the time of searching for the best health and fitness app and download one of these 5 instead.

  1. MyFitnessPal

my fitness palIf you could only download one app, MyFitnessPal would be an ideal choice. This app allows you to keep a food journal, track your workouts and see your overall weight loss progress all in one spot. Some specific features include:

  • A huge 5 million food database
  • Add your own foods easily and quickly into your own personal database
  • Set very specific nutrition goals for any diet
  • Track water consumption
  • Set reminders for adding food and exercise progress
  • You can add a sync a step tracking device to the app
  • App syncs automatically on mobile and online
  • App is one of the easiest to use and set up beautifully

The app hits every single requirement of a good health and fitness app for weight loss. It is perfect for people brand new to using these types of apps and equally appealing to tech-junkies who crave a well-designed, quick to use app. You can also access your MFP information online. You will not be disappointed with this one.

  1. Fooducate

fooducateFooducate is an amazing app for those who don’t want to just count calories but really track the nutritional value of the foods they eat. This app uses a grading system to allow you to easily judge the quality of food you may buy. Being able to take our your phone right in the grocery store and scan a barcode means you’re more apt to do it.

Other features of the Fooducate app include:

  • A-D food grading system so you can judge the health at a glance
  • App will give you pros and cons of the food
  • Focus more on the quality of the food you eat rather than how many calories
  • Will show you hidden ingredients not easily deciphered from just reading the nutrition label
  • Add in your own food that you eat often to make using the app easier
  • Includes personalization for elimination diets like gluten-free
  • Takes health conditions like illness and pregnancy into consideration

You can also track exercise with Fooducate though it primarily focuses on diet. This app also connects to Apple’s Health app to make sync both apps seamless. If you really want to know what you are eating or are needing to carefully keep track of what you eat because of food allergies, this app should be on your phone.

  1. Lose It!

loseitappLose It! uses a combination of tried and true weight loss methods like calorie counting backed with friendly community of peers there to motivate you. This app has quite a few features and works well as a stand-alone app much like MyFitnessPal.

Here are a few of Lose It!’s features:

  • Allows you to set goals for weight, sleep, blood pressure and exercise
  • Track body measurements
  • Large food database with ability to add your own foods
  • Scan barcodes on food items to make tracking easier
  • You can be as open and social as you want with the community, or make it totally private
  • Set up community fitness and diet challenges

Lose It! is a really fun app and a great choice for people who really want a social experience when it comes to weight loss and overall health. This app is also available on more uncommon platforms like the Nook and Kindle.

  1. Noom Coach

Noom Coach is a solely mobile-based app that includes the ability to track diet and exercise for those who are striving for weight loss. This app is praised as being more than an app to count calories but rather an app made for the everyday person who is more concerned about health than numbers.

Here are a couple of Noom Coach’s features:

  • Color coded nutrition feedback
  • Built in barcode scanner
  • App memory for favorite foods
  • Syncs with its own pedometer
  • Offers health-related articles daily
  • Very supportive community and forum to answer your questions

Noom Coach also claims that 9 out of 10 users have lost weight, with 10 lbs in 2 months being the average.  The basic version is free.  Upgrade for more features, like support groups and coaching.

  1. Endomondo

Last but not least is the app Endomondo. Endomondo is all about exercise. This GPS-based exercise tracker focuses on distance exercises like walking, running, biking, kayaking and more. This app will be an invaluable tool for those who participants in these activities.

By using Endomondo you’ll be able to:

  • See a live map of your workout and distance ran
  • Sync a heartrate monitor to view your stats while exercising
  • Includes customized tracking for more than 40 sports
  • Syncs with the music on your phone so you can listen and run/walk/bike/etc
  • Set up challenges in the Endomondo community
  • Shows workout history and goals
  • Motivates you with audio tracks

Though Endomondo isn’t a standalone fitness app since it lacks the diet aspect and goal setting, it is still a must download for anyone exercising at distances, even if you just enjoy walking. This app will also be ideal for those who compete or plan to compete in distance events, like 5k runs.

Health and fitness apps can really be invaluable tools, especially if you are just starting a new lifestyle. They simplify the whole process of creating and scheduling workouts, food journaling and tracking progress. If you don’t already have these 5 apps, visit the iTunes or Google Play store to download them.

Honorable Mentions: I also have to mention FitBit’s online community and app, the MapMyFitness app and the FatSecret app.  These are solid choices as well.

Fay lost 50 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Fay lost 50.4 pounds. She lost 75 inches overall, 13.5 inches off her waist and dropped 6 dress sizes. Fay was extremely dedicated to her weight loss journey because her health was at stake. She had some great help on her journey as well.  Here is what she shared with us…

fay before and after

What was your motivation?
My name is Fay and I’m a mother of 3 children. In 2013, I had reached my highest weight of 233.4 lbs. I was feeling very unhealthy and at times I felt like I was going to have a stroke. I went to the doctor for a physical and my fears were confirmed my blood pressure was 150/100. He told me if I lost at least 10 lbs he thought my blood pressure would go down. Otherwise I would have to start taking medication to control it. My other motivation was my youngest son, I wanted to be able to run and play with him without feeling out of breath. At 233 pounds, it was a chore just to walk up the stairs. Now, everyday my son and I race from the parking lot to the school front door and it makes me feel great that I can keep up with him.

What inspired you?
For a few months prior to my doctors appointment I saw a page on Facebook called Fitness on Fire. It had videos and pictures of everyday people that were losing weight on this program and they all seemed so happy with their progress. I decided to give this program I try. I figured it was my last chance to get this right and I was determined that I would not fail.

How did you change your eating habits?
I followed the guidance of my online nutritionist, NutritionistGuru. She showed me how to eat the foods that I love but the healthy way. She taught about balance and also how to understand nutrition. She is on Facebook and is the nutritionist for Fitness on Fire Online Training. I stopped eating fast food, junk food and stopped choosing the wrong restaurants. I started to eat more protein, vegetables, fruits and drink lots of water

What did your workout routines look like?
I followed the plan designed for me by my online trainer. He had me doing a lot of endurance training while my nutritionist monitored what I ate. I got up every morning at 4:00 am for 6 days a week. My workouts consisted of cardio and weight training and following a plan designed to target problem areas, while focusing on endurance and strength training.

What was your starting weight?
233.4 pounds

What is your current weight?
183 pounds (height: 5’2″) My transformation took approximately 9 months.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
My advice is if you are looking to start your transformation journey or you are presently on your journey, don’t look at how far you have to go. Take it one day at a time and one pound at a time. My nutritionist always says it took time to put on the weight and you can’t expect the weight to come off overnight. Consistency and patience are the keys to this journey . No matter how small the change is that you see, it means that your are one step closer to your transformation.

Instagram: @brownsugar_ft

Fitness on Fire Training: www.facebook.com/fitnessonfirenewyork
Instagram: @king_of_the_fire @fitness_on_fire @NutritionistGuru

Update: Erica lost 56 pounds

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Update May 2016 – Erica is down 56 pounds. “I just wanted to share my new update with you in a video! It has been a struggle, but I’m hanging in there! I have gained 7 pounds since my last update, going from 112 pounds to 118 pounds! Trying to maintain my current weight and not lose sight of why I started my journey, because going back is not an option! My journey is far from over. I’m just getting started!”

Update November 2015 – 62 pounds gone (see Erica‘s full story below): “Hi! I just wanted to give you guys one more update on my weight loss! Since my second update in June, I have gone from 124 pounds to 112 pounds! I can’t tell you enough about how good I feel and look! I’m not trying to lose anymore weight, just trying to maintain my weight and stay healthy. Here are some new pictures of my progress!!”

erica before and after

Update June 2015: Erica has lost 12 more pounds. “Hi! I just wanted to share with you that I have hit my weight loss goal and lost 50 pounds. I feel so awesome!! Here are some of my recent pictures of me, down from 174 pounds to 124 pounds.”

erica before and after

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Erica lost 38 pounds in 3 1/2 months. By following the advice of a nutritionist, exercising regularly and committing to her goals, she has been able to lose the weight.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

erica before and after

My starting weight was 174 pounds and today I weigh 136 pounds. I’m still going to get to my goal weight! I’m 4’8″ tall in height. What motivated me to lose weight was my health. I also did it for my 5 year old daughter! She needs me to be here for her and I knew that losing the weight would help my health.

I stated losing the weight on my own in December of last year. In late January of this year, I was having a little trouble losing weight, so my doctor sent me to see a nutritionist. We talked about my goals and where I wanted to be as far as weight loss. She put me on a 1500 calorie diet. I stopped eating out and only ate what I cooked at home. I also stopped eat candy, cookies, sweets, fried foods and starches. I ate only chicken, fish, veggies, fruits, low fat foods and low calorie foods. I also started drinking water and green tea instead of sodas.

I worked out at home doing Hip Hop Ab’s Monday – Friday for 45 minutes each day! If it was warm outside, I’d walk 2 miles. The weight started to come off!

In 3 1/2 months, I have gone from 174 pounds to 136 pounds and I’m almost to my goal weight of 122 pounds. My advice to anyone who wants to start or who’s been trying to lose weight is to set your goals and never let anyone tell you that it’s not possible, because it is and you can do it! Weight loss is not easy but you CAN do it. Once you start seeing results it is Awesome! You look better and you feel better. It’s just the most rewarding feeling ever to know that I weighed 174 plus pounds, but look at me now. Yes, I did this and I’m never going back!

Instagram: @chocolatdrop83

erica weight loss

Donna lost 95 pounds

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Update May 2016 – Donna is celebrating her 10 year weight loss anniversary and she’s written a book about healing from food addiction and transforming her life.

“It’s been 10 years since I started my journey to lose 100 pounds. In 2016, I ran my first marathon at Disney, continued to teach boot camp classes that motivate women like me, and was recently nominated for Chattanooga Tennessee’s Best of the Best Trainers. In 2011, I shared my story in Ebony Magazine and since then I have written a book about my battle with food addiction! We all have addictions and mine were Chocolate chip cookies. My book is called Smoking Cookies: A Real-Life Guide to Conquering Food Addictions and Transforming Your Life. My goal is for God to use me to empower women to move for a lifetime and feel their best! I’m a former fat girl who understands the struggles of being teased and being able to find that “starting point”. I love who I am ten years later! God is good.”

donna before and after

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Donna lost 95 pounds, going from a size 24 to a size 12. This dynamic Radio/TV personality has taken her personal triumph and turned it into a movement to help women lose weight and get healthy. Read all about how she lost the weight.

donna before and after

I’ll never forget Labor Day 2004. It was a day with family, food, and lots of laughter. I’ll never forget that day. Kids in the family were playing outside and I was STUCK inside. Why??? Because I was still eating my second plate, too tired, and too lazy to get outside and enjoy life with the rest of my family. I knew right then that I had to change my mindset because I had an addiction. Yes, food is an addiction. Sone people drink alcohol, some people smoke cigarettes. I used to SMOKE A PACK OF COOKIES every night! LOL…Labor Day was the day that changed my life forever. I knew that I had a wonderful personality inside ready to come out. I wanted people to see something besides the girl with the “pretty face” wearing a
size 22.

I was the kid that was teased in school and the overweight Radio/TV personality in the public eye. I wanted to LIVE and that’s when the journey began. I spoke with my mother and my then eight-year-old son. I told them that I needed their support! I wanted to lose weight and KEEP IT OFF! My mother and I joined a weight loss program and began working out together. She has lost 100lbs also! My son would be at the gym working out and cheering us on. I had then lost 50 pounds! Yes!! Then another life changing event happened in my family. A close relative was battling cancer for years. We would have talks about my weight loss, because she also struggled with obesity for years. I told her I was thinking of being a fitness instructor for plus size women. She then gave me words that changed my life. ”Donna, when you teach, take the time to talk to women about how they can change their lives and why they over eat!” I listened and I began teaching thru healthy lifestyle coaching! My relative passed from Colon cancer and I remembered her words and was reminded that God called me to do more! I realized I had a platform in media, that I could use to encourage other women like me!

donna Ebony articleI began working out at D1 Sports Training. My son Brandon, 14 at the time, suggested I teach there. My response, “No Brandon, those people are too athletic there…But do you think I can do it? “ He said, “Yes Mama, I know you can!” I began my own program in 2010 at D1 Sports Training in Chattanooga; Donna’s D.I.V.A.s (determined individuals valuing activities) workout classes. I had several people that told me it wouldn’t work. “Black women won’t workout! Women don’t have time, they have families!” However, that was untrue. My first class had 65 women from all walks of life; mothers, wives, daughters, career women, blue collar. We all had one goal….to LIVE, to lose weight, and invest time for us. Through my mom’s encouragement, the trainers at D1, my son’s motivation, Donna’s D.I.V.A.s and realizing I’m worth it, I’ve lost almost 100lbs. I was a size 24 and now I’m a size 12! (height 5’11″). In April 2011, I WAS FEATURED IN EBONY MAGAZINE!!  People ask me how long has it taken? I have decided to take things slow! There’s no rush because I don’t want to gain it back like before. I have lost 25lbs per year and have practiced maintaining it and then I go on to the next loss.

I started working out 10 years ago and I began with Weight Watchers and now I use My fitness pal. Now, I make better choices. I focus on eating in moderation instead of elimination and I give myself treat days! I workout 5-6 times a week and I have ran 2 half marathons. I am really into Cross Training at D1 Sports Training. We flip tires, push buggies, sprint, etc. I am now an athlete and I’m doing all of the things I couldn’t do when I was overweight! Occasionally I do other classes but I love the hardcore fun stuff! God has been good!

I know I can only continue this journey if I help others. I have motivated over 2,000 women to move so far in Chattanooga, Birmingham, Huntsville, and Nashville and my goal is to get 100,000 women nationwide to move for a lifetime. My advice is to be patient, have a support team, forgive yourself if you fall off, push away from the table and get your POWER back by hitting the gym (learn to love it) because you are WORTH IT!

www.donnaellewellness.com
FB: Donna’s D.I.V.A.s workout classes
Instagram: @donnaelleonline

donna weight loss