lose weight

Nicole lost 174 pounds with surgery

March 5, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 3 Comments

Weight Loss Transformation Story of the Day: Nicole lost 174 pounds with surgery and hard work. She knows that surgery is not a quick fix because she’s had to go through a true lifestyle change for the weight to come off and stay off. Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

nicole before and after

Starting weight in March 2013: 351 lbs. Current weight for February 2015: 177 lbs Goal Weight: 170-175 lbs Height…5’5 My name is Nicole. I was kinda hesitant about posting this picture because many people don’t know my story. However, I thought it was time to share it.

I had Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery in March 2003, almost 12 years ago. It was the best thing that I have ever done. What inspired me to do it was simple…as much as I smiled, I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t happy about what I was looking at in the mirror. It was time for a change. I got all the way down to 194 pounds in 2005. I want people to understand that that surgery was not a quick fix. In 2012, I found myself gaining the weight back after a miscarriage and having another baby. I got back up to 240 pounds. At that point. I was like “NO, This will not happen again!”

I started to workout daily and I also became a member Weight Watchers for 3 months and lost 24 pounds. I then joined My Fitness Pal. I write down everything I eat and I don’t do sodas. I measure the food I eat and go to fast food places in moderation. I don’t deprive myself of food. I eat but I am just careful about what and how much I put in my mouth. I work out 5 to 6 days a week. Some days out of the month I will even power walk 10 to 12 miles. I love the gym for my strength training. I also will work out with Leslie Sansone’s Walk away the pounds. I love that “Me Time” it gives me.

My advice to others that are on this weight loss journey is take it one day at a time. Set mini goals for yourself. There will be days you wanna give up but you have to keep pushing. I have my off days but I get back up the next day. So, when I say LIFESTYLE CHANGE know that this is truly a change in my lifestyle.

Instagram: @Curvygirl6577

Danielle lost 95 pounds

March 2, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 1 Comment

Update Sept 2017: We featured Danielle back in 2015 and she has worked hard to maintain her success and keep the pounds off. Check out how she did it.

danielle before and after

I was featured on your page before about 2 years ago. I’m a currently back on my grind like never before. I just wanted people to see this before picture, because this is where I came from. I’m currently down 50 pounds and I’m still shrinking. I just want to help motivat young girls out there.

I have tried my best to maintain my weight by staying under at least 2000 per day. Now. I have gotten to the point where I burn between 600-900 calories when I go to the gym. I workout at least 4-5 times a week. On the days when this journey gets hard, I try to remember why I started. I often look at my old pictures for motivation. Lately I’ve been pushing myself a lot more.

My advice to those who are just now starting out would be to stay positive and surround yourself with positive people and positive situations. It’s so easy to get discouraged or stop, but the more you stop the harder it is to start again.

Instagram: @nekole_danielle

Weight Loss Transformation Story of the Day: Danielle lost 95 pounds. Starting in 2012, she is a true example of someone who knows that slow and stead wins the race. Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey…

Danielle weight loss

I contemplated for a while about sending this picture. I started my weight loss journey in July of 2012, and it’s still a struggle. I started out weighing 413 lbs and I’m now 318 lbs. For about two months, I stopped working out and I reverted back to eating unhealthy. To be honest, I gained almost 40 lbs back out of the weight that I’d lost. Sometimes we let our situation get the best of us, unknowingly we allow the devil to come back and take what you have worked so hard for.

About a month and a half ago, I had to put my foot down and re-dedicate myself to my health. Of course I had to start working out again, and I had to train myself to be positive about my future and where I want to be. The picture on the right was taken about a week ago. I look at the picture on the left to remind me of where I do not want to be ever again.

I changed my eating habits by first changing my portion sizes. I would eat only 2200-2500 calories per day. I stopped eating fast foods…I’d indulge every now and then, but I still try to stay on track. No junk foods like chips, cakes, NO SODAS!! I don’t keep sugary drinks in my house. When I first started working out, I was walking 1.5 miles around the track 5 days per week. I switched it up when I got bored. Then I began dancing for 30 minutes per day with my Wii (Just Dance). After I lost about 60 more pounds, I started going to the Gym. I am currently 318 pounds at 5’6″ tall.

We all struggle with something, but weight-loss has to be one of my biggest struggles that I have ever encountered. My message to everyone is that whatever happens, just keep going because it’s so easy to quit and it can be so hard to start back again. Life is filled with temporary forevers, and promises that are broken, but if you commit yourself to you and you only, then you’ll have so much to gain by losing what you don’t need.

Update: Aliyah lost 68 pounds

February 17, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 3 Comments

Update: Aliyah lost the weight and has kept it off. We featured her back in July 2014 when she’d lost 66 pounds and now she’s down 68 pounds (down from 250 lbs) and getting more toned. Here is what she shared with us about her journey so far…

aliyah weight loss story

Good morning!!! I just wanted to give an update!!! You guys featured me back in July and I’ve only IMPROVED! I’ve not only kept off the weight I lost but my body is getting toned and my skin is getting tight! I haven’t lost any more weight but I have lost inches and and have definitely gained some much needed muscle! The last time I stepped on a scale I was 182 pounds but my size 12 jeans are falling off of me and my size medium shirts are huge! I’m in love with improving my body!

Instagram: @msupshur

aliyah before and after

Natasha lost 85 pounds

February 4, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 1 Comment

Update Nov 2018: Natasha lost 16 more pounds for a total of 101 pounds gone. She credits therapy, healthy eating habits and exercise as the tools that have allowed her to maintain her success.

Natasha before and after

How have you maintained your weight loss/continued to lose weight?
I eat mostly steak and salad. I don’t eat out at all. The key is that I don’t deprive myself of anything. I love ice cream. I cook everything I eat, and I drink a lot of water. However, I like to have ginger ale from time to time, lol.

For me, maintaining also means going to therapy, walking, and hiking. I’ve learned why I got to heaviest, and I use pictures to show myself how far I have come. My current weight ranges between 167 – 170 pounds now.

What lesson you’ve learned on this journey stands out the most?
The lessons I’ve learned on this journey are never-ending. Finally, I learned to like what I saw in the mirror. I don’t run past the mirror like I use to. I keep all my clothes the same size and will not go over that size. Many ignore or brush off signs like changes in clothing while trying to maintain.

At this point, would you offer any new or different advice to other people who want to lose weight?
The advice I have to share (the same advice I was told): You didn’t gain the weight or get this way overnight. It will take some time to obtain any goal, big or small. Don’t give up. It is hard, trust me, I know.

Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. This is your story, and you get to write the ending however you want it. Know the reason why you got to your heaviest point. Therapy can help. Also, go to doctors who care and are cheering you on.

Surround yourself with a good support system, and do it for you, not for anyone else. Do what works for you and be patient.

Instagram: @ignatashafryethevet

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Natasha lost 85 pounds. This military veteran had to lose the weight in order to qualify for surgery. She changed her eating habits, started exercising and got results in 9 months. Here is what she shared with us…

natasha before and after

I am 36 years old and a military veteran. I gained almost 70lbs. The weight gain was recent. I packed those pounds on in the last 3 years due to depression. When I moved to the DC area, I noticed I didn’t fit the mold. I was either too big to hang out with or date or I felt used. The wakeup call is when I had a doctors appointment for plastic surgery to get my breast reduction in April 2014. My doctor told me my BMI was over the limit and told me to come back when I’s lost the weight. I was determined. Needless to say I dropped 85 lbs and got my reduction on January 12, 2015.

I stopped eating out as much and cut all sodas from my diet and drank more water. I added more protein to my diet, such as lean beef and fish. I chewed my food more as well instead of just a bite and swallow. I didn’t deprive myself of having chips here and there, so I wouldn’t crave junk food. I started to walk everywhere (due to car issues). I walked to the grocery store and started taking public transportation as well.

My starting weight was 271 lbs at 5’8″ tall and I currently weigh 186 lbs. I started my transformation in April 2014. My advice to others trying to lose weight is to never give up. I’ve tried every diet under the sun since 2006. However, I was determined in April 2014 when my doctor told me I had to get to a certain weight to get breast reduction surgery. Believe in yourself. People will pressure you, but when you’re ready you can do anything.

Update May 2015: “Just an update: I am excited to say that I have lost 20 more pounds since my Feb 4th article.”

natasha before and after

Ebony lost 131 pounds

January 30, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 15 Comments

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Ebony lost 131 pounds. She went from a size 28 to a size 8 with clean eating, exercise, strength training and a great support system. Here is what she shared with us about her journey.
Ebony before and after

My weight loss journey started after a visit I had with my doctor. It was a physical examination. and all my vitals were good. However, I am 5’11” in height and was weighing in at about 320 pounds. Not good. I was 28 years old at the time, three months short of my 29 birthday. I was embarrassed. I had gained all the weight back that I had loss with a trainer. I went to Atlanta to visit my sister and lost all forms of discipline that I had gained with Maia (my trainer). My doctor said,”Ebony, you really need to loose the weight. You lost 30 lbs the last time I saw you. What happened?” I explained that I fell in love with food again. There was the Golden Corral, The Waffle House…omg. My doctor said, “You have so much life in you. You’re young. You have a son and you have a career as a preschool teacher. You’re ankles are swollen and you’re headed in the direction of being unhealthy…diabetes, hypertension, heart attack…and now you mention your lack of breathing when you go to sleep. It might be sleep apnea. Honey, the list can go on. I think you need to go to these overeaters anonymous classes that we have here.”

I think my mouth dropped and I had an outer body experience as the word obesity popped out of her mouth. I was scared. She scared me. I was sad. I was mad and I tried to keep an optimistic view about this. “Ebony”, she says, “you lost the weight before but I don’t think you can do it again. You need help this time. Lets set up a schedule so you can take these classes.” So keeping a level headed mind I went out of the doctors office more determined then ever. I don’t like the doctors office, they always have bad news. I didn’t want to go anyway. I didn’t like to hear all that. I especially don’t like it when people tell me what I can and can not do. So, I waited until the new year was over and mapped out a plan.

This time around I had to be smart. I waited for the new gym goer people to leave this time around so I would not get discouraged. I also waited until Valentines day was over, because I knew I could not turn down the valentines my son or my students were to give me. On February 13, 2013 my journey began on the night shift. I only wanted to come to the gym at night because it was already difficult to face this place again and I was a naturally shy person. I didn’t know what I was doing and I just wanted to be successful without eyes watching.

Three months after I was back in the gym I noticed that I was keeping a consistent schedule but not losing a lot weight. I was still eating everything that I knew would not help me. On June 1, 2013, I joined Weight Watchers to help me establish proper eating habits and portion control. My first day on the point system was a learning experience. I ate a pancake and that, sorry to share, was all the points for the whole day. I learned a very valuable lesson and so that night I learned to careful plan what I would eat and how many points I would loose and the weight was dropping. I started to combine this with my workout schedule and it was on. I was now going to the gym Monday through Saturdays. As the weight was slowly dropping off I noticed that my confidence grew. I started to take a couple of classes. My favorites were latin heat and zumba.

More weight started to shed and I noticed that I was down a huge number of pounds than my initial date. I started to increase my time at the gym and started introducing myself to new people. I had met one friend who introduced me to the weights and the importance of lifting weights. I started to see that when you incorporate weights, nutrition and exercise you will begin to see major improvements on your weight loss journey.

By the next year, I was happy to announce my amazing loss of 100 lbs. I saw my doctor. By then I was another year old and I was 217 pounds. She was very impressed. I told her that I had listen and I did what I had to do because she hurt my feelings in such a way that it left an imprint in my heart. You would think she would be pleased. I wanted to get to 200 but I didn’t want that pressure on myself. She was happy but she still believed I could do more.

I decided to map out another plan. I met another group of people and they showed me so very valuable exercises that help me to shed those 17 lbs to get to 200. My milestone came when I had a plateau. My eating habbits had improved to where I was able to not count points anymore. I had cut back on sweets, fried foods and breads, but I still needed help. I wanted to finish what I started and my goal was to get to 175 pounds before my next doctors visit. I joined a challlege that I saw on Instagram. It was called Training for My Life by the infamous Donesha Bolden @training4mylife. With her help I not only learned how to form better nutritional methods for clean eating, but I learned how to incorporate new exercises that would not only challenge but strengthen my journey.

Here I stand today, two years later. I’m a testament of hard work, sacrifice and dedication, I can’t wait to see the look of amazement on my doctors face. Boom! I did it! From 301.4 pounds to 170 pounds. From size 28 to a skating figure size 8. My joy is always to be a helper. If I can help anyone who is in a journey or about to start one I would simply say, “Be encouraged! Your best is yet to come. Be strong be patient and fight for you life. You have nothing to lose and more to gain. Push pass comfort because your little by little results will come a lot more sooner than you think if you don’t give up and you don’t loose heart. Now rearrange that mental furniture to I Can!!!!!”
Instagram: @ejdeuce

Ebony weight loss

Tashauna lost 81 pounds

January 29, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 2 Comments

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Tashauna lost 81 pounds. She decided that enough was enough and started meal planning, using portion control and working out 6 days a week to get results. Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

Hi my name is Tashauna I have followed your page since the beginning of my journey. Even though I never felt fat the scale said differently. In June of 2014, I weighed in at my highest weight of 254 pounds and I decided that enough is enough. I had gotten to the point where I couldn’t fit into any of my clothes and couldn’t breathe walking up one flight of stairs.

I cut out all sodas, juices, sweets, bread, rice, and pasta. I also meal prepped, used portion control and only ate food I prepared. I only used Mrs.Dash seasoning for cooking and baked or broiled EVERYTHING. I know it sounds drastic but it WORKED!! I ate at least 5 meals a day with lots of protein!!! At first, working out wasn’t easy but I kept at it and eventually I was working out at least 6 days a week doing at least an hour of cardio. I never enlisted a trainer or anything of that sort. I was kinda my own motivation. I wanted to be BETTER!

While the journey hasn’t been easy, with prayer and determination I did it! Now, my current weight is 173 pounds. I’ve lost 81 pounds. I hope to lose another 13 pounds and enlist the help of a trainer. I lost most of my weight within the first four months which kept me motivated!

For any woman trying I encourage you to take it day by day, love yourself, and stay focused. Don’t get discouraged, just keep going. Drink lots of water and stay focused! Last but not least, be patient, trust the process and enjoy falling madly in love with yourself! I know I did!!

FB: Tashauna Nicole Adams
Instagram: @ttsthetruth

Alisha lost 117 pounds

January 27, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 6 Comments

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Alisha lost 117 pounds. Her aunt Sharon wrote in to share her story. I just love it when family members support and encourage their loved ones to lose weight and get healthy.

Alisha before and after

Hello, My niece, Alisha McGriff, has done an amazing job of losing more than 100 pounds in about two years. I have asked she to submit her story to your Facebook page – which I love and read faithfully – but I decided not to wait for her to send her story in. Here is her story in her own words that she posted sometime back on her FB profile:

It starts with aches and pains, and then the question of what’s wrong with me? I’m only 19, so why does my body hurt and why am I so out of breath. Still, I’d rather have McDonald’s then home cooked meals any day. I thought, maybe I should go to the doctor. My knees were killing me after being on my feet for about 30 minutes. I’m in a 3X now and size 24 jeans, but I’m big, beautiful and I’m happy with who I am… I think.

The doctor says, “Alisha, you are 19 years old, 5’3″ tall and 302 pounds. You are too young and beautiful to be uncomfortable in your own body. By the way, you’re very close to being diabetic so you have to do something.” WAKE UP CALL!

From 2009 to 2011, I lived in denial about my weight. I continued to eat terrible foods, not exercise, and got bigger and bigger. Eventually, Enough was enough. I educated myself, started eating better, and started exercising. Then as time went by, I made the decision to change my life FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

I now stand before you today, 117 pounds lighter. I’ve always said, “I don’t want to be skinny. I’m not like those other girls. I can’t have a body like that.” I’ve learned that I don’t want a body like the others, I want my own body but much stronger and healthier. I stood up for myself and gained the confidence to make a change for the better. To satisfy no one but myself and to now pass on the word that health is everything!

2015 is my homestretch. It’s been a long time coming. I surpassed my goal for this year, but I have another 35 pounds to go to get my ultimate goal. LITERALLY CUTTING MY BODY WEIGHT IN HALF, NOW IMAGINE THAT! This is my year and I’m ready!”

Instagram: @Alishablossoms

Update: JaLisa lost 75 pounds

January 25, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 4 Comments

9/2015: Wanted to share with you my gains! March 2015 to September 2015! I got my butt back!

jalisa before and after

5/2015: “Update!! I fixed my saggy breast. After losing all the weight, I fought hard to gain muscle and naturally lift my chest. I must say, patience is a virtue.”

jalisa before and after

Update 2/20/15: Hey There! I just want to update you and other ladies on this journey that I have created a page on Facebook called Wine Fine Fitness to help keep ladies inspired on their journey. Since the end of 2014, I have lost an additional 20 lbs bringing me to 125 lbs, down from 200 lbs. They say those last pounds are hard to get off but I kicked their butt and I’m happy to say I finally can begin to maintain my weight loss! My page has a lot of motivation, workouts and exercises to help keep myself and others lifted. After so many responses, from other women I have inspired, I decided to create this page for all of us! Thank you, Black Women Losing Weight for being a huge part in keeping me up lifted with all the success stories, meal ideas, etc. Thank you! – JaLisa “Maxi” Maxwell Wine Fine Fitness www.winefinefit.com

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: JaLisa aka. Maxi lost 55 pounds, with 50 pounds of that weight lost in 6 months. She had her husband’s support as she did lots of exercise and cleaned up her eating habits.

MaxiJan152blog

Hello, My name is JaLisa Maxwell. My newly found husband (of 2 years) and the pain that kept occurring in my knees and legs (1 of 99 problems) has inspired me to lose weight and keep it off. My eating habits have completely changed. What I cooked for my husband, I no longer ate, and started eating only lean meats with tons of vegetables and fruits. His meals consisted mainly of chicken, pork, and beef (including any and every way it can possibly be cooked) macaroni and cheese, white/yellow rices, mash potatoes. I realized that I could not eat what he ate if I wanted to lose pounds, and I wanted to lose weight very bad! So, I cut those things out of my eating routine and cooked separate meals.

When I first started my journey a year ago this month, I mostly ran up to 15 miles a week (3 miles a day). He ran with me every step of the way, which helped me stay focused and motivated on my goal. I wanted to reach 150 lbs by my birthday in August and I did! I lost 50 pounds in 6 months! My starting weight was exactly 200 lbs and I’m 5’3″ tall. After my Birthday passed, I started to do more than just run. I went to the gym at least 3 times a week, working only with weights and strength training. I didnt workout on the treadmills or ellipticals because I wanted to tone, because everything was sagging and I was petrified.

At the end of 2014, I weighed 145 lbs. My body was more toned and there is no more sagging. I went from a size 16 to currently a size 8. My advice for others: if you really want to lose weight, you must motivate yourself. You might not be lucky enough to have someone with you every step of the way like my husband, but I still had to make a commitment to myself to workout. He couldn’t do it for me. Stay on track, focus on your goal daily, and don’t worry if it feels like your doing everything right and the weight isn’t going anywhere, it takes time! As time passes, one day you’re going to wake up, get dressed and all of your clothes are going to be getting bigger and bigger on you. Then you got good problems!! I constantly post on my Facebook page, helping my closest friends achieve their dreams of living healthier lives. My hope is that my story helps someone.

MaxiJan15blog

Roxanne lost 47 pounds

January 23, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 2 Comments

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Roxanne lost 47 pounds with clean eating and regular exercise. She knew that cleaning up her eating habits would be key to success with releasing the pounds. Here is what she shared about her journey…

Roxanne before and after

Well, My story begins with someone on a New York City train telling me that I was fat. This hurt my feelings really bad. I went home, cried and looked at myself in the mirror nude. I decided that day that I was making a change. This was in September 2014. I got rid of all junk food in my house. Then I went food shopping and loaded up on fruits, veggies and everything healthy. I knew that the change needed to start in my kitchen. After shopping I walked three blocks to the local gym and paid for a membership. I’ve been eating clean and working out 6 days a week for 1 hour and 45 minutes a day ever since and I feel great. As of today (January 2015), I have loss a total of 47 pounds with 20 more to go. I would have never thought this would be me. I started my journey 3 months ago and who would have thought I would achieve this much progress in so little time? I’m at my happiest.

Instagram: @Bosschicsummers718

Dee lost 70 pounds

January 1, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 5 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Dee lost 70 pounds. This proud mom was committed to not passing on unhealthy habits and to stopping the history of weight-related disease in her family line. She took action to reach her weight loss goals and now she’s a trainer. Here is what she shared with us…

Dee before and after

I was very unhappy with how much energy I lacked on a daily basis. It was always a struggle just to carry out simple routines like climbing the stairs. Most days I lacked the energy to interact with my children after I got home from work. My self esteem was eroding as well. I didn’t want to shop in the “plus size” stores but that was my only option. I knew if I continued on the path I was on that my unhealthy habits would have a harmful effect on my children. I have a family history of obesity, heart attacks, and diabetes, and I was about to pass this very tradition on to my own family. That scared the hell out of me. I was ten pounds away from being 300 pounds at the age of 30 and 5ft 7in tall, so I decided I had to lose weight.

I tried Weight Watchers. I learned to choose fulfilling foods and the importance of portion control. I eliminated soda and sugar from my diet-and the weight started dropping off. I started exercising three to four days a week performing cardio exercises first and then incorporating strength training. My current regimen is HIIT training about 4 days per week a minimum of 1hr.

Eating appropriate portions (not the ones you see in restaurants), enough to make me feel satisfied and not overly full, was key. I limited my “treats” to Saturdays only, to reward myself for doing well throughout the week. Soon, I started rewarding myself with new clothes instead of food.

My weight loss goal was to lose 100 pounds and currently I have lost 70 lbs. I am still pursuing my goal, but once I reach it I won’t stop eating healthily because I want to maintain this weight.

My advice to someone who is going through the same situation: If you are not mentally prepared to lose weight, you won’t be physically prepared. Make up in your mind and know that quitting is not an option. It will be hard, but it’s worth it! Take it one day at a time. It won’t happen overnight.

IG name @metamorphosisinva

Fb page: www.facebook.com/metamorphosisinva

Dee weight loss Dee weight loss before and after