lose weight

Meko lost 65 pounds

September 19, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 4 Comments

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Meko lost 65 pounds and dropped dress sizes too. Her co-workers have been part of her support group and her daughter is her motivation. She found help in the form of a traditional weight loss program and with an online tool/app. Read her story to find out how she did it.

Meko weight loss story

First, I wanted to take a moment and thank you for creating this website! I have a been a member for about 2 years and I love to read the weight loss stories. It really motivates me to hear and see other women that are going through this journey.
Although, I am not at my goal –YET, I wanted to share my story. I saw a co-worker I hadn’t seen in about 2 years and she encouraged me to share my story.

In 2010, tragedy struck my family, leaving my daughter’s father paralyzed from the waist down. I became severely depressed and hopeless, turning to food as a way of coping with everything I had to face. As time went on, the weight began to pile on. In May 2011, I prayed and asked God to please help me on my weight loss journey and I decided enough is enough. I made a promise to myself to get my health and weight together. I realized not only was this change for me but also for my daughter. A co-worker invited me to the Weight Watchers meeting that we had at my job, and after attending the meeting, I joined and I never looked back. I learned so much about food and nutrition. I began to make small changes like eliminating soda from my diet and walking daily. When I first began walking, I could barely make it up the hill where I lived without feeling like I was going to pass out now I walk at least 4-5 miles a day. Not only is walking good for Cardio, but it is also excellent for reducing stress and a great tool for meditation to relax your mind. Instead of sitting in the lunchroom, I challenged myself to get out and exercise and I have discovered a love for walking as it gives me a chance to admire God’s beautiful creation.

I started at a size 26-28 and now I am size 18-20. I’ve lost 65 pounds to date (I am 5’7″). This journey hasn’t been always been easy. There were times I felt like giving up. When you have a lot of weight to lose, it almost seems overwhelming. After about 2 years of Weight Watchers at work, it came to an end. Another co-worker introduced me to My Fitness Pal– an online calorie counter and encouragement website and I picked up and continued my journey. The support from my buddies on MFP, is so amazing! Thanks for allowing me to share my story and I hope my story inspires someone and they can see that slow progress is still progress. This is not a diet, it’s a lifestyle change and although you may not physically see changes immediately, as long as you trust the process and keep going, you will get there.

Instagram: @mskimmievirgolady

La Shon lost 41 pounds

September 17, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 2 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: La Shon has lost 41 pounds since March 2014. What I love about her story is that her whole family is participating on this journey to lifestyle change and supporting her efforts. She has seen her health improve and she has challenged herself to live her best life. Check out what she shared with us:

La Shon Weight Loss Journey

Hello, my name is LaShon Driver and I am 39 years old. The day I begin my weight loss journey and my commitment to a healthier me was March 30. 2014 weighing 252. On that day, I decided to take back my life and health. I’ve always had weight issues but didn’t understand why. I’ve learned that to much of anything is not good for anyone. It is okay to have “junk food” but it needs to be done in moderation or rarely in my case. That’s when you begin to understand what fuels your body and good habits will follow.

I started by writing down things that I wanted to accomplish from being a healthier me. From that point, I committed to small challenges and goals. For example, the first 2 months I committed to only drinking water, no sweets, and having white carbs only twice in a week. I started having breakfast every morning, that being oatmeal, veggie omelet, or a fruit and veggie smoothie. I also incorporated exercise into my commitment by walking for 30 minutes at least 3 days a week. Just from those small challenges and goals, I now drink at least a gallon of water a day and I’m jogging (YES JOGGING) 40 minutes 5 days a week. I try to incorporate weight lifting twice a week but I really have not committed to it. This will be my 6 month challenge for myself. My meals consist of smoothies with protein powder for breakfast, fruits and veggies for snacks, lunch with baked chicken or turkey with some veggies and sometimes brown rice or wheat pasta, and smoothie for dinner with a salad or poultry. I’m not (past or present) a “big eater”, just in the past I was a “bad eater”.

My inspiration was my family and not having to take medicine for hypertension. I have 2 handsome sons, 2 beautiful daughters, and a wonderful husband who has supported me throughout my commitment. 99% of my exercise is done at home with them, because when I’m jogging in the neighborhood they are leading the way on their bikes. My husband provides me with weight training with his free weights. He has also jumped on the bandwagon with providing a better food choice for our family. In the past, our cabinets consisted of chips, cookies, and candy but now he is buying more fruits and vegetables. Every week he is bringing home a new fruit for us to try as a family. By being a healthier me, I’m able to concentrate on God’s purpose for my life.

When I begin my journey to a better me I weighed 252 pounds and as of July 30, 2014 I weighed 211 pounds. That is 41 lbs. down. I am no longer on blood pressure medicine and my attitude has changed tremendously. By March 30, 2015 I hope to reach my goal of 165 lbs. So, I’ll be back.

My advice to others who want to lose weight is first ask God for help. We ask God for help with financial issues, family issues, etc., so why not incorporate God into creating your purposeful life. Secondly, create challenges for yourself and know if you are not trying to complete them, you are only cheating yourself. Also, push yourself beyond your target. I will tell myself I’m only going to run 40 minutes but if I have a little more in me I’m pushing to 41 minutes or 15 more steps. Understand the battle is within and you have to pursue happiness within. Yes you will have those “Oops Days”, but that does not take away from your current progress. Finally have that support system that exercises with you (thanks Dena), helps with nutrition, or that just says “you are looking good”. Everyday will be a challenge, but creating your own challenge and completing it makes it more rewarding. God bless you all and I wish everyone much success.

Lanisha lost 40 pounds

September 12, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 2 Comments

Success Story of the Day: Lanisha lost 40 pounds. Like many in our community, she had high blood pressure and was put on medication for hypertension. She decided to take action and change her lifestyle to lose weight and get healthy. Here is what she shared about her journey:

Lanisha before and after photos

My motivation to lose weight was for health reasons. My doctor advised me to lose weight because of hypertension (high blood pressure). He put me on medication and I hated taking them everyday. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I started to make healthier decisions instead of impulse eating. I was an emotional eater. Instead of chips, soda and fast food, I substituted those things for water, fruits and veggies. I honestly put myself on a restricted calorie diet. In the beginning of my weight loss journey ate 1000 calories a day. Then after I started to see results, I decided to up my calorie intake and began tracking it using My Fitness Pal so I could maintain my weight loss success. Then I started to add walking and bicycling Monday thru Friday. While I was walking, I started to add a light jog. Jogging became my stress relief.

My transformation took about 8 months. I started at weight size of 190 pounds and I’m currently 150 pounds (My height is 5’4″). I would tell others to not think about dieting but about lifestyle change. I changed the way I live. I still eat some snacks when cravings kick in, but only in moderation. I live an active life that also keeps my weight balanced. In addition, I take my vitamins and eat small meals throughout the day. Losing weight is more about determination then anything else. If I commit to something I give it a 100% or nothing at all. Thanks for reading my story.

Instagram: @neegreen.

Is Green Tea Good For Weight Loss?

August 28, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 1 Comment

green tea weight loss

In these days of fad diets and intense searches for the next weight loss miracle, you’ll hear “green tea” come up in health-centered conversations more and more often. Many people take on drinking green tea not knowing if or why it really helps with weight loss. Even though it’s occupying shelves in health and vitamin sections nationwide, I have to wonder “Does it really work?”. Let’s clear up a few misconceptions…

Super Drink

Rest assured, all the rumors are indeed true about this tea being good for you…but it is NOT a miracle weight loss drink. That being said… Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages you can drink. Overflowing with antioxidants, there are numerous benefits to consuming green tea including how it can help you have a healthy heart and that it has anti-cancer properties.

While the natural supply of vitamins and nutrients in Green Tea can help your body to burn calories and fat, the results don’t come about as quickly as some would expect. This doesn’t take away from its effectiveness as a nutritional supplement. If you read the ingredients of popular weight loss and diet pills, you’re likely to see some form of green tea listed. It works in terms of supporting health, but it isn’t “the answer” in itself to losing pounds. Anything worth having requires some effort, a healthy life included.

How It Works

Green tea works to reduce fat and stimulate your metabolism. The fats and sugars that enter the body are synthesized into a substance known as triglycerides. When digested in healthy amounts, triglycerides provide the body with energy. If they are consumed in excess, they’re stored as fat. The polyphenols in green tea activate enzymes that can help dissolve extra triglycerides. The problem: You have to drink a significant amount of tea or consume it in a concentrated form to even begin to have any real effect on the body. Also, depending on what else is going on with your body, green tea may not have an effect at all.

It seems that green tea is good for so many things and that includes addressing high triglycerides. The catechin flavonoids in green tea can reduce triglycerides by up to 20%. The catch is you need to be a BIG tea drinker to benefit as about 600 to 700 mg of green tea catechins are required to achieve the triglyceride lowering effect (the equivalent of 6 to12 cups per day since the catechin content of tea varies greatly). Alternately, nutritional supplements are available that provide green tea catechins in a more concentrated form. – DiabeticConnect.com

Additionally, green tea contains caffeine, another substance known to aid fat burning in some people. Some avoid the consumption of caffeine because of its strongly stimulating properties. However, many choose to indulge in a hot cup of green tea because it contains a significantly less amount of caffeine than coffee. You’ll still reap the energy increasing benefits without the hyper-sensitive side effects.

Increased Metabolism

Burning fat also means an increase in your body’s metabolism. Recent studies show consuming green tree extract stimulates a process known as thermogenesis. This is the natural increase in your body’s temperature during digestion. Thermogenesis determines how quickly your food will be burned off and recycled into energy. It’s possible to experience this fat burning, metabolism increasing benefit by drinking green tea as a beverage or, for added convenience, you can consume it as a dietary supplement. It’s important to note that the increase will not be significant enough to burn off a lot of pounds all at once and green tea alone is not a long term weight loss solution.

Add It To Your Routine

As previously stated, green tea has been proven to have numerous health benefits but to reap them to their maximum potential, it’s best to incorporate it into your daily health regimen. You’ll see most commercial weight loss supplements include green tea, and all of them suggest a regular exercise routine and healthy eating habits for the best results. Green tea works, just not on its own. Those who take a daily extract supplement burn 17% more fat while exercising than those who don’t (the dosage varies depending on age, weight, etc). Continuous consumption also strengthens the metabolism, creating a constant fat burning routine even after your workout is completed. Do your research on what dosage is best for you.

Whether you’re working toward weight loss or just trying to improve your health, green tea is a great addition to your grocery list. High in catechins (phytochemicals), green tea along with an active lifestyle has been proven to combat obesity and heart defects. A diet high in calories with mild activity won’t yield the best results regardless of any natural supplements. A moderately monitored diet with equally moderate level of exercise usually shows significant progress around 12 weeks. Those who are increasingly active and consume a weight-friendly diet can expect to see results much sooner.

The results may seem to straddle the fence a bit in terms of weight loss, but the overall health benefits outweigh its ineffectiveness when it comes to dropping pounds. Green tea isn’t the final answer for someone looking to lose 25lbs as quickly as possible but for long-term benefits for your waistline and internal organs, green tea is worth adding to your shopping list.

PS: Matcha Green Tea is one of the hottest trends around right now. Learn more about this powerful form of green tea.

Madelyn lost 47 pounds

July 21, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 9 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Madelyn lost 47 pounds. This determined young lady decided to stop putting of the long term goal of losing weight. In 7 months, she has been able to transform her body with healthy eating and lots of exercise. Check out her story and before and after photos.

Madelyn weight loss

Hello, My name is Madelyn J. I started my weight loss journey back in November of 2013. My motivation came from my decision to join Peace Corps and also it was a goal of mine I kept putting off. I knew if I was moving to a new country to serve as a peace corps volunteer I would need to be at a healthy weight and my recruiter also stressed that to me. Obesity is a disease and my BMI considered me right at the Obese range. I started at 190 lbs. I am 5’6 and 23 years old, there is no reason I should not have been living a healthy lifestyle. My eating habits changed drastically. I ate out all the time and never cared what I was putting into my body. I started drinking at least a gallon of water a day and cutting white carbs. I upped my fruits and veggie intake and cut out pork and beef. I started eating breakfast everyday and taking multi vitamins. I began to meal prep my meals for the week and cut my eating out to one day a week.

My workouts were tough at first, but I had family and friends by my side supporting me with my journey. I joined Planet Fitness and began working out 5 days a week for 2 hours. I would do an hour of cardio (running/jogging outside, elliptical, treadmill) and an hour of weight training (this included arms, legs, and ab workouts). I didn’t see results quick, but I realized it didn’t take me a month to put on the weight so I wouldn’t lose it that quickly either.

My starting weight was 190lbs and I am currently 143 lbs today. My goal weight is 137 then I will just be focusing on toning. My current transformation has taken me 7 months, but i’m not completely finished. I feel better now than I have in years. Remember it is a lifestyle change and not just some fad diet. You have to commit and stay consistent and you WILL see result. I did it my way without any pills, shakes, or waist trainer. Nothing against people who use these methods, but I get asked that question a lot. It wasn’t easy, but it surely was worth it. My advice is no one can make the change but you. Stop putting off what you can do today.. Simple changes can make a difference! Join a gym, get a workout partner, watch what you eat and you will see those pounds start disappearing in no time!

Madelyn weight loss
Madelyn before and after photos

Weight Loss and Yoga?

July 16, 2014 by Ajima Jackson Leave a Comment

yoga weight loss

When it comes to yoga, looking at videos of tiny women draped in spandex, bent and twisted up like pretzels can be quite discouraging. Many women look on and immediately dismiss any possibility that they could ever do yoga. “I’m too big.” or “I’m not flexible.” has been uttered far too many times. If you do a quick search online, you may be pleasantly surprised by how many women of all shapes, sizes and levels of fitness practice yoga on a daily basis. Or, better yet, how many people actually use yoga to lose weight. Yes, yoga can be a viable mode of exercise to lose pounds when added to a balanced workout schedule.

Technically Speaking

Generally, weight loss happens when a person’s calorie intake is less than their calorie expenditure. In other words, you’re burning more calorie than you’re eating and your body metabolizes fat. We know that. So, in the traditional sense, yoga wouldn’t top very many people’s lists of means for getting fit. However, when you use the term “yoga”, that’s a very general statement. There are countless practices done in a variety of environments that each target and enhance different parts of the body.

If all of these different branches had to be categorized into two classifications, there would be mental yoga and power yoga. Varying upon perspective, both classes can aid in your weight loss experience.

Mental Yoga

These forms of yoga enhance the functions of the mind. Your brain serves as the conductor for the rest of your body. It sends signals to your cells, giving instructions every minute of every day. With a clear and controlled conscious, you’ll be in a better position, mentally, to tackle tasks that require dedication and focus- such as exercise.

Mental yoga will help you feel more connected to your body. Potentially, it can eliminate deep seeded body image issues, allowing you to accept and embrace your body’s uniqueness. This will make exercise less daunting. You won’t be doing it because you have to or because you feel bad about yourself. Your primary focus will be to enhance your best qualities and live a healthier lifestyle. Because you deserve it.

Power Yoga

Much more vigorous and high impact than mental yoga, power yoga is done with burning calories in mind. Ashtanga and Vinyasa are two forms of power yoga that are ideal for weight loss. Many studios have also incorporated “hot yoga” into their list of offerings. Done in studios with rising temperatures, muscles are strengthened with 70- to 90-minutes of activity. You’ll be sweating off the calories the entire time. Your flexibility will also be improved.

A Little Bit of Both

Even better is when you find a style, such as Kemetic yoga, that incorporates the best properties of each category. Reminiscent of the original form, Kemetic yoga dates back as far as the art along Ancient Egyptian pyramid walls. Many of the poses in Kemetic yoga are tailored to increase elimination and purification of the body’s blood and organs. Additionally, instructors assist followers in strengthening their mental awareness. Between detoxification and pushing your limits mentally and physically, Kemetic yoga is a great relief. The combination of these properties creates a powerful trio that will really aid you in losing weight.

A Package Deal

It goes without saying, yoga won’t burn the same amount of calories as cardio, but it is a staple in the weight loss routines of much of America’s population. Many celebrities assure that daily meditation and yoga practice is what has helped them maintain their physiques. It helps to loosen stiff muscles (which works amazing when trying to keep the cramps away after Leg Day at the gym), and build up your endurance. Don’t think so? How long you can support your entire body while upside down with just two fingers as your support. Yeah…I thought so. *Smile*

Nutritionally Speaking

As with any form of exercise, yoga won’t help you shed the pounds on its own. You’ll have to put in just as much, if not more, effort than with traditional means. Ever heard the saying, “Abs are made in the kitchen”? Find a form of yoga that makes you feel comfortable, pair it with a healthy diet and a couple minutes of cardio. Along with other forms of cardio (like Zumba or walking) and strength training, you’ll be on track to see the pounds drop right before your eyes.

“Mind over a matter” is more than just a saying. Don’t let your weight or physical condition deter you from embarking on the rewarding journey formally known as yoga. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t flexible, frequent practice will give you that flexibility. It’s no different from beginning a weight lifting routine or making the decision to start running. At first it’s not that easy, but after a while…you get stronger.

Lesa lost 123 with weight loss surgery

July 12, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 3 Comments

Let’s show some BWLW love to Lesa who has lost 123 pounds. She decided to have gastric sleeve weight loss surgery after dealing with a number of chronic health conditions affected by being overweight. After dealing with the loss of her closest relatives and having to be put in a medically induced coma, she realized that she had to be here to support and love her children. Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

Lesa weight loss surgery

I’ve always been overweight, as far as I can remember. It was “cute” when I was a chubby toddler and never shed any of the extra pounds. I grew up in an “overweight” family. I was raised by typical Black Country fed, homegrown, soul food grandparents. My mom was the type of woman who loved being a voluptuous woman and I inherited that gene.

I loved being voluptuous, plus sized, etc. it wasn’t until I realized that as I older, I got bigger. My entire adult life I was 300+ but by the time I was 37, I was up to 390 lbs. Now with health problems, single parenting, losing close family members and juggling too much that I started having severe health problems; namely Sleep Apnea, Congestive Heart failure, low immune system, and Pulmonary Hypertension (which caused me to go into respiratory distress October 2010).

After being in a medically induced coma for 21 days I woke from the coma and my first thought was “Who took care of my babies?” They already lost my mom and grandparents and were on the verge of losing me!! My mom passed away at the age of 45 years old and it was heartbreaking to me and my children. She had a multitude of health issues including diabetes, high blood pressure, & CHF that if she lost weight she might still be alive today. I was finally diagnosed with Tracheal Stenosis after being hospitalized three times. Then, I had to have an emergency tracheostomy February, 2011. I was told by numerous doctors that I would have the trach for the rest of my life due to extensive scarring to my trachea from the intubation.

One of the medical specialists that told me that I would have my trach removed in December of 2012. My trachea healed. I discovered that Medicare paid for gastric surgery and in May 1, 2013 I had my first consultation. Initially, in 2009, I planned to get the Lap Band (I’m glad that things didn’t work out for me to get it). I researched the gastric sleeve and found people that had the surgery. After months of planning I had my surgery October 31, 2013.

Weight Loss Surgery is a tool, not a miracle cure for obesity. It is our responsibility to make the right choices. I sometimes start to eat things like I’m a trance. Not realizing what I was doing until I’m in mid bite. I’ve discovered that my comfort food and drinks aren’t so comforting. Now, I love veggies, fruits and WATER. Lots and lots of water. I do not get caught up in the scales. This is the one thing that I cannot stress enough. It is not good emotionally if you get all of your sense of achievement from the scale. I just keep in mind that this is a Marathon and NOT a sprint. My workout routine is walking. I walk everywhere and climb stairs. Imagine me, a person who loves to shop having to use the motorized cart in Walmart or having to sit down while shopping at the mall…or flat out not going to the mall at all! Imagine not wanting to go anywhere because your fat is basically insulation and you are constantly hot! Now, I have energy and don’t mind cooking, cleaning, walking or climbing the stairs.

I’m still in transition and I’m only 9 months post-surgery and have lost 123 lbs. and my current weight is 267. Initially, I wanted to be 225 lbs. or a size 18/20, however my ultimate goal is to just be healthy. I recommend joining a support group as I seem to be having identity issues post-surgery. I’ve always been comfortable being plus sized that now that I’ve lost weight I can’t identify with the person I see in the mirror. Daily what I am thankful for is that I’m not plagued with health issues and I’m going to be around to be a parent to my daughters!

Lesa weight loss surgery

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Natalie lost 50 pounds

July 10, 2014 by Ajima Jackson Leave a Comment

Update Dec 2015: Natalie is now down to 180 lbs, for a total of 85 lbs gone. Check out her updated before and afters and read about how she lost the weight. Instagram: @natalie_thefitmami

natalie before and after — Updated Before and After 2015

July 2014 – Weight Loss Story of the Day: Natalie lost 50 pounds. This blogger and proud mom was motivated to be there for her child and to get off several medications. She ate clean, exercised and got RESULTS. Check out her weight loss story and find out more about how she was able change her life.

Natalie hungry hungry housewife

What was your motivation?
Becoming healthy for my 10 month old. I also wanted to get off of blood pressure and cholesterol medicines.

How did you change your eating habits?
I started by throwing out all of the processed foods in my house and started fresh. I try to eat as clean as possible with minimal processed foods. I shopped the outskirts of the grocery store; fresh fruits/veggies, meat, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, almonds. I also ate every three hours in small portions. Meal then snack etc. I found ways to tweak my favorite recipes by substituting fattening ingredients for nutritious ones. I also drank protein shakes for breakfast and late night snack.

What did your workout routines look like?
I did 30-45 min of cardio paired with weight training 6 times a week. I switched between Turbo Fire and running on treadmill for cardio.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 265 pounds. Current weight is 215 pounds. My height is 5’7″.

How long did your transformation take?
7 months and I am still going! I have currently hit a plateau but that is not going to stop me. I have started doing fasted cardio to switch up my routine a little.

What advice to you have for others who want to lose weight?
You really have to get fed up with being unhealthy. I have been struggling with weight since after college and each time I failed because my whole being wasn’t into it. You have got to want it as bad as you want to breathe! I listen to motivational compilations on YouTube while I workout also! Eating is #1 then exercising. Recently, found a free app on my cell phone called My Fitness Pal and it is really helpful in seeing how many calories I am eating.

I made a website with cool recipes I try and there is more info about my journey on the about section.

-Natalie Balderas
Website: www.hungryhungryhousewife.com

natalie weight loss story — updated before and after 2015

Dee lost 156 pounds with weight loss surgery

July 2, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 1 Comment

Let’s show some BWLW love to Dee who has lost 156 pounds and gone from a size 32 to a size 14-16. She decided to have weight loss surgery so that she could be a healthy and happy mom for the long haul and decrease the possibility of dealing with a number of illnesses that run in her family. We congratulate her! Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

Dee weight loss surgery

Dee weight loss old pants — She can now fit into one leg of her old pants

I’m a 32 year old mother to two boys (11 and 13 years old). They were my motivation to lose weight. I want to be here to see them graduate and have families of their own. My mother’s side of the family suffers from diabetes; my mother, 2 aunts, 1 uncle and my late grandmother. I knew I would be at risk with me being overweight. My mother also suffered from high blood pressure and my daddy suffered from high cholesterol, so I knew of the risks I could possibly face having 1 or all 3 problems. Luckily, I did something about my weight before it got to the point of me having those problems. On 11/6/2013 I opted to have gastric bypass weight loss surgery. I swear that I tried everything before it resorted to this. I had no choice but to change my eating habits my new stomach pouch. It won’t let me eat certain foods like I use to, which in my case is a good thing. It actually keeps me balanced. For the 1st few months after surgery, I walked 30-45 minutes, 3 days a week. I’m now on the process of toning and dealing with all the extra skin I have cause it’s just about everywhere. I had to cut out fried fatty foods but I do have a cheat meal twice a month (just being honest). Healthy eating gave me a whole new outlook on life and my health. With me having this surgery protein is the key. I eat Greek yogurt, more vegetables, chicken, turkey, seafood and I try to limit my carbs.

Luckily my insurance is covering my breast lift and a pannis removal (which is the extra skin that hangs below my private area…thank goodness for that…lol). My highest weight was 363 pounds. On the day of my surgery I was 345 pounds. As of today I’m 207 pounds and still counting (I’m 5″11). My transformation took 7 1/2 months. My advice to others wanting to lose weight by surgery, the old fashion way or however makes you happy know that it’s a lifestyle change anyway you look at it. I did it to be healthy and like a tattoo that I have says “Only God can judge me now!”.

Dee before and after Dee weight loss surgery

8 Natural Appetite Suppressors

June 17, 2014 by Ajima Jackson Leave a Comment

How do you deal with cravings? Cravings for foods that you know will cause weight gain and poor health are difficult to deal with and cause many to give up on their weight loss journey. There are all sorts of methods people use to suppress their appetite when trying to change to more healthy eating habits. Some people use natural appetite suppressors while others use over the counter diet pills or prescribed pharmaceutical products. Diet pills and pharmaceutical products are not ideal as they can have harmful side effects and are not realistic for the long term. You don’t want to be dependent on pills to keep your eating habits in check. Today. I want to share some natural appetite suppressors you can use instead. These are things that you actually can work into your daily eating habits for the long haul.

1. Rye Bread

Natural Appetite Suppressors Rye is a type of grass which is used as a grain. There are many types of products manufactured using rye, including bread. There are many benefits of eating rye bread, vs. wheat bread (most people are eating processed and bleached wheat). First and foremost, it helps balance the glucose and blood sugar levels in the body. This is because it is rich in natural whole fiber that makes you feel fuller for a longer time frame after you eat it. It also helps boost the metabolism to improve digestion. Rye bread is also an excellent appetite suppressor because of the high fiber content. Since it is natural, there are no harmful side effects.

2. Drinking Water

Water is also considered to be a great appetite suppressant. Water should be used by making sure that you are in fact hungry. In most cases, when the body is dehydrated, it shows the same signs as hunger. Many people are not familiar with how their body signals a need for more water. We want to be in tune with that so that we give our bodies what is needed. If you are eating when your body is crying out for water, you are more likely to gain weight because you will continue to mistake the feeling of dehydration for a need for more food. If you feel hungry, you should drink a glass of water (at least 8oz) and wait for 15-30 minutes. If the hunger feeling was a result of dehydration, it will be subsided. If not, you can have a snack.

3. Wasabi

This is a natural spice which is mostly used for preparing sushi. Spicy foods in general are great appetite suppressants because there is a limit to how much of them you will eat. Eventually, you turn the plate down due to the heat and you don’t overeat them. Wasabi is very spicy and that is the quality that makes it an effective food for eating when on a weight loss regiment. It is very versatile and can be added to a number of things like deviled eggs, nuts, marinades for meat, veggie dips, homemade salad dressings, etc. In addition, it acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

4. Fava Beans

Fava beans are another type of food that is extremely high in fiber content. In addition, it also contains an ingredient known as isoflavone. First and foremost, the fiber content keeps you feeling full for longer. Also, isoflavone is beneficial in suppressing your appetite. Foods that are rich in fiber play an important role in regulating the cholesterol levels in the body. Fibers also help control the glucose levels in the blood. So, not only do Fava beans help suppress the appetite, they also help keep you healthy.

5. Almonds

You should eat almonds regularly. They are a great source of Vitamin E which keeps your brain sharp. They also contain antioxidants and magnesium. In addition, almonds are also rich in fibers. Moreover, they stay in the digestive system longer than most food items because the fiber is not fully digested. Due to this, they keep you feeling full for longer, which helps in suppressing your appetite. The fibers in almonds also keep your blood pressure under control and prevent other cardiac diseases.

6. Chia Seeds

Like most edible seeds, Chia seeds are rich in fiber. The difference with chia is that when they are in water they produce a gel that is water based and sticky which adds to the full feeling they create. They also are full of healthy omega-3 fats and healthy protein. The ounce of chia seeds can give you 4.4 grams of protein. Due to this, they should be consumed on a regular basis in things like salads, smoothies and puddings.

7. Mint

There are many different ways that mint can help you suppress your appetite. You can chew fresh mint leaves when you feel hungry. The strong aroma of mint will suppress your appetite (buy some essential oil and add it to a plain tea light candle). Moreover, you can also drink mint-infused water to suppress your appetite (recipe). There are many people who use mint chewing gums to suppress their appetite (watch out for artificial sweeteners).

8. Fiber Powder Supplements

If you find it difficult to consume natural fiber, you can always take over the counter fiber powder supplements. There are countless supplements available in the market. The best thing about these supplements is that you can dissolve them in your favorite drinks because many are tasteless. You can also put them in things like smoothies, pudding and yogurt. It will fulfill your fiber requirements and also suppress your appetite.