Black Weight Loss Success

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Elaine lost 113 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Elaine lost 113 pounds the old fashioned way, by changing her eating habits and embracing regular exercise.  Read more about her transformation:

Hello my name is Elaine I started this weight loss journey in February of this year. I weighed 323 pounds in February. I decided to loose weight because I could not find any type of clothes to fit me.  I change my eating habits by consuming 1200 calories per day. I started by eating clean and cutting the sodas, junk food, juices, potato chips, and sweets out my diet plan.  I also started eating a healthy breakfast and I’m eating more fruits and vegetables.  No eating out or fast foods. No fried foods, only baked or boiled. I’ve learned to use portion control as well. Now, I eat three times a day and have fruit for snacks in between meals.

For exercise, I walk at least 3 to 4 miles per day.  On top of that, I do cardio, Insanity, kick boxing, and run.  I have started on weight lifting to tone up my body, doing exercises such as leg raises, leg calves, jumping jacks, crunches, sumo squats, squats, push up, side kick, and kicks and punches to name a few.

It has really been a challenge for me but I have mind control over it now. Now, I am at 210 pounds. I have lost a total of 113 lbs in 10 months.  I want to lose at least 35 more pounds. I am proud of myself and I will continue to work hard to achieve my goal….Everyday was not easy but I put my mind to it and I have achieve…It is a blessing to share my story with you all..Thanks so much

Elaine lost 113 pounds Elanie's weight loss story

Vee lost 58 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Vee.  She lost 58 pounds and created a weight loss plan that works for her which includes clean eating and food prep.  Here is what she shared about her lifestyle change:

Vee before and after

“Hi My Name is Vee and this is MY Life Change!”

What was your motivation? “I completely was tired of being fat. I couldn’t walk stairs and I wanted to be able to everyday things that my weight was hindering me from doing.”

How did you change your eating habits? “I started by fasting for 3 weeks (I ate only RAW fruit and veggies), now I eat extremely clean. No processed foods and small portions. I pack my food for when I’m away from the house and now I go by this motto called “Eat Inside The bag” So, I don’t eat anything outside of my lunch bag to make sure I stay on track. No Sugars, Carbs, or Late night snacking. I also do a weekly food prep to help me throughout the week.”

What did your workout routines look like? “I started by walking. Then, I joined a local boot camp class, and I also have a personal trainer. However, to help me reach my ultimate goals, I work out on my own at 5am in the morning and I then train in the evenings. I try to not take more than 2 days off from my exercise regimen.”

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight? “I started at 315 pounds and I’m currently at 257 pounds.”

How long did your transformation take? “It took me 1 year. (I’m not finished)”

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight? “You are doing well no matter where you are on your journey. Don’t count the pounds, count your progress. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else Standards. And there is NO SUCH THING as you are not doing something hard enough. You will see progress at your own rate! And yes you will “Show” them, just like I did.”

Kia lost 73 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Kia lost 73 pounds.  No gym membership, she worked out at home.  She also embraced clean eating and meal prepping for successful eating.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

“Hello I am @_healthychoice on Instagram. Here is how my journey began…  I decided to change my eating habits and start exercising when my BMI told me I was obese. I was motivated by the unhealthy signs my body gave me and not liking the person I saw in the mirror. I had high blood pressure and swollen legs due to eating bad foods. I was embarrassed at the size I was becoming. With no gym membership, I dropped 70lbs in less than a year. Walking 3 times a week + clean eating + determination allowed me to go from 220 pounds to 147 pounds. I started at a Size 16 and now I’m down to a Size 6. My lifestyle is healthier, and I feel great.

In June 2012, I started walking outdoors around my neighborhood 3x times a week about 3-4miles. I did that until the winter months came. Then I shifted to Zumba on the Wii and strength training inside the house. I used apps on my phone and google to learn the types of body weight exercises that I could do without a gym membership. These included planks, leg raises, v-sit, squats, etc. For the eating, I focused incorporating proteins and veggies in 5-6 meals a day. I stayed away from carbs, white grains, high sugar, and high sodium foods. I stopped cooking with butter, vegetable oil, and sugar. All I drink is water, milk, and unsweetened herbal teas. Meal prepping my foods helped to keep me focused during the week, so that I did not have any excuses to eat out, stop at the bar, go to the drive thru, or go the snack machines at work. I stopped making excuses for myself and began to problem solve so that I could live a healthy lifestyle.

My advice for those starting their weightloss journey is to take baby steps. Remember that eating and exercise are partners, so find a balance between the two in order to see progress. Find something that motivates you, and go for it. Find something you enjoy doing (i.e. Walking) and keep going! Write down your goal, and don’t stop ever…if you reach it, then aim higher! The journey will be tough, but it is possible.”

Kia weight loss photos Kia weight loss photos

 

Updated: Dee Dee lost 100 pounds

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dee dee muscle gainUpdate from Dee Dee – May 2015: “I want to first thank you for the motivation in doing an article on me in 2013. As of 2015, I have gone even further!! I am now in training for body building and I’ve lost a total weight of 100 lbs [and gained muscle]. I am 146 pounds of lean muscle. I have done a radio appearance on Love 860 here in Atlanta. I was invited by DJ Rollem Townsend to talk about my journey and clean eating. I also have formed two groups with over 180 people in both groups on Facebook called Get Fit and Fine and Supreme Living Nutritional Consulting. In Get Fit and Fine, I have free, two week clean eating and fitness challenges. I give a gift to the winner that posts the most of their daily food intake. I have given away healthy books, gift cards, and weight training equipment. I also have been asked by my trainer, Curtis Hayes of Supreme Fitness, to assist with his Fitness Challenges at Phoenix 2 Park where we workout with the people of the city of Atlanta. I cannot thank you enough for supporting me. Thank you again!!”  Instagram: @denitrice2

DeeDee weight loss

12/17/13 – Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Dee Dee lost 78 pounds.  She was inspired my her loved ones and changed her lifestyle after dealing with divorce and high blood pressure.  She is now into running, is studying to be a personal trainer and wants to help others. Here is what she shared with us:

“As of May 2011, I decided to change my life into a healthier lifestyle. At the time, my weight was 210 pounds. As of December 2013, I weigh 132 pounds (mostly muscle) which means a total weight loss of 78 pounds. I knew with a background of dance for 15 years and marching in the historic collegiate band at Alabama A&M University, there was no excuse for being overweight. My mother who was diagnosed in 2007 with Breast Cancer and my uncle was diagnosed with brain damage (has seizures at any time) and their doctors challenge them to workout at least 3-4 days a week. They have surely kept their end of the deal and workout faithfully. They have continued to be a motivation to me since I moved in with them for six months after my divorce and when I was struggling with high blood pressure (192/98).

I changed my eating habits by taking out sugar, fried foods and whites (rice, bread, etc.) I now love juicing veggies and fruits every day and only eat meals on a small salad size plate. My workout routines started off aggressive with walking and step aerobics 5 days a week and sometimes twice a day. Now, I have narrowed it down to 4-5 days a week once a day. I have included running, weight lifting, and working on completing my Personal Trainer Certification. I also teach Dance Cardio just like my favorite Fitness motivator Shaun T. (absolutely love him and his energy). I have also completed four 5ks. a 10k, and The Atlanta Peachtree Road Race. This year my goal is to run the Georgia Half Marathon in March of 2014 and complete more fitness certifications in Youth Fitness and Nutrition. My advice to others is you first have to want it and then you apply yourself. The weight will come off in no time and you will feel so much better.”

deedeemay15blog

Dee Dee before and after

Tiffany lost 57 pounds

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Let’s show some love to Tiffany.  She lost 57 pounds with prayer, eating clean and exercise.  She still on her weight loss journey but she was inspired to share her journey so far.  Here is what she shared with us:

Tiffany before and after photos

“Sister Ajima, It is such an inspiration to me to see the many testimonies of our sisters taking on the challenge of being healthy and fit after being obese. I too understand the struggle. It is no easy feat, when you have to reprogram yourself and how you view food and health. I thank you for such a page as this as well as the many testimonies shared in the news feeds. I have struggled with my weight my entire life and tried to live a life being content with being obese. This April, I decided after reaching my maximum weight of 330 pounds it was time for God to truly transform me. Today I am 273 pounds and I still have a ways to go. Thank you again. This page is apart of what keeps me motivated and inspired.

I am working on a personal goal to hit 269 pounds. I had the intentions of submitting my a brief testimony and pictures once the scales revealed 269 lbs; however I’ve had a conviction to do so now. God is Good! I prayed and asked God for a complete transformation of myself, body, mind, and spirit. We are now in December 2013, and I am now 273 and my journey still continues. I have struggled with my weight my entire life I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t FAT! I tried years of dieting and periods of time just being content; however in this new ” Season’ of my life God has said it is now Time, and to be honest I trust and believe Him. I started my journey with a fast, then with juicing for a few weeks. Then, I went to eating cleaner; no red meats, cut the sugars, reduced the breads and increased the fruits & vegetables. My exercising started with walking a mile then I began walking for 5 miles at least 4 times a week. I am now coming out of a period of about a month where I have just maintained. Now I’m working out on my treadmill and trying to get use to the Insanity DVD workouts. My,goal is to lose 100 pounds in 2014.”

Check out her Facebook page.

Charlotte lost 90 pounds

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Weight loss story of the Day: Charlotte lost 90 pounds going from 268 pounds to 178 pounds.  Her journey has not been a quick one and she knows that slow and steady wins the race.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

“I started my journey about 3 years ago. It started when my father passed away and instead of me crying and eating my pains away, I used that energy into working out. In 6 months, I lost 63 pounds.  As time went by I consistantly dropped the weight, in then end totaling 90 pounds. I did Zumba, walking, running, Beachbody’s Slim in 6 and Turbo Fire. I changed by eating habits by eating 5 to 6 small meals a day and counting calories. This was no easy task and it’s way harder to keep the weight off rather than losing it. I’m still in the process of toning my body and my journey will never be over.”

Charlotte weight loss

Charlotte weight loss story

Tanya lost 76 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Tanya lost 76 pounds and kept her curves.  She details for us her lifelong weight loss struggle and talks in detail about what it took for her to lose weight.  Here is her story:

Tanya weight loss story

“My starting weight was 319 pounds, my current weight is 243 pounds. My goal weight is 180 and below. I want to be a 9/10 but if need be squeeze into an 8 (honesty)!!! LOL

I can start this story from a lot of places so I will just let it flow. I have been overweight majority of all my life as far as I can remember. I was the shapeliest girl in grade school. I say shapeliest because my curves at that age were developed before I grew into them. In high school, my weight wasn’t my concern. As I got into my adult years when I would visit my family in Jamaica the first question they would ask me was “How did you get so big” like they didn’t know that food was the problem. I tried everything you can think of to lose weight; Slim Fast, Weight Watchers, LA Weight Loss, Jenny Craig!!! You name it and I was on that on that bandwagon. I can honestly say I was comfortable enough in my body to waste my money on all those things.

I have had a couple breaking points but I took none of them seriously! One stands out in particular though. I was at an amusement park and wanted to sit next to the people I came with on a rollercoater. I couldn’t because the row of seats didn’t have the “big” seat.This hurt but nonetheless I kept the same eating habits and never changed a thing.

Fast forward to present. I started January 1st of this year. I began going to the gym six days a week. I got really serious around the time I began waist training and I chose the easiest thing to do. I waited until the Lenten season and gave up rice and juice and red meat for 40 days. That how my weight really came off aside from waist training and exercising.
I was turning 30 and just wanted to “look different “. I wanted to cross off some of the “I have nevers” off my list!! Like I have never worn a two-piece. I could have but I chose not too. I also didn’t want to get diabetes and high blood pressure. Those are things I can prevent so that’s what I am doing. I have vain reasons why I want to lose weight also. I LOVE MY CURVES! Plain and simple! My current measurements are 36-32-51. My goal is 36-26-51! I have hips, butt, and breasts, all these things that people pay for I was given! Now, why would I want to hide all that with fat in my body? Cause let’s face it, I was plan ole fat! Not anymore though!! I am on a continuous journey to get to my goal size and weight.

Tanya before and afterAs I lose weight I really believe I can help others do the same. The two most important things I can tell you is to 1. NEVER give up and 2. Lose weight for no one but yourself. There is no right nor wrong way to do this. It’s not a diet, its a lifestyle change. If you need to incorporate supplements do it! Do what works for you. I do herbalife because sometimes I don’t feel like eating and I also wear a corset to help define the hourglass waist I have.

You can follow me on instagram at Seductively_Fabulous or shoot me an email at info@seductivelyfabulous.com and I will help you as best as I can. My aim is to help others who feel they are on this road alone and have no help! We can do this together!!!”

Shykia lost 44 pounds

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Snovia sent in her twin sister Shykia’s weight loss story of losing 44 pounds this year.  I think it’s so wonderful to see this sisterly support and that they are in this together.  Here is what she shared:

“This is my twin sister Shykia. She has recent lost 45 pounds. I am so proud of her. On and off there’s been a struggle with her weight and she is finally kicking ass!

Her motivation was our mom. She is very sick with diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Shykia wanted to live healthier life. She changed her habits by eating clean. We both purchased a NutriBullet and she has cut out sugar and fried foods.

Her workout routines consisted of going to the gym daily since May of 2013  She’s been working out diligently since May. weight training and using the elliptical machine. Her starting weight was 293 pounds and she now weighs 249 pounds…and is still losing.

I think her advice to others would be that  weight loss isn’t a physical challenge. It’s more mental. Stay motivated and positive!”

Twin weight loss story

Tyneisha lost 41 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Instagram diva Tyneisha lost 41 pounds off of her 5 foot frame with Weight Watchers and by embracing regular exercise after years of yo-y0 dieting and trying different plans. Here is what she shared with us about her transformation:

Tyneisha weight loss

“Hello, my name is Tyneisha (Ty) and my instagram name is @tantalizing_ty. I am 24 years old and I’ve lost 41 pounds since Feb of this year. My motivation to lose weight for good this time came from seeing my family members struggle with their health because of their weight. All of my grandparents and several aunts and uncles had or have diabetes and take blood pressure medication. Both of my parents have also had weight loss surgery within the past few years and have been trying to change their lifestyle for the better.

I changed my eating habits by joining Weight Watchers. I track my points, drink my 90 to 120 ozs of water a day and try to limit my carbs. I typically workout 4 to 5 days a week taking classes like Step Abs, Zumba and Kickboxing. My starting weight was 238 pounds and currently I am 197 pounds. My transformation has taken about 11 months and I am hardly finished yet.

My advice for others is to never give up, take a deep breath and keep pushing love. This is my third time on Weight Watchers and have yoyo dieted for the last 6 years. This time however I was determined that nothing was going to stop me and that this would be a lifestyle change. I also would advise others to be patient. Everyone’s body is different and therefore so will their weight loss journey.”

 

Michelle lost over 110 pounds with weight loss surgery

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

Michelle weight loss surgery

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

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

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