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Bridget lost 63 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Bridget lost 63 pounds in 9 months. When she turned 35 years old, she wanted to change to a healthier lifestyle and rid herself of health issues. Her motivation came in the form of a challenge sponsored by her local news station where she was able to get coaching. She shared with us the actions she took on to change her life.

bridget before and after

What was your motivation?
My motivation to lose weight is that I was turning 35 years old and I wanted to be healthy. I was having continual health problems, such as my back and knees hurting all the time, and I my feet always were swollen. I got chosen for a 12 week “knocking off” weight loss/fitness challenge through my local news station. The coaches and director of the challenge inspired me to begin my health journey.

How did you change your eating habits?
I changed my eating habits by cooking more, eating out less and prepping my meals daily. I completely gave up fried foods and sweets. I started eating more baked chicken, fish, tilapia, and most importantly, lots and lots of water!

What did your workout routines look like?
My work began with me going to the gym 5 days a week and working out on the treadmill, elliptical, bike, and 30 minute circuit. To put more of a challenge into my workout to routine, I’m currently doing a boot camp class that I’ve been a part of for six months now.

What was your starting weight? 348 pounds
What is your current weight? 285 pounds
What is your height? 5’9″
How long did your transformation take? My transformation took 9 months.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
My advice to someone who wants to lose weight is to be your biggest cheerleader and have the determination to get started. Remember, it doesn’t matter how you start, it only matters how you end. To lose weight, you have to look at as a lifestyle change that is reshaping your life. Throughout my weight lost journey, I have learned that the pushing and the motivation had to come from me. When you change your mindset, anything is possible.

Instagram: @worshipjunkie9

bridget weight loss bridget lost 63 pounds

Jessica lost 101 pounds

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Shout out to Jessica! She’s had some ups and downs but she keeps on fighting. #winning

#flashbackfriday And the journey continues on! came a long way and I’m still going at it💪🏽 the before pic, I was 490lbs. With a 69 inch waist and 75 inch hips😨I was a prediabetic with sleep apnea. My cholesterol was through the roof and I dealt with terrible back and joint pain on the regular! At that time I also suffered with edema (which is swelling of the feet and legs) making it feel impossible to stand or walk for long, let alone try and workout. Compare that to a different me today💪🏽💪🏽 currently with a 57 inch waist and 67 inch hips. Free of all ailments🎉🎉 minus the back and joint pain I feel at times now because of the recent weight gain😒I had Initially lost 100lbs but gained 20 of those pounds back. It happens! Sometimes things don’t go as expected. And sometimes your plans may crash and burn. But that’s the beauty of being able to wake up to see another day and keep going! Keep trying. Let go of any self sabotaging and negative thinking! It doesn’t matter how much weight you’ve got to lose or how little you’re able to do now. Do what you can with what you have now. You’re more than enough! When I was nearly 500lbs 3 years ago, I had no trainer, no gym membership, no pills, and no surgery. I’ll tell you what I did have though. I had heart, determination and a will to live. And NOTHING can ever replace those. I’m in this for the long run and I WILL MAKE IT. 💪🏽💪🏽 one day at a time❤️ #naturalweightloss #getitdone #noexcuses #progresspics #goaldigger #motivation #fitfam #transformation #Eatcleantraindirty #weightloss #fattofit #transformation #igfitness #fitchick #beforeandafter #eatcleantrainmean #chickswholift #strongwomen #nevergiveup #health #weightlossmotivation #fitspo #sweatisthenewblack #obesetobeast #losingweight #o2barmy #weightlosstransformation #weightlossig #instaweightloss

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Transformation of the Day: Jessica lost 101 pounds. Through clean eating, high intensity interval training and prayer, she was able to transform her mindset and her body. This 23 year old is no longer suffering with sleep apnea, pre-diabetes or back and knee problems. Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

jessica before and after

Action is everything. We can just sit around wishing and envisioning a better tomorrow for ourselves… OR we can get up and WORK for everything we ever wanted. In December 2013 at 5’8″ and 486 pounds, I just sat and wished for happiness and healthiness. I could’ve easily been over 500+ lbs by now, but I decided to get up and do something about it! Simply wanting something will never be enough. You have to see your future and then get up and go after it again and again and again!

I started off simply by cutting out junk food and fast food. I ate more lean protein, veggies and complex carbs. I drank enough damn water to free willy, made breakfast a TOP priority and stopped eating late at night! For exercise, I initially started working out 3 days a week. Then, I upped it to 5 days a week, and soon fell in love with weight lifting. I created my own HIIT workouts and adjusted them accordingly for my size.

I’m down 100 pounds in under 2 years naturally, through clean eating, hard work and I am not done!! No gym required. No surgery necessary. No trainers needed. No special shakes, wraps or pills. Just me VS. me. I’m no longer suffering with sleep apnea, pre-diabetes or back and knee problems (at just 23 years old!)

People will often ask what inspires you to keep going? I will tell you right now that inspiration isn’t always guaranteed. Your energy levels may come and go, and motivation is fleeting. However, when you get up in the morning and have a fire burning inside of you to reach your goals, to be HAPPY… whatever it may be; that passion, that fire within is what keeps you going. You will not get far in this journey without a passion for this.

This is only the beginning of my journey! If I can do it, starting at almost 500lbs, so can YOU. My advice that is when our Heavenly Father moves someone on spiritually and mentally from a situation or from a toxic way of thinking or living, then it’s time to move on! Without my daily talk with the Lord where would I be? I believe prayer is powerful and in Jesus’s name I AM strong and I AM capable of greatness and more. Either fight for what it is that you want TODAY or spend another day, another month, another YEAR wishing for a better you. We got this!

Instagram: @jessstaughtyou

Deshawn lost 58 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Deshawn lost 58 pounds. After taking a close look at her wedding and honeymoon photos, she realized that she gained a significant amount of weight over the past few years. Many of us can relate to how the pounds can creep on while dating and nesting in a relationship. This BWLW Sista been keeping us up to date on her journey via inbox and now she’s ready to share how she’s taken action to lose the pounds.

deshawn before and after

I absolutely love the Black Women Losing Weight Facebook page! It was definitely the motivator I needed to get serious about weight loss. I decided to begin my weight loss journey seriously in April of this year, I was at my largest size, weighing in at 268 pounds. I gained weight after moving in with my then boyfriend, now husband, 4 years ago and becoming “comfortable” with my weight gain. I ignored the fact that my clothes that once fit perfectly started to get tighter and tighter!

After I got married in October of 2014 and saw my wedding/honeymoon pictures up close, I finally realized how out of hand my weight had become. I became depressed and started to think that I’d never lose weight and that this was it for me. I got really serious after talking to friends about how much weight I’d gained over the past few years. They told me that once I really got fed up and made up my mind to lose weight, I could do it. After yo-yo dieting from April to mid August I went into beast mode and decided enough was enough. No pain no gain!

My husband thought I was nuts, because he thinks I’m beautiful at any weight. I decided to start out by walking around my neighborhood park in my sauna suit and working out with Fit TV. Then, I started walking instead of eating on my breaks at work. I started being mindful of eating 3 times daily and making sure that my meals were healthy. I eat Special K, Raisin Brain, Weight Loss Shakes, SmartOnes and Healthy Choice dinners. I incorporated fruits and vegetables into every meal. Since my actions were working, I took part in a couple DietBet challenges and won 2 out of 3. My co-workers and family started to notice my hard work and encouraged me to keep going!

Now, I’m more then 50 lbs down since April at 210 pounds! I feel great and I’m definitely still a work in progress, but I want to be a motivator to others. I want them to know that if you really want weight loss, it can be achieved with a “I Can So This” mindset. Don’t get discouraged and give up at the first bad turn. Press on because it possible to drop the pounds!

deshawn weight loss

Kristina lost 60 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Kristina lost 60+ pounds. After the birth of her son, she developed asthma and was told by her doctor that losing weight would help her with the condition. She just wanted to feel good again, so she got a personal trainer and began taking steps toward lifestyle change. Here is what she told us about her journey…

kristina before and after

Hey my name is Kristina Harrell and I’m 26 years old. My motivation to lose weight was my asthma. I got diagnosed with asthma when I got pregnant with my son. After I had my son, I had no problems until I was at work one day and had my first asthma attack. All I wanted was to feel better again when it came to breathing. My doctor just flat out told me I that needed to lose weight and that’s what I did.

I got a personal trainer, named Robert Gibson, and we went to work. These pictures are from April 26, 2014 to April 26, 2015. People ask me all the time what did I eat. It wasn’t anything challenging. I just taught myself how to eat right, because first 3 letters in diet is die so I felt like I was killin myself when it came to diets. My trainer would just give me short term goals and they would become long term goals. For example, one week he would tell me not to eat any white foods (white flour, white sugar, etc). So, I can eat whatever else, just no whites. I just had to make smart choices, which was great because I didn’t feel like I was being smothered with limits.

During another week, he would say eat only fruits and veggies. Yep, it sounds challenging, but it wasn’t because I was able to trick my mind. I would find out what fruits and veggies I loved and go at it for a whole week, plus I would season the food to my own taste. I didn’t go “no salt” or whatever,  because I wouldn’t eat it. I just did light salt. Then another week and so on he would say cut out a lot of bake foods or we are going to focus on getting more protein in this week. That’s typically how it went for about 3 months until I taught myself how to eat healthy and instead of dieting. I realized it is a learned behavior. Nothing happens over night. Now, I never deprive myself of anything. I eat 3 main meals a day. For one of those meals, between breakfast or lunch, I eat whatever I want. I just don’t show out and eat too much, lol. Just a small amount to get my taste buds satisfied. I eat healthy for those other two meals that’s how I maintain.

I exercise 6 days a week for only 60 minutes. Even when I’m tired and don’t go to the gym, I still do brisk walking for 60 mins. It’s something easy I can do to make sure I get my exercise in.

I weighed 220 pounds. I weighed 149 pounds in these pictures. I currently weigh 160 pounds, because I lift weights, but I love it. I’m 5’2″ tall.

I realize that no matter how skinny u get, everybody who is skinny ain’t “good skinny”, because losing weight can become an obsession and you forget about looking healthy. You just want to be skinny, which isn’t good. The advice I can give is what my trainer says “You have to want it. It ain’t gone happen on its own.” When u start your journey, make sure that you have that mind set, because if you don’t you are going to back track every time and waste your time.

Instagram: @Prizzy_Punkin

kristina weight loss story

Nevia lost 95 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Nevia lost 95 pounds. This mom of gained 100 pounds with her 4th pregnancy and was very depressed. She started with simple, straightforward changes to her eating habits and walking for exercise. 2 years later, she’s transformed her body and her lifestyle. Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

nevis before and after

Having my fourth child left me with 100 extra pounds. I was so depressed and didn’t know what to do with myself, so I started walking one mile every day. Now, I run five miles, three days a week. It’s five years later and I’m down 90 pounds.

My children are my motivation. They kept me going even when I wanted to give up. Before losing weight, I never had the energy to play with them. I started this journey because I wanted to be a better mom, and most of all feel better about myself. Also, I got a lot of inspiration from weight loss videos on YouTube.

My changing my eating habits was the biggest factor in my transformation. I prepared all my meals at home and stopped eating out for the first year. My biggest problem was snacking, so I just found healthier options.

Working out was hard at first so I just started with walking. Then, two months later, got a gym membership and now I workout three times a week. I love running and and spinning.

My starting weight was 250 pounds and my current weight is 155 pounds at 5’4″. It took me two years to lose the weight and now I’m focusing on maintaining my current weight. My advice for anyone who wants to lose weight is to never give up. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs. Despite that, I just try to remember why I started my journey.

Instagram: @FIT_THICK_CHICK148

Dee lost over 90 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Dee lost over 90 pounds. After a serious diabetes scare, she knew that it was time to make some changes. She started changing her eating habits and walking. Now, she’s running half marathons. Here is what she told us about her journey…

dee before and after

I have been on this weight loss journey for a little over 2 years after a HUGE scare with Diabetes. I weighed 245 pounds at 5’4″ and was very unhealthy. I didn’t want to be a diabetic nor take any medicine, so on July 30, 2013, I made the decision to change for my good. I changed my diet and started exercising.

I cut out fried foods. Instead, I ate lean meats, lots of vegetables and stuck to a high protein diet. I started walking and then the next thing I know I was running half marathons. I fell in love with running and it is my passion nowadays.

I made up my mind to get serious about my health and I have now lost over 90 pounds. The diabetes scare is gone and my A1c is now 5.2.

If I can do it, so can you. Just stay focused on your goals and know that your good health is your wealth. I’m living my best days, now.

Instagram: @iammrsdb

dee weight loss story

Ashleigh lost 38 pounds

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Ashleigh is still going strong. She’s down to 167 pounds.

#BeYourOwnBodyGoals #SnappingOutOfIt #BackOnMyShit #Throwback

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Transformation of the Day: Ashleigh lost 38 pounds. Facing the possibility of diabetes, having high blood pressure and having frequent asthma attacks, led her to take action and lose the weight. She shared her journey with us and gave us some great advice.

Ashleigh before and after

At my heaviest, I was 213 pounds and pre-diabetic, I was on the road to having high blood pressure and was having frequent asthma attacks all because of my weight and a lack of exercise. In the summer of 2012, I decided to work towards losing weight, began eating healthy and started doing Insanity three times a week. I began working out in the gym two times a week and eventually added running to my routine. In that summer alone, I went from 213 pounds to 166 pounds.

Since then, I’ve been working on various fitness goals, as well as adding weight training to my routine. I currently weigh 175 pounds and my goal weight is somewhere around 155 pounds. My height is 5’3″.

I changed my eating habits initially by cutting out most of the sweets that I was eating too much of (donuts, ice cream, candy, chocolate). I did not cut them out completely but would allow myself to indulge in them maybe once a week. I also cut out soda pop, juice, and other sugary drinks. This is when I noticed the most weight loss. I now indulge in these things sparingly. For maximum weight loss, I would advise anyone to cut them out of their diet. I started to eat healthier snacks, because I am a big snacker. Now, I eat three meals and two snacks a day.

I try to work out at least three times a week. When I first began my weight loss journey I was doing the Insanity program three times a week and working out in the gym two to three times a week, while resting on the weekend. Now, I attend spinning classes once or twice a week, and I will be starting kickboxing classes soon.

Advice for others who want to lose weight: Listen to your body. There is no magic formula, shake, tea, waist trainer, etc. that will give you lasting results. These things may give you temporary, fast weight loss but you will no doubt put the weight back on (sometimes more than before you started). Be patient with your journey Remember that this is a lifestyle change and not a temporary diet. For lasting results, put in that hard work and be consistent. Don’t get down on yourself or quit if you fall off, just pick back up where you left off and make it work!

Instagram: @ashvaughn.getsfit

Ashleigh weight loss story

Angel lost 150 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Angel lost 150 pounds. This proud mom of 4 was facing high blood pressure, high cholesterol and was at risk for diabetes at 300+ pounds. Portion control, regular exercise and cutting out foods that were not benefiting her, allowed her to create true lifestyle change. Here is what she shared with us…

angel before and after

I am a mother of 4 children, 1 girl who is 15 years old and three boys ages 14,10 and 7. I have struggled with weight loss and the stresses of life for a while. With me being only 5 feet tall even, I weighed 325 pounds. The doctor was telling me that I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and that I was at risk of being a diabetic. I had to make a change and I did!

No pills, no trainer. Just me and Google, lol. I decided to work hard, because I needed to change my lifestyle so that I can be here for my children and show them that you can live a healthy life . I didn’t receive any encouragement except for what I gave myself. I went from 325 pounds to 175 pounds in a year and a half! I am continuing my journey, because my goal weight is 150 lbs.

I changed my eating habits by cutting fast food and beef. I only eat chicken, turkey and fish. I learned to eat smaller portions, instead of one huge plate. I workout 5 days a week, sometimes twice a day if possible.

For others who are trying to lose weight, the advice I would give them is that it’s a lifestyle, not a diet. Be patient, stay focused and learn to motivate yourself, even when others don’t. There were times when it was cold and snow was on the ground, but I was at the gym by myself. Why? I looked at the greater outcome. I just feel and look better knowing I accomplished it on my own and without any chemicals. Thank you for the opportunity to let others know that it can be done naturally without any surgery.

Instagram: @MzAngelEyez79

angel 300 pounds

Why Does Weight Loss Seem Easier For Men?

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weight loss easier for menIn a world where many men and women are struggling with weight loss, why does it seem like weight loss is easier for men? Are they more inclined to exercise? Is it easier for them to say no to unhealthy foods? Is their metabolism faster? If you’re on the weight loss journey and have been wondering about this, it’s time to get to the bottom of the matter. The reality is that losing weight is hard for men and women, but let’s take a look at this theory and delve into the topic a bit further.

Men typically think about food less than women

The topic of how often men and women think about food was put out there in a survey recently that looked at thoughts of food and sex in society. The result? Women tend to think about food much more often than men. In fact, the poll indicated that women think more about food than sex, but men tend to think more about sex than food.[1]  With women thinking more about food, they most likely eat more frequently than men, thus, it may be tougher for women to lose weight if they are eating more calories than their male counterparts.  Also, women are under tremendous pressure when it comes to cooking meals, buying groceries and losing weight. There is a lot of energy in our society focused around women and food vs. men and food.  Just take a moment to think about how much you discuss food, eating habits, dieting, etc with other women.

Men don’t relate to food emotionally as much as women do

If you’re a woman, you or one of your female friends have probably soothed a broken heart with chocolate,  ice cream or your comfort food of choice at least once. You’ve probably also seen plenty of movies where women are drowning their sorrows in desserts. Yes, women tend to relate emotionally to food, while men don’t do this as much (the do, but not as frequently). A study was conducted in which both men and women fasted for a day and then were shown pictures of delicious foods and were told to continue fasting. The results showed that a woman’s brain was much more active than the man’s in the emotional regulation area, indicating that a man can sort of shut off their emotional connection with food easier than women.

“In men, this willful inhibition directly affected brain metabolism—the group suppressing their craving had less activation in the limbic and paralimbic regions, which control awareness of hunger and desire for food. The two groups of women, in contrast, had equivalent brain activity. This observation corresponds to the participants’ ex­perience: the men who tried to ignore their craving felt a decreased desire for the food, but the women were tantalized despite their efforts at self-control. Wang also reported that the women’s brains showed a much greater response to their favorite food than men’s did, and he speculates that these findings may help explain why so many women struggle with their weight.” – Scientific American

Men, typically, do have faster metabolism

Yes, it’s true. Men tend to have faster metabolism than women, with research indicating that it can be up to 10 percent higher, helping them lose and keep off weight easier than women. [2] This has a lot to do with muscle mass/lean tissue.

Men have more lean muscle tissue

Research shows that men have more lean muscle tissue over women, which burns a lot more calories than body fat, even at rest. Although it is important to keep in mind that the advantage is only short-term, because studies have revealed that over the long haul, women do end up losing the same amount of weight as men. [3] Men may also lose weight a bit faster, but they can put it right back on within a short period of time, just like women.

Men have more testosterone

Guys can thank their testosterone levels for giving a bit of an advantage when it comes to weight loss. With their testosterone levels being naturally higher than woman, and their lack of estrogen, they’ve certainly got an edge when it comes to weight loss. In fact, women are between 6 and 10 percent higher in body fat due to estrogen, which can make it a bit tougher for them to lose weight in comparison. [4]

Good news is that it is possible to lose weight whether you are a male or female, as these differences aren’t really all that much of a difference.  If you make a commitment to regular exercise and adopt a healthy eating lifestyle, you’re apt to lose weight regardless of gender.  Getting more health conscious certainly goes a long way when it comes to mind, body, and spirit, so if you’re on the weight loss journey,  continue learning ways you can trim down and become healthier and don’t forget to enjoy the journey.  (More info on good nutrition guidelines for men and women).

 

[1] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-lewtan/women-think-about-food-men-think-about-sex_b_8636162.html

[2] www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=35431

[3] www.cnn.com/2014/02/20/health/upwave-weight-gender/ and www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-wars-men-vs-women

[4] www.cnn.com/2014/02/20/health/upwave-weight-gender/ and www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-wars-men-vs-women

Cassandra lost 35 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Cassandra lost 35 pounds in about 8 months.  This proud veteran and proud Delta Sigma Theta Soror wanted to avoid a history of family illness and take control of her life. With simple changes to her eating habits and lots of exercise, she made it happen. Here is what she shared with us…

Cassandra before and after

cassandraMy name is Cassandra Beavers and I’m from Talladega, AL. I started my weight loss journey back in February 2015. High blood pressure and heart problems run in my family, so I decided to take control of my life to be a better person mentally and physically. My 11 year old daughter has inspired me to get healthier.

I started working out 6 days a week. At first, my workouts consisted of a lot of cardio. I used the elliptical machine a lot. I didn’t change my eating habits that much. I just ate in moderation. However, I didn’t eat any breads, sweets or sodas. I also only drank water.

I reached my goal weight at the beginning of August 2015. Once I met my goal, I began adding weights to my workout plan and doing less cardio. When I began my journey I weighed 173 pounds. Currently, I’m weighing in at 138 pounds. I must admit that I feel like a new person! I am more confident and my energy level is out of this world, lol! I am a disabled veteran but I haven’t let that disability stop me! I am also a member of the best sorority in world, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Thank you for creating this wonderful website and Facebook page.

cassandra weight loss