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Madelyn lost 47 pounds

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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 Story of the Day: Samantha lost 30 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Samantha lost 30 pounds.  This South Carolina Diva says that “Prayer, dedication, and hard work” are her secret weapons for success.  Read about how she lost the pounds:

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. Prayer, dedication, and hard work are my secret weapons to success. After being out of college for 3 years, I realized it was finally time for me to lose that “freshman 15.” Coming from a family where high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol was common among woman, I wanted to be a positive example for my loved ones. February 2013 was when I took charge of my life and made myself a promise. I promise myself to never allow food, alcohol, and the stressors of life to consume me. Here it is, over 1 year later and I am 30 lbs lighter.

Cardio, clean eating, and strength training helped my along the way. Nutrition for me was definitely the hardest part of this journey. I love all things potato, so chips & fries were eliminated first. While grocery shopping, I only bought fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and healthy dairy products. Meal prep and creating a shopping list helped me as well! If it was packaged or in a box and I didn’t recognize all of the ingredients I didn’t buy it. While dining out, I got my salad dressing on the side and half of my entree’ boxed to go. My starting weight in feb 2013 was 211 pounds and I currently weigh 181 pounds. I did cardio 5 days a week and recently started strength training 3-4 times a week. I have a new outlook on life. I pray my story change at least 1 person’s life. God Bless!  Instagram @1sam_ii_am

Samantha weight loss story

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Rashard lost 93 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Rashard lost 93 pounds. She fell in love with Zumba on her weight loss journey and is now an instructor in Pearland, TX.  Read her story below to find out the details of her journey.

Rashard before and after

“I was overweight all through high school and college. When my doctor told me that I had gained nine pounds in a matter of months, enough was enough. She gave me some diet pills, but they made me feel awful. I pitched them in the trash and bought a gym membership instead. I started with kickboxing, then moved on to step aerobics 5-6 days weekly. Then I started hearing about Zumba. I tried a class and immediately went home to sign up for the licensing workshop. I started eating smaller portions, drinking more water, and adding more fruits and vegetables to my diet. As time has passed, I’ve learned about meal prep and weight training. I am now a certified group fitness instructor teaching Zumba, BodyPump and Nightclub Cardio. I started at 248 pounds and am currently at 155 pounds. It took about two years to loose all of the weight. I’m still a work in progress, but I’m pleased with my results so far.

My advice would be to TRUST THE PROCESS! Don’t measure your success solely by the numbers on the scale. Your measurements and how your clothes fit are great indicators of progress. Also, don’t be afraid of the weights. The more lean muscle mass you have, the more calories your body burns, even at rest.”

FB: facebook.com/ZumbaWithRashard
Instagram: @boquifa

Faneshia lost 41 pounds

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Regular exercice and cleaning up her eating habits helped Faneshia lose 41 pounds.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

“Greeting, I was speaking to my friend on the phone and she was talking about how excited she was to have joined a local fitness center. I do not know what is was, but when I heard her say, “I am tired of being overweight, and I had to do something about it.”.  That made me realize that I was tired of being overweight too. That conversation on June 6, 2013 and it was the start of my weight loss journey. After I hung up the phone, I knew I had to make a change… A lifestyle change! Therefore, I made a grocery list and went to the store to purchase chicken, fish, and vegetables (of all kinds). I made a weekly menu and pre-cooked many of my meals. I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner with two snacks in between meals.

I also began working out 5 days a week. My workouts consist of two days per week of Zumba, one day per week of strength training, and two days a week of running and hiking. I began my journey weighing 196 pounds and after 6 months I am down to 155 pounds and have melted away over 34 inches. Additionally, I log my food everyday on My Fitness Pal. I find that logging my eating habits holds me accountable for what I place in my mouth, and helps me make healthier food choices. I am not where I want to be, but with hard work, consistency and a great supportive husband I will meet my goal and stay living a healthy and fit life!”

Faneshia before and after photos

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.”