mom weight loss

Aleisha lost 134 pounds

January 12, 2014 by Ajima Jackson 9 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Sonia sent in her sister’s transformation story. Aleisha lost 134 pounds. Sonia says that her sister is an inspiration to others. Here is what she shared with us:

Aleisha before and after

“This is my sister Aleisha Jordan-Alston. She had a lot of different health issues but decided to make a change when she was told that she would not be around to raise her 5 children if she didn’t lose weight. She not only lost weight but continues to motivate others to do the same. I hope you can feature her on your page. She deserves it. I’m so proud of my sister.

About 2 1/2 years ago her doctor told her very matter of factly that if she did not lose weight that she would be dead in 5 years and to prepare herself and her 5 children. She argued with him back and forth all the while being embarrassed, shocked and enraged. By the end of the appointment he was a little more compassionate about it. He told her that if she worked hard, he believed that she could do it but he also honestly felt that if she didn’t make a change she would die in 5 years or less. She didn’t want her to children to grow up without her (all under 16 at the time). She also wanted to prove to her doctor that she could do it. This is what motivated her to lose weight. She was having a problem sticking to the traditional workouts so she started walking with me and some of our friends which made it seem more like something fun to do instead of working out. She also loves dancing and included that in her workout schedule. A different doctor put her on a strict changes to her diet which she followed religiously. She changed how often she ate (every 3 to 4 hours) to the portion sizes. She cut out fast food, stopped using a lot of salt and stopped eating fried foods. She also doubled her vegetables (which she hardly ate before losing weight), cut out beef and pork and started eating mostly chicken, turkey and fish. Of course she drinks water constantly. Her total weight loss is 134 pounds. She started at 289 pounds in March 2012 and she’s only 4’11”. Her current weight is 155 pounds. She does treat herself every now and then to her chips, cookies, etc but once she got used to not eating them she knew she could make it. She says she’s so happy that she made this lifestyle change and I’m a proud big sister.”

Crystal lost 35 pounds

October 28, 2013 by Ajima Jackson 1 Comment

Crystal wrote to us to share that she’s lost 35 pounds. This proud mom of 3 lost the weight after being a food addict as a result of dealing with very hard and painful things in her past. Here is her weight loss story:

Crystal weight loss photos

“I have been plus size (size 16W-18W) for a while now. I have even advocated to ladies in my area to love themselves, no matter what size they are. I was in denial about my own size and even though my self esteem was always high, I just felt like crap physically.

This year, I was involved in a car accident, that left me with injuries to my back and my legs were constantly feeling numb. I accepted the fact that I am overweight, and tired of being sick and tired. That was when I decided I would do something about it after healing from the injuries.

After the accident, I had to do some deep soul searching, and in the meantime I read some really helpful material on how to deal with a painful past, and forgiving others. It was then that I realized that I had a food addiction, and I turned to food after dealing with a very hard situation in my life as a child.

Food was my drug of choice and I ate constantly, any and everything.

I have been so busy changing my lifestyle by eating healthy foods, and exercising, that I decided not to publish my online newspaper anymore (Cincinnati Defender). It took up too much of my time. I am a mother to three children ages 17, 8, and 7, plus I work a normal job in addition to being a publisher I had to decide between catering to the community, and catering to my health.

In three months, I lost 35lbs, no weight loss surgery. I changed what I ate and the portions I ate. I made better food choices, and increased my water intake from maybe 6 glasses a day to 2 gallons a day. I exercised 4-5 times a week. I am still on this journey, and now encouraging others to do the same thing. Now, I have a total of about 45 more pounds to lose.”

Kristi lost 74 pounds

September 3, 2013 by Ajima Jackson 10 Comments

Let’s show some love to Kristi! She lost 74 pounds in 10 months and has shared A LOT of detail about the hard work she has done to lose the pounds and get healthier. She has a very touching motivational story about how her mom inspired her that I just love. Here is what she had to say:

Kristi weight loss

What was your motivation?

My main motivation for wanting to lose weight was to become healthy for myself and my family. I have always struggled with my weight from childhood as most of us have. My family never cooked a small meal, only spreads of food. My mother, who passed away a year ago, really wanted me to get healthy and lose weight. She herself was beating diabetes and high blood pressure and had lost over 60+ pounds by walking around her apartment complex every morning. In late 2011, at my heaviest weight, I was diagnosed with the dreaded high blood pressure. I was devastated about taking high blood pressure medication as I have never had to take medicine daily before. Then in May of 2012, I became extremely sick one day at work and that night ended up in the emergency room. I couldn’t understand what was happening to me and later found out that in addition to high blood pressure, I now suffered from acid reflux disease and it would require the removal of my gallbladder. Watching my 60+ year old mother walk every day and lose the weight, helped motivate me to begin to do something along with my ailing health. Although she passed away unexpectedly in August of 2012, she was able to see me begin the weight loss journey as I had lost some of my weight prior to her passing.

How did you change your eating habits?

My eating habits have drastically changed. Fast Food does not exist to me. There is absolutely no nutritional value in it what-so-ever! This is not to say that I never break down and give in to the cravings of Mickey D’s fries and a large sweet tea. I do. I’m human but the difference is it’s not often or nearly what it used to be. I no longer eat beef….and if I do it’s a very very small portion as not to upset my acid reflux! I no longer drink my calories away with sodas and fruit juices. Instead I eat fresh fruit. juice and drink plenty of infused water. If I must have a soda it will not be a dark soda, as those are the worst for your health. I also began cooking for myself and planning meals. I use websites such as Pinterest to find quick, easy, and healthy meals. I also have a core group of friends who are always talking about becoming healthy and we tend to share recipes and weight loss tips that we can all benefit from. Breakfast is a MUST and no eating past 8pm if you can help it. I study food and its nutritional values and have begun to use what I call reverse psychology on food in order to obtain maximum nutrition from my food. I study food because when you know better, you do better! And for those foods I just can’t say no to, I always remind myself, everything in MODERATION!

What did your workout routines look like?

My workout consists of walking, walking, and more walking. Just like my mother, I walk around my apartment complex and throughout the neighborhood. I walk whenever I have free time, even during my lunch hour at work. I’ve also added handheld weights to my walking routine to help tighten up lose skin on my arms. I am slowly but surely working up to jogging, but I am a work in progress. I am a homebody my nature and so I always want to be in the comfort of my own home. I have slowly but surely come out of that shell and have become more active outside of the home.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?

My highest weight was 343 pounds. My current weight is 269 pounds. I am not at my goal weight, which is 220lbs. However, I am sharing my story as I would hope to inspire other young women to let them know they are not alone and they too can lose weight. Do not get discouraged and do not give up! My blood pressure is now under control and I have so much energy that it feels amazing.

How long did your transformation take? 10 months

Brittney lost 40 pounds

July 25, 2013 by Ajima Jackson 2 Comments

Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Brittney who lost 40 pounds in the last year. She started walking and then jogging. She also started juicing and worked to change her eating habits. Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

Hi! I’ve been really serious about losing weight for the last year. After getting married, having 4 beautiful children receiving my Master’s of Education degree, I had gained 80 pounds. I got to the point where I got tired of buying clothes and having to return them because they were too small. I felt smaller on the inside, but it didn’t reflect on the outside? After setting my mind on being a better, healthier me I started to walk 3 miles, 3-4 times a week. Within 6 months, I started jogging a little, but increased my total workout to 4 miles. In the last 3 months, I have started jogging 3 miles and walking 1 of those miles. I even broke my treadmill from using it so much.

I have cut back on my portion intake. Instead of eating my entire meal when we dine out, I save half for lunch the next day or I choose healthier options of the menu. I juice regularly, drink a gallon of water a day and take full advantage of a fresh fruit salad everyday. I even participate in BWLW monthly exercise challenges. I have successfully lost 40+ pounds and I am working toward the next 40! Thank you for the motivation and encouragement.

Brittney weight loss pictures