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New Update: Shanta lost 112 pounds and is now a bootcamp instructor

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Shanta lost 112+ pounds and recently sent in this update… Shanta before and after Aug 22nd: I want to give you another update. Yesterday was a Big day for me. I am now a certified Tabata bootcamp instructor!!!! Yes, I look a hot mess (HA HA), but it was so worth it. I’m so proud of myself, because now I can really help others reach their goals. I knew God had calling on my journey and now I can share it with the world!

To maintain my weight loss and keep going I went back to what I did at the beginning of my weight loss journey. I drank more water and I had to change some of workouts. My body got use to what I was doing, so I added weight training and more running. The new lessons I’ve learned is to never give up on your goals. It might be hard, and you might feel like giving up but just keep fighting. I had to learn that while on this journey. My advice to others is that everybody’s journey is not the same. Do what works for you and your body and know that this journey is a process. The weight is not going to come off overnight. Keep fighting and never give up on your dreams, no matter who says you can’t do it. One more thing I will say is when you change your mind your body will follow. As of today my goals are to start my bootcamp classes in September. I also want to lose these last 20. My goal is just to motivate others.

Instagram: naturalgirl32

Read more about her weight loss journey! (back when she had only lost 60 pounds)ShantaMar14blog

Kim lost 59 pounds

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Featured Story: Kim lost 59 pounds. After the birth of her third child, this proud mom was having trouble losing the pounds.  She committed to regular exercise and clean eating.  Learn more about her journey below:

Kimberly weight loss

Hi! My name is Kim C. I started my journey a year after having my third child. In February of this year I made up in my mind that something had to give. I was the biggest I had ever been and my knees were beginning to bother me. I can proudly say that after six months of clean eating and exercise I have lost a total of 59 pounds! My motivation has been my family and my own determination! Anything can happen if you just believe!

I started on February 3, 2014 weighing in at 285 pounds. I am 5 foot 3 and my body just couldn’t take all of that weight. It was very difficult getting the weight off after my third child. I began by eating 5-6 small meals a day and drinking nothing but water. I eat fruits, veggies, chicken, seafood, and whole wheat products. I workout 5-6 days a week. My workouts consist of Zumba, kickboxing, trekking classes, and the “Power House Physiques” workout DVDs. In six months, I have lost a total of 59 pounds, from 285 to 226 and I still have at least 40 more pounds to go. My advice to others is to never give up on yourself. Start off small. Replace a coke for a bottle of water or choose that apple over a doughnut. If you slip up, it’s not the end of the world. Get back on your healthy eating wagon and ride it until you have reached your goal. Lastly and certainly not least, always remember to love yourself and never compare your journey with others. Always remember that you are your own competition.

Instagram: @sunshine_love82

Kimberly before and after

Jeanette lost 138 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Jeanette lost 138 pounds with weight loss surgery.  Although weight loss was the cause of her divorce, Jeanette refused to give up.  The proud grandmother is committed to losing the weight.  Check out what she shared with us:Jeanette weight loss surgery

Hi my name is Jeanette Taylor I had RNY weight loss surgery on 11/5/12 at 440 pounds at my highest and now I weigh 302 pounds. I wanted to be here to see, play with, and just enjoy my grandchildren. After surgery, I started looking at YouTube videos of other people before and after having gastric bypass surgery. That helped a lot with my eating habits and motivated me. I rode my elliptical bike through out the day for the first year. 11 months later I had shoulder replacement surgery. After that, I started going to work out with a personal trainer, then to the gym on my own. I’ve been doing water aerobics as well. I’ve been at this for a month and I’m loving it. My advice is never give up on yourself. You can do it.

I was happily married, or so I thought. When I started to go on diet and change my eating habits, my husband would complain and ask why do I want to get smaller. So, I would get off the diet trying to please my husband. My health was going down and I couldn’t even walk in a store anymore. I decided that I was not going to let myself die looking like this. I started doing research on weight loss and started loosing weight. My husband said to me that when he came home Friday from work (he worked out of town) I better not have lost another pound or he was leaving. So, when he came in town on Friday I had changed the locks and his clothes were packed outside with a note that said “I’ve lost 4 pounds. Good bye and have a nice life.”. I’ve never looked back and I love me some Jeanette.

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Barbara lost 37 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Barbara lost 37 pounds.  I LOVE it when families support each other on this weight loss journey. Barbara’s story is a great example of that. Her daughter was a major contributor to her success story.  Here is what she shared with us: Barbara before and after Hello, my name is Barbara and I am on a journey to get fit. My journey began last year after I had surgery on my shoulder. My daughter, Anyika had started a Boot camp Fitness Class and thought the stretching exercises would help me. I am 5 ft tall and was weighing almost 170 pounds. I had gained up to 177 but I lost 10 lbs after my surgery. After working out for a few months, I learned I was type II diabetic and I panicked. By then my daughter, Anyika, got her Zumba certification. I started working out with her class and lost 25 lbs. I did her class 2 to 3 days a week if my back wasn’t hurting really bad. She always modified my workouts. I have been on all type of diets and exercise but with her class, meal planning and fitness tips, I have maintained my weight loss for over a year now.

I stopped binge eating and I always ate in the afternoon with no breakfast. Before, I had pancakes with fruit and lots of syrup with bacon, eggs and hash brown, pork chops, fried chicken for dinner. Now, its oatmeal with no sugar and fruit. I have a smoothie, veggies or fruit for snack or lunch and salmon, tuna or baked chicken for dinner with salad and lots of water. I juice a lot with Anyikas recipes. When the doctor said I was type 2 diabetic, I cut down on the sweets a lot. I learned to eat in small portions, with 3 to 4 meals a day including snacks of fruit or veggies.

I don’t have to take my high blood pressure pills anymore and I feel a lot better. My blood pressure was always high but now its normal. I have back problems but the stretching helps. My daughter has changed my life and my way of thinking. I am down to 140 pounds and I’m still counting down the pounds on this weight loss journey. My daughter Anyika’s class is called Zumba with A. Hunt Barbara weight loss success

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Jessica lost 83 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Jessica lost 73 pounds.  Jessica learned that by sharing her story she could not only help others, but she was motivated by the feedback.  Here is what she shared with us:

Jessica weight loss

What was your motivation?
I wasn’t happy with how I looked at all. I was very self conscious and no longer felt comfortable in my own skin. I knew something had to change. It also motivated me when I would post before and after pictures online and everyone would ask me how I lost weight. It really encouraged me to keep going knowing that I was influencing others to reach their weight lost goals as well. I started my journey in August 2013. My goal is to lose 80 pounds and I’ve lost 83 so far.

How did you change your eating habits?
It took time, but I basically stopped eating fried foods, pork, and well…really a lot of stuff. I began eating talipia and drinking diet shakes as meal replacements.

What did your workout routines look like?
I would walk 2 miles everyday

What was your starting weight? 273 pounds.
What is your current weight? 190 pounds

How long did your transformation take? 10 months.

What advice to you have for others who want to lose weight?
You have to believe in yourself and know that it can be done.

Instagram: @_boss_lady88_

JessicaJuly2blog

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Termaine lost 55 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Termaine lost 55 pounds.  This proud mom wanted to make sure that illness did not take her away from her family.  Improving her health was her motivation to lose the pounds. Read what she shared with us about what steps she took to achieve her goals.

TermaineJune4blog

Hi my name is Termaine Walls and I want to share my weight loss story with you and others. I have recently lost 55 pounds from November 2013- June 2014. My decision for starting on this journey was that I have hypertension, high cholesterol, fluid
on the brain and am border line diabetic. At an appointment, my doctor told me at my next appointment she was going to TermaineJune3blogdiscuss insulin treatment with me and that was the last and final straw for me. I realized either I changed my life for me and my babies or they would not have a mom. I began to cut back on eating so much in one sitting.  Also, I realized that when I drink ice cold water right before I ate it helped me feel full while eating so I really didn’t want that much of my food. I also started walking in the park when my son would go to Tee-ball practice. My exercise routine consists of walking 2-3 times a week. Instead of taking the elevator at work I took the stairs and I began to park further away at the the grocery store. I also speed walk to the store and while I am in the store. I recently began to the 8 Minute workout 2-3 times a week. My eating has went from eating from big plates to eating out of my kids bowls. I take in a 16 oz cup of cold water right before my meal and that helps me feel full.  After a while, I noticed some progress and I began to want it even more. Now, I am at the weight I was before having my kids.

 

Kimberly lost 60 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Kimberly.  This proud mom lost 60 pounds over the last 3 years by changing her eating habits and exercising regularly.  Here is what she shared with us:

“My name is Kimberly Copeland Harris and I have lost 60 pounds. It took me 3 years but after years of yo yo dieting.  I finally began to exercise regularly and stick with an eating regiment that I still stick with. My children are my motivation. I wanna live a long life for them!! At my largest I was 232 pounds, I am now 175 pounds.

I changed my eating habits by reducing my overall food consumption and not eating after 6 pm.  My workout routine: I work out 2-3 times a week.  This includes walking, squats and sit ups. My advice for others: Don’t diet. Diets don’t work. Just change your eating habits. Eat more fresh fruits and veggies. Do more cooking at home and leave the snacks alone.”

Kimberly weight loss story

Success Story: Valerie lost 20 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Valerie.  She lost 20 pounds.  She was inspired to change her lifestyle after back surgery.  During a doctor’s visit she was moved by what she saw on the scale (so many of us can relate to that wake up call).  She shared her before and after photos and her story with us:

“My journey to healthy eating and weight loss occurred when I had to go for a minor surgery on my back. When I stepped on the scale during a related visit, I realized that I was out of control with my eating habits. My motivation was to, in the long run, be in control of my eating and still be fit enough to enjoy with my children. I began to change my eating habits by eliminating junk food, eating salads for lunch and dinner and having cereal for breakfast.  I also ate more fruits & vegetables. My workout routine consisted of walking for an hour each day in the park. On days when I did not walk, I worked out in the park with a personal trainer, and it was intense! I also worked out in the mornings on my Ab Lounge. My starting weight was 172 lbs. My current weight is now 152 lbs! My transformation took 4 to 5 months. My advice for others is to think long range when it comes to your health. Think about how you want to be in your latter years, and take baby steps to eating right and working out. It can be done! Just start it and try your best to stick to reaching healthy eating and weight loss goals.”

ValerieMay14blog

 

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Khadijah lost 46 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Khadijah lost 46 pounds. She changed her eating habits so that she could have more energy to exercise.  Then she kicked her workouts up to full speed and lost the pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

KhadijahMay2

“When I started my journey I weighted 268 pounds. At this weight I began to notice a lack of energy and increased laziness. I was always the girl to love sports and weight lifting. However, I knew to be a little better than I was, some of the weight had to disappear. Being a better me and living longer than my mom and grandma served as great motivation for me. It also helps a lot that I have a super energetic one year old niece.

I went from eating junk and gunk to being a lean, mean, protein machine. From candy and fast food with lots of grease to eggs, chicken and tons of greens. It is safe to say lettuce is now my favorite food.  I knew with extra work on my nutrition that my energy levels would increase and I was back at the weights in no time. I also began running one to two miles every day and going to the gym 3x a week to lift weight and work on abs.

After all of this hard work (about 3 months worth), I can proudly say that I now weigh 222 pounds. 46 pounds gone and at least 30 lbs more to go.Never give up in yourself. If you do others will began to give up on you too. It’s not easy at first because it’s different, but we are made to overcome the challenges that are put in front of us. We determine our destiny. So, Come on ladies! Eat clean and start your transformation. And remember that abs are made in the kitchen. “

Shay lost 52 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story: Shay lost 52 pounds.  This proud mom worked hard to change her diet and shed the pounds.  She is now addicted to working out.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

weight loss before and after

I basically just began to see my friends change in their weight and they began to motivate me because I saw that they were working out.  I started out eating right and doing random workouts. Now, I’m addicted to working out about 5 times a week and doing a lot of meal prep.

I changed my eating habits on a 90 day challenge with Smart Ones Weight Watchers meals. I was eating the breakfast sandwiches they make and the meals for lunch and dinner.  For any sweet tooth, I ate a snack that was 100 calories or less. I had mostly fruits for dessert or Smart Ones desserts. I was on a 1200 calorie diet in the first 3 months and I lost 25 lbs. I started drinking smoothies and using them for meal replacement. Now, I’m juicing and I purchased an Omega Juicer. I love it.”

I started at 235 pounds on April 1 2013 and dropped down to 183 pounds at my lowest so far. I stopped doing so much cardio because I wanted to see more form and started lifting.  Now, I’ve gained about 18 lbs back in muscle weight but I see a big difference now in my figure.

I would run about 4/5 miles, 5 times a wk (sometimes 7 days if I had the time). I joined the gym on August 26, 2013 when school started, because I was no longer able to allow my child to ride her bike with me while I ran because school was in.

My advice to others: If you want something and you want it bad then the key is to come up with a plan stick with that plan. Stay consistent. If you fall, get back up and start again. It’s never too late and it doesn’t happen overnight. 

Instagram: @1getfit_or_2getfat

Shay's weight loss story