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Crystal lost 90 pounds

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Today’s featured before and after weight loss story: Crystal lost 90 pounds with regular exercise, changing her diet and seeking out expert help.

I’ve lost a total of 90 pounds. I did it by totally changing in my lifestyle. With the help of a nutritionist, Zumba classes and a personal trainer (as well as really supportive co-workers who workout with me), I can say ” I’m healthy”!

I married, adopted two children, had one more child and graduated from college in a span of six years. One day, I looked in the mirror and didn’t know who was looking back at me . Motivated by the threat of diabetes and high cholesterol, I knew I had to change. It started with diet modification. I made sure none of my foods have more than 10 grams of sugar and I limit my carbohydrate intake to 40 grams or less. I don’t drink any sodas. I drink water or vitamin water zero. I eat three balanced meals a day and I try to always have breakfast. When I first started the weight loss journey I was 247 pounds. I now weigh 157 pounds. I started my workout regimen with Zumba classes. If you are a dance lover, Zumba is great cardio and it builds your endurance while having fun. After my body became acclimated to Zumba, I changed to freestyle gym workouts using various gym machines. I have a personal trainer that I work out with one day a week. My co-workers helped me as well, because I had real insecurities about walking into a gym. I found that having my gym buddies helped me overcome my fears and grew my love of exercise.  I’m happy with the weight lost and pray I can maintain it!

Crystal before and after

Roslynd lost 135 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Roslynd lost 135 pounds in a little over a year with Wii Fit, Jillian Michaels DVDs and changing her eating habits.

“Hello! It took me a little over a year to loose 135 pounds. I started out working out with the Wii Fit and then over on to Jillian Michaels who have me the motivation to really push through my workouts.  My Mom was also part of my motivation.  She got me started with Jillian Michaels DVD workouts.  Then, I started power walking. I now power walk/jog 5 1/2 miles. I worked out 7 days a week in the beginning.  Now I’m down to about 4-5 day per week. I changed the way I ate.  I eat smaller meals, about 5-6 smaller meals per day.  I also eat a lot of whole grains, nuts and veggies.  I cut pork and red meat out of my diet. I eat lots of chicken and fish.  High protein diet!  Really, it’s just portion control. Oh…and I used the My Fitness Pal app. I’m now in the process of getting a personal trainer to build muscle.”

roslynd weight loss

Nicole lost 53 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Nicole lost 53 pounds.  She is super fit and is fulfilling a dream as she prepares for her first bikini fitness competition on April 27th.  I think she looks READY!  She had the help of a trainer and followed a strict meal plan and exercise plan.

“You can do anything you set your mind too!!  My motivation is being healthy. I’m training for bikini fitness competition. I’ve always dreamed of competing someday. April 27, 2013 will be my first bikini competition show. The size I am now is the size I was when I was in my 20’s. When hitting my 30’s, I started gaining weight.  I went to a size 8/10 and that was good. The when I turned 34 the weight started to come fast. I jumped from a size 8/10 to a 16 in a two year period.  I weighted 190lbs. Health problems started to come up, like back problems and asthma. One day I woke up and couldn’t walk, my back went out. I ate VERY HEALTHY but I also I smoked cigarettes and drank plenty of red wine. Well not only did it catch up with me, but I was not happy. Doctors wanted to put me on all kinds of medication and inhalers.

At that point I knew changes had to be made. So for 2 years I tried things on my own, spin classes, yoga, etc.  I only lost 10lbs and I struggled with eating healthy.  I only got down to a size 12/14. I wasn’t happy with that, so I looked into finding a personal trainer. And I went thru a few until I met and connected with the right one. He taught my how to eat right and proper exercising. He was once a bodybuilder.  At 37 my mind was made up.  I wanted to lose weight and compete in a fitness competition, so he put me on a strict meal plan and I followed it to a “T”. I started seeing results quickly which motivated me to keep going. My anniversary date of starting with my trainer will be May 8th which will mark one year.

I eat 6 meals a day and drink a gallon of water a day. My meals consists of fish, chicken, veggies and complex carbs. I eat very little processed foods. I had to learn keep reastuant foods at a minimum and I DO NOT EAT FAST-FOODS. I workout 5 days a week out of those days I see my trainer once a week, he gives me a new workout schedule every 4-6 weeks and I workout alone. I do weight lifting followed with cardio and some yoga. Now I’m coming into a sport that there is not a lot of African Americans women are a part of. Most African American only do figure or physique competition, the bikini division requires you to have a smaller frame and soft muscle tone. So I’m excited April 27th starts my journey in competition wish me luck!!! TO GOD BE ALL GLORY!!!”

Nicole fitness competition bikini

Tameka lost 95 pounds

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Tameka lost 95 pounds going from 339 pounds to 224 pounds.  She has the help of a dedicated personal trainer, changed her eating habits and as a result of her efforts she has run 5 races.

“Hello my name is Tameka. I started my weight loss journey in November 2010. I participate in a very intense workout 5-6 times a week, plus running and eating healthy. I have been with my personal trainer Meoshia Smith-Bogins for 2 years. Since then, I’ve started my weight loss journey and I have lost a total of 95 pounds. My trainer runs a hardcore class that guarantees the results in the end. My highest weight was 339 pounds and I am now 244 pounds. Since starting I have also participated in 5 races with the Detroit Free Press Marathon being my biggest race. I completed the half marathon. I have 45 pounds to go and I am not stopping because I am determined and motivated. Stayed tuned as my goal weight is to be 199 pounds.

I increased my meals. I eat 5-6 times a day for example. I bake all of my meat and I don’t eat pork.  Breakfast: banana, turkey bacon, 2 boiled eggs & 16oz water. Snack: fruit salad. Lunch: baked chicken, veggies & 240z water. Snack: banana. Snack: fruit salad. Dinner: grilled ground chicken patties, grilled red and green peppers and 16oz soy light chocolate milk. I prepare my meals at home and only eat something fried once a month. I only eat sweets once a month if that. I eat like this everyday.”

tameka weight loss

 

Jacque lost 80 pounds in 7 months

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Update Oct 2015 – We featured Jacque’s story back in 2013.  This Zeta Phi Beta soror lost 80 pounds in 7 months.  She recently sent in an update to let us know that she’s not only maintained her weight loss, but also lost another 20 pounds for a total of 100 pounds gone. Check out her updated before and after.

jacque before and after

I have lost 100 pounds! I continue to workout by teaching Zumba and reducing my food intake. I stay motivated through my students. The biggest lesson I have learned is staying healthy is a way of life. If you eat everyday, you should workout everyday. Some days more than others. Whether you do a Zumba class or you take the stairs instead of taking the elevator, you should have some form of exercise daily.

I’m hosting a $1 Zumba class in Raleigh, North Carolina, hoping to help people in my area. The class is every Monday from 6pm to 7:15pm. My business, Z-Fitness with Jacque Inc., is all about helping women meet their fitness goals.

March 2013 – Featured weight loss success story of the day: Zeta Phi Beta Soror Jacque lost 80 pounds in 7 months.  She did it by working out and eating smaller portions.  She is now a Zumba instructor.

“Here is my weight loss picture. I did it in 7 months with mostly Zumba, treadmill and smaller portions of food. I am now a Zumba instructor and impacting many other people.  When I started this journey, I just knew I had to loose weight. I started out walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes twice a day. I didn’t diet.  What I did was used portion control. I ate my meals on a smaller plate. For lunch I had Progresso soup daily and didn’t eat after 6pm. I did cut out two of the foods I consumed the most of which was any type of bread and Pepsi’s. I also stopped eating at fast food windows. I started at 255 and now 7 months later I weigh 175. It was hard work but I feel like anything you put your mind and heart to you can do it!  Thank you for sharing and hope it inspires someone else.”

Update 9/25/2013: “Hi I’m coming to you again. I was featured on your page in March 2013. I want to show people how I’m still loosing weight as a Zumba instructor and personal trainer. Being featured on your page has let me inspire a lot of people. As I continue to loose weight, eat healthy and eat in moderation, I want others to know that you can do whatever you put your mind to. I went from weighing 255 at a size 22 and now weighing 169 at a size 8 (86 pounds lost). To God be the glory! I hope this inspires someone else.”

Facebook page: Z-Fitness-with-Jacque-Inc

Original photo

Jacque weight loss story

Updated photo

Jacque updated weight loss story

 

Toccaro lost 248 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Toccaro lost 248 pounds with the help of weight loss surgery (gastric bypass).  She is now a certified spin instructor and is prepping for a bodybuilding competition.

Toccaro weight loss

Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

“After reaching 435 pounds, I had gastric bypass in 2008. I been working hard every since. I have lost 248lbs, and I am currently a certified spin instructor teaching at three different gyms. I work with a personal trainer two days a week and I am currently training to prepare for my first female body building competition. In terms of eating I have a balanced diet of lean protein, veggies, and I juice 4 days a week. I restrict processed sugars, high fat, and heavy carbs!”

Toccaro’s workouts are no joke.  Check out her video.

Ktasha lost 100 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Ktasha lost 100 pounds and was helped by a personal trainer.

ktasha weight loss

Here is what she said about her weight loss journey:

“I started my weight loss journey a little over a year ago and as of Dec 2012, I’ve dropped 100 pounds so far. I do have more to go but wanted to share my Interim progress because I never thought after all these years that I would lose anything. I am a food addict which took a lot for me to admit to.  I still am, but I have made lifestyle changes. I also owe a big part of my progress to my personal trainer Daniel Strong of Strong Bodies Gym located in the Bronx, NY. He also has a brand new Online program for people who don’t live nearby. I am 42 with 2 daughters age 15 and 12. I have Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol. So I am working on improving my health and to live for my kids. I also own my own Tax Business and am “great” at helping people to save money on their taxes. I have clients all over the U.S. So I figured it was time for me to become “great” on saving my life and lose weight. More to come for 2013.”

Tasha lost 26 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Tasha lost 26 pounds by changing her eating habits and working out with a trainer.

Tasha weight loss

Here is what she had to say about her weight loss journey:

“I was over weight close to 200 pounds In November 2010 and most of 2011.  At the beginning of 2012, that’s when I realized that I had to lose weight not only for myself but for my Husband.  I would feel out of breath eat junk food all of the time.  I would go eat out at fast food Restaurants on my lunch break.  It was horrible… so I started to exercise at the gym.  I started off slow walking/running about 4 times a week for 30 to 40 minutes on the Treadmill and I would also workout on the StairMaster.  Then I got really into it, so I hired myself a Personal Trainer.  Till this day, as of Dec 2012, I still work out with my Trainer Melanie.  She is the BEST and I still exercise on my own when I can.  I changed my eating habits started eating more healthy such as Fruits, Salads, lots of Baked foods less fried foods made fruit Smoothies, etc.  I am PROUD to say I went from 178 pounds to 152 pounds my weight goal Is to get down to 140 pounds.

I needed to change myself for the best and that’s exactly what I did and still doing to this day I pushed myself and I succeeded and I definitely see great results (HARD WORK PAYS OFF). God Bless!”

Rosie lost over 120 pounds

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Today’s featured success story: Rosie lost over 120 pounds, transformed her life and the life of her family, and is now a personal trainer.  An amazing transformation from 2011 to now.

Rosie weight loss
Rosie weight loss

Here is what she had to say about her amazing transformation:

“I just wanted to share my progress with my beautiful black women. In 2011, I was weighing in at 320 pounds with a size 46 waist. I stand before you now 193 pounds of muscle, 29 inch waist, size 8 in clothing. While I’m still a work in progress I have lost over 120 poinds and 17 inches of my waist with clean eating and strength training. I’m now a certified person trainer and I hold weekly boot camp workout sessions throughout Philadelphia! I changed not only my life but my family’s life.

I now change the lives of other through weight loss coaching and training. Looking forward to doing a fitness competition this spring!”

I currently 32 years old. Weight as you can see by this photo can make you age long before your time. As far as the skin goes…with weight training…I have no hanging skin…the trick is to start that right away. Also, my stomach the “mothers apron” is gone! so dont believe that you need surgery because u don’t. I’m heappier, healthier and my life has evolved. Information regarding boot camp/coaching can be found at teamxtremephilly.blogspot.com/

Rosie weight loss collage

Rosie weight loss collage

Carmen lost 80 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss story:  Carmen lost 80 pounds with the help of a personal trainer.

carmen weight loss

Here’s what she had to say…
“My story…..Just as I began to pray to God about my weight, He sent an angel by the name of Terry Starks, professional trainer/nutritionist/natural body builder and God fearing….WOW…What did I have to lose? Everything was done through facebook at a cost that I couldn’t believe. I actually thought it was too good to be true. The first five weeks I lost 25 pounds. I was completely sold after that. I have lost a total of 80 pounds by using his meal plans and excercising. I feel great physically, mentally and spiritually! I’m so grateful to God for giving me the strength to do it, and for my friend telling me about him. My goal is to lose about 60 more pounds. I know that I can do it if I STAY FOCUSED (his favorite words)! This is a lifestyle change, not a diet. I wish everyone much success!