Black Weight Loss Success

The Official Blog of the Black Women Losing Weight Community. Tips, articles and weight loss resources for African American Women.

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Charisse lost 60 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Check out Charisse’s story of weight loss and overcoming diabetes.

“I was diagnosed in 2002 with type II diabetes, suffered a stroke in 2006 (age 34) & in 2009 diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease; Mastocytosis. In 2011 I had enough of the yo-yo diets and joined an obesity support group and in April 2012, weighing in at 230, after much consideration and research I had gastric bypass and today I have lost 60 pounds. I eat 4 small meals per day of healthy meats, fruits, veggies and protein shakes. I exercise and I no longer suffer from diabetes. I feel awesome and have never been healthier, Black Girls Losing Weight ROCKS!!!”

Thank you so much for sharing with us, Charisse

Charisse weight loss

Jay lost 72 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Jay lost 72 pounds.

Jay's weight loss

She said,
“In 2008, I weighed in at 248 (which is the 1st picture).  I felt bigger and wanted to loose weight so I did cardio and went on a cereal diet (unhealthy).  In 2009 and 2010, I got really slim but gained my weight back and stayed around 209.   During all of 2011 (the middle picture), I still wanted to loose but I didn’t feel healthy.   In the beginning of 2012, I cut out beef and pork started taking vitamins twice a day.  I drank 1 gallon of water a day, was on a high protein diet, and did strength training at least once a day.   I lost majority of my body fat weighing in at 176 within 3 months.   It’s not hard, you just have to want it!”

Actress Brely Evans has lost 40 pounds with Jenny Craig

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Today’s featured success story: Actress Brely Evans has lost 40 pounds with Jenny Craig and is their newest spokeswoman.  You may remember her in the remake of the movie “Sparkle” as “Tune Ann”.  You have likely seen her in the new Jenny Craig commercial (posted below).

She looks great and she’s part of the BWLW sisterhood on Facebook!  Here are some videos that chronicle her transformation.

Gewanda lost 45 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Gewanda lost 45 pounds.  She attributes her weight loss to “daily cardio, strength training combined with a low carb diet.”  I would add hard work and researching what would work for her.

Gewanda's weight loss journey

My weight loss journey was one of trial and error. I failed plenty of times but in the end, it was all worth it because I succeeded and still continue to do so once I got enlightened on health and weight loss.. After many failed attempts including starvation, reducing calories, fat burners, liquid diets and too many others to name, I finally decided “I” was ready to do this the right way. I researched and read every possible article i could find on weight loss and I then began my journey. I started with 30 minutes cardio on a treadmill everyday and I also followed a low carb diet which consisted of 50-70 carbs a day! As time went on, I began performing HIIT on the treadmill 3x weekly, Strength Training with High weight and low reps 4-5x wkly while still following a low carb diet and the pounds really began to shed. I no longer follow a strict low carb diet but I still excercise faithfully and eat healthy at least 70% of the time but I attribute my 45lb weight loss to daily cardio, strength training combined with a low carb diet.

April lost 70 pounds!

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Today’s amazing weight loss transformation: April lost 70 pounds with hard work and the help of Weight Watchers.

April's weight loss
“Last Year’s Birthday Pics! This Year’s Birthday Pics! 70 Pounds gone! YaY! Keep going Hard Ladies You can Do It!”

She says,
“I don’t call it a diet, because its a life style Change for me! I plan to Eat Right!!!. Workout!!! For the rest of my Journey! Once you get started you just keep going… At least that’s how I feel. Now I do have days where I eat something that I really really like & that’s maybe once a month! But all the foods I eat now are really good & healthy.You have to plan your meals..cook & prepare your foods..the right way! ; )

I started my weight loss journey back in March of this year! When I noticed that I couldn’t fit in my favorite pair of jeans!!! I had to do something fast… I had gotten to my biggest weight & size that scared the heck out of me! So My mom & I Started Weight Watchers & I Love it! No I didn’t starved myself. I love to cook and eat! But eating right! More fruits & veggies… Baked grilled fish,chicken,salmon.and tuna! I make just about every kind of salad there is.   I drink lots of freshly squeezed lemon water. Eating smaller portions and being more ACTIVE is what saved me! Oh and I do mean more active you have to get moving do some kind of exercise! I started Boot camp..going to the gym more, walking a lot! That really helps!!! Guess what?? I got back in them jeans & right back out of them! Because I had went down 4 dress sizes.  Going hard with a total of 40 pounds at that time!! Now I’m 70 pounds lighter! I’m so motivated! Thank you God! For everyone that is trying to lose weight! I say keep going hard at it! If I can you can too! ; ) My goal is to lose about 50 to 60 more pounds!!”

Shalonda G. has lost 107 pounds!

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Today’s Weight Loss Success Story: BWLW online community member Shalonda G. has lost 107 pounds!

shalonda's weight loss

She says,
” I have lost almost a hundred pounds. I was at a family gathering for new years’ eve party, my cousin took a picture of me and put it on facebook. I could believe that was me in that chair. When i start I was 309 pounds and now I’m 202. My goal weight is 170 because I’m 5’9. This is how i started my weight loss plan: I stopped eating fried foods, almost no bread, no sweets including chocolate. My exercise was walking at my local track field, I walked 4 miles a day. After that i did 200 steppers(steps from kitchen to den). When the track closed for repairs, i started walking around my local area. Now i have been going to Bell’s Gym in Nashville, AR. I started on the treadmill doing five miles a day. I am now walking on the ellipctical four miles a day and now im pumping weights and doing stomach exercises. Im Truly Blessed to be able to lose that weight. Thank You GOD for the strentgh to succeed.”

Updated: Rochelle lost 85 pounds with gastric bypass

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Check out Rochelle’s weight loss story.

She says, “I had gastric bypass in April 2012. I was weighing 345 now I’m down to 260. I have a long way to go I maintain by not eating slider foods & waiting an hour after I eat to drink.  Everyday is a struggle but I look @ where I was & I don’t want to go back there I love me some me.  This was the best thing I could have done for myself.  I feel good.  I was a size 28. I’m down to a 18. I maintain by eating right & exercise”

Update June 2013 –  It’s been a year and I’ve lost a total of 125 pounds through weight loss surgery. I started out at 350 pounds and now I’m 215 pounds. It has been a long journey. I had to have my mind made up that I wanted a lifestyle change. I have seen so many people have the surgery and gain all the weight back (and sometimes even more of their weight back than when they started). Before the surgery, I started to exercise, cut out fried foods, cut out pork & drink lots of water.  Now, after the surgery, I continue to do the same thing. Some days are better than others but I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF!

Rochelle weight loss surgery
Updated Photo

Tiffany lost 70+ pounds

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Today’s Success Story: Let’s show some love to Tiffany on her 70+ pound weight loss!

Tiffany weight loss

She sent us her story via our Facebook page:
I love love love this page! So positive, inspiring, and motivating! Keep up the great work. I would love to share my personal journey. I just recently posted/uploaded a pic on my personal page that reflects me at the October 2010 Breast Cancer Walk VS. the October 2012 Breast Cancer Walk. I stopped counting after I lost 70lbs. I am NOT a slave to the scale. I witnesses my success by mostly non scale successes such as the way my clothes fit, under clothes fit (LOL), if I have to add extra holes in my belt, heavier weights I can lift, and as always PICTURES!!! Pictures never lie! I attribute my weight loss success to many things which include Jillian Micheals at home dvds which is where I started, zumba fitness(I am now a licensed zumba fitness instructor), Black Girls Run Augusta group, and my wonderful personal trainer by the name of Suprina Henley, owner of SBH Fitness in Augusta, Ga. Throughout my weight loss journey I have found a deep love and respect for health and fitness, I am now on the road of studying/preparing to become a certified personal trainer as well as a Certified Nutritionist myself so that I can accurately educate the individuals in my community and possibly even reach individuals outside my local community. I had to make a decision to become healthy for myself and my son. My family has a long history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and several cancers on my mother and father. Anyway, keep up the GREAT work and uplifting women from state to state around the globe! May God continue to bless u my sista! 🙂:)

Tiffany after photo

Afghanistan Vet Paqueshia lost 33 pounds!

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Today’s Success Story: We want to thank BWLW member and deployed Soldier Paqueshia for her service to our country and for sharing her 33 pound weight loss success story with us!! You are an inspiration to other African American service women who may be dealing with weight and health issues.

Afghanistan Vet weight loss

She says,
I am a deployed Soldier.  I was 154 in Jan of 2011 after being put on the Mirena. I started to gain more weight. By Oct 2011 I was up to 163 which is the heaviest I have ever been in my life (including 2 pregnancies and due to gallbladder removal and the birth control Mirena that they put me on after I had my son.). Late October 2011, I deployed to Afghanistan where I began to work out 6 days a week. I also changed my eating habits. No fried foods, no sodas and no salt. I also incorporated some type of cardio everyday.  At first I plateaued after losing only 10 pounds but, once I changed my diet (cut out fried foods and sugar) I was able to lose the rest of the weight. I believe the key thing for me was cardio, cardio and cardio. Different forms of cardio, running, ellipitcal and sprinting up hill (which also increased my run time). You have to set a goal, create a routine and stick to it! Also a good playlist plays a part.

I just weighed myself 2 days ago and I am now 130. I have lost a total of 33 pounds. I feel so much healthier.  I post my workouts everyday to encourage others. I am so thankful and I feel great!!!   Thanking God that the pounds continue to drop. Be encouraged and be blessed 🙂

weight loss

Shuronda has lost 43 pounds!

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Let’s show some love to Shuronda!  She has lost 43 pounds in 6 months!

shuronda weight loss

She says,
I started my weight loss journey in April 2012. I noticed my weight getting out of control big time and mind you I’m only 4’10.  I was at my highest weight of 210 and I said GOD you gotta help me.  The doctor put me on a BP pill and I prayed to God to help me, as of today I now weight 167 and it only took 6 months.  Now I’m trying to lose 25 more.  I started drinking water ONLY and I cut out the sodas, I ride my bike outside anytime the weather permits and I also work out on my fitness flyer or ellipitical..I count my calories & I don’t eat pass 6pm, this has been a rough struggle for me but with God & prayer I’ve come along ways! Thank you and please keep me in your prayers!