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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Kira lost 30 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Kira who has lost 30 pounds and 15 inches overall.

I’ve been struggling with weight loss my entire life. Recently I decided to make a change and really, REALLY focus on doing something about it. Mostly for medical reasons and slightly because I wanted to look different, look smaller (for once in my life).

I found different weight loss groups and challenges online via YouTube, or Facebook friends, and joined them. Those included eating healthy and working about 45 – 60 minutes per day. Within this time, I easily lost inches while not losing many pounds. After a while, I started incorporating lifting weights in my routine and noticed that while I was slimming and gaining muscle, I was also losing weight and looking much smaller. To date, I have lost over 30 lbs and about 15 inches overall! I am so proud of myself!  I can’t believe that while still eating what I want (and being more aware of healthy choices) that I still managed to lose weight, gain & tone muscle, and look much leaner and healthier than ever before. I haven’t been this weight since 2010! I am super excited for the future and cant wait to reach my goal weight of 200 lbs! I was a size 24 and now fit loosely into an 18!! I am just SO HAPPY!!!

Kira weight loss

TP lost 85 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some love to TP who lost 85 pounds with weight loss surgery.  She was dealing with a number of serious health issues and decided that surgery was the best option.

“I lost 85 pounds lost after gastric bypass surgery….and counting!!! In 2010 made a very hard decision to lose weight. It was hard for me because I held on to my weight for private reasons and it was a source of comfort and part of my identitiy for many years. After some soul searching, it was through that process that I realized I was hurting myself holding on to my weight and I made the decision to let my weight go.

The weight was destroying me and killing me slowly. I suffered from high blood pressure, sleep apnea and it was beginning to become painful to walk. I was killing myself.  With God on my side, in 2010 I had lap band surgery and lost 30 pounds.  However, due to the band causing severe acid reflux, I had it removed and went with gastric bypass in December 2011.  I had to completely change my eating habits. Right after surgery, I was on liquids for almost two months. I slowly progressed to eating solid foods again. Throughout that process I exercised 3 times a week on my elliptical. Some days, I was only able to do 5 minutes.  I had to build up my strength to go longer and harder. Eventually, I began Shaun T’s Hip Hop Abs and I am currently getting my feet wet with his Insanity DVD’s (but they are really tough).

gastric bypass weight surgery

Foods that I was able to eat before surgery I cannot eat now, for instance spaghetti noodles, tuna fish…certain breads and certain meats. What this surgery has been able to do for me is force me to control my portion size. I eat small amounts and my body does not crave carbs and sugar. Sugary drinks I cannot have.  Ice cream I cannot have, but I can tolerate certain chocolate chips cookies, (which I do indulge in on certain occasions, lol) I must admit, lol. What is a staple in my house is the protein shake. My body craves them now so I make sure I have plenty available. I take vitamins, a gummy multivitamin, b12, Vitamin d, Iron, and Calcium with D3.

It has been a very long journey for me and anybody that says having surgery is the easy way out should reconsider.  I am here to tell you that nothing is easy about losing weight with surgery. I have to be very careful and watch what I eat, especially when out in public because I never know when my pouch will reject something I have ate. It does that on occasion.  It has a mind of its own!! LOL
I have changed my whole life, I now have carrots, and raw veggies in my fridge instead of chips cookies and icecream. I have yogurts fresh fruits water and I have decided to work out and put myself first. There are some days where I get into a “funk” and I don’t work out and I don’t eat healthy, but I have learned to embrace those days.  I let them happen and then get back up and start all over the next day. I took me a very long time to make this change and it will take a very long process to maintain my new life and their changes.

December 2013 will make 2 years since my surgery and I am hoping to be at 200 pounds. When I started i was 325-327 pounds and I am currently 240 pounds.   I thank God for giving me the strength and courage to let go of my fears and get healthy!! Thank you for letting me share my story, keep pushing and keep the faith!!!”

Joyce lost 50 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Joyce lost 50 pounds and fought a battle with high blood pressure.  She is now off all of her medication.

“I lost 50 pounds over the course of 8 months by changing my diet and exercising. I workout 5-6 days per week.  I have plenty of energy now and I feel so much healthier. I am not at my goal weight, but I’m on my way!!!  I started in August of 2012 and I am still currently going.

I became motivated to lose the weight and change my lifestyle when I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with high blood pressure. I was put on medication for it. Now I have been taken off of all of my medication. For exercise, I joined a multilevel fitness program that is based on your physical ability.  I exercise 5-6 days a week and we weigh in on Saturday.  I eat lean fish and chicken, and plenty of veggies. I cut all junk food, processed food and sodas out of my diet. I also stopped eating pork and beef.”

joyce weight loss

Veronica lost 197 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some love to Veronica who lost 197 pounds with Gastric Bypass weight loss surgery.  She started at 487 pounds and is now down to 290 pounds.  She can now get around without a wheelchair and is off the insulin she was taking.

“My name is Veronica and I would love for you to share my before and after. I had Gastric Bypass Surgery on July 24, 2010.  The day of my surgery, I weighed 487 pounds today I’m down to 290 pounds.  I’ve lost 197 pounds.  I give thanks to the Man above, my Doctor and determination.  The weight is still coming off slowly but surely. I can get around so much better now.  I used to have to use my wheelchair wherever I went but now I walk around and don’t even use it. I used to take 100 units of insulin but I do not take any now.  I’m not a diabetic any more.  I eat healthy, exercise and drink plenty of water. My goal is to get my weight down as much as I can as long as I’m healthy.”

Veronica gastric bypass

Christal lost 40 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Christal lost 40 pounds by changing her diet and exercising with the help of a relative (uncle).  I love it when family members are supportive of our weight loss efforts.

“I’ve lost 40 pounds so far! I became lazy, constantly gaining weight and not eating right.  I eventually became borderline diabetic. One day, I looked in the mirror and I just couldn’t take it anymore. My uncle started training me in the gym.  Now, I eat right and just feel so much better about myself. I love the fact that I motivate others as well! It’s such a good feeling, and I’m loving my weight loss journey thus far.”

What did you do in terms of changing your eating habits and exercising?

“I slowly started staying away from sodas, and as of right now I don’t drink them at all.  I cut off junk food.  I eat 5 times a day (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner) with my meals being in small portions and snacks being some kinda fruit, veggie or graham crackers. I do have one cheat day a week though. I started off working out 5 times a week doing a variety of things.  I do lots of cardio, treadmill, walking, fat burn exercises and the stair master.  If it was in the gym I did it. My trainer had my days set for specific exercises as part of my workout plan.”

Christal weight loss

April lost 92 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to April who has lost 92 pounds while fighting diabetes and low self esteem.  She began her journey with the simple step or going walking.

“HEY!! My name is April. MY JOURNEY started about 5 years ago when I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I have always been overweight as long as I can remember. I never really took my weight seriously.  Even after I was told that I was diabetic i still didn’t take it seriously. I DIDNT FEEL SICK!! So, I continued to eat like I wanted and i just popped a pill everyday. It went from 500mg a day, to 1000 mg a day, to 2000 mg a day.  I still didn’t take it seriously, even though my doctor was begging me to lose weight. I pretended everything was ok and I was happy despite my hurting back, aching legs, and fatigue. I could barely walk through Walmart without giving out of breath.

Every time I looked in a mirror I hated what I saw and I was slipping into a depression. I would cry, pray and ask God to please help me cause I hated myself. My turning point was when one of my girlfriends asked me to go to a all you can eat pizza buffet. After we left I felt so full and disgusting. I had this burning desire though to go walking, something I never wanted to do. So I turned to her and said “Let’s go walking!” Did I mention she was overweight too?  She immediately turned me down. She dropped me off at my house and as I sat there the desire to walk grew stronger and stronger. I looked over at a treadmill I had sitting in the corner of the room; which had been decoration in my house for years, and decided “I didnt need anyone to walk with me. I WILL DO IT MYSELF!!” That’s exactly what I did. At first I couldn’t do but 10 mins a day and I thought I was dying. For some reason I kept going. I workout everyday and I changed my eating habits.  Although I have fell off from time to time I am still happy with my progress! Today I am 92 lbs slimmer and I am happy about it. Although I still have about 60 more pounds to go, I thank God for my progress cause I know he is the one that put me on that treadmill to save my life, cause I was dying. Some people jump off buildings, some people put a gun to their heads, and we consider those people crazy for harming themselves, but through food I was playing rushing roulette with my life.”

April 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

 

Sanini lost 36 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Sanini lost 36 pounds by working out each day and changing her eating habits.  She is switching to veganism as well.

“I was tired of not being able to find clothes that fit me. I decided to make a change. I started last year in November. I used to go the gym 4 times a week . Starting January, I decided to join The Game ‘s 60 days of fitness. I went to the gym every single day, lol. I lost 36 pounds (started at 186). Now I go to the gym for 2 hours ( 1 hour of cardio and 1 hour of weight lifting ). I cut dairy, pasta, rice, meat, and recently seafood. I can say that I’m slowly becoming vegan.”

Sanini weight loss

Alexis lost 70 pounds

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Alexis lost 70 pounds by working out regularly and changing her eating habits.  She is a Turbo Fire fan and has a YouTube channel dedicated to her weight loss journey.  She is also getting fit for her wedding in May.  Congrats!!

“I started September 9th 2012 at 262 pounds and have lost 70lbs.  I cleared my mind on all knowledge about working out and dieting. I gave myself time to research other individual’s success on their journey. At that time I found DivaSlimsDown’s channel on Youtube. She inspired me to begin my journey and document every moment as well.  I thought to myself, if she can do it so can I. Im not going to lie, it was hard but I said a prayer before I started my weight loss journey for GOD to give me strength, wisdom, and determination….HE has never failed me.

I stopped eating fast food, sodas, candy, basically anything that you are conscious about. I eat more greens, like salads, fruits, etc. Juicing is also great. I prepare my meals before 6 pm and I drink a lot of water. If you want energy try vitamin b6 and vitamin b12 complex. Those work great.  As far as exercising goes, I am very athletic now. I hike, I do Turbo Fire and workout with ibox. With hiking alone, I burn 1500 calories in 1 hour. Turbo Fire burns 1200 calories on a average.  Workout and boxing is pretty good for you as well. I like workouts that work the entire body. I will be uploading new videos about my hiking and results as well on my youtube channel: Alexis GetsRight.

I feel so blessed, energized, and beautiful. I can run and jump and do things I was never able to because I was bigger. I can shop in regular stores now and run after my kids without running out breath and most of all burn over 1800 cal in a day! I am working hard to complete my goal of 100 lbs lost…40 lbs to go and I know I can do this! Oh yea I’m getting married May 26th! Gotta get in a dress and look beautiful like im supposed to. I thank GOD, because without HIM, i wouldn’t have it this far. I have so many supporters and that is what truly motivates me. I want to give back to them so I am doing a weight loss challenge with prizes and giveaways with my own money because I truly am grateful for all of the support.”

weight loss alexis