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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Bethany lost 64 pounds

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Let’s show some love to Bethany who has lost 64 pounds with the help of Weight Watches, portion control and regular exercise, including Zumba.

“I’m still amazed at the change that losing 64 poundss has made in my life.   I still have a way to go because I’m not done yet. Anyone who really knows me knows that my confidence has always been high, but when I get to my goal…BABY, THEY GOIN HAVE TO POP ME TO STOP ME. LOL

#focused  #still loving wht I see whn I look n the mirror  #teamweightloss

I’m doing Weight Watchers to help with portion control.  I go to the gym 3 to 4 days per week to do cardio and weight lifting.  I go to Zumba class on my off days from the gym. I’m 32 yrs old and I have yet to marry and have children which is something that I want for my future. So, my motivation is knowing that I want to be healthy and be able to play with my future children and take care of them. I’ve been on this journey for almost two years with still a long way to go, but I’m loving the changes I’ve seen so far and the way I feel now.”

Bethany weight loss

 

Nia lost 106 pounds and kept it off for 7 years

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Nia who lost 106 pounds and has kept it off for seven years.

Starting weight: 237
Currently: 131

“I started off with about 20 minutes a day on the treadmill, walking. I could hardly breathe after 20 minutes, so that was my limit. After a while, I was able to do a “brisk walk” for 30 minutes.  After I got my “wind”, I was able to run for an hour (who knew)!!!

I drank A LOT of water, which not only hydrated me, but killed cravings during the day. I have to honestly say that I didn’t change much of what I ate, just the AMOUNT (portion control)! I still ate burgers and fried foods (and I still do), because I knew I would crave them eventually, and I didn’t want to shock my system.  It keeps me from overindulging when I do have these foods.

Thankfully, I now have better portion control, and by drinking water, and exercise, I’ve been able to keep it off for 7 years!”

nia weight loss

Dee lost 91 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Dee lost 90 pounds by running and changing her diet.  She recently ran her first half marathon and has quit smoking.  Here transformation below represents  March 19, 2012 to March 19, 2013.

“One year ago today, I began my fitness journey. I began to work out, then made changes to my diet by removing fast foods, sugar, breads, pastas, and rices. Then I began running, 60 seconds at a time, in July of 2012. To lose weight, I used clean eating and I started the “Couch 2 5k” program to learn how to run. I began running with “black girls run” as well.  Since then I have run over 15 races including numerous 5ks, a 10k, an 11.6k and this month [March] I am running my first Half Marathon which is 13.1 miles! I currently run 3 days,and 3 days I do strength training plus some other cardio like Zumba class or Cycle class.

As of today, I am down 90LBS!!!! I am down from 249 pounds to 158 pounds.  I’ve gone from a size 18 to a loose size 8 (I think a size 6 really) .

Bonus: No one knew I was a closet smoker. I was an overweight smoker and now I’m running 6, 7, 8 miles several times a week! As of today I’ve been smoke free for 30 days!!

Ladies, you can do ANYTHING you put your mind and faith to!”

dee weight loss

Sajata lost 99 pounds

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Sajata lost 99 pounds by changing her eating habits, walking and drinking lots of water.  She went from 269 pounds to 170 pounds.

“I cut back a lot on bread, pasta, rice, chips, and soda. I started drinking lots of water and eating my favorite veggies.  I also baked my meats. Walking was my main goal. I was motivated by putting my “fat pic” on the fridge.  The other motivation was that my health was at stake because diabetes runs in my family. It took me about a year and a half to get to my goal. I was 269 pounds. Now I’m 170 pounds :)”

sajata weight loss

Ramona lost 84 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story:  Ramona lost 84 pounds and is working to let other women know that “Movement is Medicine”.

Ramona M. Gaines 41 of Philadelphia PA

Height 4’11”

Beginning weight: 323 pounds
Present weight: 239 pounds

Dress size before losing weight: 26
Current dress size: 16-18

“It took me 11 months to reach my current weight.  Factors that caused my weight gain were; emotional eating, lack of exercise, an injury, poor diet and timing of eating due to work schedule

My turning point came when my daughter paid for my gym membership with her money from her 16th birthday. That is what really did it for me. Other deciding factors were hypertension, shortness of breath and chest pains.

I loss the weight doing a variety of things; seeing a Psychologist, physical therapy, Dr. Fisher’s medical weight loss program, changing my eating habits, going to the gym and joined the running group, Black Girls Run.

I got rid of sugars, white flour, white rice and cooking oil. I began to cook with olive oil, brown rice, and brown pastas. I brought in more multi-grains, fish, chicken, turkey, and more fresh vegetables and fruit. I also increased my water intake up to a gallon of water a day.

I began walking and jogging, lifting weights at gym and using step machine and stationary bike at gym. I was so grateful for the new lease on life that God had given me that I founded a weight loss support group for women called Movement IS Medicine, and even wrote an anthology with sixteen women entitled Movement IS Medicine. I believe in wholeness and wellness, which includes mind, body, soul and spirit. Weight loss does not just include how and what you eat but also why you are eating what you eat. If you really examine it you will then begin to see what is really eating you and deal with the root of the matter.  Movement IS Medicine!”

ramona weight loss story

Kenisha lost 105 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Kenisha who has lost 105 pounds over the course of two years with weight loss surgery, exercise and eating right.

“I started my weight loss journey on March 21st 2011. I have since lost 105 lbs over the course of two years. I under went Gastric Bypass surgery to assist with my weight loss goals. I workout a min of five days a week by engaging in different workouts. From running, Zumba, Hot Yoga, Crossfit and dancing. I have surrounded myself with like-minded women who have the same goals. I don’t look at my journey as dieting or losing weight, but as a lifestyle.  I eat a minimum of six small meals a day. Replacing two of the meals w/ a protein shake. Very low sugar intake and beverage of choice is water. Which I take in a minimum of two gallons of water to stay hydrated.”

weight loss

 

Lana lost 62 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Proud Alpha Kappa Alpha soror Lana lost 62 pounds with SmartLipo, Weight Watchers, exercise and changing her diet. Here is her story:

“I have struggled with losing weight for about 8 years. I tried waking, working out and even Jenny Craig, Nutri- System, Atkins Diet to name a few. I had SmartLipo on my stomach in June 2012. I was 210 and was depressed because I had hit that 200 mark. I had to do something so I decided to do this. The results were phenomenal. Most of my weight was in my stomach and when I had that done I saw significant results.”

What did you do in terms of changing your eating habits and exercise to lose weight?

“I used portion control such as measuring my food. I also followed the Weight Watchers plan. My exercise regime was walking at least 3 times a week at the park or on my treadmill when I couldn’t make it to the park. I would fast pace walk 4-5 times. On the treadmill, I would do 30 min.  I don’ t diet now, I watch my calories and portion control. I also walk to help keep the weight off. I now weigh 148 and I love it. I have lost 62 pounds. I feel so good about my health and weight now!!”

Lana before and after photos

Updated: Avonna lost 115 pounds

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Updated Dec 2013: Avonna has lost a total of 115 pounds.  She wrote in to update blog post we did on her back in April.

“As of today I am 115 lbs down! I jog almost everyday, a strength train and I challenge myself to new challenges.! It’s been a thought year but I have come along way and I still have a long way to go. Follow my journey on IG @FabulousVonnie. This year shall be greater than last. My eating habits have changed drastically!  How I look and feel about food is completely different! It’s a mental process more than anything. Fruits and veggies are my bestfriend!  But it’s more so the feeling of knowing that I don’t want to be fat any more.”

Avonna before and after

Let’s show some life transformation love to Avonna who has released 60 pounds and transformed the way she feels about herself and her body.  She has given us a lot of detail from her weight loss journey.  She put together her own exercise plan through research and putting it to the test.   She also ate clean.

“Growing up being FAT was a struggle! I wasn’t popular, barely had friends and didn’t like myself. Everyone around me was skinny, petite and then there was me. I was always referred to as “Big Von” I was that sister figure to guys, not the attractive, “be my girlfriend” type. That was miserable.

I come from a fit strict family! For the longest time I was the biggest one and it became uncomfortable and it didn’t help me knowing that I was a disgrace! It caused me to fall into a depression and that caused me to eat, ultimately getting even heavier. Due to my weight and what I was going through, I had low self esteem! Practically no respect for myself, I didn’t care. I didn’t care to get dressed or anything! I was plain Jane.

Up until recently, I was in a 5 year relationship and was comfortable! I knew this was forever and was once again neglecting my body! My relationship ended in the beginning of the year and I decided I need to make changes. I wasn’t happy with my body, my personality or anything. I felt he continuously cheated because I wasn’t attractive. I was never approached by men! I felt disgusting. So in Feb 2012 I walked into a gym, LA Fitness. And decided to take control of my life. I have lost 60 pounds and I got into fashion more and I feel much better about myself. My head is held high and I feel beautiful. There are no more nights were I feel like I am in another body. I am a work in progress and I know it’s ultimately up to me to decide where I want my fate with my body and happiness. The my lack of confidence prevented me from shinning to my brightest potential! I had to realize that I can only be the person that God wants and made me to be. I am in LOVE with the woman I am today! My weight no longer defines me!!

324 was my starting weight. So embarrassing. I never really admitted that to any one before.  I created my exercise plan by doing research and putting my research to the test. I would create my own circuit workouts and rub drills. I would walk on the treadmill and gradually increase my speed and incline. As far as eating I clean eat. No fast food, processed foods, fried foods and eating in moderation was definitely important. I had to realize when I was hungry or when I was bored. I am an emotion eater. I eat when I’m happy, sad, mad, angry…whatever the emotion was I ate to it.  That’s sad to say.  Now, I eat more leafy veggies to keep me full longer. I cut out all sugary drinks and focused straight on water. Strictly water.”

Check out her blog: confessionsofafatchick.com

avonna weight loss story

Nekita lost 145 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Proud Delta Sigma Theta soror, Nekita lost 145 pounds with the help of Weight Watchers and by working out.  Here is what she shared with us:

“On September 8, 2008, I joined Weight Watchers weighing in at 288 pounds. In September 2009, I had lost 110 pounds and was weighing 178 pounds.  In the midst of that, I had my second daughter causing me to gain 85 pounds back but then have a major come back with diet and exercise.   I hit my goal weight in March of 2012 weighing in at 143 pounds for a total of 145 total lost, which I am still maintaining.

I decided to start my journey to a healthier me for a number of reasons. At 24 years of age, I had high blood pressure and had reached a weight of 288 pounds. I’ve always loved to eat, but my love for food was making it physically impossible to enjoy playing and riding roller coasters with my daughter, traveling by plane due to seating size restriction, or even just walking a flight of stairs without taking a break. After suffering much of the humiliation of not being physically able to enjoy life and being at risk for so many diseases mentioned by the doctor, I decided to make the commitment to change my life.

Living a healthy lifestyle has been no walk in the park.  There are good days and most definitely there are the challenging days. Working out and changing the way I eat is no longer a chore just to lose weight, but it has now become a part of my life which motivates me to carry out this habit throughout my daily life.  My advice to others would be if you fall try to pick yourself back up again and start fresh; every day is a new day. Take it one day at a time, and set small goals along the way instead of looking at the ultimate goal. Try not to look at being healthy as a diet which is temporary, but as a lifestyle change that will take time.  Always have the “I can attitude” and be willing to try new things.

nekita weight loss story

Krystle lost 115 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Krystle lost 115 pounds.  She credits changing her eating habis and eating 1300 calories per day.

“I did it the natural way.  No surgery! I took the before picture in May 2012 and the after picture in February 2013 with a total weight loss of 115 pounds!  I just had to make the decision not eat the things I ate before.  I changed my diet to 1300 calories a day. Trust me, it wasn’t easy but I had to dedicate myself to making healthier choices. I think my biggest motivation was my kids and trying to prove to myself that I can do it without the surgery.  Dedication! That’s the secret.”

Krystle weight loss success