Black Weight Loss Success

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

Join Our Email List:
We respect your email privacy
You are here: Home / Archives for planet fitness

planet fitness

Cyn lost 204 pounds

by 2 Comments

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Cyn lost 204 pounds, going from 397 lbs to 193 lbs.  She was on meds for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes before starting her weight loss journey.  Find out how she lost pounds and improved her health…

Cyn weight loss

Here is my story in a nutshell. Back in 2010, my blood pressure ranged between 150/99 – 170/111 and the doctor told me if I did not stop smoking, I would die. I know it was a small cry from reality, because I see people who have smoked all their lives and they are well into their 70’s, 80’s and beyond. However, there was something in her eyes that told me I needed to change. So, on November 30, 2010, I smoked my last cigarette. In doing that,I gained a whole bunch of weight. As a matter of fact, I was (at my biggest weight) 397 pouds. at 5’8”. I know….you can remove your hand from your mouth…the shock is real…LOL. I was on blood pressure meds, diabetes meds. cholesterol meds…you name it, I was on it. Walking to the corner took the wind out of me. Forget about climbing stairs. I was embarrassed and stopped taking pictures. Why would I? I couldn’t stand who I saw in the mirror.

After being told I had to start using an inhaler I made a change. I stopped eating at McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King…etc. I started walking. First it was 2 blocks at a time until I could do more. I took the stairs instead of elevators and escalator steps. Vegetables and fruits became my best friends. Water instead of soda was the drink of choice. For a little flavor, I brewed green tea…drank it ice cold with no sugar or sweetener added. When I got down to 295 lbs (2/2013), I was ecstatic. I was on a roll and started showing my face a little more. Going out, hanging with friends…walking more, working out and feeling great. It has been a long hard road, but I am PROUD to say that with Skinny Fiber, working out with Crossfit, working out on my own, Planet Fitness and a great man in my corner I am now at 193 lbs. My goal weight is 180 pounds, so wish me luck!!! For all those fighting the power of the bulge, I know it is hard but willpower and supportive people are the best ingredients for motivation. Keep up the good work everyone!!!

Instagram: @MZZCYN

Madelyn lost 47 pounds

by 9 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Madelyn lost 47 pounds.  This determined young lady decided to stop putting of the long term goal of losing weight.  In 7 months, she has been able to transform her body with healthy eating and lots of exercise.  Check out her story and before and after photos.

Madelyn weight loss

Hello, My name is Madelyn J. I started my weight loss journey back in November of 2013. My motivation came from my decision to join Peace Corps and also it was a goal of mine I kept putting off. I knew if I was moving to a new country to serve as a peace corps volunteer I would need to be at a healthy weight and my recruiter also stressed that to me. Obesity is a disease and my BMI considered me right at the Obese range. I started at 190 lbs. I am 5’6 and 23 years old, there is no reason I should not have been living a healthy lifestyle. My eating habits changed drastically. I ate out all the time and never cared what I was putting into my body. I started drinking at least a gallon of water a day and cutting white carbs. I upped my fruits and veggie intake and cut out pork and beef. I started eating breakfast everyday and taking multi vitamins. I began to meal prep my meals for the week and cut my eating out to one day a week.

My workouts were tough at first, but I had family and friends by my side supporting me with my journey. I joined Planet Fitness and began working out 5 days a week for 2 hours. I would do an hour of cardio (running/jogging outside, elliptical, treadmill) and an hour of weight training (this included arms, legs, and ab workouts). I didn’t see results quick, but I realized it didn’t take me a month to put on the weight so I wouldn’t lose it that quickly either.

My starting weight was 190lbs and I am currently 143 lbs today. My goal weight is 137 then I will just be focusing on toning. My current transformation has taken me 7 months, but i’m not completely finished. I feel better now than I have in years. Remember it is a lifestyle change and not just some fad diet. You have to commit and stay consistent and you WILL see result. I did it my way without any pills, shakes, or waist trainer. Nothing against people who use these methods, but I get asked that question a lot. It wasn’t easy, but it surely was worth it. My advice is no one can make the change but you. Stop putting off what you can do today.. Simple changes can make a difference! Join a gym, get a workout partner, watch what you eat and you will see those pounds start disappearing in no time!

Madelyn weight loss
Madelyn before and after photos

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Jasmaine lost 51 pounds

by 4 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Jasmaine lost 51 pounds.  Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, she decided it was time to kick the soda habit, eat healthy and work out regularly.  Check out her story below: Jasmaine weight loss “A little over a year ago I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I weighed 240lbs. At that time, I lived on Pepsi cola. I had to change my lifestyle and eating habits. My family made accommodations for me that year at Thanksgiving by making my Sweet Potato Pie with Splenda (gross). At that moment, I wanted to get off the medication that my doctor prescribed for me. I gave up drinking 2-liters of Pepsi a day and changed my eating habits some…LOL. Got my membership to Planet Fitness and worked out 2 hours a day for 3 months. Then I stopped and at the time I weighed 245 lbs.  That was this past Spring. Then I took ill and had to have an emergency hysterectomy. As I recovered I took eating healthy more serious. I began walking 5 days a week for 1.5 miles. This helped me out tremendously. Today I weigh 194 pounds. I haven’t weighed anything under 200 lbs in over 10 years. This weight loss journey took me 13 months including the breaks. If you are looking to be successful with weight loss and a healthier lifestyle, you have to stick with it and keep supportive people around you. Do it the healthy way. Make sure you go to the doctor on a regular basis and encourage yourself.” Instagram: @jasmaineshort

Taniqua lost 28 pounds

by Leave a Comment

Taniqua wrote in to share her weight loss story.  She is down 28 pounds with My Fitness Pal, clean eating, working out regularly and using the Weight Watchers weight loss plan.  Here is what she had to say:

Taniqua weight loss photos

“Hey y’all! I’m Taniqua but all my family and friends call me NeNe.  This is me at my heaviest (photo)!!! I was 214 pounds and I am now 186 pounds. I’m sooo proud of my progess over the last year. I have lost a total of 28 lbs so far and I vow that I will never get this big again because I had never been that big before!!! I looked at myself in this picture and was like “Ohh noo girl, you have gotten too big!!!!” It still took me another year to get motivated to lose the weight. Everybody would tell me that I didnt look like I was over 200 lbs but I was! Myfitnesspal.com, clean eating and Weight Watchers helped in addition to working out 3 times a week!!! I still have a ways to go because I still need to get rid of the rest of this belly fat!!!! I hope this story can help motivate somebody to just do it and you have to believe that you can. If all you can do is take a short walk everyday do it because she did it and she’s doin it and I’m proud of myself.
Yayyy Me!!! Lol

I started by eating fish, chicken and ground turkey. I would make protein shakes in the morning and have a nice lunch with veggies and chicken. I also would eat sandwiches with red and yellow peppers, instead of potato chips.  For dinner, I would have more veggies and a starch and chicken or fish. I stopped frying food and baked everything. As for exercise, I joined Planet Fitness for 10.00 a month I would work on legs shoulders and arms and then do like 45-60 minutes worth of cardio (depending on how I was feeling lol). I would rotate my days and on the that days I didn’t lift I would do just a straight hour of cardio on this machine called the Ark.  I love that machine. I’m a work in progress and I’m still trying to lose the rest of my belly fat, so im getting ready to start this challenge for flat abs for 30 days.  We will see how it goes!!! :)”

Kellie lost 109 pounds

by 22 Comments

Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Kellie lost 109 pounds in 14 months by changing her eating habits, juicing and embracing regular exercise.

I started at 367 pounds and I am now 258 pounds.  I’m still a work in progress.  I have lot’s more to go !!!  Once again, all hard work. I have been eating foods of the earth and juicing.  I don’t eat red meat or fried foods.  For me, working out daily is a must.  I’m getting married next year and I will be in a size 14.  Most of all, all glory is to god for he is Good!

How I got so big is that I never thought myself to be obese,  just fat. Then, one day I went to Lane Bryant and couldn’t fit anything in there. That was my breaking point.   I looked into the gastric bypass weight loss surgery, however I would have had a huge out of pocket expense.  My insurance wound not cover it all. So February 13, 2012, I changed my eating.  I cut out fast food, red meat and fried food.   No pop, no juice.  I joined Planet Fitness and worked out 5 days a week, 2x most days. Most important to me was counting calories.  I had no more than 1400 calories a day and no eating after 7pm. I’m doing the same thing now, but I now juice once a day.  As of today, I’m 109 pounds down and counting!!!! This has been over the last 14 months  Thanks so much!  Be blessed.

Kellie weight loss

Desiree lost 28 pounds

by 10 Comments

Today’s featured weight loss success story: Desiree lost 28 pounds.  She says:

“Hello BWLW!  I started my new lifestyle May 2012 with the huge support of my boyfriend who also has lost over 30 pounds. My weight started out at 165. My first goal: stopped cold turkey with sodas/sweet teas..I’m only drinking water even when dining out, I then started working out and started eating more baked foods, salads, fruits/veggies. I am a faithful member of Planet Fitness 5 days a week doing cardio exercise and weights. I am currently weighing in at 137. I am proud of myself and all the women on this page who decided to make a change for the better.”

Desiree weight loss