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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Kristin lost 93 pounds

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Kristin lost 93 pounds.  She took the popular b vitamin shots as part of her weight loss journey, but she also had to workout and switch to a high protein diet.  Here is what she shared with us…

Kristin before and after

 

Hello my name is Kristin and I’ve been dealing with weight my whole life. At my heaviest weight I was 278 pounds. I’m weigh 185 pounds today. I lost 93 pounds with b12 & b6 injection over the course of a year (9 of those months in 2013). My motivation was to be able to buy clothes in normal stores instead of the biggest plus size. Also my feet, back, chest and heart were hurting all the time before I lost the weight.

I eat a high protein diet with a lot of meat. I went for being the pasta and cheese queen to eating as much lean meat and fish as I want. I walk about 3 times a week and do sit ups all day long (220 sit ups, 40 at a time,  through out the day). I didn’t do a lot of exercise but I just joined a gym to take off the last 20 pounds that I’m trying to lose. I believe that my b12 shots saved my life and my new way of eating has given me my freedom back. I’ve taken 2 double shots twice a week for the last 2 years. It is pricey here in Toronto but by health is worth the money.

My advice is to cut out sugar, rice, pasta and bread. Stay away from those foods and your body will change bit by bit. Thanks to the BWLW Facebook page for keeping me on track.

 

Jodie lost 72 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Jodie has lost 72 pounds since December 2013.  Facing a diagnosis of high blood pressure and diabetes, she decided it was time to take back her health and change her lifestyle.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey…

Jodie before and after

In December 2013, I began to just feel different so I decided to go to see a doctor. I found out I had high blood pressure and diabetes. I have a son and a daughter. In addition, my son has sickle cell disease. I really want to live so that I can continue to take care of them.

I was a junk food and soda freak. I prayed and prayed, asking God to just guide me to eating better. I started drinking tons and tons of water, eating fruits and veggies and getting up to go walking. I just did whatever I could to keep moving.  I had to pray, get up and stay active. I also started reading up on exercises and finding different stories on YouTube of people making changes and CHOOSING TO LIVE. I didn’t go to the gym…just started by working out at home.

I started out weighing 320 pounds and now weigh 248 pounds (I’m 5’11”).  It didn’t happen overnight. Everyday I try to give my full 100% but there are also days when I give 200%. I will not lose this fight because it gets easier when you put in effort.

My Advice: You will love the results and reactions people give you. I didn’t want to be skinny because I always have been a plus size woman. However, I did want to be at a healthy. Weight has never gotten in the way of me doing anything, but when my health became an issue I had to decide that I wanted to be here for my kids.  I’m still working hard.

Jodie weight loss story

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Patricia lost 52 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Patricia lost 52 pounds, going from 302 pounds to 250 pounds.  She was motivated by a pain issue and decided it was time to change her lifestyle.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

Patricia before and after photos

Hi, my name is Patricia. My story is a little different than most. What initially peaked my interest into becoming healthy and fit stemmed from the extreme back pain I was experiencing due to being blessed up top… Lol. My initial weight was 302 pounds and I am now at 250. I started out in a bootcamp class 3 days a week and unexpectedly I really enjoyed working out. From there, I ventured into my current love, my hip hop class.  I also love hiking, run/walk, strength training etc.  Before I’d I ate everything from fast foods to any and all restaurants. The killer for me was mixed fruitie drinks with all the empty calories. I found any reason and excuse to eat out and drink of course. The most important change I had to make was my diet. Initially when I started my weight loss journey I didn’t change my eating and it showed.  Now with my lifestyle change I do allow myself cheat meals and an occasional fruity drink but I’ve adapted drinking my Moscato every so often instead.  Turkey and chicken are my meat of choice. I also eat lots of vegetables and fruits. I’ve now started drinking my gallon of water a day to come full circle.

My endurance and momentum to keep up physically proved challenging. Once I got on board with my eating everything else fell into place. Most importantly, I no longer have back pain. Because of this, my fire is now lit by the desire to become healthy and fit. I am 50+ pounds down with 1 1/2 years in on this journey. I’m just getting started. This is indeed a lifestyle change for me that is here to stay. I must say that I’m truly enjoying my journey and the new and improved me.

Check her out on Instagram for more photos from her journey: @plussizebella

Shantia lost 76 pounds

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Featured Weight Loss Success Story: Shantia lost 76 pounds.  This Canadian diva celebrates her curves but wanted to be healthier and happier.  She used clean eating and walking to lose the pounds.  Check out the details of her journey:

Shantia plus size beauty

 “Hello, my name is Shantia Upshaw and I’m from Canada.  I have been overweight my entire life, reaching a whooping size of 338 pounds in 2013. I was ok with it because I have always been a confident woman in everything I do and in my daily presentation of myself.  I even co-created the first ever plus size fashion event on the East Coast of Canada called ” The Weight is Over Revolution ” because I wanted women of all sizes to love the skin they are in!! However, I especially wanted to reach the plus size woman.

In 2013, I went through a horrible break-up with my soul mate of 17 years! I was angry, hurt, confused, sad and completely broken hearted!  I decided in August 2013 that I needed to take my life back to where Shantia is happy.  

I gradually started to change my diet to clean eating.  I did a bit if exercise, nothing big just baby steps. Then my vehicle broke down in November 2013 and instead of getting it fixed, I decided to walk!! I mean walk everywhere
I have walked in -25 degree winter weather, rain, snow…everything !  It is now April 2014 and I’m officially 76 pounds healthier and happier. I do still walk, but I also run, do yoga (sometimes) and I take a pole dance class once a week!!

This has been the biggest obstacle of my life, but also the greatest journey. My advice for anyone wanting to get healthy or lose weight is to stick with it, be determined and enjoy the process because the end results are going to be worth it!  I haven’t reached my goal weight, because my journey is not over.”

Instagram: @curvesallover

Brandy lost 131 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Proud mom Brandy lost 131 pounds.  Exercise was key to her transformation and now she is able to be more active with her children.  Find out how she did it:

“Hello my name is Brandy Francis. I’m 34 years young and a single mother of a 2 going on 24 year old. MY Battle with weight has always been just that, a battle, but in 17 months I have lost 119 pounds. My highest tipping weight was 292 pounds and I now weigh 161 pounds.  That is a total of 131 pounds.

I have done every weight loss program and supplement, but to my surprise neither one would help me loose the weight I have currently. My employment with a warehouse is where the shedding of pounds started, it is equivalent to going to the gym 4 to 5 days a week working out and 4 to 5 hours on every part of my body. My eating habits changed because of my recent “singlehood”. I could no longer enjoy the luxury of fast foods 3 to 4 times a day. So, being in this warehouse they would only allow water on the floor which was a battle because I was addicted to Pepsi.  At first I said, “Noooo Water.” but NOW water is my best friend. I’m no longer on blood pressure meds and I’m so much more active with my 29 month old. I’m so blessed and grateful that at one of the worst times of stress in my life I didn’t revert to old habits of binge eating or feeling sorry for myself. The biggest size I put on was a 24/26 at Lane Bryant and I’m now wearing a size 10/8. I will always battle with weight, but right now I’m winning!!”

Brandy before and after Brandy weight loss

Angela lost 98 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Angela lost 98.6 pounds.  After being told she was morbidly obese, this proud nurse made the decision to reach 40 years old as healthy and happy as possible.  Read her story and find out how she lost the weight:

Angela weight loss

Name: Angel
Age: 41
Starting weight: 280
Current weight: 181.4
Transformation time: 20 months and still Under Construction!

My journey started in April 2012. I was at my doctor’s office, tipped the scale at 280 pounds and was told that I was morbidly obese! I was 39 years old and did not want to go into my 40’s overweight. I decided right then that I needed to do something. My doctor offered weight loss pills and injections for me but as a Registered Nurse, I knew some of the negative side effects and preferred more natural means. The next thing I did was PRAY.  I sincerely asked God to help me.  He gave me the scripture 3 John 1:2, “Beloved, I wish above all things that though may prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers.”  I asked Him to show me the plan that would work best for me.  The following week I joined Weight Watchers.  I committed to following the plan for 3 months (whether I lost a pound or not).  The plan helped me change my bad eating habits (fried foods, sweet tea and breads) into a balanced diet of fruit, veggies, whole grains, baked meats and WATER!  In those 3 months, I lost almost 20 lbs.  This inspired me to keep going.  In July 2012, I joined the local gym and began to walk just 30minutes, 3-5 days per week.  By the end of 2012, I had lost 50 lbs.  During 2013, I continued to follow the Weight Watchers plan on my own (I stopped going to regular meetings) and increased my walking to 60 minutes.  My weight on 12/31/13 was 181.4! And still losing…

This journey has been one of much prayer and perseverance. Although my journey is slower in pace, this pace has caused me to adopt a totally new lifestyle.  I no longer have emotional binges.  Under stress, I don’t eat pizza; I put in overtime at the gym.  I don’t just celebrate with cakes, pies and ice cream, I celebrate by purchasing a new, smaller outfit or jewelry.

When people ask me how my life is different after losing almost 100 lbs, I think of several things.  (1) I feel so much better!  It feels so good to do things like walking upstairs without getting winded. (2) Sometimes my patients ask if I am a new nurse (some don’t recognize me). (3) Sitting in a chair and not having to pray that it doesn’t break. (4) NO LONGER SHOPPING IN THE PLUS SIZE!  (5) One thing that I have not done in years is enjoying an amusement park and being able to fit on various rides…I plan to this summer.

My advice:  NEVER GIVE UP!  It’s a journey not a destination.  My journey so far has taken 20 months.  Yours might be shorter or longer, you may have ups & downs, losses & gains but if you fall down, get back up.  It’s not always easy but it sure is worth it!

Angela before and after Angela before photo Angela before after

Janelle lost nearly 100 pounds

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Let’s show some love to proud mom Janelle.  She has lost approximately 100 pounds since June 2012 with calorie counting and by eating low carb.  She wrote in to share her photos and story with us:

Janelle weight loss photos

” I Wanted to share my progress with the group. I’ve released nearly 100 pounds, going from 315 pounds and now I weight 220 pounds. I cut out carbs & became more active with my children! They are the best lil calorie burners I know of. Lol!

I started my weight loss journey in June 2012. I originally started by counting calories on a mobile app called FatSecret and then graduated to the omission of carbs. The common name for the plan I follow is the 12 day diet. I eat 3 meals per day until I am full and have a cup of ruby red grapefruit juice with each meal. If I am feeling hungry between meals, I eat 2 tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter or cinnamon toasted almonds.  I also consume a gallon of water each day. I have lost 100 pounds and gone from a size 26/28 to a thick size 16. My exercise regime includes playing with my children, walking, and swimming. I keep active because of my little ones. I have 3 children, ages 10 and under. They are my motivation, I plan on living to see them grow, create families of their own and then some!”

 

Crystal lost 35 pounds

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Crystal wrote to us to share that she’s lost 35 pounds.  This proud mom of 3 lost the weight after being a food addict as a result of dealing with very hard and painful things in her past.  Here is her weight loss story:

Crystal weight loss photos

“I have been plus size (size 16W-18W) for a while now.  I have even advocated to ladies in my area to love themselves, no matter what size they are. I was in denial about my own size and even though my self esteem was always high, I just felt like crap physically.

This year, I was involved in a car accident, that left me with injuries to my back and my legs were constantly feeling numb. I accepted the fact that I am overweight, and tired of being sick and tired. That was when I decided I would do something about it after healing from the injuries.

After the accident, I had to do some deep soul searching, and in the meantime I read some really helpful material on how to deal with a painful past, and forgiving others. It was then that I realized that I had a food addiction, and I turned to food after dealing with a very hard situation in my life as a child.

Food was my drug of choice and I ate constantly, any and everything.

I have been so busy changing my lifestyle by eating healthy foods, and exercising, that I decided not to publish my online newspaper anymore (Cincinnati Defender). It took up too much of my time. I am a mother to three children ages 17, 8, and 7, plus I work a normal job in addition to being a publisher I had to decide between catering to the community, and catering to my health.

In three months, I lost 35lbs, no weight loss surgery. I changed what I ate and the portions I ate. I made better food choices, and increased my water intake from maybe 6 glasses a day to 2 gallons a day.  I exercised 4-5 times a week. I am still on this journey, and now encouraging others to do the same thing. Now, I have a total of about 45 more pounds to lose.”

LaTanya lost 140 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Latanya wrote in to us to share her story.  She had gastric bypass surgery and has lost 140 pounds.  Here is what she shared about losing the pounds and changing her lifestyle:

“Hello my name Latanya.  My starting weight was 380 pounds. I have been on every diet known to man. On December 23, 2011, I had gastric bypass weight loss surgery. With diet and exercise, I have lost a total of 140 pounds today. I have learned that this way of healthy living is now my lifestyle.

My motivation for my weight loss was health reasons. My doctor told me that I needed to start taking high blood pressure medication. I knew in my heart that I didn’t want to be on medication for the rest of my life. I joined the local YMCA in my town.  It took a total of one year for me to lose 140 pounds. I have changed my eating habits by not bringing junk food into my house. I workout six day a week to stay heathy. I also belong to plus size social club where I am the wellness coordinator.  There, I share healthy ideas and workout to my sisters, but not in a pushy way.”

Latanya weight loss photos

Chelsea lost 30 pounds

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Proud mom Chelsea lost weight with exercise, like Zumba, and Clean Eating.  Being active with her daughter was her motivation.  Check out what she shared about her journey thus far:

Hi my name is Chelsea.  This been a hard journey.  I started in late December 2012 by doing Zumba.  It was very fun.  At the same time, I started eating clean: Lean meats, veggies, no rice and no soda. I also have 100 calorie snack packs.  I’m from the country and i love to eat.  Wild hog, deer with rice…that was my idea of cheat meals, but I had limits.  I’m blessed to have a amazing husband, family and friends to support me.  I’m not finished yet.  I have 25-30 pounds more that I want to lose by December of this year, 2013, so I’m doing more Zumba and running 1.5 -2 miles when I dont do Zumba as my workout.  I’ve lost 30 pounds so far!

My motivation was my daughter. I wanted to be able to run a play with her.  She was 1 years old when I started, now she is 2.  Also, I got tired of buying bigger clothes in the Plus Size section at my age.

My starting weight was 215 pounds.  I gained weight after I got on birth control (gained about 35 pounds).  I’m not turning back. My weight was very depressing.

Chelsea weight loss journey