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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running for weight loss

Kelli lost 109 pounds

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Today’s’ featured weight loss story: Kelli lost 109 pounds with the tried and true method of eating right and exercising.  She is preparing for her first marathon in October.  She shared her story with us.  Check it out:

I started my weight loss journey two years ago. I took on the challenge because I wanted to lose 30 pounds by my 30th birthday.  Although I didn’t reach my goal, I kept going. I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease. I wanted to become a inspiration to myself. I knew there wasn’t a magic weight loss pill or weight loss surgery I could take.  Therefore, I wanted to be accountable and do it the old fashioned way with exercising and eating right. On this journey, I’ve done exercise bootcamps, 5k runs,water aerobics and hip hop aerobics.  I also go to the gym. Currently, I do hip hop aerobics 3 times a week for an hour, 45 min.  My gym sessions are twice a week. I gave up fast food, red meat, pork, and sodas. I’ve gained more self confidence and respect in myself after my weight loss. I’m now preparing first my first marathon in October 2013. I’m not perfect, there are days when I eat foods I know I shouldn’t but I still hold my self accountable. My mother passed away April 2013 from congestive heart failure, I’m so blessed she got a chance to see my transformation. My starting weight was 305 pounds.  My weight now is 196 pounds.

Kelli weight loss success

Ty’Kiesha lost 58 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day! – Ty’Kiesha lost 58 pounds by joining her local Black Girls Run running group, strength training and eliminating negative foods from her eating.  Read more about how she did it:

I’ve lost 58 pounds and have 20 to go!!! I’m working harder every day!!! Maybe sharing my story will help someone.

My motivation came from several places. The fact that I was too tired play with my son or do things with him was one of them.  I was ashamed to go places where people would question my weight gain.  Also, my doctor was telling me that if I didn’t get it together, I would be faced with diseases that were in my family history. I kept hearing advertisements from the Micheal Baisden show about Black Girls Run . I was interested but knew I couldn’t run. I joined the BGR Facebook group for my area and lurked for months. Finally, one day it dawned on me that even though I felt I couldn’t run, I had to start somewhere. I started getting up daily to run with the 4:30 AM group. A few weeks later, I started to change my eating. I eliminated sodas, bread, chips and cakes, week by week. I would eliminate something one week and the next week something else. I’ve since added bootcamp for strength training. I’ve been working on my lifestyle change since August 2012. My starting weight was 236 pounds. Current weight is 178 pounds.  I’ve lost 58 pounds with hopes of loosing 20 more and lowering my BMI. I want show those with little or no hope that it is possible. I’ve struggled and fell a few times but through it all I’m still fighting. The key is never giving up.

TyKiesha weight loss story

Renee lost 40 pounds

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Our featured weight loss journey of the day: 50 year old diva Renee lost 40 pounds. This 5’4″ beauty fought her blood pressure down and lost the weight with walking, running and eventually became a vegetarian.  Read more about her story:

My name is Renee. I found your page on Facebook and love it. I’m look at it every day for motivation, tips, etc. I share a lot of your challenges, recipes, post, etc. I love all the stories and I would love to tell mine. April 12, 2012, I started a new job and I had to get new uniforms. I was shocked when I was measured for a size 12 and found that I weighed in at 180 lbs. Mind you, I’m only 5’4. I had to take a DOT physical for work and instead of being passed for two years, I was only passed for 3 months because my blood pressure was too high. My feelings were hurt and I knew I had to do something. Going to the doctor for medicine to control my blood pressure was not an option.

April 15, 2012, I started walking five miles every day.  I cut out fast food, sodas, red meat and pretty much anything white.  I also started drinking healthy smoothies. By August, I was in a size 10 and weighing around 157/160. I had lost 20lbs. I was breaking ground (yaaay). I started running 2.5  miles every day (outside in Las Vegas triple digit temp), lifting 5, 15 and 20 lb dumb bells and doing crunches.  Then I cut out chicken and was only eating fish and veggies.  I drank a lot of water, water, water too.  By December (whoop!), I was down to 140 lbs and wearing a size 7. In March (2013), I took on your 15 day No Meat Challenge and never looked back. I’m a vegetarian now. I joined a gym, too. I run, squat, lift, etc. Being healthy and fit is now my lifestyle. I’ve been at it for almost a year and a half now. I’ll be 50 years old in on Aug. 12th and I’m feeling amazing!!! My blood pressure is great, 117 over 75!! No health issues. I lost 40lbs and have no plans of ever finding them again!  Plus, my knees don’t even hurt anymore.  The before pic was taken March 2012… after pic (black and white) was taken May 2013… pic in yellow taken July 2013.  Thank you for allowing me to tell my story and success. And, thanks again for your page and support.

Renee's weight loss

Beth lost 62 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Beth.  She lost 62 pounds by making healthy food choices, running and she is now a Zumba instructor.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi!! My name is Beth Jones. I am 48 years old.  About 16 months ago, I decided to take full control of my life. I began making healthy food choices and exercising 5-6 days a week.  This has helped me to lose 62 pounds and go from a size 20 to a size 10. I became a pescatarian (vegetarian who eats seafood only…no other meat) in 2011.  I try to stay away from fried foods and sweets. I drink protein smoothies daily to add more protein to my diet. I joined the Savannah Pacers, a running club in my city, and have completed 2 5k runs, a 10k, and a 1/2 marathon so far. Zumba also helped me so much that I am now a Zumba fitness instructor!!  Also, I co-founded a health and fitness club at my middle school where I teach 8th grade math. I feel fabulous and strong and healthy and want to continue to help others find their personal best too!

Beth Zumba Instructors

Tiffany lost 109 pounds

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Weight Loss Story Update Mar 2014: Tiffany wrote in to let us know that she has lost an additional 20 pounds.  That brings her to a total of 129 pounds down.

“Hello, I have made it from having lost 186 pounds when my story was posted originally to now weighing 166 pounds! Still trying to get to my goal of 150 lbs.  My weight loss has inspired me to follow another dream of finishing a CD I started and I’ve started a Kickstarter campaign. I have never been more scared in my life but in an excited way…lol. ” Updated photo:

TiffanyMar14blog

May 5, 2013 – Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Tiffany lost 109 pounds.  She tried weight loss surgery but it did not work for her and she gained the weight back.  Now, years later, she has been able to lose the weight with eating right and exercise.

I’m Tiffany “Wildkat” Williams and I started at 297 and I’m 188 now! I’m on my way to 145!!  I tried everything including 2 surgeries that didn’t work so now I watch what I eat and workout religiously!  I exercise no less then 2 hours a day except on Sunday. I do several kinds of dance including belly dancing and pole. I also lift weights and do Zumba and a slew of other classes! Love your page and thanks for the positive images and stories you post!

I tried everything to lose weight! I’ve done all the fad diets, the pills, two surgeries! I had the lap band first and when that failed I had it removed and had a gastric bypass. The bypass failed as well because I had intestinal issues. So i did lose some weight but I lost it very slowly. I was 297 at my heaviest and 275 when I had the bypass and 3 years later I was only down to 186. To put it in perspective I know people who had surgery within weeks of mine and 9 months later went from 255 to 135! Surgery just was not the right choice for me and I was counting calories and working out like crazy! Then 2 years after surgery I was back at 248!

I’ve been heavy my entire life I just finally have all the pieces of my puzzle together. I used to workout all the time and eat poorly or starve myself and not workout at all. I was finally successful with a healthy diet and working out 6 days a week for 2-4 hours a day! I have now gotten down to 184 and I am on my way to 145! I eat lots of protein, fresh fruits and veggies. I add protein shakes in as well. I stay away from “whites” bread, potatoes, rice etc. I eat multi grain breads in moderation and yams and brown rice. I also cut out sugar, salt and processed foods as much as possible. I will eat a fresh apple instead of applesauce for example. Processed foods have a lot of hidden sugar and sodium. I do Zumba, pole fitness, elliptical HIIT plans, running, weight lifting, kick boxing, yoga and Pilates just to name a few. I need variety to keep myself entertained lol! I guess I’ve been working on my transformation “seriously” for about 4 years now. Thanks for sharing! I love your page!

Tiffany weight loss