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Lekeisha lost 109 pounds

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December 2013 (size 22/24) vs Today (size 8)!!!!!! 💎Yup that was me!!!! 😳 Crazy right!!! ⚠ Sometimes you have to restart your healthy lifestyle 100 times before you get it right!!!! That’s OK!!!!! Don’t give up!!!!! 🎯 I hope 2018 is your year to finally get it right!!!!! 🙌🏼 Start believing in yourself!!!!!! New year ~ new you!!!!!!!! Make sure you have a plan!!!!!! You can do this! ~~~~~ P.S. to all my faithful gym folk ~ instead of complaining about the gym being so crowded in January ~ why don’t you close your negative mouth and go give some encouragement to one of those new people!!!!!!! We all started as a new person!!!!!!! Don’t you forget that!!!!! ~ Maybe a friendly smile, a wink or some encouragement from you will help to keep them there and get them healthy!!!!!!! I will personally be at my gym showing love to all the new people!!!!! 😘 #fitness #healthy #fckbeingfat #weightloss #blackwomenlosingweight #ebonyfitness #happynewyear #keekee #fatdaysareover #transformation #hardwork #consistencyisthekey #transformationtuesday #cleaneating #lifestyle #cancer #cancersurvivor #afrogirlfitness

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Transformation of the Day: Lekeisha lost 109 pounds. Not only did she prove to herself that change is possible and that she could do the work to transform her life, but she also beat cervical cancer. After months of chemotherapy and radiation, she is currently in remission. Check out her awesome, inspiring story.

LaKeisha weight loss story

I hate sharing these before photos, but they are a part of my story. I’m living proof that change is possible! The woman in the first photo never, ever believed that she could get to the second photo. Never! She just kept showing up and giving it everything she had!

My starting weight was about 300 pounds. I think I weighed 298 pounds. I wasn’t even at my heaviest weight in the first photo. In the after photo, I’m healthier than I have ever been. My current weight is 189 pounds at 5’10”. I’ve even beat cancer and I’m in full REMISSION! I know for a fact that the chemotherapy and radiation would have been even more difficult than it was if I was still obese!

On 12/17/2013, I decided that I was going to start a mind, body and spirit makeover. I remember looking in the mirror and crying, because I didn’t even recognize myself. I had just let myself go. I was a fat mess and that’s just my truth. There is no need to sugarcoat it. I knew that it was time to take my life back, and it is best decision I ever made in my life.

I started by joining Weight Watchers’ online program and counting points. I used that program for several months. It really works and I loved it, but unfortunately my body got used to it. I wasn’t losing weight after about 6 months. So, I changed things up by doing some research of my own and switched over to lowering my carbs. I’m definitely not eating low carb, because I love fruit and I’ve eaten fruit throughout my entire journey. I have just really reduced my complex carbohydrates. I rarely eat bread, rice, pasta or potatoes, and I stay away from starchy carbohydrate filled foods. Eating clean, simple foods works for me. I also try to shop from the outside perimeter of the supermarket. Very simply, that is where most of the simple, clean and unprocessed foods are, like produce, dairy and meat. Those foods make up the bulk of my food intake. I’m not perfect but I try to eat healthy 90% of the time.

In the beginning, my workout was walking. I would walk 6 days a week, for as long as I could. Walking 2 miles a day eventually turned into 6 miles a day. I didn’t join the gym at first, because honestly I felt like I would be out of place there. I’d never been to a gym and was nervous about going. Once I got further into my journey, I realized that the gym was exactly where I belonged. I signed up at Planet Fitness, watched people workout and then I would copy them. I also started going to a boxing gym and working with the trainer there. That’s when I can honestly say my body started to really take shape. I would go to Planet Fitness in the morning, 5 days a week and to the boxing gym after work, 4 days a week. Most days, I would still go for a walk at lunch as well. I was really, really active!

I reached my goal weight and then came cancer. Sadly, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year and I had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation for months. It was the most difficult time of my life. My body was too weak to workout. I had to use all my energy to battle cancer. I picked up about 18 pounds during that time. By the grace of GOD, I’m blessed to say I beat cancer! I fought like a girl and I won! I’m in complete remission and fighting my way back to my goal weight of 175 pounds. I lost a lot of muscle memory and strength during my battle, so I’m working everyday on getting that back. Right now, I’m working out 5 days a week and 2 times a day on 4 of those days. I’ve been thru a lot this year but even after all that, I still feel so blessed!

Is it time for you to make some changes? Is it time for you to go on a mind, body and spirit makeover journey? Are you happy or are you just existing? I’m proof that it can be done! You can do it too! I don’t care what you have to go thru to get to your “happy” place. Trust me, it’s TRULY worth it. START NOW! You can change your life. Look at me. I did it. How bad do you want it?

It is my hope that someone will look at my photos today and decide to start their journey or decide not to give up on the journey they’ve already started. Take control of your life. You can do this! CHANGE IS POSSIBLE!

Instagram: @love_keekee

Happy side x side Sunday!!!! 📸 I woke up this morning HUNGRY! It’s like a feeling I literally can’t explain!!!! Not hungry for food but hungry for more!!!! Hungry to do better! Hungry to reach my goals!!! Hungry for life!!!!! I realize I’ve been sleeping on myself a little bit and it’s time to WAKE THE BEAST!!!! I’ll be training intensely over the next 6 weeks!!! I’m gonna add a lot more calisthenics and weights to grind!!!! I’m sooooo happy my challenge #lovekeekeeleanout starts tomorrow!!!! It’s just the PUSH I need to kick this thing off!!!!!! I’m always focused but for the next 6 weeks I’m gonna have TUNNEL VISION!!!!!! Let’s go!!!!!!!💪🏼 I’m cutting my beastmode ON!!!!! #healthyliving #fitchick #gains #trainhard #weightloss #fckcancer #fitness #transformation #itson #challenge #letswork #itsnotagame

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Carletta 153 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Carletta 153 pounds. After having a complete left knee replacement, she knew that her right knee would also have to be replaced if nothing changed. She decided that it was time to make her health a priority. Eating low carb brought her success in the past, so she decided to give it a try again. Check out her story.

Carletta weight loss story

My weight has affected most of my adult life. The highest weight I can remember reaching is 373 pounds (height: 5’8″). Even at that exact moment, I did not decide to take charge and take the necessary steps to improve my health. However, a few years later I tried low-carb dieting, began going to the gym and lost 100 pounds. I did not reach my ideal weight, and slowly but surely the majority of the weight returned. Before long, I weighed close to 300 pounds.

In November of 2015, I had to get a total knee replacement in my left knee. I knew it would be just a matter of time for my right knee, because I have no cartilage there. I also have arthritis in both my knees. The knee replacement surgery changed my life! Once the surgery was over, I knew that ultimately I had to decide how serious I was going to take my health.

I began this journey at 300 pounds. Today, I’ve gotten down to 220 pounds by following a low carb lifestyle. I have tried many diets in the past, but none worked for me except going low carb… and that only works when I stay in first stage, eating 0-20 carbs a day. I reduced the amount of red meat I eat, as well as caffeine. I dont drink carbonated drinks, but I drink lemon water every morning. Also, I recently quit smoking. My goal weight is 190 pounds.

I still struggle with traditional workouts, but I do try to stay active throughout the day by
walking my dog, counting my steps and doing specific exercises for my trouble areas. Most importantly, I try my best to stay in good spirits and surround myself with great people.

The best advice I could give is that weight loss is a lifetime commitment, a lifestyle change. It begins and ends internally. If you dont address/correct the reasons you continue to overeat and yo-yo diet, you will stay in the same vicious cycle. Take care of yourself, both physically and mentally.

Jalena lost 33 pounds

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Jalena lost 33 pounds. She weighed in at her highest weight and found out that she had pre-diabetes during a routine physical. Not only did she want to avoid a family history of diabetes and other illnesses, but she also wanted to live a long, healthy life. With the help of an online training program, she got the nutrition and exercise guidance she needed. Check out her story.

Jalena weight loss story

Age: 30
Height: 5’3″
Starting weight: 253 pounds
Current Weight: 219.8 pounds
Weight Lost: 33.2 lbs
Starting Dress Size: 18W
Current Dress Size: 16 Regular
Representing: Hobart, IN

What was your motivation?
My motivation to lose weight was my health and just the way I saw myself. Two months before getting serious about losing weight, I went to my doctor for a routine physical. I have always dreaded going to the doctor because I always have to get on the scale. This doctor appointment was a little different, however. When I had gotten on the scale, I was bigger than I had ever been. It was embarrassing knowing that the nurse and doctor are looking at my weight. When I had my blood work taken, everything came back very well, but I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I was not too afraid at the time because I was thinking, “Well, at least it’s not full blown diabetes. However, my doctor seemed very concerned. She wanted me to come back within two weeks to speak with a dietician and get on some type of program. She also recommended Weight Watchers.

I went back to the follow-up appointment two weeks later to speak with the dietician, but I was still not convinced that I needed help. Therefore, I decided to do my own research about pre-diabetes and what I got was a wake-up call. I already have family who suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. I realized I was not doing this for someone else, but for me. Living the rest of my life is my motivation. If I have the opportunity to make a change; why not do it?

My inspiration for starting my weight loss journey was thinking about the rest of my life and my family. I wanted to feel good in my body. I wanted to like the person I saw in the mirror. I wanted to feel good in clothes, and have a wide variety of clothing choices. At the time, I could only shop in certain stores or certain sections of the store. It became embarrassing, having to look at the plus size clothing when my friends were shopping in the regular sizes. Another inspiration was never wanting to say that I am a diabetic because of my weight. I also wanted to be an inspiration to my mother because I truly wanted her to lose weight too. If she saw that I’d become dedicated to nutrition and exercise, she would eventually want the same for herself.

How did you change your eating habits?
I have changed my eating habits dramatically. Fast food was my go-to for lunch and after work. If I did cook at home, it was something deep fried and I’d want something sweet afterwards. I was also a big snacker; even if I was not hungry. I needed some kind of junk food in my mouth.

Now, I have given up pork, beef and egg yolks. For protein, I just mainly eat chicken. I cook a majority of my food. If I am unable to cook, I will pick up a Subway sandwich on whole wheat bread. I no longer snack throughout the day, but I have a snack every two to three hours between every major meal. I make sure that I have a healthy snack with me when I am out. After I eat lunch and dinner, if I need something sweet to eat, I’ll grab a piece of fruit and/or a 90 calorie brownie bite that I purchase from Aldi. I am still trying to get better with eating enough vegetables, because vegetables have never been one of my favorite food groups. For my snacks, I will eat baby carrots so I can get my vegetables in throughout the day. I look at the nutritional facts on everything I eat to make sure I am making wise choices for my body. I also do not eat after 9p.m.

My nutritionist has taught me that for everything that I use to eat, there is a healthier substitution. Just because I have changed my eating habits, does not mean that I have to have food that does not taste good. My go-to drink used to be Pepsi or sweet tea (and I mean sweet), but I mainly drink water now. If I do have a craving for something else, I’ll do zero calorie flavored water. I have also substituted white sugar for brown sugar and substituted regular potato chips for backed chips. I have substituted regular bread for 100% whole wheat bread (and I loved bread). I do not eat any butter. I use cooking spray or extra virgin olive oil instead. My biggest weakness was Haribogummy bears, and now when I need something to chew on, I’ll get some sugar-free gum. I have learned how to make my own salad dressing and no longer drench my lettuce in fattening salad dressing.

What did you do in terms of exercise?
My workouts consist of Resistance Training and High Intensity Interval Training for an hour and thirty minutes. I was instructed by my personal trainer, Fire. I try to go to the gym between five and six days a week. Sometimes, I may go seven.

How long has your transformation taken so far?
My transformation has taken nine months. I began seeing results in the second month, when my clothes began fitting differently.

What advice would you give to other people who want to lose weight?
The advice I have for others who want to lose weight is that no one is stopping you but you. This is a process that is going to take lots of time and effort. If you dedicate yourself and put in the work, you will definitely reap the rewards. I have learned that we will face setbacks, but you can’t look at that as a failure. Instead, you have to see it as an opportunity to work even harder. Losing weight, becoming a better me and reaping every health benefit possible is a personal investment. I have learned that I never want to look at my body as a liability, but an asset.

Why did the Fitness on Fire Online Training Program work for you vs other programs you’ve tried before?
Fitness on Fire is truly a blessing from God. Before joining, I really felt that I would never be able to lose my weight and I would do nothing but get bigger. With this program you get a personal nutritionist and trainer who are with you every step of the way on your weight loss journey. Nutritionist Guru held me accountable for everything that I put in my mouth, so I am always thinking, “Is that craving really necessary?” Fire personalizes your gym trips, which makes going to the gym fool proof. This program was designed specifically for me because I would have not been able to this by myself. Just thinking about losing weight was frustrating and intimidating before. Now, I have the support of Nutritionist Guru and Fire, which makes this journey all worthwhile.

Miesha lost 37 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Miesha lost 37 pounds. She wanted to be active without limitations and create a healthier lifestyle. Weight watchers and strength training are 2 factors that helped her get results. Seeing her body change served as major motivation. Check out her transformation story.

miesha before and after

What was your motivation?
My motivation for losing weight can be attributed to a number of factors. The most important of them being my desire to do better for myself, and to embrace everything about myself that was positive. I am a person who lives for the outdoors. Having a limited ability to zipline, bungee jump or do any other outdoor activity, wasn’t a part of the lifestyle I saw for myself. I distinctly remember going bungee jumping. I lined up and had to wait for the second to last position because I was one of the heaviest people standing in line. It did not feel good.

So, I started to started to diet. Dieting at that point meant me starving myself with little to no results. It was an effort that I soon gave up. My biggest push to lose the weight came via a comment my dad made to me while on a Skype video call. I remember sitting in my living room, feeling good about myself. Then I heard my dad ask, “Why do you look like you ate Canada?”. That literally broke my spirit.  However, instead of crying, I joined Weight Watchers and began running.

What inspired you when you wanted to give up?
My inspiration came from a number of  things. One factor was, and still remains, my desire to do better. I was also motivated by the effects saw and felt. I started noticing the visible physical and emotional changes. My self confidence​ increased. My ability to finally see myself the way I actually want to be gave me​ that little extra push to just keep it moving.

How did you change your eating habits?
I initially started by using Weight Watchers, which is a great program! However, I did not follow the program as consistently as I should have. What I noticed was that as I began to see results, my desire to eat right and exercise increased drastically​. I use portion control to monitor and manage the amount of food I consume. I’ve mostly eliminated empty carbs from my regular meals. I now consume mostly lean proteins and dense carbs, complimented by lots of veggies.

What did your workout routines look like?
At first, I started running once or twice a week. Then, I upped my activity to running 3 times a week, no less than 5K per day. I slowly incorporated going to the gym twice per week. I began running races to keep me motivated to train. Soon after I started working out at the gym, I discovered weight training and have not looked back since. I think the majority of my weight loss can be attributed to gaining muscle rather than just fat loss. Your numbers on the scale don’t really mean much. You’ll see the definition in your body and feel the difference in the way your clothes fit, but the number on the scale won’t always reflect that. I found a great resource for those new to weight training or the gym itself: bodybuilding.com. This site offers a wealth of free, detailed information that helped me tremendously in learning how to use the all the fancy gym equipment.

Starting weight/Current weight
My starting weight was 222.4 pounds at 5’6″. Now, my weight fluctuates greatly. My current base weight is 185 pounds, but I can be at 190 lbs depending on how I treat my body during the day.

How long did your transformation take?
My journey started in March of 2016. My transformation has taken me just about a year. I’m not entirely where I want to be yet, but I’m more focused on being strong vs. being an actual size. I consider this to be a “Work in Progress”. I am not seeking a desired weight, but am seeking a fit, solid physique.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
If you had said to me 6 months ago that this would be my life, I would have said you were lying. People often say, “The only thing that works is work”. THEY forgot to tell you how badly you need to want it for you to even get up and put in the work. I’m weight lifting because I want to. I’m meal prepping because I see the results. I’m consciously putting it in the universe that this is what I want. No magic pills, no teas, no shakes. Just stay consistent and know that this journey will be for you. Not the man you are with or the family member that constantly reminds you of your size… but for YOU. So, here’s to continuing to be consistent and realizing that a slip is not a fail, but an opportunity to balance and refocus your efforts. You are worth every part of this journey, no matter how slow​ it may seem.

Instagram: @Soul4Reel

Lee lost 156 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Lee lost 156 pounds. She began her journey in Sept 2015 after a wake up call on a doctor’s office scale. She cut out fast food, started counting calories, ate lots of veggies and commited to fitness. Her hard work has really paid off. Check out her story.

Lee weight loss story

My name is Lee J. and I am 46 years of age. I began my weight loss journey in September 2015. It was by happenstance and not something that was on my mind to do. When I went to my neighborhood clinic for a 3 month medical visit, my mind was on a weigh in of around 272-275 pounds. That was my usual weight range for the past several years up to that point and I was satisfied at that weight. When the scale read 301 pounds, I was floored and I cried inside. I thought I would weigh in at my usual weight, be on my merry way and get my Big Mac and large fries…lol. Well, things changed for me at that moment and my life changed from then on.

Today, I have successfully lost over 150 pounds through diet and exercise and I can only thank the man up stairs for the strength to go on. No surgical procedures, diet pills or powders. Just the will to leave bad eating behind and leave unhealthy snacking and sodas alone. No turning back for me!

I started my weight loss journey with a strict 1200 calorie diet. I would not advise people to do that, but it’s the choice that I made. I ate low fat meals, mostly of raw vegetables. I stopped my consumption of a lot of bread (white bread). However, at times switched to wheat bread instead. I eat protein rich vegetables and lean meat, like tuna or  turkey. No pork. I bought a George Foreman Grill and began grilling chicken breasts for salads or to eat with meals that I began preparing.

In the past, I was a heavy snacker, ate a lot of sugary foods and drank a lot of soda. That had to change. Also, I haven’t had a Popeye’s or McDonald’s meal since my journey began. Fast foods, like burgers and fried chicken, were foods I consumed daily and a big factor in my weight issues. I had to quit those meals cold turkey. Even though I’ve lost the weight, I still have no desire to return to my old habits of eating fast foods. I eat a clean diet of fruits and vegetables now. It’s a lifestyle change.

I do cardio and strength train with weights. I jog on treadmill or do cardiovascular exercises,  such as jumping rope or jump jacks. My workouts also include abdominal work.

I am 5’3″ and I weigh 145 pounds as of today. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that no matter your age you can rebuild your body and change the course of bad health. I am now no longer pre-diabetic and my hypertension medicine dosage has been cut in half (hopefully, soon be discontinued). I will be 47 years old soon and I started changing at 45 years old. It’s never too late. I am a walking testimony of what can happen with diligence and when you believe in yourself.

I used the MyFitnessPal app as a guide in my weight loss. I would and have advised others to download the app. It has great information for anyone who wants to get started. I still use it as a guide in eating habits and macro information. Sometimes we can over do our calorie consumption and get discouraged when we don’t see the results we want. Keeping tabs on how much we are eating is important. Diet is 80% of success. Meat can account for a lot of calories in your diet. I eat a lot of vegetables, because when you eat vegetables the concern over calories is not as worrisome. Plus, I eat many of my vegetables raw. My desire is to one day become complete vegetarian.

Instagram: @cardioqueen942

Melina lost 45 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Melina lost 45 pounds. After years and years of being overweight, she just reached the point were enough was enough. She went full speed ahead into her lifestyle change, committing to eating right and exercing. Today, she is a personal trainer and health coach in Montréal, CA. Check out how she did it.

Melina weight loss story

I’ve always been overweight, but in 2013 I decided that enough was enough. After realising that I weighed 245 pounds, something clicked and I thought, “Never again”. I completely changed my way of eating and decided not to go on a diet, but to change my lifestyle instead.

I just decided to empty my fridge. I removed everything and made sure there were only vegetables and fruits in it. Next, I started meal prepping and taking my time to eat. I cut all processed and sugary products. Stopped buying manufactured foods and bought natural instead. It’s really the sugar that was a big problem for me, since I had a very big sweet tooth.

I started working out 5 days a week, doing a lot of cardio and strength training, and I lost 43 pounds as a result over the course of 4 months. My current weight is 200 pounds at 5’9″.

What inspired me to keep going? Knowing that this time was the right time, and that I had to do it for myself, not for others. Knowing that this victory would set up the mindset of a warrior in me, and prove that I can achieve anything in life, if I really want to.

In 2015 I decided that my love for fitness had to be shared with others, so I created my own fitness classes. I did my training certification and today I even give classes on Facebook Live. I really feel like I have to share my lifestyle with others and inspire them. Being able to do stuff that you could never do before, to wear clothes that would never fit before… that is a real victory. People need to understand that beyond the shed pounds and the nice appearance, what matters the most is how you feel on the inside.

It’s a mental journey more than a physical one. Today, I focus more on wellbeing and taking care of my health more than trying to lose some weight. I feel liberated and more motivated than ever to go through this beautiful journey that is life. I want to convey the idea that this has got to be a lifestyle, not just a quick fix.

I would tell anyone who wants to lose weight to not give up. I would tell them to think about the results and  to make a decision every day that you are worth it. I would also say that it’s all about mindset. You just have to do it. Asking yourself how bad do you want it, and not giving up whenever it gets tough is important. Just keep pushing even when you dont see results, because you won’t notice the changes (not at first anyways) but other people will.

Instagram: @melinanesta
Facebook page: Afro’fit

LaKeysha lost 152 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: LaKeysha lost 152 pounds. After struggling with her weight for years, she decided that it was time to make her health and wellness a priority. She was tired of paying more for clothes she didn’t like and not riding rides at amusement parks. She was tired of being tired. Check out how she took action and transformed.

Lakeysha brown

My name is LaKeysha and for years I struggled with my weight. June 2014, I weighed in at 387 pounds and at that moment I knew something had to be done. Just like many others, it was suggested that I get the Gastric Bypass or Sleeve Surgery to help me lose the weight, but I knew that those were not the options for me. I knew that I was fearfully and wonderfully made. I knew that I was not born fat, but became FAT because of my poor choices and eating habits.

In June 2014, I decided to take action with regard to my weight. I was simply tired of paying higher prices for clothes that I really didn’t like. I was tired of paying for theme park tickets and being too fat to get on the rides. I was tired of being tired. I was TIRED of being FAT!

So, I buckled down and began to track my eating by recording everything I put in my mouth. I began to use the gym membership that I had been paying for, for years, and I began to see results. When I wanted to give up, I remembered all of the years that I neglected myself and I reminded myself that I was a priority too. I decided that I would not only be superwoman for everybody else, but that I would be SUPERWOMAN for me and save myself.

I didn’t sign up for or join any weight loss programs. All I did was log my food daily, count calories and exercise. I removed sodas, junk food and fast foods from my diet. I learned portion control and I began to increase my daily water intake. I didn’t cut anything out, I simply cut back. I started walking every day, beginning with one mile a day and gradually increased. Now, I am up to 10 miles a day. I am also a regular at the gym where I lift weight and utilize their cardio machines. I currently workout 3 times a day, doing 60-90 min of cardio, weights and toning. I also take part in group exercise classes, such as Sumba, Kickboxing, and Spinning.

I am 5’6″ and now weigh 235 pounds with a total weight loss thus far of 152 pounds. I am now no longer simply living. I am ALIVE! If you are struggling with obesity and know you need to lose weight MAKE YOURSELF A PRIORTY. Put on your superwoman cape and RESCUE YOURSELF. I have learned that being a little selfish in life is required. Sometimes this means saying no to some things in order to take proper care of yourself.

Instagram: @blaqbutterflyme

www.blaqbutterfly.me

LaKeysha weight loss LaKeysha before and after

Shar’nee lost 110 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Shar’nee lost 110 pounds. After struggling with her weight for years, she fell in love, lost 50 pounds, got a dream job and had a great life. Three years, later things were falling apart, bringing weight gain, depression and high blood pressure. Last year, she began to take action by changing her eating habits, exercising regularly and changing her mindset. I love that she says, “Progress happens when you realize going backwards is no longer an option.”

before and after

I’d struggled with my weight for practically my whole life. In 2013, I met the man who I thought I would marry. I lost 50 pounds, got the job of my dreams and life was good. Just three years later, things had fallen a part. I was heartbroken and bitter. Also, I had gained back the 50 pounds I lost, plus 30 more because I was an emotional eater.

By the beginning of 2016, I was suffering from severe depression. I weighed about 310 pounds and I’m only 5’3″ tall. I literally ate out everyday and my doctor had to put me on high blood pressure medication. By mid March, I had a full nervous breakdown. The job that I once loved, I now despised and I was literally miserable. This is when I had an epiphany moment with God and I realized I had two options, just give up or change my life and be better. I decided to change.

I re-dedicated my life to God, I resigned from my job and went back to school. I also cut off some unhealthy relationships, Stopped eating out and became conscious of everything that I put in my body. I significantly lowered my salt and sugar in take and stopped eating red meat or pork. Now, I try to only eat foods that come out of the ground or off of a tree. I try and stay away from anything processed and I’ve cut gluten and diary out of my diet. They were both causing me severe sinus issues.

Next, I got back in the gym. I try to workout 2-3 times a week, doing 30 mins of cardio and 20 mins of circuit training with weights. I found that even when my workout game isn’t amazing , my body has changed the most by not putting bad stuff in it. I eat clean and that’s where the changes come from most. I also no longer have high blood pressure.

Today, one year later, I’ve lost 110 pounds and I’m not on a diet. I’m on a journey to a lifestyle change. If I can do it, so can you. There’s no quick fixes or short cuts. Weight loss or any major change is only achieved and sustained when your mind is made up and committed to change. When I want to give up, I remember what rock bottom looked like and how I never want to go back to that place. Progress happens when you realize going backwards is no longer an option.

Instagram: @iam_sharneeamaris

weight loss story

From the #Bahamas to the Snow……Happy #fbf if I woulda knew 5 years ago what I know now , boy oh boy! My weight affected a lot of how I dealt with other people and how other people dealt with me! For people who battle with being #overweight it comes with a great deal of #insecurities and feelings of being #inadequate. Weight is a battle that can only be won if it starts in your #mind. Making up your mind to be different, to be #consistent in the process of #change. It’s a fight and it’s not easy but the fight is not for a #beachbody or to #lookgoodnaked but the fight is to not let anything control your life that’s negative. So keep fighting , don’t give up, change belongs to you 😘😘😘I want to encourage you, no matter what stage of the journey you’re at , THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS IS BEING COMMITTED TO PUTTING IN WORK!! SHOW UP EVERYDAY TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE, AND REACH YOUR GOALS!!!!! #fitnessmotivation #blackwomenlosingweight #blackwomenworkout #weightlosstransformation #weightlossjourney #weightlossmotivation #weightlossgoals #blackwomen #womanofgod

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Melissa lost 95 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Melissa lost 95 pounds. This mom of 3 was faced with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and the risk of developing diabetes. At 309 pounds, she decided that it was time to take action to change her life and get off the weight loss rollercoaster. Check out her story.

melissa weight loss

Hello, my name is Melissa. I started my weight loss journey in 2014. I did a low carb diet, lost about 30 pounds. I gained the weight back, and then some, going into 2015. At the beginning of 2015, I was dealing with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I was on my way to becoming a diabetic as well. At this point, I had tried many diet plans and workout routines, but failed because I lacked inconsistency. I wanted to lose the weight but didn’t want to do the work, so I thought having surgery would be my easiest option.

I researched it and decided this was for me. As soon as I met with the surgeon he told me that I needed to lose weight before I could have surgery. I was so discouraged. I thought, “If I could lose weight I wouldn’t be here.” By this time, I was at my heaviest weighing 309 pounds at 5’4″. I was able to lose the 20 pounds required for surgery and on the day of surgery, I weighed in at 289. What I thought would be an easy road surely has not been that. I have never worked so hard to lose weight and and keep it off. We all have struggles and everyone’s path is different. I’m tackling mine one day at a time. Today I’m 15 pounds away from my goal weight of 199 pounds. I have never been happier.

What inspired you? What kept you going during the hard times?
My children. They were 20, 18 and 17 years old. Since they were growing up and living their own lives, I wanted to be able to enjoy mine and be more active.

Did you have a support system of friends, family, etc?
My family was VERY sceptical at first. They weren’t knowledgable about the surgery. It was, at the time, and still a big part of our lives, so we all went to meetings and talked with the surgeon. Eventually, everyone was on board.

How did you change your eating habits?
I got real focused and it became a family effort. We all started eating better. The main change I made was that I started meal prepping. I wrote down menus and stuck with them. I also grocery shopped with a list.

My doctor put me on the “No white trash diet” 1 month before surgery, which basically meant no white sugar, no white bread…. in other words a no carb diet. A week before surgery, I had to replace my biggest meals of the day with protein shakes, which were usually breakfast and dinner.

Now, I eat cleaner. My taste infood has changed. I eat more grilled or baked chicken, lots of salads and eggs. I’m all about the protein, because it keeps you feeling fuller and satisfied longer.

What did your workout routines look like?
I did not like to work out at all, but I knew that I loved to dance. So, I started doing Zumba and taking water aerobics. Working out like this was more fun then anything. Just recently, I’ve started weight lifting for toning. We will see how that goes, lol. I workout 3-4 times a week.

When did your transformation begin?
I had the surgery on Nov 3, 2015. I began a pre-surgery low carb plan one month before surgery.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
I would tell people to do whatever you feel is best for you and your situation. The key is consistency. People will say you cheated if you had any type of surgery. That’s not the case, by any means. This journey has not and is not an easy one. Whether you have surgery or not, keep going and keep pushing. It’s going to require work on your part, so get up and move.

Instagram: @melissablack3

melissa before and after melissa weight loss

Ashley lost 120 pounds

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Update 2019: Shout out to Ashley! 122 pounds gone. She has maintained her success and continues to help people achieve their goals.

Transformation of the Day: Ashley lost 120 pounds. She was going through a terrible break up when she decided to release the weight and change her mindset. This Alpha Kappa Alpha soror transformed her body with healthy eating and exercise. Help from a trainer and her accountablity partner also made a difference. Check out her story.

ashley before and after

I began my weight loss journey because I was going through a terrible breakup. I had low self esteem and I needed something to focus on other than being sad all day. My sadness was starting to affect my school work and I was in law school at the time I began, so failure was not an option.

Just to have some support, I went to my sister and told her that I wanted to begin working out. She said she would do it with me. For the first two months, I worked out every day sometimes twice a day and she pushed me when I wanted to give up. Then, I met my trainer, Zavis Padget (@zavis1 on Instagram) and he sat down with me to create a plan based on what I wanted to achieve. I told him that I wanted to lose 120 pounds total.

I began working out with him 3 times a week. He told me that to see results I would have to change my eating habits. I cut out fried foods, sodas, juice, sugar and all bad carbs. I eventually cut out liquor all together as well. I took in around 1500 calories a day, in terms of my eating habits.

I burned about 2000 calories a day. My trainer put me on a high intensity workout plan. We would doing things like box jumps, burpees, and CrossFit style exercises, as opposed to long distance running, so that I was gaining muscle while losing weight. He also encouraged me to get a heart monitor to track calories burned in every session. I worked out in the mornings on my own and in the evenings with him. I worked out 6 days a week and on 3 of those days I worked out twice a day.

When I first began my fitness journey, I was eating one solid meal a day which consisted of some type of chicken and vegetable with rice. For breakfast and lunch, I had a green smoothie with kale. In between, I would snack on fruit or greek yogurt. After loosing about 50 pounds, I switched to two solid meals and a green smoothie for breakfast. After 75 lbs lost, I switched to three meals a day and for breakfast I eat oatmeal turkey bacon and eggs. Two hours later, I’ll have a snack and two hours after that I eat lunch, which is usually ground turkey spinach and brown rice. Then, I have one more snack and dinner is usually chicken and vegetables. I like to eat before I go to the gym at night. Sometimes instead of a meal I have a protein shake if I’m not that hungry.

I started at 270 pounds and today I am a healthy 150 pounds! My height is 5′,6.5″. I workout once a day now and have cut out extensive cardio, as I am focusing on building muscle now! I still eat clean as well. My transformation took just 8 months! Today, it’s been one year since I began. I can happily say I had no surgery, took no pills, and used no wraps! All hard work !

My advice to others would be to stay off the scale! Find a trainer who is willing to stick through the process with you, and find an accountability partner to keep you on the straight and narrow!

Follow my journey on Instagram: @hazeleyed_k
www.hazeleyedkfitness.com

#transformationtuesday I still look back at where I started and I’m in shock at how far I’ve come ! The pic on the left was where I first started and on the right is me now! No I haven’t had an surgery tho at some point I will have to to remove the excess skin. This is all hard work for over a year now. Some days I feel like I’m not doing enough or I’m not where I want to be but I have to remember that the body I want takes time. It’s not about the end result it’s about the everyday journey . You will have slip ups…you will fall off for a few days , but it’s all about how you get back up and push forward. This journey is life changing and I honestly wouldn’t change a thing about it . My advice to you is to stay patient, throw out the scale, and eat clean every single day. Plan your meals and you will get the change you want ! . . . . . #transformationtuesday #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #train #trainandtransform #blackfitness #blackgirlsrock #blackgirlmagic #eatcleantraindirty #girlsrock #liftheavy #bodygoals #fitnessmotivation

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