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 type 2 diabetes

type 2 diabetes

Melz lost 65 pounds and is documenting her journey

by 1 Comment

Zeta Phi Beta Soror Melz lost 65 pounds and is documenting her journey on Facebook and Instagram (@fitgrlmelz).  I wanted to share her story as the Success Story of the Day, because I love it when people share their weight release journey in pictures with the world to give hope to others.

Melz weight loss

What was your motivation?

I had three family members go into the hospital within one month with side effects stemming from Type II diabetes. My mother and brother both had simple infections that were made way worse because of it. At that point, I said I don’t want this life so I began walking.

How did you change your eating habits?
At first, I used Herbalife and still ate what I wanted, just in moderation. About 8 months into my journey, I started researching foods that promote a flat stomach. I then started to do weekly meal prep of brown rice, vegetables, chicken/tilapia/salmon.

What did your workout routines look like?
I started with walking and Zumba, then started jogging. Later I began weight lifting.  I was adding a new element of exercise every 2-3 months.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
I started at 283 pounds and got down to 210 pounds. I’m currently 218 pounds.

How long did your transformation take?
I’ve been on my journey for a year and 5 months (still going).

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Start slow, don’t get discouraged, try healthy swaps until you’re ready for a full “food overhaul”, and don’t be afraid to lift weights!!

melz Melz zeta phi beta soror

Stephanie lost 80 pounds

by 2 Comments

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Stephanie lost 80 pounds. After a major health scare where the doctors told her husband to prepare to lose her, she knew that it was time for a change.  After some starting and stopping she committed to investing in herself and wants to inspire other ladies to do the same.  Here is more info on her weight loss journey:

stephanie weight loss story

Hello, my name is Stephanie and I’m 26 years old. I wanted to share with you not because I have completed my weight loss journey, because I’m still going. I want to help keep black women encouraged and to let them know that it’s never too late to get started. In 2010 and at 22 years old, I was diagnosed with pancreatitis and type 2 diabetes. I spent 4 months in the hospital. The doctors where telling my husband to prepare to start living without me. After that experience, I knew something had to change. So, I changed my eating habits, but then got bored and went back to my old habits. Even knowing my family history of high blood pressure and diabetes, I continued on this path of destruction. I blew up to 330 pounds.

In 2013, I started my new group #NoMoreExcuses because if I can spend money on other things, I can invest in my health. I knew I had to change over time through research and by trying new things I slowly transitioned to cleaner eating, eating more fresh veggies and fruits, eating very low carb and low fat. My eating habits before included fried, high fat foods and sweets. I love chocolate and pizza!!  I’m very strict on portion control now. I no longer crave greasy fatty fried foods anymore. Today, I eat cleaner, drink lots of water and I hit the gym 5 times a week with cardio 3 of the 5 days. IT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED LADIES!! I am currently 250 pounds and still going.

My advice to others is to keep going. It is never too late to start living a healthy lifestyle. Be consistent and know that you have to be patient with seeing results. You didn’t gain the weight overnight, so don’t expect to lose it overnight.

Instagram: @mzz_marie2u

 

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

Sky lost 36 pounds

by 2 Comments

Today’s featured weight loss story: Sky lost 36 pounds.  She was suffering from psoriasis and had just been diagnosed with diabetes when she began her journey. Here is what she shared with us:

Sky weight loss photos

“Okay, here is my story: After giving birth to my son three years ago, I could not get my weight below 250 pounds to save my life. I was diagnosed with psoriasis (a deficiency that causes scaly dry skin on my arms and legs). I think the psoriasis came from the Mirena IUD, but that’s another story. At any rate the doctor ran some test and found that I also suffer from Type 2 Diabetes. Most family on my Dad’s side has gone blind, lost limbs, and even died from Diabetes. After that visit I had to get serious about losing this weight.  From 2012 to 2013, I went from 250 to 214 pounds.

How am I doing it? Well, I have a regiment that I follow. I have replaced most of my meals with fresh fruits and vegetables. I drink a warm glass of water with fresh squeezed lemon EVERY MORNING. In the afternoon I eat light and take a couple of shots of Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother.  I try to stay away from sugary stuff..I make my own juice and eat fruit most of the time. I rotate my workouts between Dancing with the Stars Latina Version (great for the core and cardio) and the ab challenge.

I have to thank my girls in @Southern Girls Lose Weight Too for their support and motivation! Taniqua NeNe Howard, Tanesha Johnson, Rashaunda Jarmon, Kea Bradshaw…love you ladies!”

Is Belly Fat Different Than Other Body Fat?

by 2 Comments

belly fatMany people don’t realize that belly fat, also known as visceral fat, is actually different than the rest of your body. The belly fat has been linked to risk for a number of different types of things, from insulin issues, metabolism issues, heart disease, increased cancer risk, and increased type 2 diabetes risk. Even if you’re not overweight, the fat that is in your abdomen can cause a lot of issues.

The body has three different types of fat in it. Check them out:

  • Triglycerides circulate in your bloodstream. It makes up about 95 percent of the fat within your body.
  • Subcutaneous fat, which is the layer that lies directly below the skin’s surface, between the skin and the abdominal wall.
  • Visceral fat is the kind located deep within your belly.

It’s not so much what is in the visceral fat that causes the problem; it’s where the fat is located. It is actually found beneath your stomach muscles, which means that they’re the closest thing to your internal organs. Because of this placement, your internal organs start to use it for energy because it’s more efficient than getting energy from your skin fat. Your body acts much like you do; efficiency is key.  If you have an option between two places to get the same exact thing, you’re going to go to the place that is closer.

So, why is this dangerous? In old times, people assumed that fat was just stored energy, but it’s actually much more active than that. All fat cells continually secrete hormones and chemicals; these hormones and chemicals are healthy if you’re at a normal weight, they actually do good things, like regulate insulin, help to regulate appetite by allowing you to feel satisfied after eating, and even help burn stored fat. Essentially, this fat acts how fat is supposed to act. The fat does standard metabolic functions and is absolutely nothing that you have to worry about. That’s why it’s unhealthy to be without fat; you can actually starve yourself or, at the very least, get ill, if you have no fat on your body at all.

Where the problem comes in is when you are overweight or obese. If you are overweight or obese, your body has more fat cells, and those cells are much larger than they should be. These larger cells, as you would expect, work harder and secrete more hormones and chemicals than you need. Essentially, you’re getting “too much of a good thing,” which is when it becomes a very bad thing. The chemicals that come out of your fat cells start to impact your health over time. These chemicals play a huge role in diseases like diabetes, stroke, heart attack, and even certain cancers.

Alright, so why does belly fat get the short end of the stick? Don’t all fats do this? Absolutely not! Visceral fat cells actually produce more of those chemicals to start with, so if you’ve got a lot of fat in your stomach region, those chemicals are actually being produced at toxic levels. As I mentioned above, those toxins are getting into your internal organs because the visceral fat is where your internal organs are getting their “energy” from. So basically, by having the excess stomach fat, you’re actually poisoning yourself in a way in terms of what the fat is leaching into your body. That is incredibly scary.

This is why good health is important. Exercise and diet are incredibly important parts of keeping you healthy. If you’ve noticed that you have an excess of belly fat, make sure to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. The great thing is that belly fat responds well to time tested weight loss methods of eating and exercise. You doctor or health care professional can help you to get on a eating and fitness plan that can help you lose weight in that region so that you don’t continue to cause damage to your body.

Tonya lost 56 pounds

by 3 Comments

Check out Tonya’s weight loss story and show her some love.  She lost 56 pounds with regular exercise, clean eating and drinking green smoothies.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

“My name is Tonya and I’ve lost 56 pounds. My weight loss journey began in 2011, I was 230 pounds. I started walking a few days out the week, but I didn’t see any results until 2012. That was when I decided to change my eating habits. I started eating clean and thanks to the help of BWLW, I started making green smoothies which I consumed for breakfast and lunch. I drink 100 oz. of water per day.  I changed my eating habits by not eating fast food or drinking soda’s however, I still eat regular food.  I just eat in smaller portions now.

For exercise, I walk 3-5 miles, 4 times a week.  I started doing Zumba three times a week and taking a weight lifting class for toning. During this process, I was working out two times per day. I am now just down to walking. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was insulin dependent for 2 years. I’ve gradually made my way to the pills. I went and had my blood rechecked recently and I no longer have diabetes anymore. I have lost a total of 56 pounds.  My goal is to lose 40 more pounds. Thank you so much for letting me share!”

Tonya weight loss photos

 

Denise lost 65 pounds

by 7 Comments

Update Aug 2014: Denise sent in an update! She’s lost 15 more pounds for a total of 80 pounds. She says, “I’m trying to lose 100 lbs total. I’m watching what I eat, counting calories, cutting out soda, eating less breads and exercising. I feel so much better. Though I still have diabetes, I no longer have to take the medicine for it. I love the way my clothes fit now and they are less expensive.”

Denise Update 80 pounds

Denise lost 65 pounds in about 8 months.  She is working towards not having type 2 diabetes and her goal of losing 100 pounds total.  She shared some details of how she did it with us:

“Hi, I’m Denise. My motivation to lose weight honestly was a health reason. I’m a type 2 diabetic. I really got tired of being sick and barely being able to breathe. I also have a cousin that was battling with her weight as well.  She loss 100 pounds and is now a personal trainer.  We work out together.   Also inspiring was seeing all the motivating before & after pictures on your page.  I was 313 pounds.  Since then I’ve lost the weight and I’m down to 248 pounds and still counting.  I feel great.  I’m almost at my goal of 100 pounds lost.  I’m eating healthy and exercising.  I  stopped snacking late at night. No fried foods, no drinks, no sweets. I  count calories using My Fitness Pal which has helped a lot.  I’ve still got a way to go but I’m loving myself.  I can’t wait until my doctor says my diabetes are gone.”

Denise lost 65 pounds