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Tierra lost 60 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Over the course of a year, Tierra lost 60 pounds by exercising on a regular basis and changing her eating habits.  Here is what she shared with us:

So over the course of a year, I have managed to go from 225 pounds to 165 pounds.  I was able to cut out fast food and exercise regularly.  Now I’m doing a 90 day healthy diet, drinking only water and going to the gym 5 day a week to see more results by August.

What was your motivation?:

I wanted to love myself more.  I didnt feel like I was attractive.  I have a new found confidence and I love me some me.  I am still working on it, but I love my progress. The biggest change in my eating habits was simply driving pass fast food. I cut out fried food, beef, pork, bread and all sodas or punches.  I workout for 30 minutes on the treadmill, speed walk, do 6 mins fast runs, 30 minute machine rotation and 100 jumping jacks.  I also put on a CD and dance to 10 songs.  Thats my workout routine.  Keep me in your prayers!

Tierra weight loss before and after

Kriss lost 93 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story:  Kriss lost 93 pounds.  She lost the weight in 10 months by working out, changing her eating and tracking her progress.  Here is what she shared with us:

Photo: Left – July 2012, Center – December 2012 (-59 lbs) and Right – today May 13, 2013 (-93 lbs)

After battling obesity for most of my life, last summer I decided to make a change. A lifestyle change. I had not faced complicating health factors but I wanted to make a change, feel better, live longer, and make a way for my future family. By working out, changing my eating habits, and tracking my progress, I’ve knocked off 93lbs in almost 10months. Though I am not done yet, I wanted to share my journey!

Honestly, when I tell people how I did it, it seems cliche’.  LOL. It was always something I wanted to change.  There were always reasons why I couldn’t, like not being able to afford gym membership, healthy foods etc. One day I found out that I had hit 300 pounds.  I have always been a big girl but seeing that number, 300, hurt my heart. I realized I had gained 30+ pounds because I ate out more than usual. I was often idle, low key depressed and drinking alot. At that point I decided to do something different.  In July 2012, I just started walking around the UMSL campus some nights a week.  At that time I didn’t really change my diet or anything.  Then i started to use the FREE gym at my job (that has been there since before i was working there of course) that I always made an excuse about not going to.  July 29, 2012, I attended my aunt’s funeral in Arkansas. She had battled sooooo many health issues and it kind of hit me hard. The same weekend I moved into my apartment and from that moment forward i never looked back.

Kriss before and after weight loss

 

I went to the grocery store and only purchased healthy food, vegetables, chicken, brown rice, whole wheat bread, low-fat and sugar free food, etc. I did not buy any oil or flour so I couldn’t fry food.  I didn’t buy heavy snacks and chips but transitioned to fruits and applesauce and 100 calorie kettlecorn. I began working out 6 days a week…60-70 min a day. I started slow doing all cardio…treadmil and elliptical….as I got comfortable I increased my incline on the treadmil and i increased my resistance on the elliptical to begin to challenge myself.  I even increased my gym time to between 70-90min a day. My motivation came from my family just saying they were proud of me for making the steps I made.  The guy I am dating encouraged me and acted as my personal trainer in a completely different city. Many times I looked in the mirror and I saw the same person. He always told me that you may not see the change yet but the scale knows best.  He was right because even though I felt like I looked the same every week when I weighed in the number got smaller. He was truly my back bone because times when I weighed in and I didnt lose anything after working hard in the gym i would get discouraged but I was reminded that “its not in vain you see how far you’ve come, next week youre going to come back firing.” And i did. Sometimes when I was tired i took breaks.  At times I ate sweets and fried foods too but it was not the norm.  I didn’t resort to rabbit food. I enjoyed everything I ate, looked up recipes tried new things and I made a transformation. Once I truly made it up in my mind, I began to become accustomed to this lifestyle.  I made it a routine and now it’s hard to break or veer from it. Now, I work out 5 days a week, 65-75min a day. I monitor my calorie intake with myfitnesspal and right now.  I consume 1250-1350 calories a day and I burn 1230-1300 calories a day and I drink alot of water, atleast 128 fl oz a day. This is my new life, my new lifestyle. I was told I have been a motivation to many hopefully my story can be featured one day. And if the picture above doesn’t show my face well enough…here is another!  Thank you all for providing these success stories!

Jaymee lost 50 pounds

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Update 2017: We shared Jaymee‘s story back in 2013 and she’s giving us an update on how she’s lost a total of 150 pounds. She decided to have gastric bypass in 2015. “It has not been easy adjusting to this new me and this new way of life. My road has been hard, challenging, and at first regretful. Overall, It’s been worth it.”

jaymee weight loss

Highest weight: 270 pounds
Starting weight: 235 pounds
Current weight: 120 pounds

I’ve battled my weight my entire life. Overall, I’ve lost 150 pounds. In August 2015, I made one of the hardest, yet greatest, decisions of my life. I had Gastric Bypass (RNY) weight loss surgery and it has SAVED MY LIFE.  It has not been easy adjusting to this new me and this new way of life. My road has been hard, challenging, and at first regretful. Overall, It’s been worth it.

No one can live your life for you. You must live it for yourself. I’m happy now. I smile more and I’m forever grateful. Remember, if you fail there is no such thing as a perfect process. Trust your process and continue through it. You will get there. If I don’t inspire anyone, that’s OK because I inspire myself every single day.  That is good enough for me. Out of everything else in life, I CHOOSE HAPPINESS!

To my weight loss Fam, you guys are awesome. Thank you for your inspirational words and motivational support. It got me through my roughest and toughest times. I truly love you guys. Remember, if nobody else believes in you, I believe in you! Most importantly you have to believe in yourself.  – Instagram: @bypassbutterfly

jaymee before and after
“When u forget to give a damn about anyone’s opinions of u #flawsandall #istillloveme #stretchmarks #cellulite #saggyskin #effyourbeautystandards #lovingmybody”

2013: Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Jaymee who has lost 50 pounds by juicing, regular exercise and cutting out sugars and processed foods.  Here is what she shared with us:

Jaymee before and after weight loss“My story: I had my fifth child June 2011.  I lost baby weight and weighed 220 pounds. After that, I went through postpartum depression and gained a whopping 50 pounds. As you can see, I am/was an emotional eater. Then in May 2012, I lost my father and gained a couple more pounds.  Weighing 273, I was emotionally drained, embarrassed about my body, and I hated what I saw in the mirror. I did yo-yo dieting for years trying anything u can think of. In August 2012, I had to get a tumor removed. I was diagnosed with high cholesterol, diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and Hidradenitis suppurativa. I take meds for all these ailments. I decided then that I had to get my life together because death was knocking at my door. I’d done a lot of research and was determined to get my life back. I started juicing and cut out sugars and processed foods!! I workout at the YMCA 5 days a week!!  To date, I have lost 50 pounds on my own.  No pills, no laxatives, etc.  This has been a very hard journey. I’ve had some slips ups but I kept moving. I know that I have a long way to go, but I am determined.”

Jaymee weight loss before and after

Angie lost more than 65 pounds

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Update Mar 2014: “Update since this post I have had ACL surgery and I am currently using my workouts for therapy. I am in the same weight range but instead of a size 14, I am a size 12 (wearing some 10’s as well). No Excuses, just Results. Weight training helped sculpting and dropping inches. Now I journal my weight loss on @bodysuccesswithangie on Instagram.”

3/23/2014 – Today’s featured weight loss success story: Angie lost over 65 pounds.  This mother of 5 tried a number of programs before finding that a modified version of the South Beach Diet and regular exercise works for her.  She is also a member of Black Girls Run.

I am a wife and a mother of 5.  I have an 18 year old, triplets who are 13 years old and a 7 year old.  I was taking medicine for heart issues due to being overweight. To lose weight, I first started with Medifast and did well. I developed an allergic reaction to the soy in the meals so I had to stop. I gained a few pounds back because I wasn’t sure what to do then. I tried and was successful with Weight Watchers but didn’t want to live counting points forever. I realized that I also had to be mindful of my health because last few blood work tests were in the diabetic range.

After researching I started doing a loose version of the South Beach Diet. I cut out carbs all the way at first. Now I eat them in moderation. My blood work is great now and I have not been on medication for over 2 years. I have not reached my weight loss goal but I am close. I’ve gone from a size 20 to a size 14.  I workout daily, usually 7 days a week. I am also a member of Black Girls Run. I have participated in at least 10 5k races.  I participate in S.O.S. Bootcamp (Sculpting our sexy) and  have also done Zumba classes. I try different things to keep it exciting. I participate in all kind of challenges to keep me motivated. Current challenge: Mr. Shut up and Train.

She was featured in the Huffington Post Healthy Living section in the Fall of 2012.

Angie Weight Loss Before After

Tiffany lost 30 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story:  Tiffany lost 30 pounds by following the Weight Watchers plan and working out at home with workout DVDs.

I was 30 pounds heavier a year ago and I’m still motivated to continue on my weight loss journey.  “The race is not given to the quick or the strong, but to the one who endures to the end.”

This time last year, I was planning a wedding so I did a quick fix diet which consisted of mostly shakes.  I lost almost 20lbs by my wedding on 6-30-2012. However, within 2 weeks of getting married, I gained back 10lbs!  So, in August of last year, I joined Weight Watchers and so far I’ve lost 23 pounds. I have about 50 more pounds to lose to achieve my goal. I also exercise at home at least 3 days a week doing the “Insanity” work out or “P90X”. I have a picture on my vision board of the body type I would like to have with my face on it.  Lol!   My kids laugh at it, but I know if I can see it, I can achieve it! Thank you Lord!

Tiffany before after weight loss

Nataisha lost over 200 pounds

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Nataisha lost over 200 pounds.  She opted for gastric bypass weight loss surgery but the weight did not come off quickly. It has taken 7 years for her to release half of her weight.  She says, “I don’t regret the strategy I took because I learned how to eat right and found what exercises work for me. My motivation was to live and not die.”  She is now an avid runner and motivational health coach.  Read more about her journey:

Nataisha weight loss before after

“I am a black women who has lost over 200 lbs. I am a certified personal trainer and I help other women reach their healthy goals. It has taken me 7 years to lose the weight and I don’t take my journey for granted. I’m just a willing vessel who knows the struggles of being morbidly obese. Hope my story encourages someone else not to give up. I started my journey in 2005. The second picture is from 2009, I had already lost 128 lbs. my start weight 408 and to date I’m 200 pounds or less. I no longer get on the scale.

I was overweight my entire childhood and most of my adulthood years. It wasn’t until I decided to do something about my current situation for change to occur. In 2005, I decided to have the gastric bypass weight loss surgery thinking it would get me to my desired result. Well, God had another plan for me. It has taken my seven years to get to half my weight. The quick fixes don’t work and they are not meant for everybody. I don’t regret the strategy I took because I learned how to eat right and found what exercises work for me. My motivation was to live and not die. The road I was traveling was destruction and I was heading straight to death. I didn’t have any ailments but if I didn’t get my weight under control I would not live to see my boys become men. I learned how to eat clean by eating plant based foods and found that running and strength training worked for me. I have ran 2 marathons, 3 half marathons, 5Ks and 10Ks. I instruct boot camp classes outside because I believe in all body workouts. Although it took me 7 years to lose the weight, God broke up the rocky foundation and began to build a solid foundation on love, confidence, motivation, support, and encouragement. Toward the end of my journey I became a certified personal trainer aka motivational health coach for others. My program is Size Healthy and this program helps improve the quality of life by developing the mind through physical fitness, education and healthy lifestyle changes. When I was trying to lay aside the weight, no one told me it was a mental journey. They just said eat this and don’t eat that and exercise; that’s it. I not only provide the physical aspect of losing weight but the mental aspects as well in my program. I teach lifestyle changes and not diets. My highest weight was 408lbs and I am currently 200lbs. Success is not built on a feel good moment! It is attainable through our actions. Thank you for listening.”
~Nataisha Ramirez
Founder of Size Healthy LLC
Motivational Health Coach
Instagram: sizehealthy

Crystal lost 90 pounds

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Today’s featured before and after weight loss story: Crystal lost 90 pounds with regular exercise, changing her diet and seeking out expert help.

I’ve lost a total of 90 pounds. I did it by totally changing in my lifestyle. With the help of a nutritionist, Zumba classes and a personal trainer (as well as really supportive co-workers who workout with me), I can say ” I’m healthy”!

I married, adopted two children, had one more child and graduated from college in a span of six years. One day, I looked in the mirror and didn’t know who was looking back at me . Motivated by the threat of diabetes and high cholesterol, I knew I had to change. It started with diet modification. I made sure none of my foods have more than 10 grams of sugar and I limit my carbohydrate intake to 40 grams or less. I don’t drink any sodas. I drink water or vitamin water zero. I eat three balanced meals a day and I try to always have breakfast. When I first started the weight loss journey I was 247 pounds. I now weigh 157 pounds. I started my workout regimen with Zumba classes. If you are a dance lover, Zumba is great cardio and it builds your endurance while having fun. After my body became acclimated to Zumba, I changed to freestyle gym workouts using various gym machines. I have a personal trainer that I work out with one day a week. My co-workers helped me as well, because I had real insecurities about walking into a gym. I found that having my gym buddies helped me overcome my fears and grew my love of exercise.  I’m happy with the weight lost and pray I can maintain it!

Crystal before and after

Crystal lost 140 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Update Dec 2013 – “Hello, I was featured several months back. My name is Crystal Coffen and I had gastric sleeve weight loss surgery in October 2012.  I wanted to give you an update and let you know that I’ve lost a total of 140 lbs (38 more pounds gone). I eat a lot of protein and vegetables. I also exercise some but not enough! My motivation is my kids and a special guy in my life that keeps me encouraged” Check out her updated photo!

Crystal weight loss story

Original Post

Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight Love to Crystal.  She went from 410 lbs to 308 lbs with gastric sleeve weight reduction surgery, changing her eating and exercise.

My name is Crystal and I had Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy weight loss surgery on October 5, 2012.  My starting weight was 410 pounds. I’m now down to 308!  I exercise at least 3 times a week, while eating healthy with lots of water, protein and low carbohydrate intake!  I still have a ways to go and I’m confident that I will get there! I enjoy shopping now more than ever before!!!

My motivation was wanting to be around for my 2 kids, ages 2 and 8!  I wanted to be able to get on the slide at the park instead of sitting on the bench and watching. I changed my eating habits. I don’t eat junk food daily, and I no longer drink sodas! I’ve learned portion control instead of just depriving myself of foods that I do like , like fried chicken.  I use to eat 4 pieces in one setting now I only eat half of one piece and I’m satisfied!  Right now my workout is mostly cardio. I walk on treadmill for 45 minutes at least 3 times a week! I also use my shake weights while walking! Thanks

Crystal before and after weight loss