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Brittany lost more than 80 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss journey: Brittany lost more than 80 pounds.  It all started with writing a letter to herself and making a promise that she’s now fulfilling.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

Hello! I’ve been a follower of this page for quite some time, and I’ve decided to share my success story. I started my journey in March of 2011. It was while I was on vacation with my family that I decided I’d make a change in my life, and better my health. I’ve never been considered “small”, but I noticed that I began to neglect my body and felt like I was letting myself go. While on our way back from a road trip to California, I decided to make a change in my lifestyle. I wrote a letter to myself, and in that letter, I made a promise to myself to live a healthier lifestyle. When I first started working out, my biggest fear was sweating my hair out, lol. I finally stopped making excuses and got my stuff together. I stopped drinking sodas and eating candy. I also cut out fried foods and I started eating salads, and getting away from the table when I was full. I loved to eat soul food and I was a frequent spender in every drive thru, as you could imagine! I started swimming, walking daily, and watching what I eat. At times when I got discouraged, I would sit down, read my letter and remember why I started this journey. Since I’ve started my weight loss journey, I’ve lost 80+ lbs.  When I began I was at my heaviest, which was 302 pounds.  My goal is to lose a full 100 lbs before the end of the year. None of this would be possible if it weren’t for the support of my family & friends, and the motivation to do and live better. The picture on the left is from Nov 2010, and the one on the right is from July 2013.

Brittany 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

Denise lost 65 pounds

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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

 

LaShawn lost 50 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: LaShawn lost 50 pounds.  She went from a size 18 to a size 8 by eating smaller portions and working out regularly.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is La Shawn and I just wanted to share my story in the hopes that it might inspire other sisters to begin their own weight loss journey. I also want to testify to how even small consistent efforts can yield significant results.  I just want encourage others to not be discouraged about where they may be now and that they can achieve results by starting out with small , consistent efforts over time.

In 2010 (the picture on the left), I weighed over 200 pounds and decided that I wanted to make a change. I started by using a smaller plate at home and sharing a plate with my fiancee when we went out to eat.  Also, more specifically regarding diet, I incorporated eating chicken and tuna and I cut out fast food. I also increased my water intake.

For exercise, I started out riding a stationery bike for 30 minutes a day three times a week. I later added Stairmaster, weights and kettlebell exercises. This routine enabled me to go from a size 18 in 2010 down a size 8 at this present time.

I started out at 218 in 2010 and lost 50 pounds from then to now. My motivation was as I said above that I just decided it was time to make a change and start taking care me and ALWAYS being there for everyone else and putting myself last.  Thank you so much for allowing me to share 🙂

LaShawn weight loss story

Karla lost 73 pounds

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Karla weight loss storyKarla lost 73 pounds in 9 months.  Let’s show her some love for sharing her story.  Here is what she shared with us:

I have lost 73 pounds in 9 months.  I did it all natural by cutting back on the foods I needed to & walking.  I still want to lose 30 pounds more.   I was 273 on the pic with the purple shirt. I’m 200 pounds now.  My goal weight is 170-180 pounds.

My motivation was my kids and wanting to be here for them.  I had to get healthy. I changed my eating habits by not eating after 6pm unless it was fruit.  Every morning at 5:45 am I walk 5 or 6 miles. I drink a Kellogg breakfast shake at 8am.  For lunch, I have subway or a small salad I made at home.  Then, I would eat a regular dinner (example: 1 chicken wing, mac & cheese and string beans).  I don’t have bread unless it was wheat.  No drinking soda, only water, natural fruit juices, or cranberry juice.  I also eat a lot of fruit.  If I go out to eat, I order off the kids menu and I always get water with my meal.  Also, some mornings I eat Kellogg cereal with slim milk.  For exercise, I walk 6 days a week for a total of 5 to 6 miles. My goal is to lose a total of 100 pounds in a year.  My year will be up on September 15th.

Karla weight loss success

6 Reasons Why Quick Weight Loss Isn’t Healthy

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Although doctors and scientist have reiterated time and again that healthy weight loss takes time, crash diets and fads promising rapid weight loss continue to ensnare those looking for a quick fix. From celebrity diet fads to fat-burning pills, people are looking for an effortless way to take off the pounds fast. Unfortunately, such methods rarely work, and some also pose several health risks. While you may be able to lose weight quickly, the price might just be too high to pay.

diet plansHealth Risks and Negative Side Effects of Rapid Weight Loss

Losing weight too quickly can cause the body to go into shock and ultimately cause serious health conditions. Not only do many extreme dieting methods cause severe fatigue, dehydration, malnutrition and weakness in the short term, it can also cause long term effects. Following are 6 reasons why you should avoid rapid weight loss:

  1. Losing weight quickly requires extreme efforts such as consuming starvation-level calories and following intense exercise regimens. Not only are such extreme efforts hazardous to the body, they are impossible to maintain long term.  You are not going to drink cabbage soup everyday for the rest of your life, right?  True weight loss takes a lifestyle commitment. It’s just simply impossible to follow a “eat only these 7 things” style diet for the rest of your life or to exercise non-stop indefinitely.  Your weight loss plan should be realistic.
  2. Once you give up on your extreme diet – and you will – you will put the pounds back on plus some.  This is what happens in the long term for most people.  This is called the yo-yo effect, and it’s often associated with rapid weight loss plans. You see, extreme diets cause your body to go into starvation mode – a mode where your body uses fewer calories, thus your metabolism slows down. Once you start eating again, it takes your body a while to start using those calories again. In the amount of time it takes your body to adjust your metabolism, you will regain the weight you lost plus additional pounds.
  3. Rapid weight loss places undue stress on the body, heart, and immune system. Low-calorie, low-nutrient diets can also result in mineral deficiencies, fluid imbalances, cardiac arrhythmia, muscle cramps, and bone-mass loss.
  4. Losing too much weight too quickly is just uncomfortable and not very pretty. Side effects associated with extreme, rapid weight loss include headaches, irritability, fatigue, dizziness, constipation, hair loss, muscle loss, loose skin and menstrual irregularities.
  5. Several medical conditions are caused by rapid weight loss including gallstones. In fact, gallstones occur in as many as 25-percent of people who take weight off too quickly. Dehydration and malnutrition are also not uncommon as are fainting spells. In rare cases, severe electrolyte imbalances can put your life in danger.
  6. Following a fad diet slows your metabolism, pushing your body into starvation mode. Not only does starvation mode result in rapid weight gain after you give up dieting as mentioned above, it also causes your body to break down muscle to use as energy. This means that much of the weight lost during a fad diet is likely a combination of muscle and fat.

For the best results, a balanced, moderate diet and exercise is recommended. If you reduce your food intake by about 250-500 calories per day and increase your activity level, you will achieve a sustainable weight loss of 1 to 2 lbs. per week.  Not only is this amount of weight loss healthy, it’s easy to maintain for the long term.  Of course, this is the case for most people.  I’m not taking into account health issues and those who have more than 100 pounds to lose.  In that case, a healthy diet may be more limited or less limited depending on your health needs.  You really should speak with a doctor and a nutritionist to really understand what works for you as an individual.  Education is key and there are a lot of great resources online that can show you want a healthy balanced diet really is.  Do your research and don’t fall for the weight loss fads and schemes.

5 Benefits of Adult Weight Loss Camps

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Adult weight loss camps and weight loss resorts are designed to give overweight adults all the tools they need to transform their life and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Typically, adults sign up for a certain number of days or weeks, pack their bags, and call the resort home for the duration of their treatment.  You may be familiar with the Biggest Loser resorts, like the one in Utah, or Pritikin Longevity Center in Florida.  Camps normally employ nutrition experts, personal trainers, counselors, and nurses in an effort to create a well-balanced program that puts campers on the path to sustained weight loss and weight management.

resortzumba5 Benefits of Weight Loss Resorts

Although not everyone is successful at a weight loss camp, these camps have helped countless individuals realize their weight loss goals. Since many require a controlled environment in order to establish healthy habits and make a positive lifestyle change, weight loss camps have proved to be invaluable.

  1. Helps you establish realistic goals. Many people set unrealistic expectations of themselves, causing them to give up too early when they don’t get the results they expect. Experts at a weight loss camp will help you set realistic goals according to your body type, lifestyle, and eating habits.
  2. Promotes healthy weight loss. With so many fad diets out there and contradictory information, it can be difficult to figure out the healthiest way to lose weight. When you attend a weight loss camp, you have a host of experts including physical trainers and nutritionists at your disposal. They will help you dispel the hype and establish a healthy weight loss regimen.
  3. Gives you a head start on a healthy lifestyle. It can be difficult to make a lifestyle change through sheer willpower. Residing at a resort for a few weeks allows you to adopt a new lifestyle in a controlled atmosphere. You won’t have to worry about backsliding, the counselors won’t let you.
  4. Addresses emotional triggers. Many times, overeating and binging are caused by underlying emotional triggers. If not addressed, these triggers will continue to wreak havoc on your weight loss attempts. Not only do camp counselors help you with your eating issues, they help you overcome emotional issues as well. When you uncover emotional triggers and learn how to counteract them, you will be much more successful with your weight loss endeavors.
  5. Educates you about nutrition. Nutrition experts will not only educate you about nutrition, they will help you establish a realistic meal plan and give you the information you need to continue making wise food choices in the future.

Adult weight loss camps pose many benefits for those who wish to jump start their weight loss efforts. However, they can be expensive, which is why many people decide to forgo the experience. Although weight loss camps are not cheap, the information you get from attending camp can prove to be invaluable. In addition to helping you establish a healthy lifestyle, a weight loss camp will provide you with the necessary tools you need to continue to make wise, healthy decisions regarding your weight, diet, and activity level.

Here is a list of weight loss resorts from the Travel Channel.

Wendy lost 53 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Wendy lost 53 pounds with the loss of her mom as her inspiration to get fit.  Here is what she shared with us:

In 2009 I was 218lbs wearing a size 18. What started this journey was I kept getting depressed every time I went to buy clothes and had to grab three sizes and none of them fit. So my best friend and I decided that this was the breaking point. We changed our eating habits and hit the gym hard. This was not easy by a long shot. We started packing our food to take to work and kept motivating each other so we could remain focused. I started a blog called Inspiring My Sisters to help motivate my friends and together we were making things happen and seeing results. Within the first 9 months, I was wearing a size 8/10

I was like damn all this hard work has paid off! Well, I got to cozy and slacked off some and my clothes started to feel snug again. This was the hard part at keeping the weight off. My mother loved when I was on my grind and she died this past July from lung cancer.  I promised myself that I would keep my weight off because that is what she loved. So 3 weeks after she died I got back in the gym and started grinding!! She became my motivation. I lost 14lbs in 3 weeks and never looked back!!!

I feel so good now. This is not a diet it’s a lifestyle. I pack snack bags to keep with me when I feel the urge to get off track. I still pack my food to work. It’s hard but I know my mother is proud of me so that is what keeps me focused.

When I’m at the gym I do a little of everything from cardio legs arms weights and abs. I go running around the lake. I roller skate and swim when I’m not in the gym.  When I found your page I knew I had to share my story!!!  After hard work and dedication I’m down to a size 8, 165 pounds and loving life.

Wendy weight loss story

Jamilah lost 61 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss story: Jamilah lost 61 pounds by eating clean, drinking green smoothies and working out regularly.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is Jamilah and my motivation to lose weight was inspired by my children and myself. I woke up one day (March 17, 2010), and realized I was not the person staring back at me in the mirror.  I was 210 pounds, wearing a size 16, and just over 5 feet tall.  I didn’t like my reflection, and rather than wait until health issues began to surface, I prayed for God to give me a spirit of determination and discipline. In 2009, I did a lot of talking about what I was going to do, but it wasn’t until 2010, that I actually start putting those ideas into actions. I completely cut out pork, beef, bread, soda, and fried foods, and transitioned to boneless skinless chicken, turkey, lamb, and seafood. Fresh /organic veggies and fruits, and a whole lot of water were also added to my diet. I began making smoothies (1-2x a day) to substitute for meals. Kale, almond milk, 1/2 banana, and blueberries..start my mornings off most days :). L.A Fitness became my second home as I was in the gym 5-6x a week, mostly doing cardio (i.e., treadmill, stairmaster, and precor). I spent, at minimum, an hour each day when I worked out. Last July, of 2012, I invested in a personal trainer, which elevated me to another level, in terms of working out. I kept the personal trainer for 6 months, and as of January, 2013, I have been continuing to eat healthy, and stay active at least 3-4 times a week. Today I weigh 149 pounds,(which fluctuates between 148-151) and I am happier than I ever thought possible. It may have taken me longer to get here (as I didn’t take any shortcuts), but I enjoyed the journey, and thank God for keeping me encouraged, inspired, and motivated every step of the way. Stay encouraged. 🙂

Jamilah weight loss story

Twin sisters Sheri and Terri lost the weight together

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I love it when family members lose the weight together.  Twin sisters Sheri and Terri decided that enough was enough and changed their eating habits to lose weight.  Sheri lost 56 pounds.  Terri lost 28 pounds. Here is what they shared with us:

Hello, our names are Sheri and Terri and we are twin sisters. We had been sruggling with our weight for years. We were severely depressed and hopeless. One day, we decided to relase what had us bound (depression) and said enough is enough. I (Terri) went from 8 meds a day to just 2.  My sister Sheri, who was once known as the bigger twin, is now the smaller twin…only by 10 pounds LoL.  Our goal is to hit our 100 pounds lost mark by October 2013. Sheri went from 275 pounds to 219 pounds and Terri went from 257 pounds to 229 pounds. We didn’t do any diets or surgeries.  We just ate healthy foods only; green and orange veggies, good for you fruit, plenty of water only, as well as no junk food or fast food. God is Good.

Terri Sheri Twins Weight Loss Story