Black Weight Loss Success

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Keita lost 100 pounds and is still going

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Featured story of the day: Keita lost 100 pounds and is still on a mission to lose more.  She changed her eating habits, counted calories, and exercised regularly.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi! I want to share my story. In August 2012 I ruptured a disk in my back and needed surgery. I was told that weigh loss would help me possibly avoid surgery. I’ve lost 100 pounds since November 2012 with a lot of prayer, healthy choices and daily exercise. I cut my calories down to 1200 a day and I go to the gym 5 days a week. I spend 35 mins on the elliptical and 25 mins on different weight machines. God told me it was time and that if I did what I could, he would do the rest. 10 months later, here I am. My starting weight was around 374 pounds.  My current weight is 270 pounds.

I stopped eating fast food, used Pam cooking spray instead of butter and switched to diet sodas.  I also made sure that I ate 5 serving of veggies and at least 2 servings of lean protein per day and cut out majority of the bread.  If I do eat bread, it’s the Sara Lee 45 cal a slice honey wheat.  My biggest thing was counting calories. I used Myfitnesspal to track all my food and exercise.

Keita weight loss story

 

Brittany lost 88 pounds

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Featured weight loss story of the day: Brittany lost 88 pounds.  After a bad breakup and with her cousin as her Zumba partner/inspiration, she learned to eat clean and workout regularly.  Here is her weight release story:

“My name is Brittany and I began my lifestyle transformation back in 2011. I had recently went through a bad breakup and felt so unhappy with myself. I weighed about 290 pounds at the time wearing a size 18/20.  I began going to Zumba classes with my cousin who is also my inspiration for losing weight. Slowly, I began cutting back on sodas, junk food and any other high calorie treats you can think of. It took me about 6 months and I lost 80 pounds, however I wasn’t steady with my eating habits or working out routine, so I gained 50 pounds back by 2012. From 2012 till now, I have lost the rest of the weight I gained. Currently I weigh 202 pounds and wear a 12/14.

I’ve become very conscience about what I put into my body and I try to work out 4-6 days a week. I joined a gym about 3 months ago and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Now, I won’t leave the gym without burning at least 1000 calories. Yes 1000 calories lol. Losing weight and being comfortable in the skin you’re in, is in my opinion the hardest task. If you’re are trying to lose weight, I encourage you to do what works for you. Cleaning eating and working out are the key components to losing weight and being healthy. I would like to lose about 30 more pounds. I will suggest that if you go to the gym, you try the “arc trainer”.  It is one of my favorite machines to use. I will continue eating right and working out for the rest of my life because it’s not just about losing weight but being healthy as well.”

Brittany weight loss story

Joellé lost 79 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Joellé lost 79 pounds in about 8 months by leaving fast food alone, working out for 2 hours per session, and changing her way of thinking about things like food.  She was motivated by the loss of a dear friend.  Here is her story:

“Hello, My name is Joellé and I’ve recently lost 79 pounds since Febuary. After the loss of my close friend/roommate back in 2011, I was devasted & dug deep into a terrible state of depression. Food became my comfort, and nothing could stop me. I used make-up, clothing, shoes…. The works… Just to cover up how terrible I felt about myself. I would eat McDonalds almost everyday.  I would also Eat am ENTIRE pie of Little Caesars pizza by myself, and wouldn’t even feel guilty. It wasn’t until I weighed myself after seeing a unflattering picture of myself that I realized how big I’d actually got. Weighing in at 270 pounds my energy was at a zero. I could barely walk down the street without being out of breath and worst of all I was thoroughly unsatisfied with myself. Fed up with the way my life was heading, I took a vow to make a change in 2013. I changed my eating habits, exercised regularly & changed my way of thinking. I eliminated all processed food.  I only stick to chicken and fish.  I increased my water intake. I haven’t had fast food in 8 months and I’m so thankful I made that decision to change. My workout routine varies… however it’s usually 1hour cardio, 1hour weight training. If i’m unable to get to the gym, I use free workout videos on Youtube as a full body workout. My motivation comes from many things.  My biggest motivation however is my late friend Kayla. I do it all in her memory, knowing she would be so proud of me & my accomplishments. My motto is “Work hard, Stay humble… God will do the rest” I’m so grateful and thankful… He’s truly working on me!”

See more of her transformation photos on Instagram: JoJoeyJoe

Joelle weight loss photos

Gwandos lost 77 pounds

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Featured weight loss success story: Gwandos lost 77 pounds. She wrote to us to give inspiration to the over 50 ladies (She turns 60 in Oct).  She lost weight by changing her eating, doing Weight Watchers and joining Black Girls Run.  Here is what she shared with us:

I have seen many motivating stories on your Facebook site of Black women being successful at losing weight, but none featuring us “older” ladies. I am 59 years old and I’ll be turning 60 on October 27th.  I have lost 77.6 pounds since January 2011.

My motivation to lose weight came when my son informed me that he had proposed to his fiancé and they were planning a June wedding. Yikes! I knew I didn’t want to waddle down the aisle as the mother of the groom, but I only had 6 months to get it together as they were planning a June 2011 wedding! My focus shifted and I began to be serious about my weight loss efforts.

I re-joined Weight Watchers for the “umpteenth” time on January 18, 2011 weighing 267 pounds, as I had convinced myself that I was ready this time. After yo- yoing on the program, doing My version of it, and losing 25 pounds, I had become stagnant and satisfied with where I was in my weight loss and began to regain some of the weight I had lost. As a member of Weight Watchers I learned to eliminate sugary soft drinks and processed foods and learned to eat healthy by eating fresh fruits, vegetables and lean protein. I joined a boot camp class at my neighborhood gym where I was introduced to strength training. The weight started coming off consistently. I became hooked on working out! A few months ago a friend introduced me to my local BGR chapter (Black Girls Run!) where I met an incredible group of women sharing similar goals, and I began walking. I am now run/walking and have completed more than ten (10) 5Ks. My goal is to complete a half marathon soon. Fitness has become an important part of who I am and what I do. Having learned the essentials of changing my eating habits and incorporating fitness into my life daily, I have lost 77.6 pounds and am close to my desired goal weight of 180 pounds.

As I approach my 60th birthday this October, this grandmother has no plans to slow down! There’s no stopping me!

gwandos weight loss

Viviane lost 140 pounds

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Weight loss story of the Day: Viviane lost 140 pounds.  She was motivated by being told by her doctor that she was morbidly obese at 337 pounds.  I’m so glad that she shared that as her motivation because so many women feel that feeling of dread and dismay when they are told by a medical professional that they are obese or overweight.  It’s why I posted a recent article on Body Mass Index and how doctors use it to determine if you are at a “healthy” weight.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

Hi, my name is Viviane. I love your site. I started my journey on May 24th, 2012 when I joined Youfit gym. My motivation?  I hated what I saw in the mirror. I felt like the person I was looking at was not me.  Also, My doctor told me I was morbidly obese and I was mortified.  So, I started working out 1 hour a day for six days a week. Next, I started challenging myself to do two hours a day of exercise.  Soon, I worked my way up to working out for three hours a day, 6 days a week. I strive to burn 2,000 calories a day. Eating wise, I had to change my eating habits and I started watching my calorie intake more closely. I ate a lot of fruits and vegetables. I gave up rice and I only eat baked or boil meat. I was always a fan of drinking water so that hasn’t been an issue. My starting weight was 337.5 pounds, and my current weight is 197.8 pounds. I want to keep going with my weight loss journey.  I am adding weight training to continue getting fit.  I keep a picture to remind me of the past (the one on the left) so when I get lazy it motivates me to keep going.

Viviane weight loss journey

Tanya lost 247 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Tanya lost 247 pounds going 465 to 218 pounds with gastric bypass weight reduction surgery.  She was suffering from a number of weight/eating related chronic health issues before surgery.  She shared her photos and told us a little about her journey as well:

“Hi, my name is Tanya L. I have had a successful weight loss journey with the help of Gastric Bypass weight loss surgery.  I had the surgery on February 7, 2012. It was the day that my whole life changed. I was 465 pounds in 2011, and I couldn’t loose anymore weight on my own. At the time of my surgery, I was 368 pounds and I was dealing with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, blindness and a host of other physical ailments as well. Today, I weight 218 lbs and I don’t take any medication, only vitamins. I feel and look great! Exercise is a daily part of my life and so is eating healthy. I love your weight loss stories and the people on your site are awesome! Thank you for sharing my story.”

Tanya gastric bypass surgery

Ariel lost 135 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Weight Loss Story: Ariel lost 135 pounds with gastric sleeve weight reduction surgery and went from a size 28 to a size 18.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi, I’m Ariel.  I went from 355 pounds and a size 28 to 220 pounds and a size 18.  My weight loss took two years and four months after I decided to have gastric sleeve weight loss surgery. The motivation that helped me make a change was the health problems I was having, such as high blood pressure and heart problems.  I was also on the verge of being a diabetic. I changed my eating habits by cutting out sodas, sweets, fried food, and by having smaller portions. I also started eating more healthier foods and baking or boiling any meat I eat.  Exercise wise, I also started to workout, walk 4 miles every other day and complete squat workout challenges.

Ariel weight loss story

Kelli lost 109 pounds

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

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

Kelli weight loss success

We helped BWLW Member Myya Mixon get into People Magazine!

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We are so so so excited here at Black Women Losing Weight.  One of our dreams has come true.  We were able to help one of our featured weight loss stories get major, national attention. A few months back we featured Myya Mixon’s 100 pound weight loss journey.  We were later contacted by someone from People Magazine about getting in touch with her.  They were looking for 100+ pound success stories and wanted to contact about 3 ladies we’d featured.  I was over the moon thinking that one of our BWLW members could get to be a part of one of People’s weight loss issues.  You can image how excited I was yesterday to get this message and photo from Myya…

“I just wanted to say thank you for your feature. Because of you I am going to be in PEOPLE Magazine sometime this week and I will be featured on Good Morning America this Friday morning at 8am!!! Because of you!!! Thank you for all that you do and for all of the people you inspire!”

Myya Mixon People Magazine

Myya we are so happy for you!  Amazing!  Make sure that watch Good Morning America tomorrow at 8am and that you pick up the August Issue of People Magazine (in stores now) and check out Myya’s photos.  Let’s support our BWLW sista!!

If you’d like to submit your story to be shared on our blog and Facebook page, here are the details.

Updated: Sherlonda lost 139 pounds

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Update December 2013 – Sherlonda wrote in to share that her total weight loss is now 139 pounds.  Her abs are SHOWING and she has muscles! YESSSSS, Diva!  She did that!  Here is what she shared with us about her body and lifestyle transformation:

“Hi my name is Sherlonda Tyrus and you featured me back in April 2013. I wanted to send an update to my journey. I started my journey November, 2011, the day before Thanksgiving. I was 325 pounds and I was tired. My daughter who was a senior in high school, was my motivation when I started my journey. She wanted to lose weight for prom. So we started attending jcjonesbootcamp.com, my 4 daughters and I, at 5:30 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I was finally tired of being unhealthy and out of shape. I had to do it for myself this time. Determination, commitment to self, and no looking back has brought me this far. Although my daughters don’t get up in the mornings with me anymore, I still go 5 days a week. I’m almost at my goal but still have lots of work to do. It’s not easy but can be done one change at a time. It’s a lifestyle change, not a diet or fad. This is my new life. You won’t find time…you have to make it. I lost the weight by changing my diet. I stopped eating fast food and started cooking at home. I eat meals every 3-4 hours. No pop or other drinks, just water, water, and water.”

Sherlonda weight loss transformation Sherlonda weight loss photos

Original Post – April 2013

Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Sherlonda lost 98 pounds. “I started my journey November, 2011. I am 227 now but I was 325 lbs. and I was tired. My daughter who was a senior in high school, was my motivation when I started my journey. She wanted to lose weight for prom. So we started Bootcamp, my 4 daughters and I. 530am in the mornings Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I was finally tired of being unhealthy and out of shape. I had to do it for myself this time. Determination, commitment to self, and no looking back has brought me this far. Although my daughters don’t get up in the mornings with me anymore I still go 5 days a week. I’m almost at my goal but still have lots of work to do. It’s not easy but can be done one change at a time. It’s a lifestyle change, not a diet or fad this is my new life. You won’t find time you have to make it. And I lost the weight by changing my diet. I stop eating fast food and started cooking at home. Eating every 3-4 hours. No pop or other drinks water, water, and water.” Sherlonda weight loss