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weight loss before & after

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

Britney lost 212 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Britney lost 212 pounds with gastric bypass weight loss surgery in 2012.  She is now able to keep up with her 2 daughters.

I’ve been seeing the weight loss stories from your page and they really hit home.  I went from 440 pounds to 228 pounds.  I still have 28 pounds to go until I reach my goal.  I have two girls and a few years back we went to an amusement park.  I could only fit on two rides.  I was so sad and embarrassed for myself, but so more for my kids.  After several failed diet attempts, I decided to have gastric bypass weight loss surgery.  I had it done on January 27, 2012.  Now, I don’t eat processed foods.   Everything I eat is from scratch and healthy.  I walk and run the steps for exercise.  Financially, the gym isn’t in the budget, but I make due.  My girls keep me busy, but now I can keep up.

Britney weight loss surgery

Tierra lost 38 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Tierra lost 38 pounds going from 210 to 172 pounds.  She focused on portion control, lifestyle change vs. diet and regular exercise.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

My name is Tierra my weight loss journey as started in 2009. The picture on the right was June 2009, before I had gotten pregnant.  This photo is also my motivational picture that helps me to get my workout in. Everyday it’s a struggle but when I look back on where I started it always amazes me.  I was 210 pounds in 2099 and now, in 2013, I’m down to 172 pounds.  When I show people my before photo, people ask me “So, you were pregnant?”.   I proudly tell them NO that’s all me pre-pregnancy and I’m proud of were I have come from. Every journey started with the first step.

My motivation for my weight loss: I had loss the sense that I was beautiful and was not comfortable in my skin. My eating habits are not the best but my focus is on portion control. I don’t like the word diet, so I have made changes to portion and creating a lifestyle change!  I love high intensity cardio workouts, so Insanity, Zumba, boxing, and jogging are my core workouts.  However, I change it up by hiking, taking pole fitness classes and weights are my new best friends.

Tierra-before-and-after-weight-loss

Tarayn lost 178 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Tarayn.  She lost 178 pounds with weight loss surgery and lifestyle change.  She posted her story and photos to her BWLW online community profile: blackwomenlosingweight.com/profile/TaraynHarmon  She provided a whole lot of detail about her weight loss journey.   Here is what she shared with us:

Before (4/2009) 370 lbs.. After (4/2013) 192 lbs….

Early in 2009, my doctor diagnosed me with Intracranial Hypertension. This was added to all of the other health issues that I was having. The fact that I wanted to have a child, but couldnt and this latest health issue could cause me to go blind.  I knew I had to take control.  I did some research and I decided to have Gastric Bypass (RNY). It was not the easiest decision because of the risks that were involved. It wasnt anything magical, by all means. It was a tool that I used and the only way it would work was if I made it work. Nothing automatic about it. Anyone that has had it can attest to the emotional, physical, psychological factors that play roles in it as well.  I made a lifestyle change.

I initially joined Curves, it worked out perfect, but the location I attended closed.  So, I joined a local gym.  There is a site I was using prior to the surgery and to this present day called obesityhelp.com.  That was a big support system for me.  I worked out 4 times a week.  I started doing Zumba and line dancing.  It seemed the more active I was, the more weight came off.  I was eating 4-6 small meals a day, depending on my schedule. I totally cut out sodas for the first 2 years, then i started leaning torwards diet everything.  Water was my new best friend. I was big on protein, so I made sure I got that first before anything else.  I did all of my workouts alone.  I didnt adjust my schedule to fit others because I was determined that nothing was going to stop me form getting it in–not this time around..lol.

It was very hard at first, but once I fell in love with the whole idea of being healthy, happy, and sexy, it made things a little bit easier. Those changes brought me almost perfect health, and my son-Rylan, who will be 2 in July. He is my motivation today. I want to continue to be around and be healthy so that I can watch him grow. Until 1 month ago, I had not worked out since he was born.  I thought I would bounce right back into routine but I didn’t.  Life happens and you have to deal with that and it wasnt easy trying to live my same lifestyle with a small child.  So I dedicated my time to my family.  Now that he is mobile and a little more independant, it’s time to focus more on me. I’m on the right track with eating and exercise.  I may backslide here and there, but it doesnt take me long to get back on track. I know how far I have come and how hard it was. I would hate to disappoint myself and others who have been there before, during and after my journey. I didnt know the effect and the inspirational affect that I had on people.  When you think nobody’s watching, they really are!!!

Tarayn weight loss before and after

Sharday lost 100 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Sharday. She lost 100 pounds and has kept it off for 4 years.  She did it with regular exercise, embracing juicing and eating fresh fruits for breakfast and lunch.  Here is what she shared with us:

I would love to share my weight loss story with all of you.  I was 286 pounds and came down to 186 pounds.  Thanks be to GOD, I have kept it off for going on 4 years this year.  I exercised and ate right.  In the end, I went from a size 22-24 to a size 12-14…And I did it in 6 months!

I was my own motivation.  I knew I had to do it for myself.  I changed my eating habits by eating fruit for breakfast and lunch.  For dinner, I ate whatever I wanted to eat between 5 pm and 6 pm.  I ate absolutely nothing after 6 pm.  Some days, I didn’t eat anything solid until 5 pm and only filled my body with water and fresh fruit juice.   I walked everywhere I went because I was in school at the time.  Then, I would go walking 2 miles a day for exercise and jogging 1/2 mile.  I would turn around and walk back to my room at night.  I would play basketball or tennis just to stay active and to keep my mind off of food.

Sharday before and after weight loss

Arneice lost over 30 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before & after story: Arneice lost over 30 pounds by changing her eating habits and working out regularly.  Here is what she shared with us:

Arneice after weight loss

I’ve lost so far a total of 30 pounds since January 1, 2013.  My motivation was really my son who’s 12 years old.  I never had any energy and I was quite cranky. I realized that because I was unhappy with myself.  It was becoming a burden on our relationship.

I started with cutting out what was familiar to me and that was pasta and creamy sauce. Then I started juicing kale, and fruit.  I do that every day still.  I now eat 5 times a day.  My eating includes protein and complex carbs like broccoli and good fats like nuts, avocados. My workout routine started basic.  I did my own routine..squats, jumping jacks, sit ups. I now do high intensity, low impact cardio and strength training in my living room 5-6 days a week!!!! To workout, I also use Hip hop Abs because it’s really fun and there not a lot of jumping around in the workout. I also use Dave Sinclair (he’s on my Ondemand via cable).  Today my meals were a chicken breast cutlet and grits for breakfast.  This is in addition to my kale, kiwi, apple juice.  My snack was almonds and pistachios.  For lunch I had chicken breast cutlets, with avocado and broccoli.  I don’t forget to drink 64 ozs of Water a day.  Basically, all I drink is water.

 

arneice weight loss before and after photos
Dec 2012, Jan 2013 and May 2013

 

Ashli lost 116 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before & after story:  Ashli lost 116 pounds over the course of 4 years by changing her eating habits, working out and watching her calorie intake.  Here is what she had to say:

My name is Ashli T. I have struggled with weight my entire life. I was a 10lb baby and by the age of 8 I was litterally 207 pounds. I had always said that I would not be that overweight forever. In 2008, my father passed away of a sudden heart attack. He was seemingly healthy, active and not at all overweight.  It began to scare me so I decided I wanted to do something.  After several attempts, I finnally buckled down around April of 2009 and I am still at it today.  I began to eat between 1200 calories to a max of 1500 calories per day while trying to burn at least 1000 calories.  At my “best” I do this 5-6 days a week and at my “off the wagon” times at least 2-3 days a week. I’ve had incredible results and incredible defeats.  I have plateaued and I have pressed harder. I would never say it was or is easy, but its the best decision I have ever made! I’ve lost 116 pounds.  The process has been over the course of four years..and it will last a lifetime! I often say if I can do it, anyone can!

Ashli before after weight loss

Roxanne lost 25 pounds

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Update: We shared Roxanne’s story back in 2013, and a little more than 2 years later she’s happy to let us know that she’s still crushing it! She down 25 more pounds for a total of 50 lbs gone. “I been walking 3 to 5 miles a day using the Run Keeper free mobile app. I also changed my eating habits and my lifestyle. I went from a size 18 to a size 8. I weighted 215 pounds then and now I weight 165 pounds. I went from sodas and juice to pure water, 84 oz a day. No eating after 6pm too. I’m not on a strict diet, but I’ve found that eating the right portion sizes really works. Healthy snacking has been hard for me, but it’s definitely worth it. Your page and seeing your posts has kept me motivated. I would tell others that a good support team is a must and BWLW is definitely that. Thank you.”

roxanne before and after

Let’s show some BWLW love to Roxanne who is down 25 pounds and has a goal to lose 10 more.  

May 2013– Hello! My name is Roxanne W.  I started working out, walking and jogging 2 to 7 miles a day (with 2 days off)  I also did a few workout DVDs.  Of course I embraced eating better and drinking water only.  I started  on Jan 26th of 2013 and as of today I have lost 25 pounds with 10 more pounds to go.  Your page really inspired me and I love what the BWLW page is about.

I use to eat everything..anything…and was a heavy snacker.  Now, I only eat baked fish and chicken.  I also eat a lot of veggies and only snack on fruits.  I was motivated by the awful way being overweight made me look.  I’ am only 5″1 at 210 pounds and to me that looks bad.  Also, I was borderline high blood pressure.  I knew that having the right eating habits and losing weight would help.  Thank u and have a blessed day!

Roxanne weight loss before after

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