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weight loss before and after

Baria lost 55 pounds

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55 pounds gone!  Baria wrote in to tell us how the Fitness Center founded by another sister we featured (Lakeishea) has helped her lose weight.  I love it when one person’s personal victory and ministry helps others to find greater health and wellness.  Sisters helping Sisters!

“I am Baria Jordan and I’m 27 years old.  Since joining Faith & Fitness Studios (Gastonia, NC) in January, I’ve not only lost 55 pounds and 8 inches,  but I have also gone down four pants sizes & gained a whole new lifestyle. Eating healthy has always been hard for me and I didn’t care about what I consumed or how it could affect my health. My diet was based on convenience and I was drinking over 72 oz of soda a day. That’s a whole six pack! Now, I’m very cautious of what goes into my body. I find that I’m able to run and play with my son, be active daily, even walk around my classroom and teach better since working out with with them because I’ve gained so much energy! I’ve also gained muscle definition in places I never had them before! Believe me hubby LOVES that!  I look forward to Mondays and Fridays not just to workout, but because to top all that off, you get a spiritual uplift from the prayer and music! Faith & Fitness has been such a blessing to my life in more ways than I can count!”

Baria Jordan weight loss

Shae lost 108 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Shae lost 108 pounds.  After battling a number of health issues and weight gain related to the birth control she was taking, this proud mom was able to find a way of eating and working out that worked for her.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

Shae weight loss photos

I always was active growing up and never had a weight issue until about a year after my first pregnancy. At that point, I decided to go get on birth control. Well, it was my first time getting on birth control and that’s when the weight began to slowly creep up on me. With this increase in weight, I decided to try several different diets over the course of years and would lose the weight gained but as soon as I returned to eating “normal”, I gained all my weight back plus more. This recurring cycle took place for around 4-5 years. I also had a lot of issues going on within my life and would turn to food for comfort. While I thought it helped me at that moment, I would later realize that it only made life worst for me because I kept gaining more and more weight.

In 2010, I got pregnant with my second child while on birth control and stopped once I found out. Early in 2012, I weaned my second child off of breast feeding and decided to go get back on birth control but I wanted something that was more effective. At the doctor’s office I was told that with my weight being so high, a lot of birth control methods would begin to be less effective a well as leave me with a higher risk of side effects. Regardless of what they told me, I still wanted it. My weight in March 2012 at that doctor’s visit was at an all time high of 250 lbs. I don’t know how many days I cried not really understanding how I could go from being so active to carrying around so much weight on me. I also had arthritis which I had as a child and had under control but since I had gained so much weight, caring for it became much more complex. I thought of ways to lose the weight and discovered MyFitnessPal in which I begin to count calories. For the first couple of days before beginning a new diet, I wrote down what I ate to determine how many calories I was consuming each day. It was between 3000-5000 calories. So I then decided that I was only going to eat between 1800-2000. After counting calories for a week or so, I started to drop a little weight (16 lbs). In early April, I started having issues again in my marriage and started to revert back to old habits. On April 26th , I quit my job and said I’m not going to let this weight control me (I was 234 on this date). I started doing Zumba everyday and would still count my calories but was consuming around 2500 calories. I cut out soda, some sweets, fried foods and whenever I would eat out I would box up some of my food and save it for another day.

From the end of April to August, I was following this same routine but I started having real bad migraines, dizziness, severe pains in my stomach, and a whole lot of health issues. At the end of August, I had only lost 22 lbs which I was happy with but started stressing because my health issues were getting worst. In September 2012, I was rushed to the hospital in severe pain and was told that I had several blood clots in my stomach, liver, and right leg. There also was evidence of a stroke. All this time I was in pain and having these issues, I never went to the ER. The culprit to these health issues was the birth control I was on, so the doctors told me they had to remove it. They had to go in and try to break up the clots but was unsuccessful and I was advised that I would have to be on blood thinners and have to go through so much more therapy. I was so upset with myself because I was told earlier this year about my weight and the birth control. I spent three weeks in the hospital and that was the worst time of my life at that point. The last day there, the doctor advised me of what my daily routine should be and how I really should watch my diet and exercise routine because I’m so young and don’t want to be on this medication long term.

Well, this was it. I was not going to let anything take me from my kids. If I didn’t start taking care of myself, there was no way I was going to be able to take care of my kids effectively. Since the time of release from the hospital, I drunk nothing but unsweet tea and water. I started eating healthier (cutting my portion size in half) and exercising two hours a day doing Zumba and other high intense cardio. What was different about this time was I started to drop weight much easier. I attribute that to not being on birth control. I have not been back on and have no plans to ever get back on it. My life has been so much easier as I don’t have the health issues I had before while on it. By the end of the year, I had dropped around 60 lbs. I kept this routine up and lost an additional 18 lbs earlier this year but have been maintaining my current weight of 142 lbs (+/- 2 or 3 lbs) for three or four months now. I now know that this is a lifestyle change and I know the steps to take to lose weight and keep it off. I am so glad I’m starting to get my happiness back. The advice that I have for others is to stop living for others and start living for you. There’s no way you can be there for someone else, if you’re not in your healthiest state.

Updated: Iriel lost 100 pounds

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Update (Dec 2013) – Iriel is down 16 more pounds.  She wrote in to say: “I wanted to send an updated picture. My 6 month transformation is below (14 months total), and now I’ve lost a total of 100 lbs. Thanks so much for encouraging other black women to get up, and do something about their health!!”

Iriel weight loss story

Git Fit or Get Fat Founder Iriel wrote to us to share her 82 pound weight loss story and photos.  She ate clean, embraced juicing and worked out regularly with her father as her inspiration.

“Ever since I can remember, I’ve struggled with my weight. I was always the chubby girl with the pretty face. I over-indulged in shoes and accessories, those things didn’t judge me on my waist size. I tried this, tried that, took this magic pill that made me cranky and eventually gained the weight back plus more, drank this, blended that , but nothing seemed to work for me. I would get bored, and fall off and go up the street to Wingstop or Popeye’s. Recently, I got tired of walking past the Junior’s section to go to women’s/plus and decided to change it.

What really sparked the motivation for me was the fact that my father passed away 3 years ago from heart failure, and before that he suffered a stroke. I kept thinking that maybe if I would have known what I know now, could I have helped him? Would he still be here?  With the knowledge I know now, I can use that to help others, and that’s my goal.  It’s the reason that I’ve started “Get Fit or Get Fat”. Around the same time that I decided to change, a friend of mine started a juice fast and told me to watch the documentary, “Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead.” After watching it I was sold. I immediately went to Macys.com and ordered the same juicer in the movie. I read up on juicing and how to prepare it, and with the help of that friend and her knowledge, I started. I dId a full juice fast for 25 days and slowly started to incorporate clean solids back into my diet. Now, 7 months later, here I am, 82 lbs down.  I’m still working towards my goal, but incorporating other healthy options into my daily routine. I workout 4-5 times a week, and do cardio for at least 45 mins a day. My eating consists of clean eating, and finding alternatives to your favorite meals (healthy lasagna with whole wheat pasta & lean ground turkey). I’ve come to realize that taking control of your health doesn’t have to be boring, and the food definitely doesn’t have to be un-flavorful.  I’m far from perfect. The best part of it all is that I’m accountable for whatever choices and decisions I make. For me, the test was sticking to something and never giving up. Now, I won’t. I just can’t.”

Check her out on Facebook.

Iriel weight loss photos Iriel weight loss story

Sonya lost 100 pounds

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Featured weight loss success story of the day: Sonya lost 100 pounds.  Her son was her motivation, as well as fighting diabetes.  She started her health journey on the day she woke up with the revelation that it was time to lose weight and get healthy.  She ate right, worked out consistently and shed the pounds in 8 months.  Read her story:

On December 29, 2012 I started my weight loss journey that I NEVER imagined would bring me as far as I am today. If someone would have said Sonya you’re going to lose all that weight and your going to tell anybody that will listen about it. Let alone be anybodies inspiration. Let’s just say I would be a little skeptical.  Here I am today currently, at 100 pounds weight lost. When I first started my journey, I was afraid to tell anyone what I weighed. Now I am happy to say I started out at 305 pounds! I am now down to 205 pounds and my goal is to get down to 165 pounds. My first initial goal was to lose 100 pounds in a year and I was able to do that in 8 months! I am still in a state of shock but I am far from done.

Sonya weight loss
What was your motivation?

I would say my motivation is my Son and beating diabetes. My father passed away at the very young age of 42 due to heart complications bought on by having diabetes. I’m 27 and I want to live past that age and some. I want to see my son, who is 10 by the way, have kids when he’s 50 (LOL I’m kidding). I know I am being unreasonable, but that’s my baby I don’t want him having babies to soon like mommy. It’s hard out here.

How did you change your eating habits?

Funny you mentioned this. I woke up on Saturday December 29, 2013 at 6:37am and said God I can’t be this way anymore! I am not happy with my self. Yes, I smile but I am not happy inside. My own mother says I need lose weight. I can barley breath walking up stairs. This is not where I want to be in life. At that point, I gave up drinking my calories, started drinking water, eating lean meats, fresh veggies, and fruit. Don’t get me wrong I have my indulge meal not a cheat day but a meal. This is actually important to keep you on the right track and not deprive yourself moderation is key.

What did your workout routines look like?

I walk to and from work. I park farther away now just so I get an extra walk in. I live on the 3rd floor I sprint up the stairs and down at least 4-5 times a day. I try to take Zumba classes 4 times week and weights 3 times a week. If I can’t take a Zumba class I do intervals on the elliptical and weights after.

What advice would you give others who want to lose weight?

1. Have a partner – I was lucky enough that my fiancée comes with me to the gym. He is my biggest cheerleader! Having someone with you will keep you going.

2. Have accountability – Mine is myfitnesspal. I see what goes into my body. I always take pictures and when I feel like my eating is going too far I revert back to those horrible pictures of myself. It reminds me of where I started and why I don’t want to go back.

3. Understanding that you didn’t gain the weight over night so it will not fall off over night, so keep on pushing even through the dreadful plateau stage. It’s all apart of weight loss, so just don’t give up.

Chemese lost weight by juicing and going vegan

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Update Dec 2015: It’s been a little over 2 years and Chemese is still going strong and maintaining her weight loss. Her starting weight was 305 lbs. She’s been a vegan for 3 years and no longer tracks her weight via a scale. Also, she let us know that she just started another 100 day smoothie/juicing cleanse and is chronicling her progress via video on Youtube.

cheese before and after

Hello again, My name is Chemese and I was featured on your website back in September of 2013. This has been an amazing learning journey about myself, fitness, and health. This journey has also taught me that changes possible and it’s okay to think outside the box. I became vegan and I did not even like vegetables. This year, I get to celebrate my 3rd year as a vegan and my weight lost anniversary on December 12. I’m so excited! I have had some ups and downs but I haven’t been out of cheese weight losscontrol. I’m loving the skin I’m in and I’m still not weighing myself. It’s been so freeing not getting on a scale. I remember how I use to beat myself up over the number on the scale. Now, I’m not about that life. That number isn’t important to me. I’m also still juicing and making smoothies. Over these past years I have successfully completed 30, 60 and 100 day juice/smoothie cleanses. Currently, I’m doing another 100 day juice/smoothie cleanse. If you take anything from my journey I hope that it’s “Change is Possible”. I know my journey doesn’t end here. I truly hope that my journey inspires others. Posting on social media has helped keep me accountable, so you can find me at:

Instagram: @chemese
Twitter: @chemese
Pinterest www.pinterest.com/chemese/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheChemeseProject
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/thechemeseproject

Sept 2013 – Featured Weight Loss Story of the Day: Chemese lost weight by juicing, working out and going vegan.  Her starting weight was around 305, but she doesn’t know how much weight she lost because she doesn’t use the scale as a measurement anymore.  However, you can really SEE the difference in her photos.  Here is what she shared with us:

“My name is Chemese and I currently reside in Abilene, Texas. Some how, I really let myself go. I was obese, out of shape, very unhealthy (as you can see from my pictures on the left). I realized that I just had to change, because I love myself too much. The best way to do that was by becoming a Vegan. My journey began on December 15, 2012 when I decided that I was going to give it all that I could give and lose weight. I knew I didn’t want to try another fad diet. I needed to change my lifestyle for good, so thats exactly what I did.

I eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables. I make smoothies and fresh juices. I also workout for 2 hours everyday. As for numbers, my starting weight was 305+ pounds . I don’t know how much weight I have lost though simply because that number isn’t important to me anymore. What is more important is that I have gained control over my health which is more than I wanted. I successfully completed a 60 day juice cleanse on July 4th.  If I had to give anyone advice, it would be to find something that work for them and be open to try new things. I became a vegan and I didn’t like vegetables before. Now, I love them.  One thing is for sure, I’m not exactly where I want to be but I’m so glad I’m not where I used to be. My journey doesn’t end here.

I share what I’m eating and doing on Instagram @chemese

Chemese Weight Loss
NOTE: Before pictures was taken on December 2012 and after pictures was taken on July 2013.

Chemese before and after photos Chemese weight loss success

Overcoming Past Tragedy: Tiffany lost 41 pounds

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Let’s share some Black Women Losing Weight love and positive energy with Tiffany who lost 41 pounds.  She has overcome many life trials and tragedy including suicide, bipolar disorder, weight gain due to medication, and terrible abuse in her past.  She is on a mission to lose weight, get healthy and live well.  Here is what she shared with us about her life and weight loss journey:

Tiffany weight loss story

My journey started 7 years ago. There’s a lot to my life. I had the cards stacked against me from birth. My mom was a teenager and drug addict, I was adopted out to a woman who I turned out to be miles more intelligent than, which caused tremendous conflict- physical and emotional abuse. I was bullied in school.  A tall, quiet, smart kid who reads and gets straight easily isn’t really going to be the most popular at recess. I was being sexually abused by my neighbor’s daughter who was 7 years my senior. By 4th grade, I was paranoid and beginning to hear voices. By 7th grade, I was delusional and my moods were unstable. By 9th grade, I had attempted suicide and got sent to a psych hospital and was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. I was 14.

They gave me medicine like lithium and Haldol. It was 1992 and the medicines were archaic. I began to put on significant amounts of weight. I kept going in and out of hospitals, being diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder. At 16, I was a victim of statutory rape, too mentally ill to fight off the 33 year old man who I believed thought I was beautiful. Instead, he said I was cute and then I knew it would be like all the other times I had been used. I developed quickly. By age 12, I was 6′ tall wearing a C cup bra. At 16, I was 6’1 and wearing a double D. I felt as if my breasts were the cause of being looked at like meat and thought that for a long time. Kinda still do…

The previous year in school I was sexually assaulted by a kid who kept touching me during class movies. After one particular hospital stay, he saw me coming down the hallway. They had changed my meds to Depakote, Mellaril, and a few others. I had put on more weight. He looked at me and said, “Tiffany. You got fat.” and walked past me, never touching me again.

At 16, after an attempt to run away from home, I got sent to a group home. They upped my Depakote in the hospital while I was waiting to get in. I was 250 lbs at 6’1 when I got to the hospital. When I left five months later, I was 338 lbs. They restricted my diet down to 1200 calories. I still kept gaining weight.  I saw my share of horrors at that home. I ballooned up to 400 lbs by the time it closed. Got sent elsewhere. I was very ill and they kept increasing my Depakote. 3500 mg a day is beyond the recommended dose. I had been diagnosed with a difficult personality disorder from years of abuse and this is how they kept me subdued.

I went into the state hospital two weeks before my 21st birthday in 1999. Lots of horrible things there too. I ballooned up to 460 lbs and was taken off the Depakote. I developed bad eating habits along my journey in the psychiatric system. A lot of the meds I was on increased your appetite AND made you fat. Depakote and Zyprexa were and are notorious for this and I was on both at the same time. I got out of there and was on less medication but my pain from my past haunted me. I ate badly. My roommate was 750 lbs at one point and I remember thinking I can’t let that happen. Luckily it didn’t but I came close.

I branched out on my own at the age of 25. I was still very much mentally ill, had several suicide attempts, one almost successful- I died and was brought back. In 2005, I was so psychotic it was unreal, but I had also had the flu. I couldn’t keep anything down. It came out either end. I went into the psychiatric hospital after being in an emotionally and psychologically abusive relationship. They fed us on trays and had given me a diet one by accident. I ate it a discovered that it tasted really good. I got out and bought some good food but I was still mentally unstable. They changed my meds as a last ditch effort to help me. They gave me Geodon, which was revolutionary as it helped keep your weight down.

After having a nervous breakdown one night and subsequently discovering the answers I was looking for to the pain in my life I started my recovery. I had been called ugly my entire life and one day I saw a picture of myself and knew they were wrong. Went to the doctor and got weighed.  I went from 460 lbs to 389 thanks to the flu. Lol. I looked up healthy eating and started my journey. I got down to 328 and plateaued.

During my fat loss journey I got raped by my ex boyfriend, sent to the hospital but still managed to lose weight. I began to heal from old wounds with my therapist’s help. I moved out of my first efficiency apartment and into a bigger one bedroom apartment. It was 2007 and I was 29. Had a job. There were restaurants all around me. I was farther away from the gym. I lost my job and went back to school, quit smoking and the weight crept back. Crept back up to 411 lbs! I was so angry. I gave up for a good 2 years. From 2009-2011 I maintained my weight.

I decided in 2011 to do *something* about my weight.

I went vegan and lost 23 lbs., but the lack of meat caused me to get sick. I moved away from that city last December and set goals. Started eating meat again and hitting the gym like mad. I lost 30+ lbs in two months! My scale is wonky so I’m getting a Withings Wi-Fi scale (I’m a geek. Lol). My clothes are falling off me. Feels great. Last time I checked I was 370 pounds, that’s down from my starting weight of 411 pounds.

Facebook: From Fat Writer to Fit Writer, Tiffany White’s Fat Loss Journey

Kia lost 50 pounds and her husband lost 67 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Kia and her husband lost the weight together and are now making healthier choices for them and their 7 children.  She lost 50 pounds and he lost 67 pounds.  Here is what they did to lose the weight (and before and after photos):

Kia weight loss

“Just wanted to share some of my story. I’ve lost 50 pounds so far. My blood pressure was way out of control for years. I never suffered from insecurities or anything like that. I’ve always been confident no matter what size.  However, a trip to the ER put my health in perspective. I started on Weight Watchers and then just changed my eating habits and controlled my portions. I joined a local health group called BodyWize solutions and learned how bad certain foods were for us and learned to make smarter choices. I work out at least 4 days a week and am striving to lose 50 more lbs. Seeing my “before” and “now” (since I’m far from finished) keeps me motivated to keep on keeping on. My blood pressure is now controlled and I’m striving to come off blood pressure medication altogether. My husband and I have gone on this journey together. He has lost 67 pounds and is more active than he’s been in years! Together we are becoming a picture of health.

Absolutely! In our BodyWize Solutions class we learned about making healthier food choices. We stopped eating fried foods and sweets. We eat more fruits and veggies, and whole grains. We did a 10-day juice fast where my husband lost 32 pounds and I lost 10. We now incorporate juicing into our daily life. We stopped eating beef and pork as well. We stopped drinking caffeine (he was hooked on sodas and I was hooked on coffee) and drink mostly water only. Our workouts vary from walking on a local bridge to water aerobics.  He coaches football and is always running around with his players. We have 7 children between us and they were picking up our bad habits. Together as a family, we teach them how to choose better food options and as a family we make sure to get out and move. We are only beginning our journey and look forward to this new way of living!”

Kia Husband's weight loss husband and wife weight loss

 

Unconditional Love: Diamond lost 55 pounds

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Weight loss story of the Day: Diamond lost 55 pounds after the loss of her beloved husband.  Found herself dealing a number of health issues and weight gain while being a caregiver to her spouse.  She was able to fall in love with exercise, change her eating habits and lose weight. Here is her story:

“I started gaining a lot of weight taking care of my 28 year old husband who was battling stage four Cancer. I would eat whatever I could get my hands on. Unfortunately, my husband lost his battle with cancer and passed away. I felt as if my life ended with his.

Couple months after he passed, I went to a friends birthday dinner. She posted the photos from dinner on Facebook and I could not believe that was me in the pictures.  So, I decided enough is enough I have to get myself together mentally & physically. I went to gym but felt uncomfortable due to my weight. Late one night I was watching TV and I saw commercial for the Turbo Fire exercise DVD program. I became excited and ordered it.

Once I received Turbo Fire in the mail, I started working out with it that day. Within 7 days, I lost 12 pounds. I became obsessed.  I workout out 6 days a week sometimes twice a day. I gained the confidence to go to the gym and love to RUN. I started to feel alive again, laughing more, feeling great on the inside and looking fabulous on the outside.  Also, I changed my eating habits completely.  I stopped eating fried food, fast food, and start reading labels and counting calories.   I educated myself by purchasing cook books that taught me how to grocery shop, eat on a go, and cook dinner for my family healthy.  Eating clean over time became a habit. No longer have the desire to eat crappy food. My body actually reject it. I was over at my grandmother’s house and tried to eat one fried chicken leg and I instantly got sick and had to vomit. Lol

At my heaviest, I weighted 210 pounds. I’m now 155 pounds. I lost 55lbs within 6 months. I had high blood pressure, borderline diabetes, and other hormonal problems due to my weight. After I lost weight, all my medical problems went away.

My husband loved me unconditionally, and it was time I loved myself enough to be healthy.  That’s what motivated me on the days I didn’t feel like working out or when I was wanting to overindulge in unhealthy food.  My advice to others: We all know what to do.  We just have to do it. Excising one hour a day can change your entire life.

2 1/2 years later, I’m still in great shape, Loving Life and all the beautiful joy it has to offer.  Thanks for allowing me for the first time to tell it publicly. Hopefully it will encourage others.

Diamond weight loss story

Updated: Helen lost 54 pounds

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Update from Helen (posted Oct 2013): “I just want to share with you that I’m finally down to 64 pounds [down from 310] doing the same thing I was doing. Here’s a couple pictures so you can see the results.”

Helen weight loss success story

Original Post

Let’s show some love to Helen.  She lost 54 pounds down, from 310 pounds.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss transformation so far”

“Here is my weight loss journey. Since last September (2012), I’ve lost 54 lbs. My goal is to lose 46 more pounds by the end of this year.  My motivation to lose weight was because of my health.  It was time to take action. How I took action was by eating healthier, cutting out salt and not drinking soda pop.  I also drank more water. I workout for 30-45 minutes per session. I do the elliptical for 15-20 mins, then lift weights for about 5 mins, then I do the treadmill and the step aerobics machine for the remainder of time. My starting weight was 310 pounds now I’m currently at 256 pounds. My weight loss so far has taken about a year.”

Helen weight loss

 

Kimberly lost 110 pounds

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Featured weight loss success story of the day: Kimberly lost 110 pounds in a little over 8 months.  She primarily credits the changes she made to her eating habits.  Here is what she had to say about losing the weight:

“I lost 110 pounds over 8 months primarily by changing how I ate.  The dietary changes began mentally. I DECIDED NOT to die or have complications from diabetes. I began to pray.  I was asking GOD for answers to why I had so many bouts of 30 day constipation and blood sugars levels of 350 plus all the time!!! I was enlightened and found that meat was my issue. Eating it with every meal, every day was killing my body. Immediately after cutting just meat out of my daily consumption, I lost 20 pounds in 30 days (no exercise yet). After seeing that, I decided to see what wound happen if I didn’t put ANYTHING in my mouth that was bad.  That’s right, I ate NOTHING but fruits, veggies, whole grains and water for a solid year and was exercising for  half of that time.  After losing about 50 pounds, I starting doing a standing ab routine for about 5 days a week for 30 minutes per session. Because I had changed my mind about food, it seemed like I woke up skinny!!! I went from 280 pounds to 170 pounds in one year.  Now, I am a comfortable at 180 pounds and 5’6” tall! I have put some “treats” back in every now and then, but am still enjoying a healthy lifestyle!!”

Kimberly 100 pound weight loss