Black Weight Loss Success

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Star lost 41 pounds

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Success Story of the Day: Star lost 41 pounds, going from a size 16 to a size 10.  She used a time tested online weight loss program to help her get on track and found ways to get active as well.  Here is what this proud mom of 2 shared with us about her journey…

star weight loss

My name Star. I am 35 and a mother of two. I decided to start my weight loss and lifestyle change in February 2014 for life. I have always been on a roller coaster ride with my weight since adulthood. Up and down was my middle name.

What really motivated me to lose weight was my unhappiness with myself. I have always been into fashion and I could not wear some of the clothes I love. I also was very tired and lazy. I went from being a very social and outgoing person being a hermit crab. I also was very active growing up, with cheerleading, tennis and track. I realized this just isn’t Star, so I changed my life.

I got back on Weight Watchers for the umpteenth time but this time online only. I started to research and become more open minded about my food choices. I started making my own smoothies with fresh fruit. I put down the chips, stated eating nuts and stopped drinking soda. I will have sparkling water if I crave some fizz, but I drink a lot of water too.

I also started working out and fell in love with Zumba and lifting weights. I also do spin classes to “Turn Up” my work outs. I go for leisure swims on my off days. So, about 5 days a week I’m very active.

My advice for others is to take it one day at a time. Set a goal but don’t set a time limit because you will be more likely to become discouraged. Start off looking for group exercise because you will meet new friends with a common goal and be held accountable for showing up. If you can’t join a gym, ask someone in your community that walks or rides a bike if you can tag a long sometimes.

I started at 226 lbs. and a size 16 at 5’7″. Now I’m 185 lbs and a size 10. I have lost a total of 41 pounds. I still have more weight to lose, but I thought I’d share for those who could use my story as a motivation tool to start losing!

star's weight loss journey

Paula lost 155 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Paula is determined not to see 400 pounds again.  She’s lost 155 pounds. After she didn’t find lasting success with weight loss surgery, she changed her eating habits and started running to release the pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss transformation…

Paula weight loss transformation

My name is Paula Banks and I have been on my weight loss journey seems like my entire life…LOL. My highest weight was a whopping 400lbs! Yes, that was my life. I couldn’t do much of anything, or wear a regular pair of pants (sweat pants were my life) So, in 2003 I had weight loss surgery with the gastric bypass procedure.  Oh, I thought my life would be forever changed. I lost over 100 pounds, and I was feeling great, but once again I got comfortable. The scale started moving back up and before I knew it, I was up to 300 lbs. The survey was a tool that I didn’t truly utilize, and I missed out on that opportunity to really lose the weight.

Thus after surgery I began dieting, going up and down, eating, not eating, working out and not working out. It just became a bad cycle. I did manage to lose 50 pounds but I still wasn’t really committed to the journey until recently. In the past 2 years, I have become a runner. I have ran several 5K’s, & 8K’s and I recently just finished my first Half Marathon on August 31st of this year. I workout at least 5-6 times a week, Running, HIIT and the Arc Trainer. I also weight train at least 3-4 times a week. Aside from working out, I started eating healthier, watching my carb, protein and fat intake, and I drink at least a Gallon of water daily. I have given up bread for the most part as well as sugar laden foods, lots of processed foods and my ultimate favorite food…Potato Chips lol. Healthy Meals for me are low in carbs and high in protein, such as Taco Salad, Baked Fish, Eggs, Homemade Protein bowls (no rice) and lots of veggies!

Trust me, I have failed a thousand times between 400 pounds and where I am today, and TRUST I still fall (and it’s usually potato chips that gets me tripping). However, the one thing I never have done is give up on myself, because if I had I would not be the person you see in these pictures today. Keep PUSHING LADIES.

Check out more photos from her journey on Instagram: @paulabanks

Shahonda lost 185 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Shahonda lost 185 pounds, down from 378 pounds. This proud mom walked away the pounds and counted calories to reach her goals.  Here is what she shared with us…

shahonda weight loss success

 

I was 378 pounds and I now weigh 195 pounds (I’m 5’5″). I lost the weight by letting go of candy, soda and cutting loose fast foods. I replaced my late night snacks with fruit or vegetables. I only ate sugar free candy and drank sugar free drink mixes instead of soda. I learned while doing this that it is not what I eat but how much I eat, so I brought a calorie counting book.  I only took in 1500 calories a day by paying attention to the nutrition labels of everything I ate.

My weight loss motivation was being diagnosed with sleep apnea.  I also didn’t like becoming a diabetic. My was doctor telling me that if I didn’t lose weight it could kill me. For exercise, I walked everyday until I wore myself out. I walked so much that I was exhausted. My advice to others is that it is not what you eat, but how much you eat and how much calories are in what you eat. I would tell others to watch their daily calorie intake cause it can make a big difference when it comes to getting results.

Instagram: @shahondaw

Christa lost 48 pounds

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Today’s Weight Loss Success Story: Christa has lost 48 pounds since January 2014. After fighting the pounds since childhood, she made the choice to stop dieting and start her journey to a lasting lifestyle change.  Here is what she shared with us…

Christa weight loss

I’m 21 years old and I’ve struggled with my weight since I hit puberty. However, on New Years 2014 I decided no more diets! I needed a lifestyle change. Since Jan 2014 until today (Sept 24th 2014), I’ve lost 48 pounds.

I started this journey lifestyle change journey on January 1, 2014. I think my biggest motivation to lose weight was when my looser fitting clothes became my tight fitting clothes, so much so that I could not fit them anymore. I also just got tired of the way my body looked without clothes.

I think my inspiration came from my progress. When I saw my endurance go up it made me want to push even harder. I started my journey less then a month after I visited Ghana, Africa for three months. While there, I was in a way forced into a more healthy way of eating that included more vegetables and fruits. I wasn’t a big fan of the native food, lol. I will say the 6 main foods that get me thru are Bananas, Spinach, Oatmeal, Greek yogurt, Cliff bars and Fish. I also went cold turkey and just stopped eating everything that I knew was bad for me. No fast food, for example. I meal prep, use my creativity and I’m the new Chef in my house. Lol! I also did not give myself a cheat day until I completed one month of healthy eating.

As far as my workout routine, in the beginning I made it my duty to do at least 15 minutes twice a day 4 days a week of any form of exercising NON STOP. Then later, I increased the intensity and length of time I worked out as my body gained more endurance. My starting weight was 245 lbs and I am now 197 lbs (I am 5’6″). My advice would be to know that the longer you procrastinate delays the closer you would’ve been to your goal.

Instagram: @4_RealCharity

Shawnessy lost 30 pounds

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Update Feb 2016: Shawna wrote in to let us know that she’s lost 16 more pounds. “I’m 19 now! From June 2015-Feb 2016, I’ve lost a total of 46 pounds by eating right and exercising. I’m still going. I lost the extra weight by sticking to my diet and going to the gym three times a week!”

shawna weight loss story

Sept 2014 – Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Shawnessy (aka Shawna) lost 30 pounds. She wants to lose weight to inspire her family and let them know that they too can do it.  This petite lady is not done with her journey, but she wanted to share her success so far.  That’s right ladies, you should celebrate, even before you reach your ultimate goal.

Shawna weight loss

My name is Shawnessy and I’m 18 years old. I started my weight loss journey at 208 pounds at 5’2″.  So far, I’m down a total of 30 pounds at 178 pounds. I got so depressed because of my weight, and was physically sick. I’ve attempted so many times to lose weight but never succeeded in the past. This time I promised myself that I would NEVER give up. I thought about how sexy I would be and how comfortable I would be with myself. I’m aiming for 50-70 pounds total but this is me so far!

My motivation was just being able to feel healthy and happy, and to show my mom and others in my family that desperately wanted to lose weight that it was achievable! I changed my eating habits drastically. I literally ate no bread, no sugar or anything that was processed carbs. It was very hard. I ate lean meats with lots of vegetables and WATER!! Water was such a big part of my weight loss. Eliminating sugary drinks and replacing them with water helped me lose so much weight. For exercise, I did lots of Zumba and flirty girl fitness workouts, as well as lots of jogging and swimming! It took me like 2 weeks to start seeing results. My main advice to people is that it can happen with time. You just have to stay positive and keep going!

Instagram: @Realshawnamarie

Utica lost over 136 pounds

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Success Story of the Day: Utica lost over 136 pounds and has gone from a size 26 to a size 16 in pants, and a size 4x to a large in shirts. She has struggled with her weight since childhood and faced the ups and downs of weight loss through the freshman 15 and multiple pregnancies.  Wanting to be positive example for her children, this proud mom focused on eating healthier foods and working out.  Check out what she shared with us about her journey…

utica weight loss story

My name is Utica, and obesity is something that I have struggled with for as long as I can remember. There was never a time in my life that I can recall that I wasn’t aware that I was overweight, bigger than other kids that were my age. I was drinking Slim Fast at 9 and being told that my blood pressure was elevated at 10. I’ve never had a break from it. During middle and high school, I slowly crept up from a size 10 to a size 24 due to a lot of emotional eating and just not taking care of myself. When you’re young you don’t really think about those kind of things and how they can affect you. When I was 18 and left home for school, I ended up meeting the guy that would later become my husband. I not only put on the Freshman 15, but that additional weight that comes on when you’re in love and comfortable. I was around 285 at that point. Over the next few years between yoyo dieting, using every diet pill I saw a commercial for and starving myself for days at a time just to end up binging on anything I could get my hands on, I was 340 pounds by the time I got married in 2006.

The year after that I began having extremely long menstrual cycles where I would be on for weeks at a time, and I knew that my weight wasn’t helping. I read that eliminating meat products might help balance my hormones, so I did that and lost about 45 pounds. However, I ended up getting comfortable again and gained everything back plus more. By 2010, I was 370 pounds and taking steps to get approved for gastric bypass…when I found out I was pregnant. So, I put those plans on hold, only to lose the pregnancy about 2 months later. During that time I reached my highest weight of 389 pounds. About 2 months after that, I lost my job. There I was with no insurance and still morbidly obese. That was when I knew that I really had to lean on God and know that everything would turn around if I just kept going.

I started the process of losing weight again, and found out that I was pregnant. I ended up having a beautiful baby boy in February 2012. I was around 357 pounds when I delivered my son. The next year was consumed with being a new mom and not really taking care of me, so in 2013 I said to myself that I would put more effort into my eating and exercise. I lost about 30 pounds..and got pregnant again! I gave birth to my gorgeous daughter in February 2014, and when I looked at her while I was still in the hospital, I knew that I had to really make a change.  I knew that I would be the example she’d follow in terms of health and body image. I was an overweight little girl and I didn’t want her to fall into the same cycle. I was around 357 lbs when I delivered, and when I went back for a 1 week check up for my blood pressure, I had lost 25 pounds. I knew that it was fluid loss, but seeing that number at the time-322, was enough incentive for me to get going when I got the all clear to exercise.

6 weeks postpartum I was 318 pounds, and I began tracking my food on My Fitness Pal and documenting my fitness journey on Instagram (@heymissu82) on the same day- March 25, 2014. Here we are, 6 months later and I’m down 123 pounds from when my daughter was born and 155 pounds down from my highest weight. I’ve gone from a snug size 26 to a size 16 in pants, and a 4x to a Large in shirts. I started off slowly, using Walk Away the Pounds DVDs or putting the kids in the double stroller and walking them around the neighborhood. I then began doing T25, and went through an entire cycle. After that, I focused more on pushing myself past my comfort zone and started weight training and running with my sister twice a week. When I started, I could only run for 2 minutes at a time-and that was good for me because I was never a runner. But now, I can run for 2 miles nonstop, I’m building muscle and truly finding out what my body is capable of. I try to do some kind of exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

In terms of eating, because I have two small kids I don’t have a lot of time to prepare meals. I stick with things that are quick but still as healthy as possible. Lean protein like fish, egg whites and poultry have been my best friends, along with green veggies. When I started, I would eat starches like rice, pasta, bread and potatoes but as I tuned more into my body I realized that I didn’t like how my body reacted after I ate them, so I have gradually phased them out. I eat every 2.5 to 3 hours and try to drink at least a gallon of water each day. I just love the fact that I don’t feel like my body is a prison anymore. For the first time in my adult life I really feel like I’m free and discovering the me that I was always meant to be.

Siani lost 117 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Siani lost 117 pounds by changing her lifestyle.  She shared with us about how one singular life challenge helped her to make a commitment to lose weight.  I think her story will truly resonate with so many people out there.  Check it out.

Siani double servings

We have all started and restarted our diets, but significant and long lasting weight loss is triggered by a single moment in time where there is a mental shift and you tell yourself f*** this! I am FAT and I don’t wanna be FAT no more!

This moment came for me out of shear desperation for a J.O.B. As a product of the economic crisis of 2009, I lost my job of 7 years. Up til that point I had been steadily losing weight and was down about 45lbs. The depression caused by the loss of my job and being the sole caretaker of my mother triggered the weight to creep back on.

And I do mean CREEP! I had not realized how much weight I had put on til after two years of temp work, and I was finally in a position for a full time gig. The interview came with less than 24 hours notice; I went to my closet to find my interview suit. I loved this suit — it was a $400 Tahari suit with a dapper grey pinstripe on black crepe AND it was a size 16, which was several sizes down from the last suit I wore which was a size 24.

To my shock and horror, the suit didn’t fit. Not just fit, I could barely get the pants past my hips and they surely would not zip/button up. The jacket was so confining I couldn’t move my arms in any direction! I was devastated, and needed to scramble to find a suitable replacement.

You may be wondering how I could not have known I put that much weight on and the answer is simple –

  • Not paying attention
  • Lycra / Spandex

All my efforts went to the hustle – finding employment and taking care of my mom. Spending most days at home and having temp jobs that did not have dress requirements, I spent all my time in yoga pants , t-shirts and stretchy jeans; which are all forgiving to the waistline. However, the suit, my beautiful suit, it had no Lycra or Spandex — it was a true size 16 that wasn’t going to conform to my shape with the help of these two miracle synthetics.

I was unsure if I was going to get this job or if I did, how long it would last. I did know that either way, I was broke and had no money for a new suit, so I HAD to fit back in it and pronto. That was January 31st 2012 and I have not turned back!

The suit now hangs in my closet as a reminder, and no longer fits; the pants slip off even while buttoned up and the jacket wraps around like a cape.The struggle still continues and it will everyday, but I refuse to be that girl again and just keep repeating “that nothing tastes as good as slim feels!!”

How did you change your eating habits?
I was never a junk food junk food junkie which can be the 1st thing that people assume when you’re overweight. I love to cook and do it well, so the obstacle for me was portion control. I set a daily calorie limit, bought a food scale and measured/weighed everything I ate and drank.

What did you stop or start eating?
I didn’t stop eating anything in particular, for me it was about “bang for calorie buck “so I would rethink what I was eating based on the calories. For instance, by eating a turkey sandwich on one slice of bread instead two you can save 100 calories.

What did your workout routines look like?
Keep it movin’- I started running and did two half marathons. Plus, I am huge fan of Groupon and tried a series of classes. Through that I came to love spinning, yoga and even trampoline aerobics.

What was your starting weight?
295 pounds.

What is your current weight?
178 pounds and striving to be 150 pounds (height: 5’6”).

How long did your transformation take?
My journey stopped and started along the way, so it took about 2.5 years to reach my current weight and I have maintained it for over a year.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Take it one step at a time. It can be a shock to the body and mind when you make too many changes too soon. Instead of going straight to a huge calorie deficit, focus on your diet first by just trying to eat the suggested serving size. Before you even start counting calories, you will see and learn what 28g of cereal or 4oz of chicken actually looks like. That in itself can be a shock!

My blog is Double Servings www.doubleservings.com
www.facebook.com/doubleservings

Update: Degra lost 160 pounds

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Update Oct 2016 – Degra wrote in to retell her story and update us on her progress. She’s lost over 160 pounds and she keeps going strong.

degree before and after

I started this journey in April 19, 2012. What has inspired me to lose weight? I adopted a baby from Nigeria! I said, “If I’m out of breath now, how am I gonna keep up with the baby?” From that day forward I never looked back! I went to the gym. I started working out doing only cardio, working on the treadmill and elliptical machines for an hour. I did that for 2 years and saw little to no changes, because I was still eating whatever I wanted. I was still eating foot-long subway sandwiches, rice, bread, but I did feel good after working out! That’s what kept me coming back!

I made a promise that I would stay off the scale! Well, it took me 4 years to step back on the scale! That’s when I joined classes at the gym that included lots of toning with weights. I also did lots of cardio! One day I said to myself let me see what happens if I cut back on unhealthy things I put in my mouth! Omg, it was magic! I saw a big difference in my face and the weight was melting off.

Today, I drink at least 10 bottles of water a day (16oz). I have my green tea with coconut oil in the morning. I eat a big breakfast at least 30 minutes after I rise; Oatmeal, with blueberries one turkey sausage, boiled eggs, etc. I’m eating every 3 hours! I love avocados, tuna, salmon, turkey, brown rice, sweets potatoes, beans, etc. I just want to let people know that change is is possible if you stay focused! At 40 years old, I’m blessed to say that I’m not on any kind of medication! My doctor says keep on exercising! Instagram: @aworkinprogress01

Feb 2016 – Degra is down 160 pounds. Check out her update.

degra weight loss

I started this journey on 4/19/12 and I haven’t looked back. The left picture is when I thought I was happy but I was miserable inside! I was always tired and out of breath! My highest weight was 385 pounds. In the picture on the right, I’m happy, sexy and confident! When I lost all my excuses, that’s when the weight dropped off! I workout 6-7 days a week, doing lots of strength training and cardio. After 2 years of working hard and seeing little change, I sat down and said to myself, “What is the problem?” In December of 2014, I changed the way I ate! That’s when I noticed a big difference. It took me 4 years to get on a scale, because they are a huge distraction to me. Instead, I’m focused on good lab test results and feeling good. I was just curious just to see what my current weight was, because everyone kept asking me, “Well, how much do you weight?” I’M SAYING THIS… Before you decide to give up, just look at yourself in the mirror and say, “I HAVE COME A LONG WAY!!!”

 

degrafeb16blog

Sept 2014 Update – Degra is still going strong and losing pounds.

I was a treadmill and elliptical queen for over 2 years but noticed that my results were at a stand still. So, I decided to change up my workouts by adding ZUMBA upper and lower body workouts classes with weights. Every morning I make nutriblast Nutribullet smoothies that contain kale, spinach, half an avocado and a scoop of protein…no fruit. I also eat 5 small meals a day and drink plenty of water. Everyday no matter how tired I am, working out is my number one priority. I came to far to turn around now. This challenge of losing weight and getting healthier is not an overnight process. My advice to others that are struggling is please don’t get discouraged when you don’t see results overnight. The numbers on the scale doesn’t mean anything, just pay attention on how your clothes fit you. If I can do it so can you!

Here is the photo from when we featured her back in June.  Read more about how she lost the weight in the original post.

DeeupdateSeptblog

deeJune

Vernita lost 50 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Vernita lost 50 pounds.  This hard working wife and mother has a history of cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, but she didn’t let anything stop her on her journey to greater wellness.  She shared with us how exercise and eating in a healthier way has allowed her to reach her weight loss goals.

Vernita weight loss success story

Hi my name is Vernita. I am a wife of 11 years and a full-time graveyard shift working mama. I started out at 225 lbs. I am now 175 lbs (5’6″). My goal is to get to 145-150 lbs. I workout 4-6 days a week and I eat every 3 hours, following the Trim Healthy Mama book for my food intake. I’ve been on this journey for a year now but I have embarked on a new lifestyle, not a quick fix or a diet. I’m in it for life. No matter how long it takes I’m not giving up. I appreciate your Facebook page and I’m encouraged every time I view it.

I was motivated to change my life because I have 3 beautiful children that need their mama around. I have a history of cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. So, I want to beat the odds and get healthy. My inspiration also came from the Fit4Life Sisters page. I changed my diet by no longer drinking soda. I’ve replaced it with sparkling water. I replaced sugar with stevia and truvia. I also eat every 3 hours to keep my body from going into starvation mode. I also drink lots of water and teas without sweetener. My breakfast consist of eggs, bacon, oatmeal and smoothies. My lunches are bread-less, mostly salads and a source of protein.

My workouts consist of 20-30 minutes of cardio on the treadmill, stair stepper or cycling class. I also enjoy Zumba classes. I lift weights 3 days a week and I do push ups, squats and jumping jacks. I go for walks and take the stairs instead of the elevator. I even park at the back of the parking lot when I go to the store for that extra walk.

My best advice to give to people is don’t put a time frame on your goal. Take your time. You may slip up on your health journey but don’t stop.  Just get back on the ball and keep going. Make the change for life and not just for a quick fix.

Cyn lost 204 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story of the Day: Cyn lost 204 pounds, going from 397 lbs to 193 lbs.  She was on meds for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes before starting her weight loss journey.  Find out how she lost pounds and improved her health…

Cyn weight loss

Here is my story in a nutshell. Back in 2010, my blood pressure ranged between 150/99 – 170/111 and the doctor told me if I did not stop smoking, I would die. I know it was a small cry from reality, because I see people who have smoked all their lives and they are well into their 70’s, 80’s and beyond. However, there was something in her eyes that told me I needed to change. So, on November 30, 2010, I smoked my last cigarette. In doing that,I gained a whole bunch of weight. As a matter of fact, I was (at my biggest weight) 397 pouds. at 5’8”. I know….you can remove your hand from your mouth…the shock is real…LOL. I was on blood pressure meds, diabetes meds. cholesterol meds…you name it, I was on it. Walking to the corner took the wind out of me. Forget about climbing stairs. I was embarrassed and stopped taking pictures. Why would I? I couldn’t stand who I saw in the mirror.

After being told I had to start using an inhaler I made a change. I stopped eating at McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King…etc. I started walking. First it was 2 blocks at a time until I could do more. I took the stairs instead of elevators and escalator steps. Vegetables and fruits became my best friends. Water instead of soda was the drink of choice. For a little flavor, I brewed green tea…drank it ice cold with no sugar or sweetener added. When I got down to 295 lbs (2/2013), I was ecstatic. I was on a roll and started showing my face a little more. Going out, hanging with friends…walking more, working out and feeling great. It has been a long hard road, but I am PROUD to say that with Skinny Fiber, working out with Crossfit, working out on my own, Planet Fitness and a great man in my corner I am now at 193 lbs. My goal weight is 180 pounds, so wish me luck!!! For all those fighting the power of the bulge, I know it is hard but willpower and supportive people are the best ingredients for motivation. Keep up the good work everyone!!!

Instagram: @MZZCYN