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weight loss story

Rachelle lost 27 pounds

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Breast Cancer Survivor Rachelle lost 27 pounds and 2 dress sizes by cutting calories, eating fat burning foods, using MyFitnessPal and walking.  Let’s show her some BWLW Love.  Here is what she shared with us:

First, I would like to say that I love your site and you are, in part, the reason I decided to start my weight loss journey. I am a Breast Cancer survivor.  After chemotherapy, I gained a lot of weight. This was mostly due to poor eating habits, but I also struggled with my self image. A week before my 36th birthday, I decided I was going to lose the 30 pounds I had put on once and for all. Everything was starting to fit tight and I refused to buy bigger clothes. I knew that dieting was not going to work.  I would have to make some life style changes if I wanted to shed the pounds and keep them off.  So, I said good bye to fast food, fried foods, sweets and soda. I did some research online and found 15 fat burning foods on Women’s Health Magazine’s site and incorporated them into my diet. I tried to include as many as possible in every meal and snack. I found that preparing my own food worked best for me because I knew exactly what I was eating. I cut my calorie intake to 1200 a day and started drinking 64 oz of water every day. I tracked my progress with the app MyFitnessPal. I did that for the first month and lost on average about 2 lbs. per week! I couldn’t believe it was really this simple. At the beginning of the 2nd month, I started walking twice a day on my 15 minute breaks at work. I walked a little under 2 miles per day. In 3 months I went from 220 lbs. to 193 lbs, down 27 lbs. and 2 pants sizes!

Rachelle weight loss story

Bri lost 73 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Bri lost 73 pounds.  She was able to lose weight in a healthy way, eat right during pregnancy and deal with a diagnosis of Lupus.  Here is what she shared with us:

My weight loss story! I went from 216 pounds to now 143 pounds in less than a year, after giving birth to 3 children!  After getting pregnant with my second child and giving birth in 2010, I found myself weighing 216 pounds and wearing a size 14/16 in clothes. I struggled with my self esteem and my weight for the next 3 years. Was never quite able to lose it, no matter what I tried! Pills, shakes, bars they wouldnt work! Finally in 2012, I said enough is enough!  I changed my diet and started avidly exercising. I went from eating EVERYTHING I wanted and snacks galore to eating smaller meals and less carbs. I did 75 crunches a night and 110 squats. I walked 2 miles a day and drank A LOT of Water and 100% juice.  I also cut down my sugar intake and No snacks! Fruits! After losing 20 lbs in February, I found out that I was 5 months pregnant with my now 1 year old daughter. I still ate right, exercised and everything throughout my pregnancy. Then, I became very ill and bed ridden around May 2012. I still perservered through my eating. I was then diagnosed with Lupus and told that I could no longer exercise. However, I prayed and asked God to get me through it and he did. I gave birth to my daughter July 3rd 2012 and was 180 pounds. I got a personal trainer and kept on my diet.  Here I stand a year later at 143 pounds and healthy! I battle my Lupus like a good soldier and continue to eat right and exercise!

Bri weight loss story

Nikki lost 50 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Nikki lost 50 pounds, down from 250+.  She lost weight by eating clean, running and she will be doing her first 5k in Sept. 2013.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi my name is Nikki. I wanted to share my weight loss journey and hopefully encourage someone else deciding to change their life. I started my journey in Dec. 2011. However, before I get to the event that was the last straw, lets back up one month to Nov. 2011. A friend innocently tagged me in a picture on Facebook (picture in purple sweater) and when I saw it I was mortified at what I looked like. Dec. 2011, I took a beach trip with my husband and son and we decided to take a helicopter ride that required I sit in the front because I was to large for the back because I may hinder take off. (last straw). Who was this fat chick I kept seeing and hearing about? I couldn’t believe I’d allowed myself to get out of control to the tune of 250+ pounds. I started exercising and dieting in March of 2012 after I lost my job. After almost a year of exercising and dieting, I lost a disappointing 14lbs (oh yeah, I was on diet pills as well). In January of 2013, I stepped it up, I began to ramp up my exercising to jogging and training for a Black Girls Run 5k event. I began to eat clean; only lean meats, no dairy, no sugar, no carbs, only leafy veggies and protein shakes. I began to eat 4-5 small meals daily. I couldn’t believe this 40 year old body could do what it has done in a course of 5 months. I feel great, look great and I’m not even done yet. I replaced my obsession with fatty foods with jogging and eating well! This girl who could hinder take off will be doing her first 5k in Sept. 2013.  I’m 50 pounds lighter and healthier than ever. Thank God for perfect peace! Follow my progress on Facebook (nikmac).

Nikki weight loss success story

Lindsey lost 140 pounds

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Update: Lindsey has lost a total of 140 pounds and her loose skin removal surgery is being chronicled on a new show, Skin Tight, on the TLC network. (Jan 27th at 10pm EST). More info on the show.

lindsey before and after

July 2013: Today’s weight loss before and after story: Vlogger Lindsey M. Adams lost 126 pounds.  She realized God’s healthy plan for her life, left an abusive relationship and learned to eat right and exercise with programs like Weight Watchers.  Here is what she shared bout her weight loss journey…

Lindsey weight loss storyLuke 1:37 “ For with God nothing shall be impossible “ That is the foundation that transformed a 5’5″, 307 pound women into a healthy, whole and fit 181 pound woman today. After 126 lbs. lost and still losing; God has been my number one source, provider, intercessor, healer and motivator. I started my Journey in July 2011, after the Lord spoke to my spiritual accountability partner about the enemy’s plan to kill me with morbid obesity. I wore a size 22/24 and weighed over 300 pounds. Most importantly I had low self- value and esteem and was in abusive relationships for over 8 years. I found myself being the “other woman” or the “side-line” piece because I tried replacing my feelings of rejection with male attention. Between July 2011 and October 2011, I lost 26 pounds by walking 1 hour on my local track for 3 days a week. In October 2011, I joined Weight Watchers and a nutritional program called “Body Breakthru”. As a member of these programs, I learned lifestyle changes and ways to face my weight loss challenges. I also joined LA Fitness and became an avid group fitness participant. Over a total of 15 months, I lost my first 100 lbs. Today, I am a size 10/12 and 181 pounds. I am excited to reach my goal and I continue to add variety and intensity to my workouts. I also work diligently to stop over eating and emotional eating, as well as to practice better portion control and honest calories tracking. I have been a motivational speaker for the Weight Watchers’ Jennifer Hudson Center in Chicago.  I am also an online personality creating videos about my weight loss journey on LindseymAdams.com.

weight loss success photos

Update: Erica lost 37 pounds

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Here is an update of a previous post on Erica’s weight loss journey.  She is down a total of 37 pounds and her boyfriend Bishop is her personal trainer.  I love that!! Here is what she shared with us:

You featured my progress on Valentine’s Day this year and I had mentioned that I wasn’t done yet. Well my official one-year weight loss journey came to an end on June 3. My boyfriend/trainer and I celebrated with a professional photo shoot while vacationing in Vegas during the week of June 3. I have also attached a public note detailing my stats and what they all mean and what this journey has taught me. The stats are important because they show where I started on June 3, 2012 to May 28, 2013.

Stats: June 3, 2012, Sept 1, 2012, May 28, 2013 

Weight: 175.0 157.6 138.0
Waist: 34.0 29.8 27.0
Hips: 44.0 40.0 36.8
Thighs: 26.0 23.0 21.5
Arms (both): 13.0 11.5 (stopped measuring)
Body Fat: 42.4% 35.0% 19.0%!!!! 
(Final goal: 16%)		 Starting pants/dress/shirt size: 13, x-large, large/x-large 
Ending pants size: 4/5
Starting dress size: 13/14, large, x-large 
Ending dress size: SMALL
Starting shirt size: large/x-large 
Ending shirt size: SMALL

Erica weight loss story

I began my fitness journey weighing 175 lbs. with 73 lbs. of my body’s weight being FAT! I lost 47 POUNDS OF THAT FAT.  Now, I GAINED 10 POUNDS OF MUSCLE! The addition of muscle fibers helped to burn some of that fat. ***UPDATE: current weight is 133!!*** My ultimate goal is to achieve my racing weight (I run 5ks, 10ks, and hope to run my first 1/2 marathon in March 2014) of 125 pounds with maintenance between 125 to 135.

What I have learned from this one-year journey:

I was in denial about how big I was. Even at my heaviest of 175 pounds, and wearing a size 13, I was still in denial. I carried the extra pounds well, so I guess it didn’t really bother me as much.  That was until I saw myself in pictures from our cruise in April 2012. Everything changed from that moment. I saw rolls and muffin tops I had never seen that on me before. That was my dose of reality… wake-up call… lightening bulb flashing. I knew something had to give. All I wanted, at that point, was to simply lose 20 pounds. Little did I know what was in store for me for a whole year later!

It is very important to know what I am eating,what I subject my body to. I truly cherish my body and want to live a long and healthy life. I developed a whole lot of discipline from day one. I gave up a lot of favorite foods and went cold turkey on 85% processed foods, frozen meals, boxed meals, fast food, sodas, juices/sugary drinks, Starbucks, cold cuts, hot dogs, chips, cookies, cakes, pies, red meat, pork, most ground beef (on the rare occasion I will do 93/7 extra lean), non-organic chicken, white sugar, white pasta, breads, ALL FRIED FOODS, etc. For me, I learned what I had to do to make this journey successful and went in full force with no excuses. Portion sizes can make or break you, too. I weigh, count and measure EVERYTHING according to the serving size on the package!!!!

Yes, there were many failures just as there were many successes. There were many injuries that caused me to slow it up big time: knees (from the Insanity and P90x programs), right shoulder blade/rotator cuff (from lifting weights), left elbow (from lifting weights), etc. That’s part of the process of learning to create and maintain a healthy & fit lifestyle. This is something I can carry with me forever and not just for 8 weeks or so. Yes, I treat myself. Bishop (my boyfriend) and I go out once a week… and sometimes twice in a week. But we plan ahead 99% of the time. Other times, we just let it ride because the rest of the time we do eat healthy.

Erica and boyfriend personal trainerMy boyfriend finished out the last 6 months of this journey with me. He was working behind the scenes for the first 6 months because he wanted the focus on me.

I also must note that, although he could have set me up on a plan to lose the weight in 3 months, that was not the goal of this journey. The goal was to create a healthy lifestyle that I could maintain for the rest of my life. There was no rush to lose the weight as there was (and still is) so much to learn and do the right way.  It is also VERY important to note that this is a lifestyle, not a fad. There is so much to learn (I am STILL learning) and it is impossible to learn everything in just 3 months.

We work out 4-6 days a week and take rest days AT LEAST 1-2 days a week. People think they HAVE to work out every single day but, in all honesty, they are causing more harm than good by NOT allowing their body to rest and recover. We run 1-2 times a week, hit the elliptical twice a week, do HIIT programs several days a week, and strength training several days a week.

Latavia lost 150 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Latavia lost 150 pounds.  She went from a size 22 to a size 8/10 with Weight Watchers, seeing a nutritionist and working out 5 days a week or more.  Here is what she shared with us.

5 years ago, right before I graduated from college, Is when I began working out. I started by working out 3 days a week for a hour a day.  Gradually, I worked myself up to exercising 5 or more days a week for an hour a day. I joined Weight Watchers and started tracking everything I ate. Within a month I lost 10 pounds.  By the end of the first year I lost 100 pounds and I went from a size 22 to a size 14. In December 2012, I started seeing a nutritionist who helped me make better choices in terms of my eating habits. Since December, I have lost 50 pounds and currently wear a size 10 or 8. I have so much more energy, I feel healthier and I can shop anywhere I want!

Latavia weight loss story

Caroline Jhingory lost 150 pounds and Kept if OFF

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Shout out to the amazing Caroline Jhingory! This woman released 150+ pounds and has kept it off for almost 20 years. Her story inspires us and lets us know that long term success is possible.

caroline before and after
Update Sept 2018: “The best compliment that I ever received was from a doctor here in my hometown Washington, DC. “You are an African-American woman that has lost and maintained a 150+lb weight without weight loss surgery and kept it up for over 15+ years. I’ve been a physician for double that 30 years, and I have rarely seen that.”

I will say that now in life maintaining my 150+lb weight loss is just as hard if not harder as it was too lose it. Metabolism and hormone changes, and it just seems food especially chocolate taste better and better in your 30’s. Still a positive support system of people and positive self-talk keep me in line.

Power-walking everyday is a regimented part of my life just as taking a shower. And I don’t bring any unhealthy foods into my home. I save indulges for dining out or family gatherings.”
– @CarolineJhingory

Author and weight loss expert Caroline Jhingory is definitely a weight loss success story that you need to know about.  She has appeared on the Dr. Oz Show, TODAY Show, the Huffington Post, and in PEOPLE, ESSENCE and SHAPE magazines.  You may have checked out her book, Half My Size: How I Ate To Lose 150lbs.  I had the chance to ask her the questions we ask all of our featured ladies.  Check out what she shared with us:

Caroline Jhingory weight loss interview

What was your motivation?
Ten years ago weighing over 307 pounds on a 5’2 frame a dermatologist told me that the dark blotches on my skin were an indication that I was pre-diabetic. That moment was what I call my rock bottom. I decided right then and there that I was going to make the rest of my life, the best of my life.

What did you do in terms of eating to lose the weight?
Being that I was pre-diabetic, my family doctor’s recommendation was to eliminate, not moderate all white foods from diet. Although these foods are not technically white, this meant all sugar, products made with flour, bread, rice, pasta, potatoes and corn. My new way of eating involved lean proteins (all seafood, chicken breasts and egg whites) and non-starchy vegetables only. (All vegetables, excluding corn, potatoes, peas, plantains, squash and carrots.)

What did you do in terms of exercise to lose the weight? 
I could not afford fancy personal trainers or a gym membership. So, I began to walk everywhere instead of catching the bus and subway here in my hometown of Washington, DC. Over the years, my body needed more of a challenge and strength gym. Eventually ,I was able to afford a gym membership and swore by machines like the elliptical fitness trainer and circuit machines. Now my primary workout is running on my treadmill at home while watching a ratchet reality TV show. It makes the time fly right on by!

Caroline also shared with us about having skin removal surgery.

Caroline Jhingory on the Dr. Oz Show – www.doctoroz.com/videos/secrets-skinny-pt-3

Jasmen lost 40 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Jasmen lost 40 pounds by working out 4-5 days per week and eating 1200 calories per day.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi, my name is Jasmen and these are my before and after pictures and weight loss story. Before I changed my eating habits and started exercising, I weighed in at 191 pounds in January 2013. As of today, I have lost 40 pounds and can finally wear a bikini proudly. I have always been body conscious even at my lowest weight, which was 130 pounds, but not anymore. I feel better than ever! I now weigh 151 pounds and have about 10 more pounds to lose. I eat around 1200 calories per day and do lots of cardio and strength training, at least 4-5 days per week. Getting back to my high school size/weight was my motivation. I hope I can be someone else’s motivation!

Jasmen weight loss before and after

Monique lost 78 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Monique lost 78 pounds with clean eating and the help of a dedicated personal trainer.  Here is what she shared with us:

I was focused and dedicated to my journey. I lost 78 pounds and competed in my first bikini bodybuilding competition on 6/29/13…What an experience!

My struggle with my weight begun with my first pregnancy 20 years ago. The weight packed on quick. I gained over 70 pounds. I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes and gave birth to a Premie. I continued to gain after delivering my son, as a result of the birth control I chose. I tried every diet out on the market in my attempts to gain control.  Not understanding that word (Diet) was the problem. Fast forward, 10 years later, we finally were pregnant with our 2nd child (a baby girl that was also a Premie). I also developed Gestational Diabetes with the second pregnancy and additional weight gain added to my overall weight.  I never loss the pounds from 10 years earlier with our first child. Shortly after the birth, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in my 30’s. This is where I had to seriously make some serious changes to my health.

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I couldn’t lose the weight for vanity, but once it effected my health, I knew it had gotten out of control. I had to educate myself and make the needed changes in order to save my life. I was directed to the Diet Doctor A.K.A. Terry Starks on Facebook. He introduced me to the clean eating lifestyle. I quickly adopted to the lifestyle and applied it as a way of life from 2012 to present. My weight was at my highest was 220lbs after the delivery of our 2nd child. Can you imagine that on a 5″2″ frame? I loss a total of 78 pounds to date. I’m proud to say I took it to another level and challenged myself with the help of Terry Starks and entered my 1st of many bikini bodybuilding competition at 44 years young on 6/29. I took 4th place. I hope to inspire and motivate others just like myself. . You can do it! In order to CHANGE your BODY… YOU must first CHANGE your MIND. ..REAL LIFE!!!

Monique weight loss before and after

Tawanda lost 60 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Tawanda lost 60 pounds.  Her story reflects that she was really willing to do what it took to lose the weight, going so far as to cut off her hair so that her hair would not be an excuse.  Now, she’s a personal trainer and has transformed her lifestyle.

I just love it when someone sends in their photos that I actually know.  I worked with Tawanda back in my Gospel Singing days. 🙂  I’m so proud of her!  Here is what she shared with us:

Hello, I started my weight loss journey 4 years ago after seeing a before picture of myself.  That is when I knew that something had to change! So, I cut off all my hair to take that away that excuse, i.e “I can’t workout because of my hair!”. My motivation was to get healthy and fit in my 40’s.  Also, I wanted to be a better example to my family! I started by eating 5 to 6 small meals a day and working out at home! A friend of mine asked me to go on a bike ride with her and I was mad because she wanted to go so far…lol! Now years later, I am down 60 pounds, down from 207 to 147. Working out 4 to 5 times a week taking spin classes, weight training and riding my bike about 50 plus miles a week! My goal was to ride in two 100 mile bike rides…DONE! SMILE! This is now a lifestyle for me and my family. Eating clean, cutting out sugar, cheese! I’m also juicing and detoxing my body. I want to let others know that you can do anything you put you mind too! I have started my own business at a personal trainer! Thanks for allowing me to share!

Tawanda weight loss before and after