Black Weight Loss Success

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weight loss story

Vikki lost 38 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Vikki lost 38 pounds in 5 months with exercise and healthy changes to her eating habits. Here is what she shared with us:

I just wanted to share my story with the page. I have a VERY long way to go, but you never know who it may help motivate if they’re having trouble getting started.  The picture on the left was taken on January 19th, and the one on the right was taken 2 weeks agao…5 months and 38 pounds later. My goal is to lose a total of 125 pounds.

I workout 5 days a week for a minimum of 20 minutes of cardio, and a maximum of 1 hour during the day. After work, I strength train for 1/2 hours, 3 days a week. I’m doing it all on my own, without a personal trainer or classes.

I don’t diet. I merely changed my eating habits by eliminating soda completely, sweets, and I incorporate whole wheat whenever I can. I also drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, and eat oatmeal for breakfast 5 days a week.  I’m a HUGE snacker, so I always make sure to have fresh fruit, pistachios, and trail mix on hand.

Thank you for your time, and as I said before I just hope it helps someone by getting the idea of “fast” out of their head.

Vikki weight loss before and after

Lashunda lost 159 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Lashunda of Atlanta.  This tall diva had gastric bypass weight loss surgery in 2009 and lost 159 pounds.  Changing what she ate and working are also part of her weight loss equation and how she has maintained her weight loss.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is Lashunda and I’m from Atlanta, GA. In early 2009, I was put on high blood pressure pills and also told that I was borderline diabetic. So, I knew that I had to take action. Aug 4, 2009, I had the Gastric Bypass Surgery. The day of my surgery I was 307 pounds. Changing my eating habits and working out I am able to maintain a weight of 148. It’s been almost 4 years for me. I lost my first 100 pounds in the first 4 months. I am feeling Fabulous. Here are my before and after shots…

Lashunda weight loss before and after

Nakia lost 43 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story:  Nakia lost 43 pounds with regular exercise, the Insanity program and by eliminating a number of things from her diet.   Here is what she shared with us:

Hi! Tomorrow is my one year anniversary and I would like to share my journey on your page.

I started my “get fit” lifestyle change journey on July 2, 2012. I was blessed to see a picture of Nakeisha of Fit 4 Life Sisters’s transformation and it motivated me instantly. I started that day with eliminating soda, sweets, fried and processed foods from my diet. I only drink water daily anywhere from 80-100 ozs. I began Insanity and was able to complete the first 6 weeks. I later joined the gym where I started the Arc trainer and treadmill. I eventually added weights for toning and running on the treadmill. This year I have accomplished finishing the whole Insanity program and I am now able to run at least 4 miles outdoors in 45 minutes. I’m 43 pounds down and feeling FITABULOUS!! My beginning weight was 220 pounds I am currently 177 pounds. My goal weight is to be between 155-160 lbs!! Yes, I am still under construction and will be for the rest of my life as this is a lifestyle change and not a temporary progress. Keep your head up sisters and keep pressing forward we all can accomplish our goals and dreams!!! I am a FIT4LIFESISTER!!!

Nakia weight loss before and after

Rachel lost 103 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story:  Rachel lost 103 pounds going from 300 to 197 by changing her eating habits and exercising regularly.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hello, my name is Rachel and I started my weight loss journey/lifestyle change in March of 2010. My starting weight was 300 LBS. It just seemed like when I looked at food, I would gain a pound. The bigger I got, the worst I felt physically and mentally.  I realized it was me and I had an obsession with eating. One day, I decided that if I didn’t change my way of eating, that I would start to have serious health issues.  The thought was just uncomfortable since I had, at the time, a 4 year old daughter. I started out with eliminating pastries and other sweets, which was my biggest downfall. I focused on eating more fruits, vegetables, and smaller portions. It was too painful & exhausting for me at the beginning to workout. In 2011, after I had lost 50lbs, I started walking at work on my break and lunch time. Over time, my energy level had risen and in Jan. 2013 I started doing cardio daily and weights for body toning. I am still consistently exercising at least 5 days a week. As of June 2013, I am now at 197 pounds and still will forever continue living a healthy lifestyle, because this is my life. My family and friends give me the most encouragement & support which is very important and motivates me to keep going.

weight loss before and after photo

Blanche lost 48 pounds

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Today’s weight loss before and after story: Blanche lost 48 pounds with My Fitness Pal, Zumba, Body Pump classes and running.  Here is what she shared with us:

I gained the a weight from being pregnant and it never came off! I was very sad about not being able to wear my former clothes. One day, I said only I can change it. I used My Fitness Pal and ran three times a week. I also took Zumba classes at Fitness Connection!  I’ve lost about 48 pounds and I don’t want to gain it back.

My motivation to lose weight came from the clothes in my closet that I could not wear anymore. It was very painful to see my size 10 jeans in the closet and wear a size 14. My emotions were all over the place!  Then, a friend told me about Black Girls RUN! I joined the group but was always to nervous to run with them. I worked at it a little on my own. I started running two miles on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Then, I’d run like four miles on Saturday. I would participate in Body Pump led by Chelle Thompson at Fitness Connection. My family and friends were very supportive! Now, I do group runs, 5Ks,and even completed my first half marathon! Diet wise, I started out using the My Fitness Pal app which was helpful. Now, I just follow portion control, stop when I feel full, and drink water. It has been an amazing journey. I’m now smaller than my pre pregnancy weight!
Blanche weight loss before and after

Renee lost 28 pounds

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Zumba Instructor Renee lost 28 pounds and has kept the weight off for 2 1/2 years.  Here is what she shared with us:

I’m Renee and married with 3 girls. I’m a Zumba instructor and took a look back at my photos from a decade ago and couldn’t believe the size I was. I lost 28 pounds and been maintaining for 2.5 years. It was important to be at a healthy weight because of the current diseases that are actively on the rise such as Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Cancer due to the type of foods we eat. Diabetes also runs in my family with age. I had to take a stand to break that cycle.

McDonalds was banned from our household for over 8 years. I teach my children to incorporate vegetables with every meal (including breakfast – except cold/hot cereals…lol).

A little more detail about me: rallen.zumba.com/

Renee weight loss before and after

Caroline lost 31 pounds

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Caroline lost 31 pounds and she still has her curves.  This diva credits healthy eating choices and patience as being key to her weight loss.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi Black Women Losing Weight!  My name is Caroline.   I lost 31 pounds going from 193 lbs to 162 lbs from October 2012 to now.  I lost the weight by eating smaller portioned meals and picking up some healthier eating habits.  I did very little exercise because I could not keep up with it.  I was also very patient and waited to see the weight come off.  I feel Amazing and I look fabulous.  My motivation was to be healthier & sexier  and for my clothes to fit better.  This Sunday is my birthday so I am celebrating my weight lost success.  Your Facebook page also taught me to be patient.  Thanks so much ladies…and I promise to keep the weight off.

caroline weight loss before and after

Chante’ lost 60 pounds

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Chante’ lost 60 pounds with a low card/high protein diet and exercise.  She was able to stop taking medication for diabetes and high blood pressure after losing weight.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is Chante’, better known to all as Tay. I have been struggling with my weight since the age of 19, when I had my one and only child. Before my pregnancy, I was at 145 pounds and after I gave birth, I was at 250 pounds. Through out my adult life, I lived with the weight and yo-yo’d from 250 pounds to 219 pounds (being the lowest I’ve ever gone, then right back up to 248 lbs). I finally settled at 240 lbs and stayed there for so long. In October of 2006, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. When I found the best doctor, she explained to me what I needed to do in order to come off meds. LOSE WEIGHT…I wasn’t trying to hear that. I already knew about diabetes because my mother had type 1 diabetes. In February of 2009, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. So now, I was taken meds for the diabetes and for high blood pressure. Geeze, I didn’t want to meds, but I had to since I wasn’t even trying to do anything else. I continued to not listen and kept it moving. Last year, I lost my mother in August of 2012. This hit me real hard and to be honest, I still have not really accepted it. Over the next couple of months I was lost and confused. I didn’t want to die with a lot of health aliments, like my mother did.

In January, I decided to start my new healthy lifestyle. January, 4, 2013 changed my life. My starting weight was 240 pounds. I am currently at 180 pounds. I started using healthy apps on my iPhone: Myfitnesspal, Runtastic, Nike+Running, Runkeeper, BodyMedia Armband, and just recently purchased a Garmin Watch. I had to build myself to up to running. Walked then jog, and kept the process up that way. Now, I can run 3 miles and I’m good. No feelings of passing out or throwing up. Also, I started on a Low Carb/High Protein Diet. This has really helped me because I am currently not on any medication for diabetes and high blood pressure. Both are currently stable. Thank You God!!! My mom would have been so proud.  I know she watching me. I now have a personal trainer that is helping me drop 30 pounds more that I am trying to lose as well as getting my body tighter. I lift weights, run, and enjoy being overall healthier and stronger. My daughter is so proud of me. Just to think, I thought about having the surgery but I am so happy that I did not. Doing it on my own gave me more confidence.  I’m also glad God kept that drive alive in me to be successful in my heart, mind and soul. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Chante weight loss story

Ashley lost 50 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before & after: Ashley lost 50 pounds by eating clean, working out 5 to 6 times per week.  She now encourages others on facebook and instagram.  Here is what she shared with us:

Ashley weight loss storyI have been following this page all year and the before and after pics have helped me to stay on my path to better health. Thank you soooo much for your posts!! I wanted to share my before and after pics. The left pic is from 2011 & the right is now. I’ve been battling with my weight loss ever since I was 10 years old.  Finally, I’m putting an end to my obesity roller coaster. I started off doing at home videos because I couldn’t make it to the gym with my kids, nor could I afford a trainer. I lost weight by eating clean, (no processed foods & occasionally I would have cheat meals or cocktails), working out 5-6x a week and praying to God for continued strength. I do various challenges with myself every 6-8 weeks to shock my body and today I just finished the Insanity DVDs.  YAAAAY! Im so happy because insanity is literally INSANE!

For motivation, I joined My fitness pal last year to keep track of the quanity and types of food I eat. What motivated me the most was starting a instagram page. I started posting pictures of myself and it helped me to stay accountable and on track. I still have a good 30-35 lbs to lose & Ive learned that patience and consistency are key ! My goal is a size 6 jeans.

If others are interested in seeing my progress or more pics they can go to facebook.com/watchmemelt2.  I also run a contest on Instagram every 8 weeks to help motivate women & reach their overall goals.

God Bless!

Ashley weight loss before and after

Joyce lost 52 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Joyce.  This proud mom lost 52 pounds by eating right and working out regularly.  Currently, she is prepping to run a 5k obstacle course.  Here is what she shared with us:

I’ve lost 52 lbs by changing my eating habits and working out 3-4 times a week; 5 if I have a chance. I started out concentrating on tackling my eating because I knew that would be the hardest for me. I’m a true GRITS (Girl raised in the south)!  I lost 15 pounds alone just doing that. I moved on to Zumba for a few months which really built up my endurance.  Then I moved on to boot camp, which I now do now at least twice a week.

I was motivated by my toddler to change my life. He has WAY too much energy. I had him later in life (at 33) and wanted to be able to make the most of it.  That meant being able to run and play with him without gasping for every breath.  In May 2012, I was at my highest weight, 302 pounds. My doctor told my I was “toxic”. Today, I am at 250 pounds. I would like to get to under 200 pounds. It’s definitely been a battle. I have my good days and my bad days, but so does everyone and it’s okay!! I just remember tomorrow is a new day! I am currently now trying to get prepared for the Rugged Maniac 5k obstacle course; something I NEVER thought I could or would ever do. GOD is good!

Joyce weight loss