Black Weight Loss Success

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weight loss story

Brandi lost 34 pounds with Weight Watchers

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Brandi.  She lost 34 pounds with Weight Watchers and Zumba classes.

I have lost 34 pounds doing Weight Watchers and Zumba. After having my kids, I got lazy. I ate fast food often (sometimes twice a day) and never made time to exercise. I would often go an entire week with no fruits or veggies. My main motivation was looking at pictures from my 37th birthday party. I made a vow to be fit by 40.

I’ve never been skinny but I was in much better shape in the past. After I got married, I had a hard time getting pregnant and had two miscarriages. I got a little depressed and basically stopped taking care of myself. I finally got pregnant and had a son.  During my pregnancy, I felt like I should eat all the ice cream and junk I wanted because “I was eating for two”. I tried fad diets, lost weight and gained it back many times. I had a second son and kept all 40 of the pounds I gained during pregnancy. With two kids, working, and going to school I decided I had no time to plan healthy meals and exercise so I ate a lot of fast food and second helpings of “good comfort food”. At my highest I was 30 lbs higher than when I delivered my second son.  I found out about Weight Watchers at work and joined.  I learned just how much over what my body needed that I had been eating and have been losing weight since! 11 months later, I’m well on my way and continue to work at being healthy. I am also doing Zumba and trying to be consciously active at least 4 days a week. I’m hitting a plateau but with the help of your blog I’m finding new strategies to break it!

Brandi weight loss journey

MrsTLovely lost 131 pounds with the Realize Band

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MrsTLovely wrote to us about her weight loss journey.  She lost 131.6 pounds with Realize Band weight loss surgery. Even though she had weight loss surgery, she credits her hard work, dedication to a lifestyle change, faith and perseverance as key to her weight loss.

Hi, I’ve lost 131.6 pounds to date. I used to weigh 378.8 pounds i now weigh 247.2 pounds. I had Realize Band weight loss surgery to help me with portion sizes on June 28th, 2011. However, I credit my weight loss more so to hard work, dedication, faith and perseverance. I work out 6-8 times per week. I started out by working out for 2-3 hours. Now, I exercise twice a day and I eat clean. I documented my full journey on Youtube.  I have inspired and motivated many to change their lives and have changed people’s minds in regards to weight loss surgery, especially the band.  The amount I have lost is far more then expected for the Realize Band.  The expectation was 60 pounds and I’ve lost 131 pounds.  I credit the change in lifestyle I’ve made. I have a facebook page where i share motivational words and recipes for effective weight loss.   Also, I am still active on youtube in hopes of helping as many  people as I can on their journeys as I’ve been doing for the last almost two years while chronicling mine.

MrsTLovely weight loss surgery

Emicia lost 160 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Emicia lost 160 pounds with gastric bypass weight loss surgery, changing her diet and by facing the reality of her health issues.  She started at 404 pounds and was deeply moved by a neighbor who tried to reach out to her about health concerns and obesity.  I truly appreciate her openness and transparency.  Here is what she shared with us:

I’ll never forget walking my neighbor Ms.Barbara to my door that day. As usual, we had a long conversation, but this time when I gave her a hug good-bye, she held on for a bit longer. When we parted, she was crying, which she *didn’t* do. I was concerned, and apparently, so was she. “Emicia”, she began, “I love you, but you have to do something about your weight. I suffer so much [due to my weight] and I don’t want you to suffer like I do”. I was confused. The confusion would be cleared up on my way to work one day when I ran into 2 policewomen in the hallway. Assuming someone was robbed, I asked what was wrong. They pointed into Ms.Barbara’s apartment, where she lay…dead. I broke down. But as cruel as it felt for God to allow me to witness that, the lightbulb finally went off. “I don’t want you to suffer like I do!” now had an exclamation mark at the end of the sentence.

At that moment, there was no BBW rallying cry that could drown out reality. It wasn’t about being “big and beautiful”, or whether Lane Bryant also made cute clothing. I saw weight for what it really was, a life or death situation. Ms.Barbara’s death made me decide to chose life. I didn’t understand why stress made my body react so oddly. After watching both my [adoptive] parents die in hospitals, I could not bring myself to see a doctor. However, the week Ms.Barbara died, I gained 7lbs without any lifestyle change, which baffled me. That brought my weight up to an astonishing 404 pounds!!??!! I had to see a doctor. It took awhile of testing and exams to determine the cause, but I was finally diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Hashimoto’s, which explained the whole host of symptoms associated with my body attacking itself. One of the other symptoms, hypermenorrhea, had nearly killed me.

After being placed on medication, I found a nutritionist, a walking partner, and created a food journal. I also limited carb and sugar intake, ate more fresh vegetables and fish, and less beef and pork and I lost 30lbs. I needed to amplify my efforts and I wanted a tool that would give me portion control. On May 23, 2011, I had Gastric Bypass surgery. I’m not sure why it’s said to be the “easy way out” because it’s actually been quite difficult. I fought on, changed my diet, and continued walking. Now I stand here 2 years later and 160lbs lighter. I still have a way to go, but I’m on my way. I’m not sharing this to perpetuate the myth that big women are self-loathing, lazy or worthless. Quite the opposite!!! Many of the big women in my circle are the best mothers, grandmothers, everybody’s mothers, community leaders, businesswomen and worldchangers that I know. They’re the women who keep us healthy, so why not keep them healthy??? Ladies, I am on this journey with you and we will get there together. If you need any encouragement, advice or support, you know where to find me :o).

“I call heaven and earth to record this day … that I have set before you life and death … therefore choose life” -Deut 30:19

Emicia weight loss before and after

Farah lost 75 pounds

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Today’s featured before and after weight loss story: Farah lost 75 pounds by changing her diet, embracing green smoothies and working out religiously.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

Hello, I wanted to share my journey thus far. It’s long but I know it’s attainable.  I reached my highest weight when I was pregnant with my last son. When I was at 39 weeks, I weighed 294 pounds.  Despite not getting the support I needed at home , 6 weeks postpartum I went down to 282 pounds. I still looked so puffy I pictures I’ve seen of me at this weight.

Prior to me getting pregnant, I was into fitness and nutrition. So, I knew what I had to do. I had to completely stop procrastinating and stop being all in the feeling from my past. I still had my gym membership.  I started back going to the gym 5-6 days a week, doing cardio and strength training.  I was also eating 80% clean eating.  The only thing I ‘m doing different now is using a Nutribullet, which I love , love , love.  I use it once or twice a day. Everything I use too make my protein/veggie/ fruit drink is raw.  No cooking required.  Some times I add a little bit of healthy fats . Of course, I drink tons of water everyday day.

I’m still under construction, but I’m happy with what I have accomplished thus far. The tools I use; Your monthly challenges, my fitness pals, free weights, cleaningeat.com, Google for healthy Recipes, Zumba, boot camp, elliptical, treadmill with incline, jump rope, planks, Squats, ankle weights, burpees, mountain climbers, dvds, cable machine, other people’s success stories and a heart monitor Ft4. I can’t thank god enough. #stillaworking progress  Now I weigh 219.6 pounds.

Farah lost 75 pounds

Yolanda lost 100 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Yolanda.  This proud mom lost 100 pounds in 10 months with weight loss surgery and no longer has high blood pressure and arthritis.  She expresses in her story that her weight made her feel safe and she was able to hide behind it.  Here is what she shared with us:

On Sept 5, 2012, I had weight loss surgery. I have lost 100 pounds! My start weight was 262 pounds and now I’m down to 162 pounds. From 2000 to 2012, I had two babies, high blood pressure and arthritis in my spine. I could barely barely walk 100 ft. without catching my breath and experiencing extreme pain in my legs and lower back. I put my life on hold for all those years, because being bigger made me feel safer for some reason. I literally hid behind my weight and it controlled my life. I can’t believe how much my life has transitioned in 10 months. The high blood pressure and arthritis are gone!! No more riding around on a scooter to shop in stores! I can walk now without losing my breath or being in pain.

I did not gain weight from overeating. I gained it from not eating enough food, not exercising, stress and not getting enough rest. The fat in my body stayed stored up due partially to starvation. My routine was 1 to 2 meals a day, if that. Now that the weight is gone, I feel like the most wonderful person in the world! I have my life back! I love going to the gym three times a week to work out. I eat more now to maintain my weight, meditate, and try to keep myself stress-free! I hope my story inspires someone out there who is struggling and hiding behind their weight like I did. You are not alone in this fight! It takes courage and don’t worry about what others think, because you only get one life and one body! So do what is best for you and live your life like it is GOLDEN! I took control of my life and it was the best decision I ever made! Blessings!

yolanda weight loss

Latese lost 60 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after: Latese lost 60 pounds with Zumba, protein shakes for meal replacement and portion control.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi, My name is Latese. When I graduated from high school, I weighed 145 pounds and even at that weight I thought I was fat. After high school, I never worked out.  I also ate what I wanted, mainly fast food, and enjoyed mango margaritas at least four times a week. My clothes got bigger, but I remained in denial about how much weight I had actually gained. January 28, 2012, I weighed in at 225 pounds. It was shocking and depressing. At that moment, I made a vow to lose 50-60 pounds.

I joined a gym and started taking Zumba classes at least five times a week.  When I wasn’t doing Zumba, I was in boot camp classes. I also stopped drinking those mango margaritas and replaced many of my meals with protein shakes. I pretty much ate what I wanted, just in portions. I cut back on fast foods as well. I still drink protein shakes as a meal replacement now.  I am proud to say I have reached my goal of losing 60 pounds. I weigh 165 pounds.  I’m only 20 pounds away from what I was at 18 years old. I have more energy, and can fit into the clothes I never would have been able to a year ago 🙂

Latese weight loss success

Kimberly lost 63 pounds

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Let’s share some BWLW love with Kimberly who lost 63 pounds with the help of an exercise bootcamp and by following at 1500 calorie eating plan.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hello, my name is Kimberly and I’m 33 years old.   I decided that I would lose weight about 18 months ago, after being diagnosed with high blood pressure.  I knew that I was living a very unhealthy lifestyle.   I chose to follow  a diet plan of 6 small meals for 1500 calories a day.  I joined a extreme workout boot camp here in Chicago.  I’ve lost a total of 63 pounds in 7 months by eating healthy and working out 3 days per week.

I wanted to become healthy again.  I also wanted to look better, after looking in the mirror one day and seeing an image of someone I didn’t recognize.  That’s when I knew that I had to make a change. I was also tired of shopping in a plus size stores.  I was 228 pounds and my current weight is 165 pounds.  Thanks for listening to my story.

Kimberly weight loss

Natalie lost 112 pounds

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Update 2015: “It has been 2 years and I have kept my weight off. I did gain 30lbs last year, but I quickly turned it around. The BWLW Facebook page has helped me and kept me focused. I was able to lose the 30 pounds I gained plus and 11 lbs. Today, I weigh 174 pounds.” That’s a total of 123 pounds gone. Instagram: @new_natalie

natalie before and after

Today’s weight loss before and after story:  Natalie lost 112 pounds by embracing regular exercise and changing her eating habits.  Here is what she shared with us:

Natalie weight lossI went from 297 pounds to 185 pounds. I did it all on my own and would love to share my story. Started my journey on 9/20/2011.  What motivated my journey was trying on clothes and being almost out of a size 24 pants, about to be a size 26 pants.  I cried in the dressing room and all the way home. I then threw out all my bad food and began my new life that day. I only baked or grill my meats.  I only eat chicken or turkey meat.  Water or tea are my only drinks. I eat lot’s of fruits and vegetables. I learned how to turn my favorite meals into healthy meals. For instance, I love pizza and now I can make it healthy by using 100 calorie whole wheat pita and low fat cheese, chicken and all the vegetables I can fit on it.  That would be considered a treat for me.

I love the gym now, it’s my stress reliever. I started off not really being able to do anything in the gym before feeling like I was going to pass out. I set little goals for myself.  When I started I was running and one minute and 30 seconds in I was ready to stop. Each week I went up a minute and now I am able to run 4 miles on the street.  In the beginning, I worked out twice a day for an hour or two per session. I used every machine in the gym and sometimes I would freestyle routines or watch YouTube to pick up tips. I always set little goals and my first goal was to get into a size 22.  Once I did that, I kept going down in size until I reached my goal of a size 13/14. My goal weight is 175 pounds. I cried many nights and prayed for the strength from God to help me through this. I have empowered my little sister to lose 46lbs this year and have helped some friends as well. I love telling my story, because may help one person who feels like I did.  It may help them know that they too can do it.  It was a long road and is still a long road, but I will never gave up and never will.

Natalie weight loss before and after

Karen lost 30 pounds

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Let show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Karen who has lost 30 pounds.  She was motivated by a diagnosis of diabetes.  Here is what she shared with us:

I changed my eating habits.  I stopped eating pork.  Now I eat chicken, fish and less beef.  I also eat a lot of vegetables and have cut down on sweets.  I don’t drink soda, only water or sweet tea.  I walk 2 – 3 miles, 3 days a week and I workout two days a week.  In addition, I trained myself to eat small portions so now I get full fast with less food. My motivation was my doctor telling me I have diabetes and I might have to take insulin.  She said that  if I lose the weight, I can over come diabetes. Being overweight, you start having high blood pressure and diabetes.  I didn’t want that for myself.  I’m 41 years old and I feel that the older you get the harder it’s is to get the weight off. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen and for having a page for us.  When I see your page, it encourages me even more.

Karen weight loss before and after

Elisa lost 80 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  BWLW Online Community member Elisa lost 80 pounds by eliminating junk food, portion control, and working out.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hello BWLW Community, I am so happy to be a part of a community where there is so much positive support. Thank you for this opportunity.

My Motivation

My motivation came from the desire and need to see my son grow up.  I was tired of being tired and wanted a change.  I knew in order for me to be healthy I needed to start somewhere. I began my journey the summer of 2011.  I was going to the gym but wasn’t seeing any results, so I decided cancel my membership and focus on me.  I knew that going to the gym and eating the same foods was counterproductive.  I always knew that I needed to lose weight but it wasn’t until I was emotionally ready that I was able to be committed to this journey.

My Eating Habits

I realized my weakness was rice and junk food candy, ice cream and soda. When I started my journey, I began eliminating junk food especially soda. I started drinking water with lemon and hot tea in the mornings and eating fruits, vegetables. Portion control helped me lose the weight. Over the course of 2 years I managed to lose 80 pounds now weighing 245 pounds. I had to come to terms, and be honest with myself about what I was putting in my body.  I found that denial is real, especially when battling weight loss.  Once I got over the denial part I let it go. Food for me now is not for comfort.  I eat when I’m hungry and if I want a sweet snack I will get a small piece. I have tried going cold turkey in the past and I would end up eating more than I needed. I eat 3 meals a day with lunch being my heaviest. Dinner is usually fruit or something light depending on what I ate earlier in the day.

Workout Routine

I began walking a few blocks in my neighborhood and increased my duration it each time I went. I began walking 3 blocks and later began walking around the park.  In the past I would take the short cut around, but as I continued I was able to complete the entire walk around the park. I also workout at home using some of the routines I learned while going to the gym.  When I was going to class I would get off the train stop furthest from my school and walk back.  I am looking forward to getting back in the gym now that I have control over what goes in my body.

I feel confident that I will reach my goal weight one day at a time!!

ElisaJune13