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Rashaun went from 511 pounds to 295 pounds with surgery

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Rashaun who lost 216 pounds with gastric sleeve weight loss surgery.  Her starting weight was 511 pounds and working out was a significant part of her transformation.  Here is what she shared with us:

I wanted to share my pictures with this group/page.  I started my weight loss journey on April 9, 2012 at 511 pounds.  To date, I’m 295 pounds.  I did have the gastric bypass surgery, which is the sleeve surgery.  I was tired of not being able to walk up 2 or 3 steps without being outta breath.  I couldn’t go to my daughter school events cause I couldn’t fit in the chairs, so my daughter was my motivation.  I changed my eating habits to protein drinks, oatmeal and only veggies.  I also drank 3 liters of water a day.  I started going to the gym.  I would work out in the pool, run 2 miles and then do a hour of water aerobics.  I did that 6 days out the week, equaling up to 3 hours per workout session.

Rashaun before and after weight loss surgery

Britney lost 212 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Britney lost 212 pounds with gastric bypass weight loss surgery in 2012.  She is now able to keep up with her 2 daughters.

I’ve been seeing the weight loss stories from your page and they really hit home.  I went from 440 pounds to 228 pounds.  I still have 28 pounds to go until I reach my goal.  I have two girls and a few years back we went to an amusement park.  I could only fit on two rides.  I was so sad and embarrassed for myself, but so more for my kids.  After several failed diet attempts, I decided to have gastric bypass weight loss surgery.  I had it done on January 27, 2012.  Now, I don’t eat processed foods.   Everything I eat is from scratch and healthy.  I walk and run the steps for exercise.  Financially, the gym isn’t in the budget, but I make due.  My girls keep me busy, but now I can keep up.

Britney weight loss surgery

Tarayn lost 178 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Tarayn.  She lost 178 pounds with weight loss surgery and lifestyle change.  She posted her story and photos to her BWLW online community profile: blackwomenlosingweight.com/profile/TaraynHarmon  She provided a whole lot of detail about her weight loss journey.   Here is what she shared with us:

Before (4/2009) 370 lbs.. After (4/2013) 192 lbs….

Early in 2009, my doctor diagnosed me with Intracranial Hypertension. This was added to all of the other health issues that I was having. The fact that I wanted to have a child, but couldnt and this latest health issue could cause me to go blind.  I knew I had to take control.  I did some research and I decided to have Gastric Bypass (RNY). It was not the easiest decision because of the risks that were involved. It wasnt anything magical, by all means. It was a tool that I used and the only way it would work was if I made it work. Nothing automatic about it. Anyone that has had it can attest to the emotional, physical, psychological factors that play roles in it as well.  I made a lifestyle change.

I initially joined Curves, it worked out perfect, but the location I attended closed.  So, I joined a local gym.  There is a site I was using prior to the surgery and to this present day called obesityhelp.com.  That was a big support system for me.  I worked out 4 times a week.  I started doing Zumba and line dancing.  It seemed the more active I was, the more weight came off.  I was eating 4-6 small meals a day, depending on my schedule. I totally cut out sodas for the first 2 years, then i started leaning torwards diet everything.  Water was my new best friend. I was big on protein, so I made sure I got that first before anything else.  I did all of my workouts alone.  I didnt adjust my schedule to fit others because I was determined that nothing was going to stop me form getting it in–not this time around..lol.

It was very hard at first, but once I fell in love with the whole idea of being healthy, happy, and sexy, it made things a little bit easier. Those changes brought me almost perfect health, and my son-Rylan, who will be 2 in July. He is my motivation today. I want to continue to be around and be healthy so that I can watch him grow. Until 1 month ago, I had not worked out since he was born.  I thought I would bounce right back into routine but I didn’t.  Life happens and you have to deal with that and it wasnt easy trying to live my same lifestyle with a small child.  So I dedicated my time to my family.  Now that he is mobile and a little more independant, it’s time to focus more on me. I’m on the right track with eating and exercise.  I may backslide here and there, but it doesnt take me long to get back on track. I know how far I have come and how hard it was. I would hate to disappoint myself and others who have been there before, during and after my journey. I didnt know the effect and the inspirational affect that I had on people.  When you think nobody’s watching, they really are!!!

Tarayn weight loss before and after

Anj’ela lost 146 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Anj’ela who lost 146 pounds with weight loss surgery.  Her motivation was controlling her diabetes and being there for her grandchildren.  Here is what she shared with us:

“Just,wanted to share my story.  I had gastric bypass weight loss surgery on March 22, 2012.  I started off weighing 439 pounds and now I weigh 293 pounds.  To God be the glory!  My motivation was my grandchildren.  I have 4 children (3 are adults) and 2 grandchildren. My diabetes was out of control and I knew I had to do something before I died, so I had the gastric bypass weight reduction surgery.  Now, I just monitor everything I eat.  I have an app on my phone the gives me different exercises to do daily, but mostly I just walk and drink a lot of water.  I turned 40 on the 24th of April and I simply did not want to die.”

Anjela before after weight loss

 

 

Nataisha lost over 200 pounds

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Nataisha lost over 200 pounds.  She opted for gastric bypass weight loss surgery but the weight did not come off quickly. It has taken 7 years for her to release half of her weight.  She says, “I don’t regret the strategy I took because I learned how to eat right and found what exercises work for me. My motivation was to live and not die.”  She is now an avid runner and motivational health coach.  Read more about her journey:

Nataisha weight loss before after

“I am a black women who has lost over 200 lbs. I am a certified personal trainer and I help other women reach their healthy goals. It has taken me 7 years to lose the weight and I don’t take my journey for granted. I’m just a willing vessel who knows the struggles of being morbidly obese. Hope my story encourages someone else not to give up. I started my journey in 2005. The second picture is from 2009, I had already lost 128 lbs. my start weight 408 and to date I’m 200 pounds or less. I no longer get on the scale.

I was overweight my entire childhood and most of my adulthood years. It wasn’t until I decided to do something about my current situation for change to occur. In 2005, I decided to have the gastric bypass weight loss surgery thinking it would get me to my desired result. Well, God had another plan for me. It has taken my seven years to get to half my weight. The quick fixes don’t work and they are not meant for everybody. I don’t regret the strategy I took because I learned how to eat right and found what exercises work for me. My motivation was to live and not die. The road I was traveling was destruction and I was heading straight to death. I didn’t have any ailments but if I didn’t get my weight under control I would not live to see my boys become men. I learned how to eat clean by eating plant based foods and found that running and strength training worked for me. I have ran 2 marathons, 3 half marathons, 5Ks and 10Ks. I instruct boot camp classes outside because I believe in all body workouts. Although it took me 7 years to lose the weight, God broke up the rocky foundation and began to build a solid foundation on love, confidence, motivation, support, and encouragement. Toward the end of my journey I became a certified personal trainer aka motivational health coach for others. My program is Size Healthy and this program helps improve the quality of life by developing the mind through physical fitness, education and healthy lifestyle changes. When I was trying to lay aside the weight, no one told me it was a mental journey. They just said eat this and don’t eat that and exercise; that’s it. I not only provide the physical aspect of losing weight but the mental aspects as well in my program. I teach lifestyle changes and not diets. My highest weight was 408lbs and I am currently 200lbs. Success is not built on a feel good moment! It is attainable through our actions. Thank you for listening.”
~Nataisha Ramirez
Founder of Size Healthy LLC
Motivational Health Coach
Instagram: sizehealthy

Kellee lost 101 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some love to Kellee who lost 101 pounds.  This blogger and proud mom of 2 opted for weight loss surgery to end a lifelong battle with her weight.  Check out her blog.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is Kellee, and this is my story! My life seems pretty happy….HAPPY not Perfect, but allow me to invite you on my journey and show you what it took me to get here.  Ok, here’s the kinda long version.  Just care with me!!!  All my life, I have struggled with being me.  To my friends and family I was Kellee, The Fun (and Chubby) Girl that was always cracking jokes, smiling and being outgo Kellee weight loss surgerying!  That was the person I appeared to be! I have always been very expressive and very different, but I have always felt like, well I couldn’t be ME.  Why, Because I wasn’t happy with the person I was. Even as a child, I remember being called fat by classmates and to this day I HATE that word with a passion! I couldn’t understand it. I tried to be nice to everyone, have fun with my friends, treat others the way I wanted to be treated, yet sometimes I was ridiculed for my size. I would go home, cry and ask God why he made me the way I was!  My weight, my lips, my teeth..I hated EVERYTHING ABOUT MY BODY! Ok, I’m getting depressed…NO! I’m Not (Bi-polar moment) ……Sooooooo Back to the journey.

My life consisted of weight gain and weight lost! I went through so many phases of trying to be the Kellee I was yearning to be! After diets, starvation, and pills of course, I decided I’d had ENOUGH! Here I was 28 years, and almost 300 pounds! This was ridiculous! I had 2 small children.  I wanted to run with and LIVE for!  SOMETHING had to be done.. AND GUESS WHAT…..I did it Dammit!

After Lots of research, tears, fears and tons prayers I decided to Weight Loss Surgery (I opted for the Lap Band).  It has changed my life FOREVER! Weight loss Surgery is NOT a easy fix!  Sure, its a Boost, but you still have to work EXTREMELY Hard!!!  I had to change my food portions, exercise, and change my lifestyle for good!  I’m still a work in progress, but I’m well on my way!!!

Kellee wight loss before after

Crystal lost 140 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Update Dec 2013 – “Hello, I was featured several months back. My name is Crystal Coffen and I had gastric sleeve weight loss surgery in October 2012.  I wanted to give you an update and let you know that I’ve lost a total of 140 lbs (38 more pounds gone). I eat a lot of protein and vegetables. I also exercise some but not enough! My motivation is my kids and a special guy in my life that keeps me encouraged” Check out her updated photo!

Crystal weight loss story

Original Post

Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight Love to Crystal.  She went from 410 lbs to 308 lbs with gastric sleeve weight reduction surgery, changing her eating and exercise.

My name is Crystal and I had Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy weight loss surgery on October 5, 2012.  My starting weight was 410 pounds. I’m now down to 308!  I exercise at least 3 times a week, while eating healthy with lots of water, protein and low carbohydrate intake!  I still have a ways to go and I’m confident that I will get there! I enjoy shopping now more than ever before!!!

My motivation was wanting to be around for my 2 kids, ages 2 and 8!  I wanted to be able to get on the slide at the park instead of sitting on the bench and watching. I changed my eating habits. I don’t eat junk food daily, and I no longer drink sodas! I’ve learned portion control instead of just depriving myself of foods that I do like , like fried chicken.  I use to eat 4 pieces in one setting now I only eat half of one piece and I’m satisfied!  Right now my workout is mostly cardio. I walk on treadmill for 45 minutes at least 3 times a week! I also use my shake weights while walking! Thanks

Crystal before and after weight loss

Tonya lost 83 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some love to Tonya.  She lost 83 pounds with gastric sleeve weight loss surgery.

I lost my weight by getting the Gastric Sleeve operation at my heaviest weight.  Before surgery, I was 300.1 pounds. In July of 2012, I had bariactric weight loss surgery. With the determination to loose 100 pounds and by exercising 5 days a week, I’ve lost 83 pounds.  I do Zumba classes and walk daily.   Also, I use my treadmill & recumbent bike.  I do leg lifts and crunches as well.

Tonya weight loss

Colenthia lost 32 pounds

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Colenthia lost 32 pounds by embracing a raw food diet and exercising.  Part of her motivation is her sister who had an unsuccessful weight loss surgery and passed away due to obesity.  Here is what she shared with us:

The after photo was taken on April 11, 2013.  So far, I have lost 32 pounds by going raw (raw vegan) and exercising.  My heaviest weight was 310 pounds.  Now, I am at 278 pounds and my goal is 160 pounds.  I lost my sister in 2002, due to obesity.  She had gastric bypass weight loss surgery. Unfortunately, hers was not successful. When I went to the doctor in January of this year, I was weighing 310 pounds.  He informed me that I would be a good candidate for weight loss surgery. Knowing that I was against the surgery, I was furious. I became frustrated. Through my Facebook friends, I have learned about raw food dieting. I exercise 5 days a week, twice a day for an hour. I don’t have access to a computer, so one of my Facebook friends framed the January and April picture (below) so that I could share it.  My goal is to prove you can lose weight naturally. I am against the surgery. So far, I am losing 6 lbs every two weeks.

Colenthia weight loss

Kellie lost 109 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Kellie lost 109 pounds in 14 months by changing her eating habits, juicing and embracing regular exercise.

I started at 367 pounds and I am now 258 pounds.  I’m still a work in progress.  I have lot’s more to go !!!  Once again, all hard work. I have been eating foods of the earth and juicing.  I don’t eat red meat or fried foods.  For me, working out daily is a must.  I’m getting married next year and I will be in a size 14.  Most of all, all glory is to god for he is Good!

How I got so big is that I never thought myself to be obese,  just fat. Then, one day I went to Lane Bryant and couldn’t fit anything in there. That was my breaking point.   I looked into the gastric bypass weight loss surgery, however I would have had a huge out of pocket expense.  My insurance wound not cover it all. So February 13, 2012, I changed my eating.  I cut out fast food, red meat and fried food.   No pop, no juice.  I joined Planet Fitness and worked out 5 days a week, 2x most days. Most important to me was counting calories.  I had no more than 1400 calories a day and no eating after 7pm. I’m doing the same thing now, but I now juice once a day.  As of today, I’m 109 pounds down and counting!!!! This has been over the last 14 months  Thanks so much!  Be blessed.

Kellie weight loss