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Lasonya lost 15 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Lasonya lost 15 pounds in 4 months with health eating and lots of exercise. She was inspired and encouraged by others who have taken this journey and now she can share her victory as well.  Here at BWLW, we love to celebrate every pounds.  We want you to know that it’s not about losing some tremendous amount of weight.  It’s about creating a new healthy lifestyle and choosing what healthy is for you.

lasonya before and after

Hi, my name is Lasonya Posey. I started my weight loss journey in June weighing 205 pounds. I didn’t like what I seen when I looked in the mirror so I decided to make a change. I was inspired by two of my Facebook friends who always encourage people to learn how to eat healthy for their health. I changed my eating habits and I work out as much as I can. Today, I’m down to 190 pounds, 20 lbs away from my goal of 170 pounds.
My motivation is my kids. I changed my eating habits by eating more vegetables and, as people say, more colorful foods. I stopped eating when I was not hungry and eating very late. I also stopped drinking sodas and eating out all the time. Now, I’m drinking more water, making more salads and baking instead of always frying my food. I work out 5 days a week for at least an hour per day.
My height is 5’3″ and my transformation took 4 months. My advice for other people who wants to lose weight is to just start and stay focused on your diet and workout plan. It will get hard but once you see your results your gonna love it. Also, always keep God first in whatever you do.

Lorri lost 70 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Lorri lost 70 pounds. She began her journey with the goal of losing 10 pounds by her birthday and then kept the momentum going for 60 more pounds. Clean eating, plenty of water and lots of exercise helped her to transform her body and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Here is what she shared with us about releasing the pounds.

lorri before and after

I started this journey several times in the past but finally got serious in Nov 2013. After the passing of my grandmother, I had just relocated to a city for work where I knew no one. So, I spent my free time at the gym. My weight loss journey started as me wanting to lose 10 pounds by my birthday. Now, I’ve just kept this healthy lifestyle going.

I cut out all bread (my first love, lol), sweets, pasta, sodas, and fried foods. Also, if a restaurant had a drive thru, I didn’t eat there. I chose to eat clean and drink only water. I found new ways to eat more veggies and infused my water with fruit. Next, I focused mainly on cardio. I remember how I could barely do 20 minutes on the elliptical, and now I can do that for an hour as my warmup.

My height is 5’9″ and my starting weight was 260 pounds. My current weight is 190 pounds. That’s a total of 70 pounds lost. My total transformation took about one year. I consider myself a work in progress, because I still have some work to do. My goal weight is 180 pounds.

My advice to those who want to lose weight is don’t do fad diets, pills, etc. Make it a true lifestyle change and find a workout regimen that works for you. This requires patience and perseverance, but it will all be worth it.

Instagram: @lorriashly
Fitness page on FB: Sofitsticated Society

Nov Challenge Week 3 – Clean Eating Resources and Recipes

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eat clean for 21 daysWe are in Week 3 of our Clean Eating Challenge! Below you’ll find this week’s list of resources, recipes and tips for making clean eating a lifestyle and not just temporary change.

Here are some of the testimonies we’ve heard from participants who are seeing results;

  • “Things are going good. I lost five more pounds.” – Kimberly S.
  • “According to my WW records I lost 3 pounds.” – Drellar A.
  • “I’m down 1.5 and it has been challenging, but I just keep moving! Come on ladies, we can do it!” – Dawn H.
  • “I’m down 2.5 pounds.” – Tina M. 

Also, the participants in our November DietBet have lost 310 pounds combined so far.

If you haven’t given your all or made the decision to clean up your eating habits, the holidays are the perfect time to start. Why? The average overweight or obese person gains up to five pounds over the holidays. If you’ve already been eating in a way that causes you to gain weight, add 4-5 more pounds to that scenario and you could see significant weight gain.

“People tend to gain weight — about one to two pounds on average, according to several studies. So holiday weight gain may not be as dramatic as it sounds.  Before giving yourself license to eat whatever you want this week, do the math: One or two pounds a year can add up quickly.

And that one to two pounds is likely only if you’re a person with a normal body mass index. If you’re overweight or obese, the weight gained is more likely to increase — up to five pounds.” – CNN.com

Recipes

Lifestyle Change

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Kaye lost 51 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Kaye lost 51 pounds. Being a single mom and facing a family history of illness, she decided to adopt a healthier lifestyle for herself and her family. Consistency, a good meal plan and lots of exercise has changed her life. Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

kaye before and after

Starting weight: 240 pounds
Current weight: 189 pounds and I’m still on a journey. It’s a lifestyle
(White dress was 8/30/2015, Blue dress 04/12/2015)

My name is Kaye Wilson. I’ve lost over 50 lbs. I was determined and consistently focused on my health and how important my life is. It was time to make a change. A healthy meal plan and exercise are what changed my life.

Coming from a family with numerous health issues, I didn’t want to be the next in line for illness. I’m sharing my story and trying to empower other women to take charge of their mind, body and spirit. It is possible to change your life. Changing your life is hard, but it’s possible.

What inspires me, is knowing that my health is the key to life. If I don’t honor this vessel who will? In August 2014, I had a health scare that made me look in the mirror. In that profound moment, I knew that if I don’t value being the healthiest version of me, I’m asking for trouble! Also, my 16 year old son inspires me. Being a single mother, I know that he needs his mother to be healthy and happy. I also need to be healthy for me.

I started my journey in December 2014 with exercise and started a healthy meal plan in January 2015. I changed my eating habits by having 5 small meals a day. My meals were made up of protein, veggies and baked sweet potato. I removed breads, sugar/sweets, soda and fried foods.

Back in January 2014, I decided to run my first 5k. Now, I’ve completed two 5ks: Commitment race (in St. Louis 1st of the year 2015) and the Biggest Loser Race (July 2014). I trained with a trainer 4 days a week. I walk 3 miles, 2 times a week. My workouts consist of; Leg day/cardio, Upper body/cardio, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, weights, leg pressed, push ups, crunches, and planks.

My advice to the world; Please value yourself and know there could never be another you! You are necessary in this world and you deserve a better, healthy lifestyle.

Instagram: @kaye_wilsonr

Lauren lost 55 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Lauren lost 55 pounds. This petite mom wanted to feel good about herself again and be strong and healthy for her children. She lost the pounds with lots of self love, regular exercise and by embracing vegetarianism. Here is what she shared about her journey…

lauren weight loss story

My name is Lauren and I am 30 years old. My height is 5’3″ and my starting weight was 183 pounds.  I’ve lost 55 pounds and my current weight is 128 pounds. It’s taken me about eleven months to get to where I am today. I wanted to lose weight so that I could feel good about myself again and show my children what it’s like to be strong and healthy, in both body and spirit.

I decided to be the healthiest me that I can be, and in doing so I have become a vegetarian and am going to begin a journey of eliminating dairy as well. I stopped eating big portions, cut down on sugar and increased my protein. I also almost always cook my own food so that I can control how much salt, sugar, and oil are in my meals. Although I still struggle sometimes with using food an an emotional outlet, my relationship with myself and with my children has drastically improved.

I like to do cardio five days a week, and I do little HIIT workouts at home with my kids. I do five minutes at a time if I have to! I just know it’s important to get my heart rate up! I dabble in yoga as well.

Advice: I think that the most important thing is to not get discouraged with little bumps in the road. Life happens. When you have an addiction, every little step you take is a step in the right direction. Even if you crawl, at least you’re moving forward. I think challenging yourself to constantly be a better you is most important! Also, be kind to yourself. I believe that this is the part of my journey that I struggle with the most. Showing love to yourself every step of your journey and embracing your perfect imperfections helps you to treat yourself with more respect, encouraging healthy choices.

Heidi lost 46 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Heidi lost 46 pounds, with clean eating and exercise. She had a very supportive network of friends who encouraged her and walked with her on her weight loss journey. Here is what she shared with us about losing the weight…

heidi before and after

Starting weight: 205 pounds
Current weight is 159 pounds
Height: 5’8.25″
How long did your transformation take? – My transformation took 9 months.

What was your motivation?
David said, “Heidi, everybody is getting fat, but you can lose the weight if you want to.” David J. Johnson is my childhood friend who is a Louisiana Recruiter for the Tulane University football team, MOTIVATED me WHILE WORKING at St. Augustine High school from 2009-2011. We compared food intake and recipes. We encouraged each other to eliminate bad habits through exercise and prayer.  (@audreyson @TUCATCHTHEWAVE)

What inspired you? 
Ruben Horne, my neighbor, listened to me complain about my weight gain. He suggested we go biking on the weekends. Ruben created bike trails starting in our neighborhood in New Orleans, LA. I learned how to mount my bike and ride in other parts of the city. I listened to his jovial advice to purchase a real bike that fit my size and height. Later, I started a bike ministry at my church Franklin Avenue Baptist Church (www.franklinabc.com). Ruben, is a HAZMAT truck driver from a small town in Mississippi. @HorneRC

How did you change your eating habits?
My eating habits started to change because my swim coach, Richard Hunter, created lap routines for the freestyle, back stroke and breast stroke. Richard Hunter is a jazz musician and retired mathematician. We met while working at the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORDC.gov) as water safety instructors and lifeguards. Coach Hunter encouraged me to complete my first triathlon (Girl Power) in 2013. I’m now training for my 2nd triathlon in September 2015 with Laverne Saulny and Lona Hankins Edwards. I stopped eating fried foods and immediately noticed my energy level increase. Then, I exchanged white bread for wheat bread and increased my green vegetable intake. As more weight fell off, I substituted beef and pork with baked or grilled fish, turkey and chicken.

What did your workout routines look like?
I started running with my Masonic brother and neighbor, Roderick.  We ran three times a week at 5:00 am. We used the couch-to-5k app for training and consistency. He also introduced me to myfitnesspal, an app to measure my food intake. Roderick encouraged me to complete my first 5K run with the Saints back to the Superdome in 2012. We now lift weights when we can’t run. Roderick L. Richardson is a Party Chief of a Survey Crew for a private engineering firm. He is from Okalona, MS. @rocrich13

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
My advice is simple: “Excellence Without Excuse”. It is NEVER too late to get fit!! Exercise wherever you live. Then create a habit of loving your self through clean eating. Finally, have fun transforming your body and celebrate your transformation.

Instagram: @drheidilovett
Twitter: @QueenSweetMom
drhildaniels.Tumblr.com

Olivia lost 60 pounds

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Update 2017: Shout out to Olivia! She’s lost over 100 pounds.
Update 2016 : Olivia wrote in to update us on her progress. She’s lost 18 more pounds for a total of 78 lbs gone. Check out her story.

olivia before and after

I was tagged in a candid photo (before photo) by my cousin and was shocked how I looked. I was tired of making excuses as to why I couldn’t live a healthier lifestyle and not feeling beautiful or comfortable in my own body. I changed my mindset and started to surround myself with uplifting supporters on my journey. I get inspired knowing that I can inspire others to reach their goals by not giving up. I’m 22 lbs from my big goal of 100 lbs total pounds lost! I’ve eliminated sugary, fried and processed foods from my eating habits. I started eating more veggies, more grilled/baked meats and more fruits. I’ve made healthier food choices overall. My workouts consist of spin class 3 times a week and 3 mile walks 5-6 times a week. I strive to reach 10,000 steps a day no matter what I’m doing.  To others, I say trust the process and give it your all! Great things never came from comfort zones. Step out of your comfort zone and take it day by day. You are only capable to what you put your mind to, so speak it into existence. Let your actions speak louder than your words and remember why you started. The journey is not easy but it’s worth it!

Nov 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Olivia lost 60 pounds in 5 months. This young lady wanted to be healthy and comfortable in her own skin. She was inspired by many of the ladies we’ve featured and now she wants to be an inspiration to others. Here is what she shared about her journey…

olivia weight loss

Hi! My name is Olivia My motivation to lose weight was to get healthy and be comfortable in my own body. Growing up, I’ve always been a bigger girl and I felt that it was time to finally do something about what’s making me unhappy. I was inspired by the many women featured on the BWLW page and wanted to make a change myself!

I changed my eating habits by meal prepping everyday and eating healthier food options. My eating habits went from a diet change to a lifestyle and now I enjoy what I eat. I stopped eating bread, pasta, soda, processed and fried foods. I started eating more vegetables, fruits and lean meats. I try to have greens every day. Protein wise, eggs and grilled/baked meats are my main go-to. I actually didn’t eat pasta at all (It wasn’t the easiest to give up). Now, I eat pasta here and there in, moderation. I eat carbs but in low amounts. I would snack on low carb foods, like pepperoni, string cheese, etc., throughout the day.

I did cycling every day at the gym and a lot of intense cardio (elliptical in intervals, treadmill, running and the stair master) for an hour a day.

My starting weight was 255 pounds in May 2015 and my current weight is 195 pounds (as of October). I’m 5’5″. I started my weight loss journey at the end of May (the last week) so it’s been about 5 months exactly now.

My advice to others who wants to change their lifestyle is to stay motivated. Surround yourself with positive reinforcement and know that you have an end goal to reach. Remind yourself of why you started and keep pushing until you get to your goal.

Instagram: @Oliviaxopatrice

Stephanie lost 40 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Stephanie lost 40 pounds. Wanting to avoid a family history of diabetes and obesity, she incorporated exercise into her daily routine and cleaned up her eating habits. She talked to us about the actions she took to lose those pounds.

stephanie before and after

Hello, My name is Stephanie! I am 5’1 “and 28 years of age.  My weight loss journey started on March 26, 2015 and I weighed 204 pounds. It took me 5 months to lose 40 lbs. My current weight is 164 pounds and my goal weight is 150. The weight gain started with my pregnancy back in 2004.

I stopped eating fast food and processed food.  My motto: If you can’t kill it to eat it or grow it in a garden, just forget about eating it. I basically eat veggies, fruits, nuts, eggs and meat. I only drink water.

My workout routine consists of a number of different things. I make a workout out out of grocery shopping. When choosing a parking spot at Wal-Mart, I park far away. If there is a closer parking spot, I drive right pass it. After arriving home with my groceries, I take one bag in the house at a time. On my lunch breaks at work, I do 60 seconds of planks. My daughter and I have jumping jacks contests to see who can jump the longest. Just make a workout out of anything! I also attend Zumba once a week and I’m a member at Club Fitness where I workout 4 days a week. When the weather is great, I enjoy walking/jogging outdoors.

I’ve attempted to lose weight 5 times before this time. What made this journey successful was doing it alone and being consistent. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to have a partner but don’t depend on them. What inspired me was that I wanted to be healthier. I don’t currently have any health problems yet, but diabetes and obesity runs in my family. My daughter, who is extremely active, also motivated me. I just wanted to look amazing naked!

My advice: It is important to take pictures and videos along your journey. Remember, everyone will notice that you are losing weight, but you may not see it until around 30 lbs. Be sure to take measurements and don’t let the scale hold you back. There is nothing wrong with a cheat meal, but cheat days are a huge no no. Good luck.

Instagram: @Lovelysmile87

stephanie weight loss

Dana lost 92 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Dana lost 92 pounds. In 2013, this amazing lady began taking control of her life by working with a personal trainer, eating clean and working out 5 days a week. She put in work and was able to do her first NPC figure competition in August. Her transformation is super inspiring and she has some great wisdom to share.

dana before and after

My name is Dana McFarlin. In 2013, I decided that I was ready to take control of my life and lose the extra weight that I had been carrying around for years. I was tired of pretending that I was happy with my size and tired of eating my feelings.

I called a trainer in my area who was known to get great results. When I met with her for my consult, I told her that I would do any and everything that she told me to do. She taught me how to eat clean, and I gradually started to change the way I thought about food. My workouts were usually 5 days a week and consisted of cardio and weight training.

As my body began to change, and I grew more confident, my trainer and I decided that a figure competition would be a good goal for me. We kicked it into high gear this past June (2015), and I did my first NPC figure competition on August 29th, almost 2 years after I first walked into her studio. At my heaviest. I weighed 233 pounds. My show weight was 141.5 pounds.

Before my transformation, I ate a lot of fast food, but from time to time would try different fad diets that never seemed to be a long term solution. Once I started with my trainer and she taught me about eating clean, I cut everything processed out of my diet. I started eating chicken, fish, lean ground turkey, lean cuts of steak, egg whites, lots of green veggies, low glycemic index fruits and good carbs like brown rice, sweet potatoes and oatmeal.

I tell people that it doesn’t matter how much weight you need to lose. You can do it one pound at a time, one rep at a time. It doesn’t matter how long it might take; the time is going to pass anyway. You can do anything you set your mind to!

dana weight loss story

Aliyah lost 70 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Aliyah lost 70 pounds. With support from friends and family, she began her journey in Jan 2015. Meal prep, changing her eating habits and working out at the gym has helped her prove to herself and others that it is possible to lose the pounds. Here is what she shared with us…

aliyah weight loss story

My name is Aliyah W. and I’m currently still on my weight loss journey. I’m 70 pounds down.  I started my journey in January of 2015 at 6 feet tall with a starting weight of 260 pounds. Now, I weigh 190 pounds. I have never been this small in my adult life! 260 lbs was the highest that I have ever been and I never want to be there again. I’d let life tear me down.

I decided to change because I have always been a pretty active person. I like hiking, sports and the like. My health was becoming an issue and when I saw myself in the mirror I wasn’t able to recognize the person looking back at me. With the support of my family and some friends, I started to make changes.

I meal prep so that I know how my food is made, and I’ve decreased my dairy and carb intake. I go to the gym at least 5 times a week. The gym has become a new therapy session for me and my happy place, besides prayer and music. Yes, there are days when I don’t want to go but then I have to remind myself why of I started. I had to prove to myself and others that I could do it! This has always been a dream of mine and now it’s a reality.

This work in progress has taken me 10 months and the best advice I can give anyone else is to never give up. It sounds simple, but it isn’t. There will always be something or someone trying to push you down and stop you from reaching your goals. Let that negative energy go and keep it moving. Everything doesn’t have to happen fast. Start small if you have to, but just start. You got this!

Instagram @myworthydream
YouTube: myworthydream