Black Weight Loss Success

The Official Blog of the Black Women Losing Weight Community. Tips, articles and weight loss resources for African American Women.

Join Our Email List:
We respect your email privacy
You are here: Home / Archives for weight loss

weight loss

Nov Challenge 2013 Day 8 – Tips for Week 2

by Leave a Comment

It is day 8 of our Holiday Slim Down Challenge for November.  Don’t forget to check in on our online community and Facebook page to let us know how you are doing.  I thought I’d provide some helpful tips to keep you going for week 2 of the challenge.

  1. Make sure that you take advantage of the free 4 week meal plans (with recipes and shopping lists) available on our blog.
  2. Drink lots of water between meals.  It will help you to feel full.
  3. If you crave chocolate, you could need more magnesium in your diet, especially during menstruation.  Consider eating more fruits, nuts or taking a supplement.
  4. Craving fried foods?  You might need more healthy fats and/or calcium.  Try to get more calcium from things like low fat cheese, dark veggies and greek yogurt.  Also, consider an omega 3 oil supplement and eating more fish.
  5. Throw it out!! As much as you can (I know it can be hard with kids), throw out every food that you know you should NOT be eating.  Only you truly know what is on that list.  Be REAL with yourself.  Once you’ve thrown out the bad stuff…commit yourself to not buying it again.
  6. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store for at least 70% of what you buy.  You’ll find more fresh foods and less processed foods (some of that food on the shelves is there for months).
  7. Drink green smoothies instead of commercial juice and soda.  They are a great source of fiber and vitamins.
  8. Don’t eat when you are sad, depressed, mad, or bored.  Emotional eating is the source of so many unwanted calories.  Don’t medicate your emotions with food.

These tips are just simple suggestions, but if you put them to good use they can really help you reach your goals.

Also, Check out our Veterans Day Sale: Get 20% off Everything in our store thru Nov 12th. Visit blackweightlosssuccess.spreadshirt.com/. Use the Coupon Code at Checkout: EARLY20

november 2013 weight loss challenge

 

Sheila lost 43 pounds

by 4 Comments

Featured weight loss story of the day: Sheila lost 43 pounds in 6 months.  She embraced regular exercise and made healthy changes to her eating to make getting healthy and lifestyle change her focus.  She also got help for chronic pain.  Here is what she shared with us:

Sheila weight loss story

 

What was your motivation?
My main motivation was to get healthy and maintain good health.

How did you change your eating habits?
I loaded up on complex carbohydrates and limited my intake of simple carbohydrates. I stopped eating processed foods and began eating more whole wheat/grains, legumes and vegetables. I only drank water and I stopped drinking sodas and beverages that had high fructose corn syrup. I only use extra virgin olive oil when preparing my meals. I stopped eating red meat, mainly because my acupuncturist said it’s very harsh on our digestive system.

What did your workout routines look like?
My workout routines consisted of 60 minutes of Zumba® 3-4 days a week.

What was your starting weight?
My starting weight was 209 lbs.

What is your current weight?
My current weight is 166 lbs.

How long did your transformation take?
My transformation took 6 Months.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Firstly, get healthy and lose the weight for yourself and begin when you are absolutely ready.
It will be difficult but DON’T GIVE UP!  Lastly and more importantly, do not consider it as a diet, rather consider it as a lifestyle change.

My weight loss story:
My story began about three years ago.  I worked from home eight to nine hours a day; five days a week.  I started to experience pain in my right shoulder/arm. Initially, it started as a dull, aching pain which was more of a discomfort to me. It then progressively developed into a sharp, painful, shooting and debilitating sensation to the point where my husband and I thought it would benefit me to seek treatment from a physical therapist/chiropractor. I found a local Spine and Rehabilitation center that provided Chiropractic/Physical Therapy treatments. I made an appointment and I was advised to come twice a week for several months. They did a comprehensive analysis of my neck, electrical stimulation and “spinal manipulations”.  Unfortunately, I did not get relief from any of these treatments, so I felt I had to try some type of exercise that would not only give me the relief I desperately needed but one that would effectively help me lose a considerable amount of weight.  I had heard of dance fitness program called Zumba® and how much fun, effective and exhilarating it was. I found a local studio that offered Zumba® which was very convenient and affordable. My goal was to get healthy because I truly believed my weight and lack of exercise was the cause of my pain and suffering. Toward the end of 2009, I began Zumba® and I went 3-4 times a week. The classes lasted an hour and I felt energized after every class! I purchased a scale and maintained a spreadsheet where I kept a log of my exercises and everything I consumed (food/beverages). I made a promise to myself that I would lose at least 40 lbs by my Birthday, October 21, 2011. In April of 2010, I weighed in at 209 lbs (size 16) and by my Birthday (as promised) I lost 40 lbs and weighed in at 169 lbs (size 10). In the process of losing the unwanted weight by doing Zumba®, the debilitating pain I felt in my right shoulder/arm was GONE! I have been able to maintain my weight loss and I am working on losing an additional 8-10 lbs. Amazingly, I am still pain free! I thank my husband for his tremendous support and I thank God for giving me the strength, the willpower and the belief I needed to have in myself which gave  me the confidence necessary to successfully execute and complete the goal I set for myself.  And finally, a big thanks to the amazing and wonderful Zumba® instructors who continue to inspire me!

 

 

Toshi lost 80 pounds with weight loss surgery

by Leave a Comment

Toshi wrote to us to shared her weight loss story.  She lost 80 pounds after having gastric sleeve weight loss surgery back in December 2012.  Here is what she had to say:

“Hello My name is Toshi. I would like to share my weight loss story. Back in December 2012, I was tired of being the big girl with the pretty face. I have been battling with weight problems since 1996. I did so many fad diets and took pills until I had reached my heaviest weight of 255 pounds. That’s when I decided that enough was enough. I was blessed to be able to join a healthy lifestyle program through Kaiser. This program is required in order to qualify for the weight reduction surgeries they offer. After successfully completing the 3 month course, I had the gastric sleeve surgery on December 19, 2012.

Today, I have learned to eat smaller meals more often and incorporate exercise in my life. I actually changed my eating habits by eating more frequently. I eat 5 to 6 small meals a day. My meals consist of high protein and vegetables with “good” starch. I eat proteins like chicken and fish. I also cook my food by baking and grilling. I have little to no fried foods. I also feel that my success is due to the fact that I had to make it a lifestyle and not a “at the moment” decision. As for exercise, I keep it real simple. I’m walking 2 to 3 miles a day. I also love dancing on the weekends and Zumba class every once in awhile.

I am currently down to 175 pounds from 255 pounds. I hope to reach my goal weight of 155 pounds by the first half of 2014. This will be pure success for me because my 30 year high school reunion is right around the corner. I will be close to the same size I was in high school when I reach that goal. I just want women out there to know that there are weight loss surgery success stories out there. I am living proof.”

Toshi weight loss success story

6 Tips for Starting a Vegan Diet

by Leave a Comment

If you have decided to start a vegan diet then you are in good company. Many people are adopting the vegan lifestyle for health and ethical reasons. Here are 6 tips for starting a vegan diet to help you get the most benefit from your choice.

vegan diet tipsTip #1 – Plan meals ahead of time

Keeping a vegan diet takes effort. By the middle of the work week, you may not be up to the effort anymore and it becomes easier to make the wrong choices. You can prevent this by planning out your meals ahead of time and organizing your food so grabbing the right thing to eat is easy. Also, always make sure to have a snack with you of fruit, nuts or whole grains to help tide you over when hunger strikes.

Tip #2 – Up your B12

Vegans have a smaller percentage of B12 deficiencies than vegetarians; possibly because of the dietary on green, leafy vegetables but even being low on B12 can seriously impact your health. B12 is a soluble vitamin, which means our bodies do not store it. What is not immediately used is filtered out. It is essential that you add a B12 supplement to your diet to avoid developing a deficiency in this vitamin. A B12 deficiency can cause serious problems and even lead to thinking disorders, neurological problems, mood disorders and fatigue.

Tip #3 – Don’t assume meatless means healthy

Many vegans assume that if there is no meat in a dish, then the dish must be healthy. A lack of animal or fish protein in a dish doesn’t imply a healthier food; it just means that something else has been used to supply the body with something that will be taken in as filling. In many instances, bleached  flour, trans fats, other benefit-less fillers are used to create a dish that is filling, but has little nutritional value. Always make sure to know what is in the dish and to make sure that the rest of your plate has a balanced serving of other foods to maintain a healthy diet.  Read food labels and do research online.

Tip #4 – Be consumer smart

Being vegan isn’t just a healthier choice for many; it is also a booming marketing demographic for food and clothing producers. The label of ‘vegan’ attached to any item often comes with an associated higher price than its non-vegan counterpart. As a smart consumer, it is important that you remember that there are no regulations about who can and cannot use the term vegan on a label. Only recently have food packaging laws been changed to clearly define what can be labeled organic and many people are shocked to discover what they though was a healthy and organic product, only contained one organic ingredient amid many chemicals, steroid and genetically altered ingredients. Be careful when buying that you don’t believe the hype. Take the time to read all of the ingredients and do your homework.

Tip #5 – Look at restaurant menus before you go out

More and more restaurants are accommodating vegetarians, vegans and those with gluten intolerance. While some restaurants will highlight on the menu which dishes are prepared to common vegan standards, some will only list this information online. Planning ahead for what you are going to order before you get to the restaurant has more benefits than just allowing you to stick to your dietary guidelines. If you already know what you can and cannot eat and have an idea of what you will order, it can make dining out more comfortable with friends and family who may not completely understand the vegan restrictions.

Tip #6 – Find vegan sources of protein and calcium

Many of the studies done on the impact of a vegan diet on health have reported low bone density in long term vegans and a protein deficiency in the diet. This has been attributed to a commiserate low calcium intake. Protein deficiencies in the diet can contribute to lethargy, depression and other issues. This doesn’t mean that a vegan diet promotes these deficiencies; it does mean that many vegans are not following a diet that provides for vegan sources of adequate amounts of protein and calcium. Some common sources of calcium include green leafy vegetables; calcium fortified or set soy products, beans, fruits and grains.  You can find protein in things like faux meats, soy, nuts, leafy greens, beans and vegan protein powders. The recommended daily allowance of calcium for an adult is set at 1000 mcg a day. Protein needs will vary according to the individual.

Are the Green Tea for Weight Loss Claims True?

by 2 Comments

green tea for weight lossIf you were to believe all the advertisements, infomercials and half the websites on the Internet that are connected to a product with green tea, you might think that it is the magical answer to weight loss. It can be hard to separate fact from fiction when it comes to evaluating products and supplements aimed at helping people burn fat because the issue of obesity is highly charged and there is a lot of money made on diet products. The tried and true methods of reducing calories, eating healthy and increasing exercise can seem too hard to maintain, if your schedule is overburdened or your current weight and lifestyle habits make it hard to break through into healthy living. Green tea has been presented as a cure-all of obesity, but are the green tea for weight loss claims true? The answer is a resounding yes and a huge no. Understanding how green tea can assist in weight loss and how to use it to support a weight loss program will help you achieve your goals realistically.

How to spot when things aren’t what they seem

The first thing you have to accept is that the human body is not designed to lose a pound a day. The body is hard-wired to prevent starvation and will quickly seek to regain the weight loss when the chance comes, and not just regain it, but to build up an additional surplus of fat just in case it is placed into starvation mode again. This is why healthy weight loss is most often calculated at a pound every week to two weeks. This pace means that the weight loss has not placed stress on the metabolism that will create a backlash weight gain and that your habits have changed to support sustaining the healthy weight loss as well.

What green tea does

Green tea leaves are taken from the plant Camellia Sinensis which is indigenous to China and grows in many areas of Asia. The leaves are harvested and prepared with a minimum of oxidization, which preserves a high level of naturally occurring polyphenols in the leaf. The polyphenols can then be consumed by ingesting the tea or water the leaf has been steeped in. These polyphenols contain many properties that are just beginning to be understood and documented by the scientific community to support the practices the tea has been used for in traditional medicines. Polyphenols have been shown to provide support to the immune system, act as a diuretic, have high concentrations of antioxidants, and have the effect of raising the metabolic rate without also increasing heart rate. Traditionally, green tea is used to increase energy, fight off sickness and as a weight loss agent. The thought is that by ingesting regular amounts of green tea in powder, capsule or infused water the polyphenols act within the system in support of immune and metabolic functions.  However, this is a theory but one with a lot of information out there to back it up.

How to use it to support a weight loss plan

No green tea product is going to help you lose weight just by taking it alone. It’s not a magic pill.  Green tea is a diuretic, so you will experience some water weight loss but that is not permanent. Green tea has been proven in scientific studies to aide in weight loss by increasing the metabolism by up to 4%. Your metabolism is how fast your body can process fat to fuel, which is how weight is lost. Green tea has also been shown to increase energy levels, similar to caffeine, which can help you keep up with exercise routines. There is also evidence that green tea supports healthy blood sugar maintenance which is also beneficial to weight loss management.

Guaranteeing success

Green tea can play a very important role in weight loss. By using it in conjunction with calorie management and an exercise program, can help you to lose weight and keep it off.  Just think of it as any other supplement you may choose to use.  It’s a tool. One of the best ways to incorporate green tea in your diet is to use it as a substitute for sugary or high caloric drinks, such as lattes and other fancy coffees. In the end, adding green tea to your daily diet may assist you in reaching your weight loss goals in a healthy way that can be maintained, but it will not do the work for you.

Pros and Cons of Colonic Irrigation Therapy

by Leave a Comment

colonic irrigationColonic irrigation therapy is gaining popularity. During the past 10 years, many doctors are hearing from their patients that they have started to receive this treatment for relief of everything from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), chronic gas, nausea, chronic fatigue and as a catchall detoxifying process. Given that the therapy is neither approved or regulated by the FDA for treatment for any disorder or disease, many people are wondering if there is any real benefit from having a colonic done. Some are even saying that the risks are too great, and colonics can create more problems. Colonic therapy has both pros and cons. Neither side has absolute evidence of either opposing belief and both sides claim anecdotal proof. Before you decide to try colonic irrigation, here are some things you should know.

What is a colonic?

Colonic irrigation therapy, sometimes referred to as colonic hydrotherapy, is similar to an enema but very different. With an enema, water is pushed into the colon through the rectum using a syringe or gravity fed enema bag. The water rarely goes beyond the first several inches of the colon. With a colonic, water is forced up into the colon via a hose inserted into the rectum to fill the larger intestine. The colon and intestine both have a natural cramping reaction to force the water out, pushing out any fecal matter or debris that is held within as well. While the process sounds uncomfortable, it is pain free for most people (some medical conditions could make it painful) and done in such a manner as to be hardly felt at all. At a colonic clinic, you are taken into a private room where you lay on your side with one leg drawn up on a special table. Sterilized medical equipment is used to introduce the hose into your rectum and then the waste water retuned is siphoned directly into a disposal drain so you will not even smell any odor or see any of the waste removed from your body. It is most commonly recommended that you do not have the procedure performed more than once every 6 weeks as the colon and sphincter muscles need to recover from the expansion and expulsion action forced by the colonic.

The Pros of Colonic Therapy

Colonics work to remove bacteria and debris from the colon and intestine that the body has not been able to pass naturally. This can assist in relieving stomach and lower back pain due to chronic constipation. It can also help to promote weight loss (improved elimination and nutrient absorption) and create a sensation of lightness and well-being. The proponents of colonics also state that the removal of the bacteria and debris acts as a detoxifying action. By washing the colon clean, the body may be able to better regenerate healthy bacteria that are needed to aid in food digestion and metabolism. Some people have a difficulty in emptying their own colons naturally and regularly because the modern diet contains processed foods that are difficult to digest, void of fiber and water intake is not enough to aid the natural elimination process. Also, a general lack of adequate exercise means that for some people the muscles involved cannot control the colon efficiently.

The Risks of Colonic Therapy

Oddly enough, the very same reasons given as a benefit of colonics are also stated as the risk in having the therapy done. Medical science is only just beginning to understand the role of bacteria in the intestinal system in aiding metabolism.  There are questions over how necessary, or beneficial, it is to be constantly starting the bacterial growth and flora from scratch. While probiotics are often used in conjunction with colonics, replacement bacteria are not as adapted to the evolved diet as that which was originally in place in the person. Another valid concern about colonics involves the lack of oversight and regulation in providing the therapy. There is no standard certification or licensure for a colonic therapist and no set methods and procedures for ensuring that safe health management practices are used in the clinical setting. Even the equipment used to perform colonics is not standardized and can vary from practitioner to practitioner. Experts advise caution in using colonics as an aid in weight loss as it may create an electrolyte imbalance, especially in the elderly, that can cause serious health problems.

My advice is that you speak with your medical professional of choice before having a colonic to review the pros and cons and get some sound information to help you make a decision.

 

Carmen lost 80 pounds

by 7 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Carmen lost 80 pounds.  She committed herself to getting healthy and losing weight and has provided the full details of her weight loss journey.  She gives God all the Glory for helping her to commit to a new lifestyle.  Here is what she shared with us:

Carmen weight loss photos

Oct 30th: Wow, what a difference a year can make! Today, I am celebrating my one year anniversary of my weight lost journey. My pain is my power, my power is my purpose, and my purpose is my Praise. What was meant to demolish me only polished me. Live, Laugh and I LOVE being a LOSER OF 80 pounds!”

How I did it: 1. God 2. Diet 3. Gym 4. Sleep 5. Vitamins 6. Journaling

What was your motivation?

My pain is my power, my power is my purpose, and my purpose is my Praise. What was meant to demolish me only polished me. Live, Laugh and I LOVE being a LOSER OF 80 pounds!  When I looked in the mirror I didn’t like what I was seeing.  After a couple of stressful situations in my life one day I just had a light bulb moment and made up in my mind that I was going to lose weight because I wanted to be healthy, feel and look better.  First, I asked God to help me with my weight lost through prayer.  I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.  I realized that I needed to change my lifestyle because you cannot catch health but you can catch health related diseases such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and cardiovascular.  I eliminated stress and stressful people from my life.

How did you change your eating habits?

My diet is focused on portion control with a minimum of 50 grams of protein daily.  Example for breakfast I eat the following: a boil egg white, piece of cheddar cheese, 16 ounces of veggie/fruit juice that I make: beet, kale, ginger, pineapple and carrots, snack protein shake, lunch cup of salad with a small can of tuna, snack yogurt, dinner salad/steamed vegetables with grilled steak, fish or chicken.  I drink half of body weight in water.  For example, I weigh 145 pounds so I drink at least 73 ounces of water daily.  I eat and drink three (3) hours before I go to bed, I have a bedtime and I get 8 hours of sleep daily.  I also take the following vitamins daily: Iron, B12, Calcium with Vitamin D and Women’s multiple all from the $1 store.  When I eat out, I order a salad as my appetizer and eat an appetizer as my main entrée or only have an entrée that I eat half of.

What do your workout routines look like?

I joined a gym for $20 a month.  I signed up for the instructional classes to learn how to use the machines and received a written routine by a personal trainer.  My gym routine consists of 6 days per week 90-120 minutes work out.  I do a 5 minute cardio warm-up on the treadmill, 45 minutes of weights that I spend 5 minutes per machine that I alternate upper or lower body for 4 days and 2 days I do a circuit of weights and I finish my work out with 45 – 60 minutes on the treadmill and/or cross trainer.  Twice a month, I go hiking for 5 miles 5 hours and Pole Dancing for an hour.  Once a week I do Soul Line Dancing for 3 hours, Flat belly Work Out for 1 hour, Hip Hop Abs, and just for fun I do Hip Hop Dance on my son’s Wii along with a couple of dips and pull ups.

What was your starting weight?  What is your current weight?

My starting weight was 223 pounds.  My current weight is 145.8 pounds. [80 pounds down over the course of the year.]

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?

The main advice I have for others who want to lose weight is to educate themselves as much as possible about diet and exercise.  Secondly, understand that weight lost is a major lifestyle change.   My lifestyle changed with activities that included entertainment, traveling, hiking, DIY projects, knitting and soul line dancing are just a few to name.  Activities that did not include food but were physically focused.  I begin focusing on what I should eat and drink instead of focusing on what not to eat and drink.  I focused on my weight lost as a battle and a journey.  Third, keep a journal of your weight lost journey.  I picked up my pen and started a weight lost journal that I made a promised to myself to keep for one year.  The journey was so rewarding that I’m keeping the journal until the end of the year.  I also documented my weight lost resources as well in my journal.  I made up in mind that I was going to enjoy the journey no matter where I was at until I reached my goal which the journal helped me see my progress and was great motivation.  I understood that the weight lost was not going to come off fast because I didn’t put on the weight fast so I gave myself at least one year with a change in my diet and physical activity.  You cannot eat a whole pie in one sitting but if you eat a little piece at a time eventually you will eat the whole pie.  Remember anything is a cinch inch by inch and all things are possible through Jesus Christ who strengthens us.  Live, Laugh and Loving Weight Lost!

Naledi lost 89 pounds

by 8 Comments

Nov 2016 – Naledi has kept off over 80 pounds for over 3 years and is now focused on toning, weight training and HIIT. She’s also sharing her nutrition knowledge online to inspire others. Check out her update and what she has shared with us over the years about her transformation.

Just reaching out to give you my update and the joys of living healthy. I have manage to keep of my weight for 3 years now and it’s been a living testimony. I’m focused on toning now and doing a lot of Les Mills weight training and HIIT. I’ve created a Facebook group were I post my daily meals, from breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner and meal replacement alternatives. No short cuts or fad diets. Just authentic home cooked meals that I create daily to share my passion and help the community as a whole. – Naledi (aka. Ledi Tangs) 

naledi before and after

Feb 2016 – It’s been 3 years since we featured Naledi’s weight loss journey. She’s kept off the 89.9 pounds and is working on toning and definition with weight training and Les Mills classes.

Hello, I’m back with an update. You featured my weight loss journey in 2013 and I want to share what I have been up to. I started weight lifting with the goal of developing more shape and definition. I’ve been doing Les Mills classes 2-3 times a week now. It’s been such a rewarding journey and so pleased to share with friends here on the BWLW group to motivate someone. I do Body Pump, which involves weight lifting and attacking every part of your body. I also do Body Attack, which is a cardio class of 1 hour of intense exercise (similar to Insanity). You literally burn 400-500 calories if you give it your best. My pecs are progressing massively. It’s been 7 months since I started the classes. I have maintained my weight but my dress size has dropped from an 8 to a 6. I am living a dream and I’m more confident. I hope this inspires a sister out there.

naledi before and after

Nov 2103 – Today’s weight loss success story: Our sista from the United Kingdom Naledi lost 39kg and went from a size 22 to a size 8.  That’s 89.9 pounds!  She did it by eating right and exercising to avoid the risk of diabetes.  Here is what she shared with us:

Naledi weight loss story uk

“My story begins like this… I gained weight via not eating properly and not exercising. Started feeling unwell and went to see my doctor. My family has a history of diabetes and have lost all my beloved ones from my father’s side including my Dad who passed away in 2004 due to the disease. I was affected by the death of my father and when I went for the check up to see if I was prone to the disease fortunately the result was negative. I weighed 102 kg (224.8 pounds) by that time in 2011 and was told by my doctor that I was overweight, obese and prone to having a heart attack if I did not reduce my weight (regardless of being diabetes free). My dress size was 22. I now weigh 63kg (138.8 pounds) and wear a size 8.  I started my weight loss journey from March 2011 to October 2012. Since then never looked back and have maintained my weight till today.

Motivation: I was shaken and started feeling tired when I was at work.  I could hardly use the stairs and dependant on the lift (elevator) all the time. I was referred to a dietitian to discuss healthy eating options before any medication was given to me to see if I was willing and determined to lose the weight. I valued my life and wanted to live and not die young. I was upset that food made me like this and that sooner or later my whole life will come to a close due to food and not looking after myself. I went home depressed and just the thought of it all.  I knew that I would have to develop self control and change the way I look at food because what it was doing to me had such a terrible effect. I waited for the appointment date and went to my first visit to start putting a plan in place in terms of what to eat, what not to eat,  exercise, etc. Upon living the hospital, I just told myself that I will conquer and defeat the food battle. I started by doing my own research into what has helped other people in a similar situation as I was. It was not an easy journey in the beginning to cut down on bread, cakes, portion sizes… let alone the bad habits in general that lead to weight gain. I Started my own diet of consuming not more than 1,500 calories a day. I was drinking 2 litres of water and no more drinks with acid. Fortunately, I had no issues with alcohol because I never drake at all.

Naledi weight loss
Update Apr: 2014 – Naledi sent in this photo to let us know she is still maintaining her weight loss!

I joined the gym and started with the treadmill just to get my heart rate up and my body used to exercising slow but sure. I ate alot of vegetables, salad,fruit and cut down all starch foods completely. I also became very creative and made my own made home smoothies of which I had most of the time for lunch. My favourite was the green smoothie that consisted of kale, spinach, melon, apple, pear, few leaves of spinach, 2 x tablespoon natural yoghurt and 1/4 cup water just to give my smoothies flavour. I detoxed using lemon and fresh pepper mint leaves soaked in water. I also ate small portions of food, stopped snacking and started eating at the right times. I was also getting enough sleep and snacking a lot on nuts. I ate white meat more than I did with red meat. I replaced red meat with a lot of roasted peanuts without salt. No milk or sugar in my tea. I started drinking herbal teas and hot water with lemon before and after every meal. I stopped eating heavy meals if i got home after 7pm. Will power and determination made my life so easy. I started feeling more lighter each day and introduced other exercises; bicycle ride, spinning classes twice a week, swimming, power walking and started out door jogging.

I made this a lifestyle more than a punishment and my results were so positive that within 6 months of healthy eating, exercising and commitment, I lost 30kg. I was so pleased and kept pushing. My weight was lost in 3 stages as per the pictures. My dress size dropped to 14 and lastly size 8 which took me 1 year and 7 months to get to my target weight. I am now into horse riding, which is one of my favourite hobbies almost every weekend. I do a lot of outdoor jogging, zumba class once a week and presently lift weights to build my six pack. With the right attitude no gimmicks, no eating behind closed doors, not quitting and perseverance, you can do it and achieve whatever you want in life. Whenever you feel like giving up, ask yourself the reason that you started the journey and why you want to add more years to your life. I did it and am very positive that you can do it without surgery but willpower and become a conqueror. They say “No pain, no gain.” Once you are on top of the game nothing will beat that spirit of being a goal getter. Never, never give up. The harder you work, the better the results are. A key fact is to keep up with healthy eating and exercise. Make it a lifestyle rather than a diet. By so doing you are looking at it in a more positive way rather than feeling deprived of certain foods. Moderation is the key.  All the best in your journey.  I’m more than happy to motivate others in any way possible with regards to sharing meal ideas, what other shakes I made or ways that could make one change their life.”

Naledi weight loss photos

Shawnda lost 178 pounds with weight loss surgery

by 3 Comments

Let’s show some BWLW love to Shawnda.  She had weight loss surgery and has lost 178 pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

“Just wanted to share my weight loss story . I had the gastric bypass weight loss surgery four years ago and I’ve lost 178 lbs. I am still working on it because the doctor says that I am still overweight. I am taking it one day at a time!!   My motivation was my children. I needed to live for them. I had the gastric bypass, so my eating habits have to be limited. No sugars, breads or sodas. I walked for about 30 minutes a day and went to the gym 3 times a week. My starting weight was 476 pounds and I am now 320 pound. I am still working on getting below 300 pounds. This transformation has taken place for the last 4 years and still going on. I would say to others, stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize which is your healthy lifestyle and long life.”

shawnda weight loss surgery

Keita lost 96 pounds

by 2 Comments

Let’s show some BWLW love to Keita.  She lost 96 pounds by committing to working out and adopting a Raw Food Vegan lifestyle.  Here is what she shared with us about her transformation:

Keita weight loss raw food

“Photos: Me at 286 pounds and now at 190 pounds. I began my journey at nearly 300 pounds. I was sick all the time and decided that enough was enough. My doctor suggested that I have weight loss surgery and I agreed, but my insurance said they needed documented proof that diet and exercise didn’t work before they would approve it.  I searched and got a gym.  I was ok with any gym because I knew it wouldn’t work.  However, I stumbled across Jungle Gym and it changed my life. They helped me find the right diet.  For me that was the Raw Food [Vegan] Diet.  They also helped me with figuring out what exercise worked for me. I have gained confidence, not only to meet my weight loss goals or to compete, but most importantly to face any challenge in life. I look forward to finally losing another 25 pounds and sharing those pictures with you too.”

Check out her video for more info on her transformation (from June 2013):