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Danielle lost 38 pounds

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Great Transformation: Danielle lost 38 pounds. Unflattering photos woke her up to the reality that she was in denial about her weight. She worked out hard, used portion control and embraced clean eating to lose the pounds. Check out her journey.

danielle weight loss journey

I was my motivation. I was in denial and I didn’t realize how unhealthy and overweight I was until I started seeing pictures of myself. I did not feel flattered at all. I was more embarrassed than anything. I was inspired by going to group workout classes. The first time I went, I instantly noticed that I wasn’t the only person that had a fitness goal or a journey to begin.

My eating habits first changed by using portion control. Then I started eating more clean foods and started cooking at home instead of going out to eat. I completely stopped drinking sodas too. If I want juice, I’ll make it at home with the juicer or I’ll have tea.

I workout 4-5 times a week for an hour. My workout routines consist of cardio, weigh training, kickboxing, HIIT or Ply. I’m slowly introducing yoga into my routine.

My starting weight was 198 pounds and now I weigh 160 pounds. I am 5’1″ tall. My transformation took 8 months.

My advice for others: Have faith in the process and believe in yourself. Don’t get discouraged and compare your journey to others. Love yourself no matter what.

Instagram: @MyoradFit

danielle before and after

Tanika lost 55 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Tanika lost 55 pounds. The proud mom of two boys knew that she wanted to life a healthier life and be there to see them grow up. She was inspired by her sister Tammy, who lost 76 lbs. She shared with us the simple, straightforward changes she made to lose the pounds.

tanika before and after

Tammy interviewed her sister Tanika and sent in her story. We’ve previously featured Tammy’s story of losing 76 pounds.

Hi, Black Women Losing Weight, I would like to submit my sister story. Her name is Tanika King and she is a 37 year old, beautiful mother of two awesome boys. I think she has done a great job in just six months.

Here are her sister’s answers to our interview questions…
What was your motivation?
I was motivated by @babygirl976. I saw my sister losing the weight. Also, I was having several health issues and with two awesome boys under the age of 6 years old, I knew that I wanted to be here for them and keep up with them.
What inspired you?
After several surgeries and two difficult pregnancies, I was at the heaviest weight I have been in my life. I was struggling to keep up with my boys and enjoy a good quality of life being so very overweight. Went to speak with my doctor and knew then that I had to change not only my my eating habits but my lifestyle.
How did you change your eating habits?
Started eating smaller portions, drinking smoothies and stopped eating late. I started working out during my hour lunch at work.
What did your workout routines look like?
I walk 30 minutes a day and work out 3 to 4 times a week. I realized that I’d really missed exercise,  because before I got pregnant with our boys I did classes at the gym and worked out with my husband. Now I’m back in the gym and love it.
Starting Weight/Current Weight/ Height
235 pounds was my starting weight. I am currently at 180 pounds and still going. My height is 5’1″.
How long did your transformation take?
I started in June 2015 with eating better, walking regularly and going back to the gym.
What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
My advice would be that nothing worth having is easy. Get up, get moving and know that if you put in the work, it will come.

Jennifer lost 60 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Jennifer lost 60.2 pounds. This young lady was battling with the pounds, depression and low self-esteem. She knew that she wanted to change her life and working out is a major part of her transformation. Check out what she shared with us about her journey…

jennifer before and after

What was your motivation? What inspired you?

I’ve been overweight most of my life and at my heaviest I weighed 260 pounds. I battled with depression and low self-esteem and knew I needed a change. I started doing Beachbody programs and joined an online support group. That really helped kick start my weight loss, but it was difficult for me to stay motivated to do the workouts alone. A close friend of mine told me about her friend who loss a significant amount of weight at the gym, so I joined and never looked back.

How did you change your eating habits?

I started working with a trainer and she discussed healthy eating habits with me and gave me an eating plan to follow. I cut out fried foods, soda, juice, and food from most fast food restaurants. I mainly eat meat, veggies, brown rice, and sweet potatoes.

What did your workout routines look like?

I work out 5 days a week, both in the morning and evenings. In Fit Training, we do a little of everything. It’s a mix of strength training, circuit training, and some cardio.

  • Mondays – 2 hours of cardio and 1 hour of Pilates in the a.m., then 1 hour of Fit Training in the evening.
  • Tuesdays – 3 hours of cardio in the evening.
  • Wednesdays – 2 hours of cardio in the a.m., then 1 hour of Fit Training in the evening.
  • Thursdays – 1 hour of Fit Training in the evening.
  • Fridays – 2 hours of cardio in the a.m.

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

Starting weight was 242.6 pounds.
Current weight is 182.4 pounds.
Height: I’m 5’41/2”.

How long did your transformation take?

Almost 9 months. I started March 23, 2015.

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

Start now! Don’t put it off any longer. Be patient, set realistic goals for yourself, and find a workout that you enjoy. Make sure you take plenty of pictures. I honestly didn’t realize how much I had loss until I went back and looked at my old pics. Also, don’t give up on you. Surround yourself with positive people that will uplift you on your journey to become a better you.

Instagram: @jsparks_88

jennifer weight loss

Tamara lost 105 pounds with surgery

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Update: Shout to Tamara! We featured her back in 2015. Since then, she was hit by a car, fractured both ankles, has endured multiple surgeries and regained 40 pounds. She wrote in and shared with us how she got back on track.

Tamara before and after

I am so happy to talk about my journey on Black Woman Losing Weight. My transformation was posted back in December 2015. I had the gastric sleeve and became a long-distance runner during that time. Little did I know that I would be hit by a car in California in February 2016. That changed everything.

I was in therapy from March 2016 to November 2016. Then I fractured both ankles February 2017. I was in bed off and on with back surgeries to ankle surgeries for about two years. I took every type of pain medication, but the pain would not go away. I went into a deep depression because of this. I gained 40 lbs back from eating and drinking whatever I desired during this time.

I took my life back in October 2018. I made it out through faith and the desire to find something bigger than myself. I changed my thoughts, which is the only way you will lose weight and keep it off. Today I don’t take any medication, and I weigh 170 pounds. I’ve kept off a total of 145 pounds through struggles, life’s disappointment, and tragedies because of my thoughts, and a strong will to keep this weight off. I have seen a lot of black people die due to the complications of obesity. God said that I shall live and not die, but I have to be the one to do the work!

Transformation of the Day: Tamara lost 105 pounds. She was suffering with her weight and high blood pressure. Her beloved aunt, who passed from diabetes complications, gave her the inspiration to start her journey. After having the gastric sleeve procedure, the weight started coming off, but she learned that surgery is a tool, but not something you can rely on alone for transforming your body and your lifestyle. Here is what she shared with us about the actions she took…

tamara before and after

In 2009, my Aunt Alice died from complications from diabetes due to obesity. I loved my Auntie and we were like twins. We had so many things in common. I found this out visiting her during her dialysis treatments on my way to work. We would have long talks about everything. I could see her dying. They cut off her first leg above the knee, then the second leg shortly after. It went down hill from there. She told me one day while waiting for a doctor’s appointment, “T, don’t be like me.” When my aunt transitioned to a better place, I tried everything. The weight came off somewhat and then it would find me again. Years passed and I just couldn’t get the weight off.

In 2013, I was up to 274 pounds. I kept going to the doctor to get my blood pressure pills changed. Several times, my blood pressure would go down a little bit but it would still be high. I also suffered from chronic back pain and the pain pills were not helping.

In March 2014, I had gastric sleeve weight loss surgery, which was the best option for me… or so I thought. I was 274 lbs and with the sleeve I went down to 210 lbs. Then, I plateaued. I decided that I really need to take advantage of the benefits of having the surgery instead of just depending on it. I changed my diet and learned to eat every two hours. I started to walk and then my walking turned into running. I love running. I have been in several marathons and have started strength training.

I’m currently weigh 169 pounds (height: 5 “7 1/2”), but I have lost up to 110lbs. I feel great, no longer have to take blood pressure pills and now longer have back pain. I try to motivate others and tell my story to help someone. It’s a domino effect! I’ve never been this small, so I am still getting use to the new me.

I changed my eating habits by reading my weight.com articles. I added more protein and ate less carbs. That means I actually listen to what the nutritionist. She told me that about 95% of the post weight loss surgery patients don’t listen. I eat small meals or snacks ever 2 hours. I keep snacks in my car and purse to cut out any excuses to get something bad from the gas station or a food mart. When I started to overcome my weight loss plateau, I worked out for 30 minutes, 6 days a week. Now, that I’m maintaining my weight, I’ve added more strength training and I workout 4 times a week. I find ways to burn calories and I park far away from where I’m going. I don’t emerge myself into work potlucks. I also find active outings to participate in.

My advice for others: Do not listen to anyone but your inner voice. People will tell you what they think you should do and most of the time it’s not the right advice for you. When you start working out, never compare yourself with others! Do you boo! Keep it moving!

Instagram: @tadesa93

tamara weight loss story

Don’t Wait for 2016 December Challenge

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2015 december challenge

Updates: More Resources for Week 1 – Don’t Drink Your Calories
More Resources for Week 2 – Emotional/Stress Eating

Are you ready for 2016? December can be a very very busy month. You may have to deal with lots of demands on your time and on your emotions, but you also have to deal with lots of temptation from holiday parties, social drinking and family meals. With that in mind, I’m going to give you some very straight forward goals to focus on as you get ready for 2016. Below, you’ll see that there is a new goal each week to keep you motivated. It’s time to do the work and do some planning! Grab a notebook and a pen!

Just getting started? This challenge will help you to get started with the basics. Already got a winning plan? It’s time to evaluate what you’ve been doing so far to reach your weight loss goals. Plan out how you will stay on course or take your efforts to the next level. You don’t have to wait until Jan 1 to commit to how you want to shape your fitness and change your weight over the next 3-dietbet12 months. Begin your journey today.

Lose to Win! – We will also continue with our series of DietBets for those who want to commit to losing 4% of their weight and split the pot $!  Our December Dietbet starts on Dec 7th. Bet: $30

How do you join?: Comment below and let us know why you want to commit to weight loss NOW and what challenges you are dealing with in terms of weight loss and wellness. This will help us tailor the information we send out for the rest of the month.

Also, let us know if you already have an eating and exercise plan that is working for you that you plan to use in 2016.

Weekly Goals

Week 1 (Dec 1-5) – Stop drinking your calories.

Week 1, you will commit to drinking water, freshly brewed tea, freshly made juice and homemade smoothies you make at home. Cut out all soda, diet drinks, store bought, sweetened tea and store bought juice from concentrate. How much water should you drink each day? Start with 7-9 glasses of water per day (56-72 oz). Add fruit, tea and natural sweeteners (Stevia, agave, etc) to your water for more flavor. Haven’t been drinking much water? Start by adding a few more glasses a day to your normal routine and work your way up. You don’t have to drink a gallon of water a day to be hydrated. (If you have health issues, (kidney or bladder related-issues especially), follow your doctor’s orders when it comes to drinking water.)

Week 2 (Dec 6-12) Commit to feeding your body, NOT your emotions. If you are dealing with emotional eating, stress eating, overeating or food addiction, get to the REAL root of your issues.

For the second week, I want you to focus identifying the junk food, fast food, sugary foods and highly processed foods that you haven’t been able to let go of. Ask yourself, what are the real reasons that you can’t let go of these foods. Take the time to really think about your connection to food, emotional eating, stress eating, overeating/binging and even food addiction. If you are medicating with food and using it to soothe and comfort yourself, that’s not really a food issue. That’s a lifestyle and mindset issue and you have to approach it as such. If you can’t commit to totally cutting these foods out, keep your indulging to a minimum and use portion control. However, be real and truthful about how much junk you’re really eating and why you are eating it if you want your lifestyle and habits to change.

Week 3 (Dec 13-19) – Decide on a plan for eating and meal planning.

What is your current plan? What is your plan for 2016? Will you go raw vegan, low carb, paleo, keto, vegetarian, or eat clean? Will you be following a specific book or plan? Will you create your own plan for your own needs? If you haven’t done your research and embraced an eating plan, it’s time to do that. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. One of the number one reasons people don’t get results, is because they don’t go into weight loss with a clear plan and clear, reasonable goals in mind. When it comes to eating, it’s very easy to get off track, eat too much or eat too little food.  If you haven’t lost weight in 2015, could it be that you didn’t commit to a balanced eating plan and give it time to work? Could it be because you really couldn’t find a way of eating that worked for you? Let’s change that before you make your New Year’s resolutions. There are tons of recipes and meal plans online for free to help you get started.

Amazon Affiliate

Don’t worry about doing anything new Dec 20-26. Spend time with your family and focus on having fun.

Week 4 (Dec 27-31) – Decide on your exercise plan for the next 60 days. Workout at for at least 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week (minimum).

This week you will decide on your exercise plan for the next 60 days. No one can tell you what exercise routine will work best for you. Just like an eating plan, you have to do your research and figure out what will work for Y-O-U. However, there is no room for excuses. From home workout DVDs, to YouTube videos to fitness magazines, there are tons of workout resources out there at your disposal. Walking, jogging, HIIT, Tabata, cardio, Zumba, weight training, etc. If you’ve been exercising regularly, but haven’t challenged yourself in a few months, it’s time to consider more intensity. Online resources:

Fitness Blender on Youtube XHIT Daily on Youtube
Darebee on Youtube BWLW Workouts and Exercise Tips
Bodybuilding.com Oxygen Magazine
Body Rock on Youtube Tiffany Rothe Workouts on Youtube

Now that you’ve done the work, write down your plan and commit to working hard for the next 60 days (or more)

Tip: Give yourself a gift! December is a great time to buy good book on weight loss and wellness. Don’t just focus on diet books. There are some great fictional titles, devotionals and self-help books on emotional emotional eating and our relationships with food.

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

Eboni lost 26 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Eboni lost 26 pounds. This young lady experienced the ups and downs of college weight gain and post breakup weight gain. She retired the habits that were negatively impacting her weight and wellness and is going strong with her new healthy lifestyle. Here is what she shared with us…

eboni before and after

I went into college my freshman year weighing 148 pounds. When I graduated college, I weighed 204 pounds. Like most college students, I was eating horribly, eating late at night, going out drinking, etc. I would go to the gym but not consistently. Then, during my junior and senior year, I was going through a horrible breakup after 2.5 years of being together and that sent me over the edge for sure. I gave up the gym almost completely and would go drinking at least 3 times a week.

When I came home from college, I started going to the gym and slightly changed my eating habits. I managed to drop 20 pounds but then gained it back because I wasn’t consistent. One day something just clicked. I got tired of complaining about something that I actually had control over. I controlled what I put in my mouth. I controlled if I went to the gym or not.

Now, I am just getting started. I have lost a total of 26 pounds and my goal is to be slimmer, stronger and faster. I eat 80% clean, do cardio and lift heavy but most importantly I am consistent. It began with a mental change that has produced physical results.

Height: 5’8″

Eating Habits: I started out cutting most carbs out of my diet except for organic rolled oats in the morning. Also, I usually have lean protein and veggies for meals and 1-2 cheat meals per week.

Exercising: I do 45-1 hour of cardio per day, usually running or on the stair master. I also do 30-45 minutes of strength training focused on a specific muscle group (Monday-legs, Tuesday-back and biceps, etc)

Instagram: @ebbii_love

Sade lost 53 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Sade lost 53 pounds. After the birth of her 5th child, this mom experienced significant weight gain.  With her family as her motivation, changing her life was a priority. She changed her daily eating habits and worked out 5 days a week to reach her goals.  Here is what she shared with us…

sade before and after

Hi, my name is Sade V. I’m 29 years old, 5’2″ tall and I have 5 kids. After I had my fifth child in 2011, is when I started to gain weight. From 2011 through 2014, I went from 114 pounds to 176 pounds. I didn’t feel like myself, so I decided to change. I have five kids to take care of and my parents, so I had to do something about my weight gain.

I stop drinking anything with caffeine, like coffee. Stopped eating all the junk food and replaced my drinks with water. Now, I drink different flavors of Bolthouse Farms tea and soy beverages. They have drinks with different things, like protein, fiber, vitamins and other essential nutrients. It’s also heart healthy. In the past, I ate ice cream and cookies all the time for snacks. I stopped that and started eating peanuts, Honey Nut, gluten-free Chex cereal and granola bars. I also stopped eating pork and started eating more fruits and vegetables.

I exercise one hour a day regularly, 5 days a week… Monday through Friday. I do sit ups, push ups, squats, lunges, jumping jacks, leg rises, planks, crunches, mountain climbers and bicycle crunches. I even work out with the kids using the Wii.

My weight loss journey took about 8 months (maybe a little less). My advice for others: Stick to your diet and exercise no matter what. Your results might take longer than others, but you will get and see the results. That’s how I went from 176 pounds to 123 pounds. If you eat healthy and eat good food, you will feel good and be at your best. Stay positive.

sade weight loss story

Corrie lost 60 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Corrie lost 60 pounds. She wanted to avoid diabetes and a life of taking daily medication. Inspired by a friend’s success , she started her weight loss journey in January by changing her eating habits and working out regularly.  Here is what she shared with us…

corrie weight loss story

My motivation to lose weight: I didn’t want to become a diabetic and live my life taking various medication. I was inspired by joining a weight loss challenge with my friend who has lost over 90 pounds.

I started using Vi shakes, drinking two a day. I had one for breakfast and one for dinner, eating a healthy lunch and healthy snacks in-between. I cut out all the sweets I was eating, such as candy, cakes, etc. I cut my starches and I started eating more green veggies as well. My workouts consist of lots of cardio and weight training. I walked 5 to 6 days a week.

I feel so much more energetic and I can do so much more with my 6 year old son. My starting weight was 235 pounds and my current weight is 175 pounds. I’m down 60 pounds since I started in January 2015. I’m 5’2″ (not so tall), so I had to make a change fast. My transformation took lots of dedication and hard work.

My advice to anyone trying to change and live a healthier life style is “Don’t let anybody tell you what you can’t and can do.” It didn’t take a day to gain so you won’t lose it in a day.

Instagram: @icorrie_t

5 Tips For Staying Motivated To Achieve Your Fitness Goals

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fitness goals tipsSure, we all want to be healthy and fit, but the desire is not the difficult part. It’s keeping the motivation to actually do so that can be very hard! Most of us want to live healthier and more active lives, so we tend to set goals in these areas, but oftentimes we lose motivation or simply give up and don’t reach those goals. Life may get busy, we may get sick or frustrated, or laziness sets in and we decide that achieving our fitness goals is too much of a hassle. It sounds easy enough in theory and in the beginning, but the practical application is not always so easy.

If you’ve struggled in the area of motivation when it comes to workouts, please say amen [here].

Exercising regularly sounds simple enough, but the truth is that it takes a firm commitment and plenty of self-discipline to achieve this part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s easy to make some sort of resolution to get into shape and lose a few pounds, but too often within a couple of weeks we are right back into our bad habits. Then we beat ourselves up for not sticking with it. I’m sure you are aware that plenty of people make New Year’s resolutions or Monday Morning resolutions to get and stay into shape and within a couple of weeks they fall back into their old routines. It’s a dreaded cycle, but the good news is that it CAN be broken!

So, moving forward and assuming that YOU want to get (and stay) in shape, Here is the question: How can you stay motivated to achieve your fitness goals?

  • Make a list of your fitness goals.

It is important to write down your fitness goals and put them somewhere that you can view them on a daily basis. It’s easy to forget your goals, so be sure that you take a look at them often. You can even write down the reasons why you have these goals to serve as a reminder for the days when you don’t really feel like working out. Ideas;

  • Download motivational images and post them in your office and on your social media profiles.
  • Write your goals down on an index card and carry it around with you.  Read it 3-4 times a day, especially before workouts.
  • Post sticky notes on your fridge, at the office, or in the bathroom to serve as reminders of your goal to become healthy.
  • Become educated on the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle.

Knowledge is a wonderful tool that can act as a change agent in our lives. Learn about healthy habits and how exercise benefits physical and mental health. Read encouraging and motivational books that will keep you motivated to keep up the good work. Listen to positive audios and watch inspirational videos on how you can live your best life NOW! Don’t wait around and hope that you’ll get motivated; take action! When you are proactive in your life, things happen. You attract what you think about, so revamp your thought life when it comes to living an abundant, healthy life.

  • Make small changes over time.

Don’t expect to become a health and fitness guru in a week or two. Don’t expect your body to transform in a week or two. Introduce bits and pieces of lifestyle change and various exercises into your life over time. One week you may try to burpees instead of pushups and the next week you may want to add 20 more minutes of exercise to your routine. Maybe one week you can walk four days a week instead of three and the next week incorporate a group activity like yoga or tennis with a friend. Think of your healthy lifestyle as progress; not perfection. It’s those who take small steps consistently that cover more ground than those that take large steps once in a while. Remember that.

  • Visualize success.

See yourself healthy and fit, even if you aren’t feeling like it. Close your eyes and envision eating healthy foods and moving forward in your fitness goals. Daydream about you standing straight, shoulders back, chin up, healthy and fit. (Like a superhero) Visualizing success helps cause your thought patterns to change from negative or neutral to positive, and helps keep one motivated to achieve goals. Yes, utilize creative visualization to see yourself living a kick butt, healthy, fit life!

  • Create a vision board.
  • Find some fitness experts/success stories who inspire you and learn about their journey.
  • Find positive affirmations, prayers and meditations online that inspire you.
  • Get a fitness buddy.

Sometimes all it takes is getting a family member, friend, or acquaintance to commit to getting and staying in shape with you. Call it an accountability partner, because you can be accountable to each other and keep each other motivated. You can work out together or separate, but be sure to check in with one another often (daily or at least weekly). Don’t be afraid to extend tough love, as you both are making a firm commitment to doing what you say you’re going to do.  If you can’t find someone who you know to commit to, you may find a partner online with social media or on sites like MyFitnessPal.com or Sparkpeople.com

Listen, you CAN stay motivated on a daily basis to work toward attaining your fitness goals. As you progress on your fitness journey, you’ll most likely realize that the lessons about commitment and pushing yourself you are learning flow over into other areas of your life too! Qualities like discipline, perseverance, accountability, etc. are quite helpful in other areas, such as your career, parenting children, relationships, and more. Pretty amazing, huh?

You’ve got this! I totally believe in you.