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Kilolo lost 100 pounds

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Weight Loss Journey: Kilolo lost 100 pounds. Like many other moms out there, she gained weight over the course of several years and several pregnancies. Here is what she shared with us about how she lost the weight.

kilolo weight loss story

My name is Kilolo R. I weighted 200 lbs after my first child. By the time I had my third child, I weighed 255 lbs. My height is 5’3″. Weight loss transformation took 18 months to get to 155 pounds, down from 255 pounds. I didn’t want to continue to be overweight. I wanted and needed to be healthy not just for myself, but for my family as well.

I stopped eating so much fast food and junk food. I made better food choices, like eating more fruit and vegetables. I also started using workout DVDs made by Chris Powell, Jillian Michaels and Shaun T. I made a commitment to work out at least 3-4 a week. The DVD workouts were low intensity to high intensity, and included stretches and cool downs.

It has been a long journey, but so worth the work. There were times when it would become frustrating. Times when the scale wouldn’t move,but you have to remember that it isn’t an overnight thing. It does take time. You have to give yourself time and not get easily discouraged.

Twitter: @Richard_Kilolo

Instagram: @fayerichard83

Facebook: fayerichardz

Black Friday Fitness Deals on Amazon

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black friday fitness dealsSo many people are looking for great Black Friday Deals to save some cash, but you can also find deals that will help you with your fitness and weight release goals.  Fitness equipment, workout clothes, blenders, fitness trackers and more are on sale for great prices. Here are some examples from Amazon.com: (Some of these deals are just for a limited time or have limited quantities so keep that in mind.)

Amazon

In the Kitchen

NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender $69.99 (reg. $89 to $119)

Ninja Mega Kitchen System 1500 Food Processor Blender BL773CO $174.99 (reg. $249.99)

CHEFS Stainless-Steel Mixing Bowl Set with Non-Skid Silicone Bottom, 5 piece $29.95 (reg. $59.95)

Fitness Tracker

Fitbit Charge HR Wireless Activity Wristband, Black, Large $119 (reg. $149)

UP3 by Jawbone Heart Rate, Activity + Sleep Tracker, Black Twist (This is one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things” for 2015) $99 (reg. $179)

Workout DVDs

50% Off Jillian Michaels Body Revolution

Save Up to 50% on Select Beachbody Workout DVDs

Fitness Equipment

Up to 30% Off Select SKLZ Training Products

Save 25% or More on Select CAP Barbell Kettlebells

Up to 25% Off Select Reebok Exercise Decks

Workout Clothing

25% Off Select Under Armour Performance Gear

Up to 40% Off Select Compression Clothing

Up to 50% Off New Balance Women’s Clothing

Save Up to 45% On Yoga & Athletic Lifestyle Apparel

(Amazon Affiliate: We receive compensation when you purchase via our affiliate links. All prices correct as of Nov 26 2015, 3pm.)

Tiffany lost 40 pounds

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Weight Loss Story: Tiffany lost 40 pounds. Like many mothers, this mom of two wanted to be healthier and more active for her children.  She used naysayers for inspiration, ate smaller portions and walked 7 days a week.  Here is what she shared with us about her progress…

tiffany before and after

My name is Tiffany and I’m a 35 year old mom of 2 beautiful children. My main reasons for wanting to lose weight are becoming healthy and being around for my children. I would love to see my 16 year old graduate in a couple of years. Also, I have a 2 year old that’s very active and I love keeping up with him. What really inspired me was people saying that I’d never lose weight or reach my goal. A lot of times you have to prove people wrong, and that’s just what I’m doing.

I’ve lost 40 pounds and I can tell a big difference. I started my journey a little over 6 months ago and now I’m starting to really see results. I never thought I would have this much energy, but I’m loving it. I can’t wait to see where this journey brings me.

I changed my eating habits by eating smaller portions and cutting out sodas. I’m also drinking lots of water. My workout routine is walking for 2 miles, 7 days a week. If I’m not able to walk, I will do the 21 Day Fix exercise workouts on DVD. My starting weight was 215 pounds and now I’m down to 175 pounds (height: 5’0″). I’m still not finished. The advice I have for others; Take baby steps, set a goal and don’t let anyone or anything deter you from succeeding.

Kataba lost 137 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Kataba lost 137 pounds. After reaching 335 pounds and reflecting on a doctor’s warning that weight release could be harder as she got older, she decided to take action. She shared with us about her 2 year journey…

kataba before and after

Starting weight: 335 pounds
Current weight: 198 pounds
Height: 5’10”
Age: 24

It’s definitely been along time coming on my weight loss journey. I remember one day going on the scale at work and it read 335 pounds. All I could think of was how close I was to being 350 pounds. Something about that didn’t sit well with me. Then, I remembered seeing a doctor for a physical and her telling me that at 311 pounds I need to loose weight before I turned 25 years old, or else it would be so much harder to get it off.

I use to eat out a lot, like every meal of the day. Whether it was vending machines or fast food restaurants, that’s what I ate. I was working full time and was a full time student, so it was convenient. Convenience had its cost though. I began using a meal replacement shake system (Slim Fast) to help me drop the weight, along with eating better. Cutting back on my potions is what I felt I had to focus on the most. I began eating more fruits and vegetables, along with more protein to keep me full. I only drank water and began to walk everywhere. Soon, I no longer needed the shake system, because it felt like my stomach had been trained and I couldn’t eat as much as I use to.

Walking did it for me, exercise wise, as well as workout DVDs, like the Latin Dance focused ones. I began to plateau, so I got a gym membership. I loved the gym because I could use the stair master and the elliptical machine. I also used a lot of home workout routines from Pinterest when I couldn’t get to the gym. Squats are your friend! Lol

It took me over 2 years to loose 137 lbs, I started off at 335 lbs and I now weigh 198 lbs. I’m still on this journey. My goal is to be in a bikini for my 25th birthday and toned. My advice for others is that you can do it and you are human. Don’t throw it all away just because you decided to have that whole chocolate cake last night. Wake up and try again, because it’s not over because of one binge.

Instagram: @eye_spy_kay

Stephanie lost 45 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Stephanie lost 45 pounds. She wants other women to know that it can be done without killing yourself in the gym, without starving yourself and without ditching all the foods you love. By making the decision to eat less and move more, she was able to fully commit to change and release the weight.  Here is what she shared with us…

stephanie before and after

I was motivated to lose weight for a few reasons. I hated the way that EVERYTHING in my closet fit me. I hated that I had to moan/groan and was out of breath after doing simple, everyday things, like getting up off of the floor or walking up a flight of stairs. Also, I was starting to get blurry vision and really bad headaches every time I ate sugar.

So, the first thing I did was ditch sugar and find sugar free versions of all my favorite things. I lost 5 pounds just by saying goodbye to sugar. Next, I started eating at home more often. Lastly, I started walking as often as I could. I walked 30 minutes to an hour, 3 to 4 times weekly.

I started my journey in January 2015 at 228 pounds (I’m 5’6″ tall). Now, I’m down 45 pounds, with a current weight of 183 pounds! I still have 25 pounds to go, but I wanted to share my story to let other women know that it can be done without killing yourself in the gym and without starving yourself. I still eat fast food. I still eat fried food. I still go out to eat with my girls and I NEVER order a salad! I hate salads! You don’t need crazy fad diets either.

Also, I have NEVER stepped foot in a gym. I’ve lost every pound by doing exercise DVDs and walking at home. I intentionally did it this way to show women that you don’t need a expensive gym membership or fancy program to lose weight. All you need is a new mindset and a pair of sneakers!

Try something that you’ll be able to stick with. Eat less and move more. Even if all you do is walk, Move! You can do this ladies! Good luck and God bless!

stephanie weight loss story

Shaunte lost 40 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Shaunte lost 40 pounds. This proud mom of 2 wants to live a long life to be around for her children, so she embraced clean eating and started working out at home. Read more about her journey…

Shaunte before and after

What was your motivation?
My motivation and inspiration comes from my children. I have an 8 month old son and seven year old daughter. I want to live a long healthy life so that I can be active in their lives.

How did you change your eating habits?
Before my last pregnancy I worked out, I ran and I ate healthy. When I became pregnant for the second time that all changed. I became very lazy, stopped working out and returned to eating unhealthy foods. The cravings got the best of me. I was also afraid to do anything extra which led me to stop working out, because I was afraid of something going wrong with the pregnancy if I did too much. I had miscarried two babies before my son, so I was very cautious about any activity I did.

What did your workout routines look like?
I tried to get back into running but I mostly worked out from home. I did workout DVDs and created my own nutritional program. I also eat a clean, balanced diet.

What was your starting weight? 195 pounds
What is your current weight? 155 pounds
What is your height? 5’4″

How long did your transformation take?
8 months and still going. I would like to reach 140 pounds.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Stay motivated and consistent. Results won’t happen overnight but if you stick with it you won’t regret it. Also, don’t be afraid to try new things. I never liked running but I trained and ran my first 5k. That is something I never thought I would do or even enjoy.

You can follow me on instagram @shauntelewisbeauty
www.shauntelewis.com

Lakeisha lost 64 pounds

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Update September 2017: Check out this update from Lakeisha. She’s kept the weight off for more than 2 years.

lakeisha before and after

What has worked in terms of eating habits?
Before I knew anything about nutrition, I gave up fried foods, sodas and watched my portions. When I’m hungry, I drink black coffee or eat a slice of pickle. I also drink plenty of water. I love alkaline water (I encourage people to do their research on alkaline water).

I gained some of the weight back while dealing a death and stress. Meal prepping helped me out a lot this time. Now, I’m back stronger than ever.

What have you been doing to maintain your success in terms of exercise? 
I started doing 2 hours of cardio. After two weeks of this, I’ll stop and go back into my normal routine… leg day, arms etc. I workout 6 to 7 days a week.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
I don’t care how much you workout, you cannot eat whatever you want… lol.

At this point, would you offer any new or different advice to women who want to lose weight?
Stay focused and don’t compare your success to others. Also, sometimes you have to switch up your routine when you don’t see results. Never give up on your journey. We all get off track but that’s what makes us fight harder.

lakeisha before and after

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Lakeisha lost 64 pounds and went from a size 24 to a size 14. This proud mom of 2 is now a fitness fanatic.  Here is what she shared with us about losing the pounds: KeishaJuly3blog My name is Lakeisha Thomas and I’m from Mississippi.  I’m a 34 year old mother of 2 (Tia 14 yrs old and CJ 6 years old). I’m also a nurse aid and a production tech at Nissan. When I first started my weight lost journey I weighted 254 pounds. I was shocked. I never cared about my weight until one day when my doctor told me I was obese. So, I started working out at home in my bedroom. I went from a size 24 to a size 14. I want to enjoy my kids and see them grow up.  Now, fitness is my life, my passion, my everything. This is why I love what I do, why I’m so passionate and why I share with others everything I do to stay fitt. I’m a #fitmom and I love my 2 children with all my heart.  Instagram: @KeishaaBeast

How did you change your eating habits? Chewing gum and drinking coffee has helped me out a lot on my journey. I started drinking plenty of water and cut out the sodas. I continue to eat what I always ate but in smaller portions. I work the night shift so that was a struggle as well. I’m not gonna lie, I fail daily but I never gave up. If I ate chips, ice cream, etc, I didn’t quit. I just went harder in the gym.

What did your workout routines look like? I started doing the Black Girls Workout Too & Billy Blank Exercise DVDs. I did a thousand sit up a day and started going to the gym 6 or 7 days a week. I also did HIIT workout that I found online (just do a Google search…there are tons of workouts). I did like a thousand ab exercises every night and every morning. Now, I’m doing like 500 abs exercises, 3 days out of a week.

What is your height? What is your current weight? I’m 5’7 and I weight 190 pounds. My goal weight is 175 pounds.

How long did your transformation take? I started in 2003 when I weighted 254.  I dropped down 54 pounds in one month (no lie). I just worked out that whole month. However, it was very unhealthy because I stopped eating as well. I was drinking one soda a day and eating cabbage greens. Since then, I have been on and off my journey.  So in 2012, I decided that I wanted to tone so I went harder and changed my lifestyle.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight? If you mess up along the way, don’t quit. Just keep going.  I’ve basically been tsame size since 2003 I just drop inches phuck yo scale…it didn’t take you 5 days to gain the weight so it’s not gonna take you 14 days to lose it. Keisha weight loss story

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Sabrina lost 45 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Sabrina lost 45 pounds.  She found a weight loss program that worked for her and worked it.  This proud mom also included her kids when working out for more motivation.  Read her story below.

Sabrina before and after

“I was slowly letting myself go. I was so wrapped up in everyone else I didn’t realize I had packed on so many pounds. My friend told me about a Beachbody program that uses martial arts to help shape your body. I was interested because I’m a ninja at heart. I bought Les Mills Combat and kind of half way did it. I wasn’t motivated. Then one night I put the DVD in and my boys joined me. I felt like I had to push harder because I wanted to set a good example. I didn’t really lose any weight during round one because I wasn’t dedicated to the program or the nutrition guide. I finished and was like I really want a t-shirt but I want to earn it. I started over and committed to the program and the nutrition guide. I added their nutritional shakes to my routine and worked out with the boys. I found myself pushing harder and really reshaping my body. Finally, I stepped on the scale and didn’t quickly get off.  That’s when I found out that in 120 days I’d gone from 215 pounds down to 170.

Sabrina weight lossWorking out with the kids really helped me step up my game but also finding a challenge group full of people doing the same workout as me helped me stay accountable. I recommend getting into a group of people with similar goals who are doing similar things on their journey and being an active member. It really helps you and others stay on track. I loved getting fighting fit so much I decided to pay it forward and become a coach myself.”

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Lauren lost 78 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: My Sigma Gamma Rho Soror Lauren lost 78 pounds. I was very inspired by her story of battling obesity since childhood and finding victory over the last 5 years.  Her journey shows that you can overcome years of yo-yo dieting and bad eating habits.  Read her story below to find out how she did it:

Lauren weight loss story

“My battle really started 20 years ago when I was nine. The growth plate in my hip started slipping due to my weight. I had to have three different surgeries involving pins in my hip so I could support the weight. For every surgery, I spent three months in traction. This led to me being 200 lbs by the time I was 12 years old. I went through my teen years and the first part of college steadily gaining weight. I also didn’t help matters by constantly eating out and then NOT working out. Yes, I was the girl who “didn’t want to sweat her hair out.” (Yuck. So glad I’ve changed my thinking on that!) I finally got tired of being the girl who sat by and watched her friends try on dress after dress while I was stuck to either Lane Bryant, Torrid, or men’s clothing. I dabbled in “quick fix” diets and struggled with my eating (from either binge eating or not eating). I would lose 20 lbs in three months just to be smacked with 40 lbs later because I wasn’t consistent with my habits.

At my biggest, I was a size 22 and weighed 242 pounds. I began a lifestyle change at 26 years old after marathon watching “The Biggest Loser.” After quickly telling myself not to expect the results the contestants got by working out with trainers like Jillian Michaels because I had a full time job as a High School Teacher.  I couldn’t commit to the level of workouts they did on the show. However, I phased out beef, replaced chicken with Morningstar Farms entrees, and learned how to cook different types of fish. I made it a point to eat at least three meals a day, because before my change, I was a habitual breakfast-skipper. I replaced soda with water with fruit slices. I also learned how to control the size of my portions. In Texas, “portion control” is a foreign phrase to us, lol. I worked out with Jillian Michaels DVDs and took up boxing. My favorite workout was when I found bikram yoga. Not only did it challenge my body, but it helped manage my stress. When I met my current boyfriend, he taught me how to ride a bicycle. That’s helped the most. I started walking a little each day and eventually worked my way up to jogging. I’ve done three 5Ks, but I don’t consider myself a true runner.

Currently, I weigh 164 pounds. I’m around a size 8/10 in clothing today. My transformation has taken five years, but that’s because I wasn’t consistent. That’s the biggest piece of advice I can give to any woman who’s starting (or continuing) her journey: BE CONSISTENT. Also, don’t beat yourself if you fall off. My ultimate goal is to be 100 lbs. lighter–142 lbs. by January 20, 2015. I can’t think of a better 30th birthday gift to myself.”

Instagram: @aRHOnamedLo

Lauren before and after

Danielle lost 21 pounds in 100 Days

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Featured Weight Loss Story:  Danielle was inspired by another sista’s 100 day weight loss journey to start her own. She lost 21 pounds in 100 days and documented her journey in great detail with video and photos.  She is still on her journey but she shared her experience with us:
(Below, I’ve also posted the video from Lakeisha from the Give it 100 campaign that inspired Danielle)

Danielle lost weight 100 days

“I was watching a YouTube video about this girl named Lakeisha who did the Give it 100 Challenge. It triggered something in me because that same night I started day 1 of my Give it 100 Challenge. I committed to working out for at least 20 mins a day for 100 days. Now, 100 days later, I am 21 lbs lighter and feeling so much better about myself. I will be starting another 100 days next week. This time I want to train to run a 5k.

As far as eating I didn’t do anything too drastic. I just started making subtle changes such as making sure I eat protein with my breakfast in the morning.  I also made sure to actually eat at the proper times in the day and included more vegetables with my meals. I also tried to drink more water and drink as much green tea as possible. I strive to work out at least 30 minutes a day for at least six days a week. I normally take a rest day on the seventh day. Exercise wise, I do some type of cardio such as the elliptical, rowers or treadmill. I also use workout videos such as Hip-Hop Abs and T25 with Shaun T.

My advice to others would be just to take baby steps. You don’t have to do anything did too drastic to start changing your life start with something simple and then work your way from there. Also tried to make sure to set realistic goals that you don’t get discouraged.”

Check out her Instagram for more photos of her 100 day journey: @danidani412

Danielle give it 100

Here is the video she was inspired by: