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JoYi lost 78 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: JoYi lost 78 pounds. She woke up on her 40th birthday, overweight and headed for divorce. That day was her turning point. A vegan lifestyle and dance fitness changed this mom of three’s life. She has shared her story with us and has some terrific insights on mindset and setting goals.

JoYi weight loss

I woke up on my 40th birthday weighing 232 pounds and heading for a divorce. At the time, my children were 11, 13 and 17 years old. Every day, I felt as if I was letting them down. The thought of my kids having to push me around on a wheelchair, change my diapers and feed me due to the diseases I was sure to inflict on body if I continued to abuse it was mortifying. I had to stop. I started my weight loss and health journey in 2010 for my kids and I continued for me.

Instead of the usual dinner and drinks that I would normally have with my girlfriends for my birthday, I planned a Zumba® workout followed by drinks. We walked into a full class at the YWCA. The music started, the dancing progressively got more vigorous and I was quickly gasping for air and dignity. I felt ashamed and embarrassed that I couldn’t keep up. I felt sad that I had allowed myself get so out of control. I also felt hopeful and free because the music and the movements made sense to me. I made the decision that day to do the work to get the weight off and try a life without all the aches and pains.

I started attending 2-3 Zumba®  classes per week and jogging/walking 2 miles on the off days. By August, I signed up for a 5K and ended up doing 4 of them that first year. I lost 50 pounds in the first 6 months. Although I was eating better, I was a junk food vegetarian as I had been for the most of my life, since 18 years old.

For two years, I was alert and consistent. I never reached my weight loss goal but I felt good. Then, suddenly, I went unconscious, quickly gaining back most of the 50 pounds I’d lost by 2013. I’ve been dieting since middle school. I was always looking for that quick fix and reaching for the promises of all those late night commercials, but the way I approached health this last time around felt right. Even though I failed, I had a feeling that I could manage this process myself and that I was close to getting it right. No pills, no quick fixes – just hard work… but manageable.

In the summer of 2014, I geared myself up to try again. I became a licensed Zumba®  instructor and decided that the only way to keep myself truly accountable was to teach a fitness class. Overweight and ashamed, I got in front of a Zumba® class and danced my butt off. I ordered PIYO (a pilates, yoga workout DVD from Beachbody) to do on my off days. I started recording my progress and made myself watch the videos regularly.

The most important thing I did on this journey was to clearly state my goal. The first time around I said things like, “I don’t want to feel aches and pains” and “I want to lose weight.” Not specific enough. This time I stated: “I will lose all my excess weight and get within a healthy BMI range. I will live a life filled with health and wellness FOREVER.” To do that, I met with a trainer who weighed and measured my body fat with the caliper. For the first time, I was able to see exactly where I was and how far I needed to go. My mantra at this time was “Don’t confuse effort with results.” I was done pretending and I wanted to live a different kind of life. I added goals like, “I want to walk around in a bikini without my belly falling out.” and “I want to wear body-con dresses and feel sexy.” I wanted to feel in control and I wanted to weigh 150 pounds (I wasn’t sure about this one since I didn’t know what 150 looked or felt like, so I gave myself room to adjust this as I went).

In June of 2015, I weighed 180 pounds with 28% body fat, but I was fit enough by that time to teach seven Zumba® classes per week and I was tracking my food on myfitnesspal.com. Between June and September, I continued to teach Zumba® and made THE decision about food. For 3 years, during my 20s, I was a vegan. It dawned on me that this was THE answer. I watched a ton of videos, read articles, armed myself with conviction and became a whole plant based vegan. By September 2015, I dropped 4% body fat and 9 pounds. By December 2015, I felt like a million bucks, finally reaching a goal I was too scared to reach before. Losing the weight felt great but my real goal now is maintenance. Almost a year later, I weigh 154 pounds with 21% body fat. I’m 5’7” tall and 46 years old. I can wear a bikini in public and feel sexy in body-con dresses.

This is the most in-control I have felt about my food intake, my body and my weight. I don’t weigh myself often, because now my mantra is “Focus on input.” I sweat 5-6 days per week, doing things I enjoy. I eat whole plant based foods in the quantity that makes me feel satiety. I enjoy vegan desserts and treats without worry but under the umbrella of “wellness for life.” I also meditate for 20 minutes on most days.

Getting to know myself and fully embracing what makes me, me helped me to make important changes. My advice is: Get to know you! Check yourself for honesty. It was amazing to me to discover all the different little ways I was lying to myself and thereby sabotaging real change. The saying “Being overweight is hard, losing weight is hard, staying fit is hard: Pick your hard.” is my new favorite saying. Instead of lamenting the sacrifices of this new life, I realize we all sacrifice one thing or another, but often it’s an unconscious sacrifice of our health and wellness for convenience and habit. I know that I have to work hard at staying awake every day. I have to consciously make myself make choices for my health and wellness. It still doesn’t come automatically. It’s simple and not easy, but it IS a choice.

FB Group: Plant Based Health
YouTube: Midlife Fitness
Instagram: @Vegan_SeoulSistah

joyi before and after

Angela lost 53 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Angela lost 53 pounds. After being diagnosed with hypertension and put on high blood pressure meds, this proud mom decided to commit to being the healthiest, most fit version of herself. Here is what she shared with us about how she did it…

angela before and after

In my thirties, I did not take my health seriously until I was diagnosed with hypertension, and was immediately placed on high blood pressure medication.  At that moment I knew that I had to get a hold of my health for my own well being.  With exercise and clean eating, I was able to go from 190 pounds to 137 pounds, dropping over 50 pounds (height: 5’2″).  My transformation took about a year.  I felt that I had a commitment to be the best me I could be for the sake of being a healthy mother and a role model for my young son.  I have managed to keep the weight off for over three years.  I now am a group fitness instructor and personal trainer at a Cleveland Clinic affiliate.

I changed my eating habits is by following The Advocare 24 Day Challenge, which totally change my way of thinking.  I ate lean meats, fresh fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates.  I cut out all sugary drinks, juices, fast food, and late night snacking.  Now, I meal prep every week to keep myself on track.

I also workout five days a week by lifting weights and doing cardio. I teach hip hop cycle and Zumba classes in addition to my workouts. I love to help others and I love to feed off their energy. I would advise anyone who wants to lose weight to start off with a 24 Day Challenge, because that will get you on track to eating properly, because it is not a diet, it is a way of life.  Physical activity and proper eating habits go hand in hand.  You can find photos and workout videos on my Instagram: @angeem73

Update: Jacque lost 100 pounds

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We featured Jacque’s story back in 2013.  This Zeta Phi Beta soror lost 80 pounds in 7 months.  She recently sent in an update to let us know that she’s not only maintained her weight loss, but also lost another 20 pounds for a total of 100 pounds gone.

jacque before and after

I have lost 100 pounds! I continue to workout by teaching Zumba and reducing my food intake. I stay motivated through my students. The biggest lesson I have learned is staying healthy is a way of life. If you eat everyday, you should workout everyday. Some days more than others. Whether you do a Zumba class or you take the stairs instead of taking the elevator, you should have some form of exercise daily.

I’m hosting Zumba classes in Raleigh, North Carolina, hoping to help people in my area. My business, Z-Fitness with Jacque Inc., is all about helping women meet their fitness goals.

Learn more about how Jacque lost the weight and see more of her before and afters.

Christie lost 75 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation Story of the Day: Christie lost 75 pounds.  Learning about proper nutrition, Zumba class and a group Bootcamp helped her to shed the pounds. She was encouraged to share her weight loss story by her trainer Tiffany Brown-Bush at Fit 4 Life in NC.

Christie before and after

To start, I moved to Charlotte, NC about 3 years ago. When I came here I was weighing 262 lbs. At first I did not have any motivation to start my weight loss journey. I was just riding down Mallard Creek Rd and noticed a sign that read Zumba and had a phone number listed. I drove by the sign a weeks t before taking the time to inquire.  This is how I became an active part of Fit 4 Life. I started attending the Zumba classes there on a regular basis. Starting to see some changes, I was inspired by another great person in the F4L family to try out the bootcamp classes there as well. Bootcamp is where continued to see my body change and a little more weight loss.

After bootcamp, I again was advised on how much learning about nutrition would help me on my journey. I was a person that loved to eat cereal (any kind) and M&Ms. I ate very little vegetables and all of the wrong combinations of food. As you can tell, no real substance there. I became a nutrition client and learned more healthy options and a completely new way to eat to not only loose weight but also allow the body to heal with proper nutrients.

I have now been with Fit 4 Life more than a year and have lost a total of 75lbs.  At 5’4″ tall and much lighter on my feet, I feel better than I ever have before. I am still pushing to continue to lose as there is a goal number I have in mind to reach. To anyone else looking to change their life or lose weight, my advice has been and remains “it will not be easy, but it will be worth it.” There will be times when you don’t see the progress, but don’t give up. Just because you can’t see it immediately doesn’t mean what you are doing is not working. Use that energy to push harder, dig deeper, and go further.

I am very grateful to Fit4Life because being apart changed my life and gave me a family dynamic in a city that I was new in, and allowed me to see life from more healthy prospective. I hope this blesses and helps someone else along the way.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fit4lifetbrown

Kanissa lost 50 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation Story of the Day: Kanissa lost 50 pounds in 6 months.  Weight Watchers, Zumba and finding a love for running 5Ks are all things that helped her on her awesome journey.  Here is what she shared with us…

Kanissa before and after

My name is Kanissa Williams. All my life I was on the thick side and knew I needed to lose weight. I had a case of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, so I knew I need to make a change for myself. A couple of my co-workers told me that they were using Weight Watchers to lose weight and track their food and points. I decided to give that plan a try. I cut out all fried foods, junk foods, fast foods and soda. I also started eating more baked foods, vegetables, fruits and drinking TONS of water daily. 

When I first started exercising, I started off by walking in the neighborhood and doing Zumba classes. Today, I walk about 3-5 miles a day and continue to do Zumba. Last year, I completed three 5K races and this year my goal is to complete a fourth one.

At 5’7″ tall, I was 298 pounds, and now I’m down to 248 pounds. I’ve lost 50 pounds. It took me 6 months to get where I am today, but I’m grateful that I stuck with the exercising and healthy eating in order to meet my goals and to cut my meds in half. Hopefully, one day soon, I will be medicine free!

The advice I would give to those that are trying to lose weight is to surround yourself with positive people and motivate each other. Remember, to take it one day at a time, in the end all your hard work will pay off!

Instagram: @kwms976

Alana lost 65 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Proud mom Alana lost 65 pounds.  She credits Zumba and eating more healthy food.  She is now a Zumba instructor and helps others to dance off the pounds.  Here is her story:

Alana before and after

“My journey has been an up and down battle dealing with my weight. Not that I couldn’t lose it but maintaining was the hardest part. I would lose the weight, and then I gain it back. We all know the story… I am currently a licensed Zumba Instructor and Zumba has been the biggest solution to my weight lost. I loved working out but being a single mom I was not able to get to the gym as often or to do anything outside work and motherhood; especially having a newborn. I was so tired that the weight sneaked up on me. How many know that it takes that one snapshot (picture) to say, “I need to do something about this”? This is a HOTTT Mess. (LOL) My eating habits were horrible. It was not the fact that I ate unhealthy foods but wasn’t eating enough. Yes, you can gain weight by eating only one meal a day to where your body starts to hold on to the fat. Not good… this makes it difficult to lose weight.

I started taking Zumba as a student in 2012 and saw the weight drop off (Inches at first which is most important). I love to dance, so this was the best solution for me; dance-off the weight. Yes!!!! I also changed my eating habits and began drinking more water. Water does the body good, Ladies. I was so into my classes that I use to ad-lib on the steps to where my fellow Zumbians would say, “You should be teaching this class”. The thought came across my mind and one of my Zumba instructors mentioned that I should be teaching. I pushed that thought to the side for months until my sister said, “Go get your license”. In June of 2013, I became a licensed instructor and as of February 2014, I can say that I am 65 pounds lighter. I started doing Zumba 3 times a week and lifted weights to tone. I also wore wrist weights in my Zumba classes to tone my arms. Then, once I started teaching, I went from 3 days to 5 days a week. I got so into it that I started making videos for my students that couldn’t make it to class to do at home. Fitness shouldn’t only be done in the gym. If I didn’t go to the gym, I turned on the radio and danced around the house to where I got my daughter became involved in being healthy. Get your children involved in being healthy at an early age. Healthy children normally become weight conscious adults. Once you make your mind up that you want a change, it can happen. I did it and so can you.”
www.Facebook.com/AlanaLSanders
www.Facebook.com/GetPulsedFitness (Workout Videos)

Sheila lost 43 pounds

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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!

 

 

Beverly lost 84 pounds

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Check out this weight loss success story: Beverly lost 84 pounds with the Shred program by Dr. Ian Smith, Zumba classes and is no longer pre-diabetic.  Here is what she shared with us:

For the past 30 years, I have always been considered obese. Last summer I went to the doctor for my annual checkup and my numbers were high enough that I realized I was killing myself. My weight had ballooned to 294 pounds, my blood pressure was high, my cholesterol was at 264 and I was pre-diabetic. I was so miserable and knew at 54 years of age I was headed to an early grave. It was then that I knew I had to make a drastic change. I was already taking Zumba classes twice a week, but I wasn’t eating healthy. I was introduced to a new weight lost program Shred: The Revolutionary Diet before the book was published.  The program involves healthy eating 4 to 5 meals a day. I followed the program and I’m still following it to this day. Here, a year later, I’m 84 pounds lighter, from 294 to 210 pounds. My cholesterol went from 264 to 180, my blood pressure is normal and I am no longer pre-diabetic. I am in the best shape of my life. I would like to lose about 20 to 25 more pounds. Now, my regime is 4 to 5 small meals a day, Zumba class 3 times a week and resistance training twice a week. I try to include extra cardio everyday with a walking DVD. My before picture is from June 2012 and my present picture is June 2013, 84 pounds light from 294 to 210 pounds.

Beverly weight loss before and after

Stephanie lost 71 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Stephanie.  This proud mom lost 71 pounds by  eating right, working out and drinking lots of water.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is Stephanie and I’m a single mom of two kids. Pretty much, I have been struggling all my life with my weight. I had went to the doctor and was put on blood pressure medicine. I knew then that I had to make a change. On June 4, 2012, I decided to make a lifestyle change. With two kids at the time, it was hard to work out at a gym since the ones in my neighborhood didn’t offer child care.  I decided to first take Zumba classes that were offered for free at my job. I started off my first two weeks doing protein shakes from GNC. One shake in the morning, afternoon and my meal in the evening. I drank a lot of water throughout the day, ate fruits and vegetables as well. I soon moved off the shakes and slowly moved into eating regular healthy foods. I ate what I wanted but in moderation. During the time of transitioning into my weight loss, I hit a plateau and decided to move from Zumba to doing kickboxing videos that were offered through my cable company on demand. I can now workout in the pleasure of my own home. I get up on several mornings around 4:30am and workout before getting my children up for school and having to be to work at 8am. I workout in my home 5-6 times a week doing Kickboxing/martial fusion.

I was determined and as if today I’ve lost 71 pounds by eating right, working out and drinking lots and lots of water. I was on nobody’s diet but my own. Being a mom it was hard but a sacrifice had to be made so I could have the energy to play with them and to work towards living a healthy lifestyle. It’s not easy but its so well worth it because you feel good about yourself. Prayer works, dedication works and motivation from others works. Most importantly, knowing what “YOU” accomplished is the best feeling. I have no goal. I workout to be healthy and that’s what keeps me going. I know with being a single mom working a 8-5 job, coming home to make meals for the kids and doing homework was a struggle of its own.  However, when you have the mindset that you are determined it all works out for the good. I shifted my atmosphere to better me. Praises to God for the push.

Stephanie weight loss before and after