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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Rashard lost 93 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Rashard lost 93 pounds. She fell in love with Zumba on her weight loss journey and is now an instructor in Pearland, TX.  Read her story below to find out the details of her journey.

Rashard before and after

“I was overweight all through high school and college. When my doctor told me that I had gained nine pounds in a matter of months, enough was enough. She gave me some diet pills, but they made me feel awful. I pitched them in the trash and bought a gym membership instead. I started with kickboxing, then moved on to step aerobics 5-6 days weekly. Then I started hearing about Zumba. I tried a class and immediately went home to sign up for the licensing workshop. I started eating smaller portions, drinking more water, and adding more fruits and vegetables to my diet. As time has passed, I’ve learned about meal prep and weight training. I am now a certified group fitness instructor teaching Zumba, BodyPump and Nightclub Cardio. I started at 248 pounds and am currently at 155 pounds. It took about two years to loose all of the weight. I’m still a work in progress, but I’m pleased with my results so far.

My advice would be to TRUST THE PROCESS! Don’t measure your success solely by the numbers on the scale. Your measurements and how your clothes fit are great indicators of progress. Also, don’t be afraid of the weights. The more lean muscle mass you have, the more calories your body burns, even at rest.”

FB: facebook.com/ZumbaWithRashard
Instagram: @boquifa

Weight Loss Story of the Day: LaShanda lost 90 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: LaShanda lost 90 pounds.  Facing extremely serious illness and health concerns, LaShanda tools steps to change her eating and get healthier.  Read her story and check out her before and after photos:

LaShanda before and after

I have fluid on the brain and spine because of being overweight. It is called Pseudotumor Cerebri. MOST overweight women don’t even know they have it, but a lot have this condition and are not aware. Symptoms: headache, tightness in the spine/skull, numbing of appendages, very bad adema, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, very bad menstrual bleeding /pain, ear ringing, lost of strength, nails turn yellow, light sensitive, muscle tightness, blurry vision or losing vision, losing hair and laughing/sneezing causes them migraines.  Along with Chiari Malformations Type 1 (brain to big for my skull), I was almost lost my vision, lost mobility from the chest down and my organs were shutting down.

I finally I asked God to help me get the healthy body that I was given before. I went to the doctor. My starting was 287 lbs Aug of 2013. Now, I am 197 lbs as of March 2014. I am still at this plateau but planning on moving pass it soon and losing more weight.

My doctor put me back on my water pills 1000 mg Diamox (for fluid) & phentermine 37.5 (appetite suppressant) to give me a jump metabolism & curb appetite. I was on a 1200 cal intake until April 2014. Now, I am on a 1400 calorie plan. I got off phentermine in March, a month earlier. I’m still on Diamox until my next appointment.

This is what my lifestyle is made of. I make green smoothies in my Vitamix.  I don’t eat no white sugar or flour (honey &maple syrup).  Gluten-free/gmo free foods are 90% of my eating, I drink green tea with lemon/honey/water 24-7.  I also cut back on meat. For exercise, I use the XBOX Kinect (Zumba core) for 45-60 minutes, 6 times a week. I also do UFC fighting, weight truing, jogging and walking. My goal is to get to 150’s by the end of July 2014. On Monday April 28 2014, I am going semi-vegan, but I will still eat cheese and a little butter. Oh, did I mention water water water & more water.  Drinking water is key.

My best advice is: Don’t procrastinate. Addiction is in your mind. You have the willpower in your mind. Focus on God and your Goal. Everything will fall in place. It takes 21 days to reprogram your mind set.

LaShanda weight loss

LaShanda weight loss

Rosa lost 65 pounds

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One of our sistas in Puerto Rico wrote in to share her weight loss story.  Rosa lost 65 pounds in 7 months by being very consistent with her healthy lifestyle changes.  Read her story and find out what she did to change her life.

Rosa puerto rico

Hello my name is Rosa. I currently reside in Puerto Rico. I would like to share my success story.
My motivation was the health issues that I was facing because of improper eating. One day at a follow up visit, my doctor told me that I had to start blood pressure and diabetes medication. That really scared me and gave me the biggest push to start eating and living healthy and I will never forget that moment.

I went from eating fried foods, candy, drinking coconut soda and Pepsi everyday.  I also stopped eating rice n’ beans almost everyday and switched to eating fruits, veggies and no red meat. I drink only water, pure coconut water, ginger tea and protein smoothies along with green smoothies.

My workout routines consisted of walking, Zumba, hiphop abs and going to the gym 2-3 times a week.
My starting weight was 238 pounds and my current weight is 173 pounds.  My transformation took me 7 months with consistency.  My advice for those trying to lose weight is to never give up, think positive, eat clean, workout and walk.  Even if you don’t see results right away, don’t give up. Keep pushing. Hard work pays off. I want to motivate others with my success story. Please follow me on instagram @cinnamonnspyyce

Leslie lost 71 pounds

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Update 8/2014: Leslie wrote in this month to let us know that she’s lost a total of 116.2 pounds.  Check out what she shared with us back in April about her weight loss journey.

Leslie weight loss success story

Weight Loss Story of the Day: Leslie lost 71 pounds.  She changed her eating habits and committed to regular exercise to transform her midsection and deal with serious health issues.  Check out what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

Leslie weight loss

Hi, I’m Leslie it took me 2 1/2 years to loose 71 pounds. I take a nutrition supplement, eat clean and work out everyday for 30 mins! My Motivation to lose weight was being told I was diabetic! I was scared.  The doctor also told me I was overweight.

I changed by eating habits by doing a nutrition program which is not easy at all but well worth it.  I simply tried to stay away from bad carbs, but I ate plenty of vegetables and fruit! I worked to not eat processed foods and made sure that I was eating often, like every two hours. Sometimes I supplement meals with a nutritional shake. Now watching what I eat comes naturally!  For exercise, I worked out daily for 30 minutes a day mostly doing Zumba or walking! 

My Starting weight was 286 pounds I am now 214.8 pounds.  My transformation took 2 1/2 years. 

My advice if any is never give up and don’t get wrapped up in the scale.  All things are possible. I gave up 5 times but in still in there and still working toward my goals! Let’s go Black Women! Let’s lose weight!

Instagram: @royal_priesthoodp31

Leslie before and after

 

Update: Felicia lost 67 pounds

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Update: We featured Felicia’s story on December 20, 2013.  She has lost an additional 14 lbs and only 4 lbs away from her goal weight. That’s a total weight loss of 67 pounds.Felicia weight loss story
“So much has happened since my original story posted and I had no idea how much of an inspiration I was for other people. I have successfully completed a round of Shaun T’s T25 Beachbody program, as well as became a licensed ZUMBA instructor! I am currently down to 139 pounds (original weight: 206 pounds) and that number on the scale no longer matters to me. I am HAPPY!!!!!! I have received so many positive emails, messages and comments and this website here remains my number one favorite. Thank you for all that you do with highlighting the success of our beautiful black women.”

Read our original post from December to find out how she lost the weight.  Check Felicia out on Instagram: @she_did_that313

Felicia Weight Loss

Original Photo (Dec 2013)

Felicia weight loss blog

 

Wendy lost 171 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Wendy lost 171 pounds to improve her health.  She embraced regular exercise, changed her eating habits and has transformed herself over the last 2 years.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey to wellness:

Wendy weight loss story

 

“My motivation was my overall health. I could barely walk and I had to purchase my shoes in two different sizes because of the swelling in my feet.  To change my eating, instead of using a large plate I downsized to a smaller plate. I worked with a dietitian and developed better eating habits which meant smaller portions.

Right now I workout 4-5 days a week which includes cardio, walking, running, zumba, strength planking, crunches, and weights.

Wendy weight lossI began my weight loss journey at 401 pounds in 2012 and I am currently at 230 pounds. My transformation is still in progress as I would like to be out of the 200’s. My goal is 170 pounds and I won’t stop until I reach it.

It’s a lifestyle change it doesn’t happen overnight and it requires dedication and hardwork along with the support of true friends and family. I have good days and bad days but I have fallen in love with my waistline and the GYM :).
Don’t give up we do fall down but the goal is to clean the wounds and get back up stronger and more determined than before.”

Courtnea T lost 30 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Healthy Hair blogger Courtnea T wrote us to share her 30 pound weight loss.  This 5’1″ diva found a weight loss program that worked for her and dropped those pounds.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

courtnea weight loss

What Was Your Motivation? – “My motivation was that I was tired of being unhappy with my size. I’d been sick of my size for a while, but it was until I moved after my college graduation that I decided to do something about it. As I was getting settled into my new place Jennifer Hudson flashed across my screen in one of the new Weight Watchers commercials. I’m a huge Jennifer Hudson fan and I figured if she could do it I might as well give Weight Watchers a try. It honestly was the best decision of my life. I proved to myself once and for all that I could achieve my weight loss goals and take control of my eating habits once and for all. I also gained a better understanding of portion control and how to make better food choices.”

How Did You Change Your Eating Habits? – “I started by making small changes, such as less juice and more water. More fruits and veggies and less chips and candy. I eventually worked my way up to rarely having sugary drinks and red meat once every 2-3 weeks or so. In addition I began using a food scale to follow the actual recommended portions on food labels. However, in the midst of my changes I learned that it was okay to indulge every now and then. Currently I try to eat clean (lots of veggies, whole grains, chicken, turkey, etc).”

What do you do to workout? – “My workout routine varies because I do get bored easily. I enjoy HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), Zumba, Strength training, bike riding, walking/jogging. Depending on the weather and my mood I will do any of the above. Currently I’m really enjoying strength training mixed with cardio. I’m loving the definition and tone that I’m getting from that combination! Regardless of what type of workout I do I try to exercise between 4-5 days a week.”

Starting weight/Current weight – “My starting weight was 173 lbs (I’m only 5’1”) and I now weigh 143 lbs. It took me about 6-8 months because I hit plateaus, struggled at times, etc. However, I’ve maintained my weight loss for 3 years now!”

Your advice to others – “My best advice would be to never give up on yourself. I’d gotten to a point where I had accepted my weight even though I wasn’t happy with it. I’d convinced myself that I couldn’t lose more than 5-10 lbs because that’s all I’d managed in the past. Even after starting my weight loss journey there were a couple of times where I really struggled and thought ‘maybe this is it’. I promise that if you keep pushing past bad days, weeks, etc you will prevail and achieve your goals!”

Check out her blog: courtnea2001.blogspot.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Courtnea2001

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)

Temica lost 58 pounds

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Featured Weight Loss Story: Sigma Gamma Rho Soror Temica lost 58 pounds and helped her husband to lose 120 pounds as well.  She found a weight loss plan that worked for her, embraced healthy eating and worked out!  I see you, Soror!  Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

Temica

“My name is Temica Gross and 15 months ago I weighed 248lbs. I now weigh 190lbs for a preset weigh loss of 58lbs. I’m 32 years old, wife and mother of 1 and a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.”

What was my motivation?
“I have been heavy my entire life. I can’t ever remember being under 200lbs for longer than a few months. In Oct 2012 I ordered fast food for lunch while at work and as I was eating, the grease from my sandwich was dripping down my arm. It was a disgusting wake up call. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and instantly became embarrassed at my weight. I signed up for Weight Watchers within minutes and that was the beginning of my weight loss journey.’

How did you change your eating habits?
“My eating habits changed drastically. I began to prep my meals for the week ahead of time and incorporated “clean eating” for my entire family. I was now eating more fruits and vegetables with every meal and every snack instead of unhealthy options such as chips and chocolate. I also removed meat from my diet and consumed mostly fish and vegan protein. As a result, my husband also lost 120 pounds and our 2 year old son chooses dried cranberries and almonds over cookies!”

sgrhomeekWhat did your workout routine look like?
“Each morning I would workout for 30 minutes a day with a DVD (Insanity, Walk away the pounds, Zumba) and again for an additional 30 minutes when I came home from work. I was too shy to sign up for a gym membership so working at home was all I did in the beginning. After 6 months,I had lost close to 30 lbs and I thought I needed a new challenge and signed up for my first 5K! My only goal at the time was to NOT stop running and to NOT come in last place…. I crushed both!  I was so excited when I finished that I signed up for another the very next month!!”

What advice do I have for others?
“There is a plan out there for everyone. Do not get discouraged if one doesn’t work for you. Find what’s best for you and stick with it. But please remember, this is a lifetime commitment. Strive for long term goals and not a short/fast turnaround and you will succeed.  Best of luck to you all!!!”

Instagram: @BeatbyMeek

Temica before and after

 

Brynn lost 65 pounds

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Let’s show some love to Brynn for her 65 pound weight loss victory.  After being diagnosed with some very serious health issues, including being in a 2 day coma, she has changed her lifestyle and lost weight.  Here is what she shared about her journey:

“Hello my name is Brynn Thompson and I would like to share my story. I was a fit girl until after high school. I moved out, ate junk and put on 80 pounds in one year to my tiny 145 pound frame. Shortly there after, I was rushed to the hospital where I slipped into a coma for two days.  Later I found out that I had type 2 diabetes, but instead of getting healthy I got worse and ended up at 260 pounds. I’m only 5’3”. For years I yo-yo’d with my weight until last year when I was diagnosed with Pseudotumor cerebri, a condition in which the pressure inside the skull is increased. The brain is affected in a way that the condition appears to be — but is not — a tumor but is just as bad because it never goes away. This diagnosis happened last October.  Since then, I’ve stared eating right and working out.  I work out four to five times a week doing Zumba, running and lifting weights. I follow the American Diabetic Association’s 1200 calorie diet. I also cut out soda and alcohol.  I’m down to 195 pounds and dropping. I knew if I did nothing I would not be around much longer for my wife and son, if I can do it anyone can!”

Brynn before and after

brynn weight loss