Update 2/12/14: We checked in on Tanisha today and learned that she is now down an additional 40 pounds from our original post in Aug 2013! That’s a total of 120 pounds.
Original Post:
Today’s featured weight loss journey: Tanisha lost 80 pounds with no gimmicks (just eating right and exercise) after trying other methods, fads and respected ones that just didn’t work. Now, she counsels others on how to live healthy. Here is what she shared with us:
My name is Tanisha Williams, and for the last few months I’ve followed your website, and think it is so inspiring for black women to support one another in these difficult times. I wanted to share my story in hopes of healthy others.
I have always been overweight, no obese. From childhood, I was the chubby little kid, and through my adulthood, I have tried to overcome this challenge. I was the cookie and chip kid. If you want to get me out your face, buy me a bag of BonTon chips, but I also loved fruits and vegetables. Despite my weight, I was always labeled “healthy on paper” meaning my blood work reflected I had no serious health issues, but the weight was still there. In the past, I tried everything. I took diet pills several times, ate only salad, got a personal trainer, had food delivered to my house, drunk shakes, and considered surgery two times, but was denied because I had no medical issues. So, where did that leave me? Overweight and frustrated.
In recent years I just found ways to make my weight work for me. I love being plus size, but I had to come to terms with reality: I had to lose the weight. My wake up moment took place on October 15, 2012. I had no intentions on changing my life, but I decided to get on the scale to see how much I weighed. I was not prepared for what I read on the scale – OL. This meant that my weight was over the limit that this scale could read. I almost went into a depression, but quickly got my act together – that night. I cleaned my house – threw everything out. I was angry, but the only person I could be angry at was myself. I allowed myself to lose control of my life, and here I was over 350 pounds. I had no plan and did not know what I was going to do to lose the weight, but I knew I had to lose it. That night I went to the supermarket and purchased only healthy items. I started taking my food and snacks wherever I went to avoid temptation, and started exercising at home using YouTube videos I found. I changed my entire mindset about life, food, and exercising. I knew I had no choice but to look forward to being healthy. After a while, I no longer dwelled on the pounds lost, but I focused on the fact I knew that I was healthier.
By January 2013, I had lost the first 50 pounds. That was a huge accomplishment because I never expected I could do it on my own – no gimmicks. I learned how to shop under budget, how to exercise without having to go to the gym or working out for hours, and I realized being healthy can be fun. I found myself in an awkward situation – people started coming to me for support. I had people asking me for healthy living tips and guidance. At my job, they asked me to start a healthy living group, and with that I was able to help others to lose weight and think of living a healthy lifestyle regardless of their weight. This motivated me to move further, and I started my own small healthy living program for people seeking to gain control of their lives, and to live healthier. We discuss healthy on various aspects, and it is working for many of them. I am happy and getting healthy. To date, I am down 70 pounds, and hope to lose another 50 pounds, but again my objective is no longer just losing the weight, but how can I continue to live this healthy lifestyle forever.
I hope this story can inspire someone else to get motivated towards changing their lives. Yes, I can finally say I have accomplished the hardest challenge I have ever faced, and I am a PhD candidate, and fighting this battle has definitely been harder than some of my courses. However, this is something I needed to do, and it had nothing to do with being skinny. This journey was about wanting to have a life without diabetes or high blood pressure. I want to feel good inside and outside – at all times. This is being accomplished everyday now.
Antoinette says
WOW!!! You have made my day.Thanks for the motovation and keep moving forward….
Tanisha Williams says
Antoinette, I am very happy my story inspires you. It definitely was a hard start, and I never anticipated on coming this far, but I love this lifestyle. The clients and people I meet with motivate me to continue to be successful.
Tanisha
Cindy Tookes says
Your weight loss is inspiring…keep up the good work 🙂
Tanisha Williams says
Thank you Cindy. I look to continue making better decisions.
Tanisha
Saundra says
I love your testimony. It’s as simple as changing your mindset and becoming mentally ready to change. It has also taken me many years to feel that I am at point of no turning back. I’m only one month in but I know I want to be healthy. I want to be fit. I want to be like Tanisha! Keep up the great work!
Tanisha Williams says
Saundra,
I tell people, if I can do it, you can do it. If you want guidance and a coach, please inbox me on FB or visit my website: http://www.successweight.com
Tanisha
lisa says
Hey my name is Lisa in I will love to talk to you I start on November 5
MZ TEA says
Awesome, I am definitely inspired by the your success. Continue moving forward you look great!
Tanisha Williams says
Mz Tea,
Thank you and I look forward to be more successful, but most importantly, I want to help more people reach their success. It is inspiring… I hope you reach your success soon too.
Tanisha
Tylaiah says
Your story is very inspiring. Thank you for sharing
Tanisha Williams says
Thank you so much Tylaiah
Joy says
Hello Tanisha, you have really inspired me to start back eating right and exercising. I gave up because I was not getting results. Can you please help me get started are give me some pointers. I don’t know what to eat and snack on. Thigs like that.
Tanisha Williams says
Hi Joy,
I am honored that so many people were inspired by my story. If you could email me: successweight.owner@gmail.com, this way I could speak with you one-on-one.
Look forward to assisting you in this wonderful journey.
Tanisha
marcel says
WOW AMAZING! I am inspired because I weigh 340. lol! we are BSB bringing sexier back because we were already sexy now we are becoming sexier
Tanisha Williams says
Marcel,
Yes! We are all beautiful, but it was just time to be beautiful and healthy. This is the key aspect to it all. I always tell people, I am conceited, and I never allowed my weight to hinder how I felt about myself.
Tanisha
Shenequa says
I really loved your story. I feel we are both working towards our goals with weight los, thank you for the motivation to keep going.
Tanisha Williams says
Shenequa,
If you visit my FB page, you can leave me a message or send me an email: successweight.owner@gmail.com, and I will tell you of the various options.
Look forward to speaking with you
Tanisha
Ta-Tanisha says
Thanks for sharing your inspiring story. .. is your group online? If so please let me know. ..thanks
Tanisha Williams says
Ta-Tanisha,
If you visit my FB page, you can leave me a message or send me an email: successweight.owner@gmail.com, and I will tell you of the various options.
Look forward to speaking with you
Tanisha
sherri nelson says
congrats!!! you are such an inspiration. your story is similar to mine, I am also healthy on paper, always get praises from my doctor but I am very over-weight. I am working on losing weight but Lord knows It is not easy when u are an emotinal eater. Thank you for sharing your story.
Dominick says
IM JUST SO PROUD OF YOU..
Shazy says
Hi, your story is inspiring! Well done!! I have just had a baby in september, i put on quite abit of weight and cant seem to shift it, i am at home most of the time cod aint got a car and weather not good for a baby to go out all the time.. So im eating/munching all the time, how can i take control?? Pls advise any tips on what i could eat daily?? Look forwrd to ur reply thank u
Shazy
selena says
Awesome
Elisa says
Tanisha, congratulations! I needed to read your story and it has proven to me that I can do it by myself, with support. Thank you so much for being a blessing to me today. You look great.