Update 5/1 – The April Contest is now closed.
| Karimah Lloyd-Bey Leah Smith Gervonda Brown Ebony Baker Kim Northen Littlefield |
Patricia Brantley Agnes Aleobua Tam Donaldson Shela Tobias-Daniel April Morant |
Hey Ladies, It’s time for our April Weight Loss Challenge! April 1-30, we will focus on adding more REAL food to our daily diets. What does that mean? More unprocessed food and less highly processed food. We will be reading food labels and looking at the amount of chemicals and additives in our food. This also means that because we will be eating and drinking less food that may be contributing to our weight issues and perhaps hindering our health. As always, we will also be accountable to our BWLW sisters by checking-in each week on Facebook and our Online Community to let each other know how you are doing. AND…BWLW is sponsoring a contest this month. Details Below!
What are you committing to this month?
Exercise Challenge: Our exercise goal will be to do some form of CARDIO exercise 5 times a week for a minimum of 30 min. If you do more, that’s even better. We are committing to get our burn on and melt away some fat. Walking, running, treadmill, spinning, dancing, workout classes, Zumba, Beachbody…it’s your choice.
Eating Challenge: REAL FOOD CHALLENGE – This month we will avoid 5 things:
- Fast Food/Restaurant Food
- Bleached White Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup and other concentrated, chemicalized sugars.
- Bleached White Flour products
- High Sodium Foods
- Highly chemicalized food and drinks- Food that is more so from a lab then a natural source. Food that magically tastes good after sitting on a shelf for 6 months. For example, that means avoiding candy, sugary drinks, artificial sweeteners, soda, American cheese, white flour pasta, etc.
We are going to replace these 5 things with Real Foods
- Homemade Green Smoothies
- Freshly Made Juice – Unpasteurized juice
- Fresh Fruit and Veggies – frozen without extra salt, sugar or sauces is good too.
- Lean Meat
- Whole Grains and Unbleached Flour Products
- Beans
- Good Dairy – Low sugar. Without a lot of additives (coloring, sugar, etc).
- Water – Purified water
RECAP OF OUR EATING GOALS:
- Identify highly processed or chemical-laden foods you will avoid in April. I suggest that you eliminate at least 5 foods that fall into this category.
- Identify real foods you will replace these foods with.
- Meal Replacement – Replace one meal per day with a freshly made green smoothie or freshly made juice.
- Bonus: You can replace up to TWO meals with smoothies. Drink at least 24-32 oz of smoothie to replace a meal. Drink more if you need to. The key is to be full.
- Read food labels and educate yourself about what you are putting into your mouth and to ensure that you are eating natural foods as much as possible.
Great Tip from Prevention.com: Shop the perimeter of the grocery store – “Most whole, natural foods are on the outside aisles of grocery stores—that’s where the produce, dairy, and meat sections usually are. As you go deeper into the center of the store, you encounter more processed and packaged food. “Find the stuff that spoils,” suggests nutritionist Johnny Bowden, PhD, author of The Most Effective Ways to Live Longer.”
Also, How do you know if a food is processed? “It’s the easiest way to distinguish a “clean” food from a highly processed one. Think about it: A head of lettuce has no label (totally natural), while a bag of ranch-flavored corn chips has a dozen or more ingredients (highly processed). Instead of eliminating all processed foods, study the labels on the packaging and choose those with fewer and simpler ingredients (avoid hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors and colors, stabilizers, preservatives, excessive amounts of fat and sodium, and added refined sugar).”
Other Tips:
- Find the low calorie version of your favorite high calorie foods.
- Cheat Days: If you are going to eat something high calorie or processed, pick the highest quality. If you are going to have a burger, don’t just have the fast food or carryout version. The quality of the ingredients matters.
- Real food has nutrients – Look at how much protein, fiber, and vitamins a food has compared the amount of saturated fat, salt, sugar, and preservatives/chemicals are in the food. Ask whether the food as any nutritional value or is it just sugar, fat, salt and carbs?
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Reading List – There are tons of books and free, search-able information online that can help you to eat more natural, unprocessed food. I encourage you to do a search and find tips and recipes that work for you. Here are some resources to get you started:
- 101 Juice Fast Recipes – Just $1.01 – Great book by African American Juicing Diva, Carla Douglin
- BWLW Founder, Ebony “Ajima” Jackson’s E-Book “Drink Green Smoothies: A Beginner’s Guide with 80 Great Recipes”
- Book of the Month: Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us
– NY Times Bestseller – “From a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative reporter at The New York Times comes the explosive story of the rise of the processed food industry and its link to the emerging obesity epidemic. Michael Moss reveals how companies use salt, sugar, and fat to addict us and, more important, how we can fight back.”
- Article – “8 Ways to Avoid Processed Food” and Free “Real Food” Meal Plans for busy families – 100daysofrealfood.com
- BalancedBite’s The 21-Day Sugar Detox Program
This video is a great example of why you should focus on real food and not processed food when you are trying to lose weight.
April Challenge Contest – Enter Today on Facebook – April 1-30
Update 5/1 – The April Contest is now closed. Winners will be announced shortly.
Visit our Facebook Page to enter this Contest! – We are sponsoring a contest this month.
- One person will win a NutriBullet: The Superfood Nutrition Extractor®.
- Ten people will win downloadable copies of BWLW Founder, Ebony “Ajima” Jackson’s E-Book “Drink Green Smoothies: A Beginner’s Guide with 80 Great Recipes”
Check out the full contest details here.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You are providing your information to Black Women Losing Weight and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for communications related to this contest.
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.
One Entry per person. Entries that are lost, late, incomplete, misdirected or altered for any reason, including hardware, software, browser or network failure, malfunction, congestion, or incompatibility will be ineligible. Only legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older may enter and participate in the Sweepstakes.
Contest. The contest begins at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time (“PT”) on April 1, 2013 and ends on 11:59 P.M. EST on April 30, 2013. The Winner will be notified by email. If the winning Entry is discovered to be invalid for any reason prior to delivery of the Prize, or if the Winner cannot be contacted or does not respond within ten (10) business days, an alternate winner may be selected, at the sole discretion of the Sponsor. If there is no winner by the 30th day after end of contest, no further winners will be chosen. The name of the Winners will be posted on the Black Women Losing Weight Blog located at http://www.blackweightlosssuccess.com on or around May 1, 2013.
Brenda James says
This is been a good month diabetes getting under control and lost another 7 pounds
lagura says
i havent lost anything and not doing well i was hoping to lose so i can lose all these meds, i just seem to be picking up more health problems,, im going to do the april challenge.. and not giving up.
Rhoda says
Love you attitude! And you can and will get off those meds by eating right. May God Help you.
Zena says
I didn’t lost pds this time, but I’ve gain hope. If I keep at it: work out, juice n smooth recipes 1 or 2 meals a day, changed a few habits, drank more water, ate more fruit n veggies I will soon see the pds go away. I/we have hope and can do this. Its start with me in the mind. It took me 1 yr to smoke cigs, but I had to change my mind first and the rest followed.
Zena says
O I smoke for 24 yrs. From 14yrs old to 40. I’m now 5 yrs and 7 months clean and loving it.
Sista Suga says
Go Zena!
I started smoking when I was 11 (I am ashamed to say) but stopped in 1988 and never looked back. Now that you’ve stopped you won’t look back either.
Zena says
Well thank you. I don’t every plan on looking back.
JoAndra says
Good afternoon, ladies. I began my lifestyle change 1 month and a day ago and I’m happy to say that I’m 20lbs lighter. Praise the lord!!! I stopped eating and snacking in foods that are not healthy. I replace either one or two meals with a green smoothie, or I will have one for a snack. I don’t eat any processed foods, or cheeses…..very bad for u and all of my veggies are fresh. I’m on the road to recovery. God bless each of you and we can do this.
Stay Encouraged!!!
Linda says
Thanks for sharing. Your progress in inspiring. l began my lifestyle change 6 weeks ago and have lost 13 pounds. I still have about 40lbs to lose. I do cardio exercises 5-6 days a week for 45 min and strength training 2-3 days. My biggest problem is eating right. I’ve increased my fresh fruit and vegtable intake and reduced the sodium. However I still eat some processed foods. This month’s challenge will help with that. I wish you continued success.
Natasha says
Oh wow!!! 20 lbs in such a short space of time…awesome!
Glenise Harris-Wilson says
Sometimes accountability is needed to help us move forward but yet staying connected to someone that can support and encourage you to reach your goal. I would love to discuss helping you to achieve your desired outcome. You may email me for further information.
Crystal Jaye says
I’m with you. I’ve been on hypertension meds for a while and I’m fairly young (let me tell it). I turn 31 in May and I’m going to do this challenge as well. Not for weight loss but because I need to take better care of my body now so that it will take good care of me when I’m older. Any weight loss will be an added bonus. Don’t give up! One day at a time.
Anya says
Be encourage sister things will work out for you and those meds will be history
Melody R. Clark says
I’m very excited to join in on this challenge. I seem to do better when I’m held accountable with others. Looking forward to results.
Maliika says
I desperately need to change my eating habits…I am ready…
Renee says
I’m always up for a challenge! count me in!!
barbara says
do i have to be a member to join the april challenge? so far I’ve lost 73 pounds with weight watchers and i haven’t been able to go to a meeting. I love the accountability, for me it’s most important but circumstances prevent me from being there. I’d like to lose 6-10 pounds this month and i want to learn more about green drinks. most of my vegies are baked (learned that from weight watchers ) and I’ve almost rid my body of processed foods and white bread, sugar and flour products. At the age of 73, I’m not into a lot of exercise, but as soon as it’s warmer, I’m going to start walking again.
Rachelle says
I’ve been considering weight watchers for a while now. How were you so successful with WW and did not attend not one meeting?
ajima says
You just have to commit to the details above. There is no sign up for the April Challenge. There is a sign up form for the contest, however. It’s on our FB page.
britney says
Can you give me tips on WW. id love to try it but not sure how it works…
april says
New to the group. At 240 would like to lose at least 40 +. I’m starting with meat only on weekend. I’m doing no fast foods or restaurants for 30 days plus clean eating and exercise. Wish me luck….and good luck to you all.
Linda says
Thanks. With clean eating and exercise you’ll see results. Stay with it and you’ll be successful.
Crystal Jaye says
Fast food has been my biggest vice for a while. It has been so easy as a single mom to just stop and order a #2 instead of cooking after work. But I am up for the challenge. I will start by cooking my meals the night before so that the kids and I will already have dinner ready when I get home from work. Best of luck everyone!
LaChonda says
I’m in
LaChonda says
Count me in.
Linda says
I made it through the month of March without eating out; so glad also believe me there was so much temptation at work from my co-workers, supervisor wanting to go out to lunch. So I turned the tables my supervisor and I walk 17 miles a week, (Mon, Wed, Fri with friday being a 7 mile walk) and go to the gym and I do the elliptical or recumbant bike he does the elliptical and weights and he lost 10lbs during March and I was able to loose 6 so my weight has dropped from 252 to 214.2 pounds as of this morning. Wanted to loose more but was seriously ill with two major sinus infections/vertigo so its a work in progress. I am getting a smart phone so I can take some pics to post.
ajima says
Congrats on your weight loss.
Adriane says
This is right on time as I have started trying to be more concious of eating processed foods. I did a cleanse last month using probiotics and am trying to gain healthy eating habits, as well as lose weight. All these chemicals could NOT be good for your body. My high blood pressure is an issue and it’s a shame that I actually crave salt. I will try this months challenge-no I will DO this month’s challenge!
Tameka says
I am highly motivated ladies. We can do this…good luck everyone.
Donna says
I am new to BWLW.Today I Made a trip to trader Joes to restock the frig . I am looking forward to healthy eating in April
ajima says
Welcome!
gail w. says
YES! I just joined and I am sooo excited. I need this accountability. I am participate in BGR (Black Girls Run) N milwaukee. This will B an added bonus for my body.
Let’s do this:)
Gail
ajima says
We love BGR!
LaTarsha W says
Are any of these books availible on the nook? I really want to check them out!
ajima says
Not yet. Working to get it on Nook and iBooks this month.
Sista Suga says
I couldn’t have found this challenge at a better time! Today I walked for 50 minutes and worked out to Jillian Michaels’ No More Trouble Zones. I actually started working out, yet again last week, and very proud of my one week anniversary 🙂
I made a typical southern dinner yesterday (bbq chicken and ribs, mac & cheese, potato salad, string beans and homemade cake). I didn’t have one piece of any of it! Instead, I had baked chicken, spinach and a small baked sweet potato.
I’m tracking my exercises with a phone app I found on Thursday that I am really enjoying. It’s really motivating as you earn points, discounts, achievements, and has every exercise you could ever think of including housework and playing with your pet! It’s called Nexercise, it’s free and it’s great! If any of you are already on it or thinking about joining, please look me up.
All the best in eating and drinking clean!!
kena says
Congrats on making that healthy meal choice yesterday!
Pamela J says
I’m ready to lose this weight, my goal is 80 lbs. I CAN DO IT!
Chetara Williams says
Hi my name is Chetara , I’m trying to 80 lbs too, just getting started and everyone here is really what I needed, to get my butt moving. Thanks so much!!!!
Michelle M. says
I am thankful to everyone leaving positive posts. This helps me a lot because I was getting discouraged because I dont eat right or exercise much because I am depressed and busy. I will try this challenge. I need to lose at least 80pds. Thank you ladies for staying motivated. I guess I will also try WW. Be blessed.
Ms Intercessor says
Hang in there Michelle, you will do just fine.
Zenobia says
I am doing this 30 day challenge my goal is to lose 20 pounds by the end of the month I am determined to accomplish this!:))
chasity says
I lost 6.5 pounds last month. I cut out breads, sweets,sodas & meat. I worked out at least 5 days a week. This month I want to lose 7 pounds, I started cross fit training. I plan to do more cardio six workouts a week, no soda, bread,sweets – my 1st wedding anniversary is 4/21 & I would love to have lost 7 pounds by then!
ajima says
Congrats on losing 6.5!
Margaret says
Thanks for all the positive comments ladies i’m really struggling with my eating and exercising but i need this so bad it hurts I’m not giving up so i will be committed this month i need you guys help
Najuma Doctrove says
I am so motivated by all these positive comments.on feb 20 I was weighing 263 I cut out sofas,white flour and all unprocessed foods only eating healthy foods and snacks and today April 3 I am weighing 251
Sherri says
I’m late but I’m still going to be a part of this challenge. … never to late to start right…
Sherri says
I weigh 229
Pasqualita Philips says
Been struggling with my weight for ever since. Right now am at my biggest 246lbs and really want to lose weight. Thing is, I am not at all motivated, I pay my gym fee every month,but I don’t attend, too ashamed. Today I went out and bought a Detox so I can try it for 15 days and promise myself to also cut out the soda, rice, white bread and sweets. Please help me get motivated, really wanna do this.
Ms Intercessor says
Your on your way just take it one day st a time! Best wishes
Storm says
This challenge is right on time !Sisters I’ve recently started studying Elijah Muhammad’s tecahings specifically “How To Eat To Live” and I feel ike I now have a true purpose for losing weight. Which is to be healthy so that I may live a long satifiying life without a self perpetuated struggle due to unhealthy eating habits.Wow it’s always good to have a support system when making new habits. Much love peace and light to all you on here. Don’t stress beloveds we will evolve.
Storm says
Do any of you sistas live in Philadelphia? I would like to start a walking group.:) I been walking the track field at my local park for about two months now and It helps. I used to be 310lbs. now I’m about 290lbs. I know I can lose more if I stay consistent so I figured if I walked with women who sare a common goal it would work out better. Na’ mean? 🙂
Shae says
I weigh 275 and this is the biggest I have ever been. I have cut out soda, meat and processed foods. I eat more fruits and veggies. I try to walk and exercise, but there are times when I just don’t. My plan is to work out and do some sort of physical activity 6 days a week. I have been preparing my meals ahead of time, so i wont be ravenous when i grt home from work and eat a cookie or something unhealthy. This month I have given up sweets which is a big thing for me because at my office we always have some sort of dessert and the past few days have been hard, but I will make it. I am using major willpower. This group is very helpful and encouraging! Thanks!
Miche J says
It’s crazy because I am sure all of us know how to live a healthy lifestyle but sometimes slip and forget! My father was juicing and detoxin us the family back in the 80’s. We thought he was crazy! Now I wish I would have done more. Life has conditioned me to do the commuters plan quick & unhealthy because of the lack of time to exercise and eat better. Being an older single mom (had my first & only at 42)with my daughter’s schedule does not help! She is seven and thinks she is a rockstar on tour!
At my biggest 196lbs…I know if I want to be here for my daughter’s college graduation, wedding and first baby that I need to be healthy for life and not just cute for the upcoming vacation or event!
I started the working out 2 days and eating clean. Why wait til Monday when hump day Wednesday is just as good!
So ladies, I am so happy to be joining you all and thanks for being here for each other!
“Miche on a Mission”
Zena says
I fell off the band wagon today after a month. I was hungry after working 10 hrs out of town (2 hr drive-work 8 hrs). I knew stopping to eat was a bad idea. On my way home, I could have went to a grocery store and bought fruit instead. I could have made it home without giving into temmptation. Tomorrow I’ll WILL do better. 1 Day @ a time.
Trish says
Just found the sight today and am so glad I did I’ve been feeling completely alone and had given up on believing I can do this. But you ladies help me see that I can. I too am in for the Aprilchallenge. My goals is to exercise 2x per day and eat clean. No more junk or fast food. I got this! Thank for the lifeline
Casey-Anne Gilling says
Hey everyone I wont be able to make the chat tomorrow, very disappointed about that. Well my week was very challenging. I have had successes and failures. Success: This is the first time in my entire life I have actually gone an entire week without consuming the following; rice, bread, potato chips, banana chips, chocolate, burgers and a lot more I cant list. First time in my life I have actually achieved exercising 30 minutes of treadmill (walking) and 30 minutes other cardio. Did that three times this week, hope to do more this coming week. Failure: Ahhhhh!!!! I caved to my processed food addiction Wednesday night…tried to get back on the wagon the next meal. I started out the week wanting to stick to a paleo diet but it was hard to I ended up jus trying to wean myself from carbs reducing the amount of carbs each day. Hope I am more successful this coming week. By the end of the week though I fell ill, so I could not exercise as I could but I am getting better. My goal this week was to have a visible change in my diet and to lose only one pound. Small goal, but not having lost any weight in years I had to start small. Im weighing in tomorrow so I will let u know
april says
Im trying really hard. Ive stop the soda drinking, now if i could only shake the sweets. Im still trying to stop with the peicessed food.
Sonja says
Now that I have been medically cleared to resume exercising, it’s on.. I have my beach body Slim in Six and Zumba ready to go. I have tried to follow the Shred Diet. Which has taught me how to include 100 calorie snacks after meals. As well as a better way to enforce some clean eating. For me, it’s too much food to consume. For this reason I will return to my green smoothies twice a day and continue to eat fruits and veggies. So that I can see some type of weight loss with this month’s challenge.
KC says
Just saw the challenge! Started back power walking today after months of being off due to migraines. Back at it early and got through 2 miles and did an 1/8 mile jog. I accept the challenge and am power walking 6 days per week – no less than 2 miles per day and am starting my green smoothies as meal replacements.
Maria says
I have started out a little late with the challenge. I will try to work out every day. So far I have done my Monday with real food. For Breakfast I ate oatmeal, Lunch was a spinach salad, with cranberries and almonds, and dinner was turkey burger on a whole wheat bun with skim milk cheese. Then I hit the gym for 1 1/2. Day one down but the remaining of the week can be hard.
Alexandria says
I started this challenge late, but before I found this site I stop eating process food for two weeks, more veg and fruit. This week stop eating Pork and beef, working out 30 mins a day until I can do it all at once. This group has give me the support I’m going to need, my goals to breath and eat right, and weight lose is a plus. Thank you for bring us together to encourage each other and support. Let the Challenge begin…
Lakya Milbourne says
Hello I have lost weight in the past i was 240 pounds and now I’m 220 pounds i might not be that now because i am steady losing weight but can’t lose my stomach. can anybody with some suggestions on how to lose my stomach
Jennetta says
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve continued to stay away from McDonald’s and discovered another reason why most processed foods are not good: they contain some form of soy. I’ve developed an allergic reaction to it. Awful! So, I do read labels and make most of my meals.
Tanya Hughes says
I have been doing the challenge for about 10 days now and I’m down 4lbs. I have tried to eat healthy in the past and could only go about a week and would have sweet cravings. The only difference now is I drink water before I would never drink water I don’t care for the taste of it but I have been making myself drink it and it has helped with my cravings and help control my hunger. As far as exercise I am trying to walk at least 30 min a day. So far things are going well. Hopefully I can stay motivated this time around.
Carol says
Hello Ladies!
A friend of mine referred this wonderful group to me and I am so glad I joined. I am serious about taking the life back that God has meant for each of us to live. That being said a little about me. I always had a sense of health conciousness, I was a partial vegetarian excercised more than the average person. But life happened and I experienced some extenuating life changes that put my life on hold. Although this happened some years ago, depression set in, I started smoking, and the kids at the time were going through their own issues. As a single parent, I had to be both parents at times and at the end of the night with Gods help. Still tell myself I’m worth it. I went from a 5/6 to now a 16 or sometimes 18 depending on the fit. I really need a accountability partner, I am in Martial Arts taking Tai Chi & Weng Chung, and have been doing off and on for a year. Plus occasionally working out. But not as much as I would like. Thank you for having me.
failure says
im a 376lb female i dont think n e one has tried more weight loss solutions than me! I GIVE UP! i have been trying so hard to loose weight i DO NOT suffer from any chronic illness thank GOD but people keep telling me i am not far from it i get so depressed at times all i do is cry i wanna be healthier for my 10yr old daughter i try dieting i try everything NOTHING WORKS! ive gymed and lost a few lbs but that doubled and came right back on ive tried can someone plzzzzzzzzzz help me what am i doing wrong i want to be healthier and happier 2
ajima says
The best advice I can provide is that you should research 2 things: Clean Eating and the “Eat to Live’ plan. Eating and Exercise are the keys to long term weight loss, along with commitment and consistency. Both of these ways of eating will compliment a regular exercise routine. To lose weight, I suggest you focus on cardio for the first few months and then add some strength training. http://www.eatcleandiet.com http://www.cleaneatingmag.com http://www.drfuhrman.com/weightloss/why.aspx There is NO one size fits all plan, so you may not be interested in either of these methods of eating. You have to find what works for you. In the end, I encourage you to take a look at a few plans and then commit!! If you have any medical problems, make sure you check in with your doctor before starting any exercise program or drastically changing your eating habits.
Vonda says
I lost 13 lbs last month and 57 lbs since October 2012. I have gone from weighing 330 lbs to 273 lbs and feel great. I have changed my eating and I exercise 6-7 days a week. Thanks for the page it has been a real inspiration. My next goal is to get under 250 lbs. A weight I haven’t seen in 15 years.