We are sending out BWLW Love to our Featured Success Story of the Day, Amber, who has lost 45 pounds, going from 207 to 162. She’s a mother of 3 as well!!
Note: One of photos is flipped so that the comparison could be the same. She still has the tattoo. This caused some controversy on our FB page.
She says, “I have 3 children ages 8,3, and 17 months. After having my baby u went through a lot dealing with depression and a divorce and gained tons of weight and got up to 207. I wasn’t able to play with kids and do a lot of things because of my weight and the pressure on my bad knees and decided to lose weight after Having to wear my boyfriends clothes. I started in April and started my membership back at the gym and started taking Zumba then got excited and addicted to it and could see it was a great fun workout but wasn’t losing weight then finally the hard part I decided to start Eating healthy and the weight started falling off. I got certified to teach Zumba In may and have been trying to keep up since. Started at 207 and currently 154 but the pics are 207/162 in about 4 and a half months and still trying to maintain. I just live to see African American women getting motivated to lose weight and be healthy.”
Update: I know that a number of your have had questions since the initial posting yesterday so I asked Amber to fill us in on how she lost the belly fat and her Zumba classes.
“I live in DECATUR Illinois and currently teach Zumba at the YMCA there but in time starting workout classes in my new garage. It’s huge and I wanna start classes and use the money to put up studio mirrors in it.
Basically my diet was really bad at first I ate all day long and full course meals twice a day with tons of carbs and drank at least 3 sodas daily. When I decided to lose weight I cute the soda and juices completely and started drinking lots of water and hot green tea and organic tea. I cut the carbs down at least 60% and got rid of fried food all the way also and snacking on candy and chips ended also.
The main things I ate were oatmeal or Special K cereal with skim milk in the morning.
For lunch: green bean, carrots and spinach and grilled chicken breast on the foreman and the same for dinner. Also sometimes I would replace a meal with a protein shake the ones I tried were muscle milk, Special K shakes, slim fast or the myoplex ones. But basically did that for 4 months and that weight came off along with my workout plan”
ClearX says
CONGRATS ON ALL OF YOUR SUCCESS!! THIS IS AWESOME!!!
sharita says
What did you eat?
Ometha says
Very good work Lady. I am still trying to find it but never giving up.
SHERRIE says
I am a 43 yr. old mother of 5 presently weighing 230lbs @ 5ft 4in tall. Please give me some helpful tips to lose as much as possibly in a healthy way by Febuary. I really only want to get down to 175lbs. Thanks in advance.
Brandi says
Congratulations!!!! Great job I know it was hard as heck at first.
Marsha Chatman says
AMBER, WAY TO GO!! YOU KEEP ON DOING YOUR THANG!! HAPPY FOR YOUR
SUCCESS, LOOKING SUPER! KEEP ENCOURAGED…AND NEVER LOOK BACK..
CONTINUE FORWARD. Marsha Chatman-Detroit, Michigan
Christine says
Losing weight is a beautiful thing! But feeling great and being healthy is even better! I congratulate you on your hard work! Keep up the good work and just feel good about yourself and the beautiful black woman you are!
karen says
How did u do it girl u look good
Michelle says
Congratulations, very inspiring. I’m amazed at how your stomach went down.
God Bless you Sis! Keep up the great work. I think I sent you a friend request on Facebook. I will be visiting your page from time to time to keep me focused and motivated, too.
Thank you!
tena says
I am so inspired with all the ladies success stories by far. But Amber was so inspiring. When I saw Amber’s body, it was like seeing mine! There is a big difference in terms of background. I do have children, both are adults. My weight gain is a result of three very vital situations. One , I have a thyroid condition, which after many years is now controlled. I am a stroke survivor(brain hemorrahge) 4 years plus, with left side hemiplegia, and I am in menopause. Over the last two years the pounds increased. And though I am very active, even took zumba classes for awhile, and walk, seems as though the weight loss is slow. Please help me!! the weight is really hard to carry, for I had never been a plus size. More importantly, it is not healthy for me to have access around my waist, for obvious reasons. Amber, and the rest of the ladies I have been inspired by, please any suggestions? I am 52 yrs. old and I am presently a intern in Substance Abuse Counseling. I don’t always sleep good at night. I am a very optimistic and outgoing woman, who loves life and GOD!! I thank you for any and all advice and encouragement to complete this challenging goal!! GOD Bless!! /i wish continued success to all the ladies and for those starting out like me. 🙂 <3 Take care..
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Tena
p.s.- My present weight is 206.. I would like to loss 50lbs and tone up!!
Corliss Rich says
Thats awesome..looking good!!!!
TATA says
AWESOME JOB KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!
Ralonda says
Wow, great job!!! I love to see people losing weight, because its so hard and requires motivation. Keep up the good work.
Prissy says
Thanks so much for the MOTIVATION!!!
Subrina says
Great Story,…I really related to your story. Because my weight gain happen when I went through divorce and depression. I’m finally deciding to take of myself.
I was exercising and doing Zumba without any significant weight loss. So I really would like to know what you are eating.
And once again….YOU LOOK GREAT!!!! Thanks for the inspiration.
Ashley Sanford says
1st off congrats!!!! You have help turn on a that little light in my head! I also need to lose 45 lb!!!! I have a 4yr old and a 1yr old. Thanks for the motivation!!!!
Gail Curtis says
I would like to do the same. Wht do I have to do?
Leslie says
How did you loose your stomach? That is my biggest struggle.
kreativ says
Congrats! whats kind of diet did u do??
Deedee says
Congrats!!!! Awesome!!! I am very inspired by your weight loss. I am 45 y/o, 5’2″, weigh 170. I am lacking the motivation to loose. I have never weighed this much. My problem is that I eat a lot of fast food…I don’t cook and not sure how to eat healthy. Your pic at 207 is exactly how I look today @ 170. Again, I am inspired by your weight loss and am opened to any suggestions that you may have for me and others. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!
Amalah says
Excellent job!!!! I, too, started in April at 207 & dropped down to 162 (October). I am trying to get down into the 150’s where you currently are. It has been a struggle lately because I seem to have hit a weight loss plateau for the last 3-4 weeks. You’ve given me the encouragement to try a little harder at getting the weight off. You’re looking FABULOUS!!!!!
STELLA says
CONGRATULATIONS!! ANY RECIPES U CAN GIVE FOR BLENDER DRINKS?? BLESS YOU YOUNG LADY
Valencia says
Congratulations! You look Beautiful, your story is very similar to my own. Even down to the Zumba Instruction, how in the world did you lose your abdominals? I lost 50 pounds 223 to 173 and my abs came in but was never flat like that. So helpful tips on your abs would be much appreciated. Thank you and God Bless!!!!
Teena says
Go Amber!!! You are definitly a motivating force!!! I am also a mother of 3: 12, 4 and terrible 2! I presently weigh 207 and would love to look like you! 🙂 Please let us know your eating secrets!
YVONNE says
I am a 50 yr. old woman, I have suffer from several diseases, however, ladies I BELIEVE IN YOUR STORIES, MY COMPANY….MAGNIFY YOURSELF ETC. TM.,,, SAYS CONGRADULATIONS ON ALL URE SUCCESS,continue to eat right, EXERCISE, MEDITATE, TRUST N BELIEVE IN HIGHER BEING, OUR LORD N SAVIOR…that is what will help you in MAINTENANCE OF YOUR GOAL…….LOOKING GOOD BEAUTIFUL HEALTHY WOMEN
Denise says
absolutely amazing!! Keep it up, you have inspired so many of us who are also trying to lose weight. God bless!!
SHELLEY says
great job!!! in 4 months thats awesome!
Melissa says
How many times a week and what type off diet? You look great congrats! Can you offer me any tips on how to get motivated when depression is sitting on my stomach, arms and back!
Kenya says
Hi Amber, You look amazing! My problem areas are my belly and arms. Did you do any strength training? Or was it just strictly eating right and Zumba? Thanks
Al says
Did your abs split during any of your pregnancies? Mine did and every fitness instructor I’ve spoken to keeps telling me the only way to get rid of my mommy pouch is to have surgery. I’ve had a c-section so there’s no way in heck I’m going under the knife again. If your abs did split what was your secret to getting it to look so fabulous?
Shay says
You look great, Im almost 45, dont look like it in the face, but my body does, u give a lot of us hope, keep up your good work!
Jackie says
Great job!!