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Ajima Jackson

Jennifer lost 67 pounds

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Jennifer lost 67 pounds. She didn’t wait to be told by a doctor that she had to change her ways to get healthy. Her motivation was wanting to live a healthy lifestyle and practice habits that can lead to disease prevention. Here is what she shared about her journey.

jennifer before and after

What was your motivation?
I was inspired by the fact that I didn’t want to begin to develop any preventable illnesses. I’m getting older, (I’ll be 30 next year) and I know how important it is to maintain your health while growing older.

How did you change your eating habits?
I eliminated processed carbs, sugars, sodas and juices. I cut out foods that were high in calories and foods with high sugar content. I also drank plenty of water. I only consumed healthy foods and ate lots of fruits and vegetables. Particularly foods that are high in fiber that helped me to contain my appetite  and assisted with losing water weight: watermelon, apples, cucumbers, soy beans, etc. I also consumed lots baked and broiled fish. I also used Herbalife supplements.

What did your workout routines look like?
When I started my weight loss process, I worked out every single day, but after I’d lost a significant amount of weight, I lessened my workouts to a few times per week. I typically do one hour of cardio on the elliptical machine, as it provides a full body workout and helps to burn a lot of calories.

Starting weight/Current weight
My starting weight was 262 pounds. I now weigh 195 pounds.

What is your height?
5’8″

How long did your transformation take?
I started in December 2015 and I finished losing weight around May 2016.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
I would tell people to set a goal for themselves, believe in themselves, never give up, and do not compare their results to that of others. Every person is different, which means each person’s results will be different. Keep your eyes on the prize, and believe that you can do it! Never give up! Progress may seem slow at first, but focus on something that will keep you on track! It’s worth it in the end!

jennifer

Valerie lost 41 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Valerie lost 41 pounds. She wanted to avoid taking medication for something that could be prevented with healthy eating and exercise. Today, she’s feeling fit and no longer has to deal with hypertension, pre-diabetes or high cholesterol. Check out her story.

valeriejuly16blog3

My motivation to begin my healthy lifestyle was that I wished to live longer, avoid being on prescription medication and change my overall health. Anything I needed to do in regards to preventative maintenance to extend my life, I was willing to do.

What inspired me to never give up was looking at myself in the mirror and seeing my progress. I was well aware that it didn’t take 2 weeks for me to gain my weight, and it wouldn’t take 2 weeks to lose it!

I changed my eating habits by consuming clean, healthy meals, while increasing my water intake. I stopped eating fast foods, fried foods and sugar filled foods, including sweets. I started eating more veggies, protein, carbs and fruit. I worked out 4-5 days a week. My workouts included cardio, HIIT, and strength training.

My starting weight was 193.3 pounds. My current weight is 151.6 pounds. My height is 5’3″. I’m feeling GREAT at age 48! I transformed from a size 14 to a healthy size 0 in 8 months. I began my journey in November 2015.

The supportive team that I joined and am still a member of is IUTBU (I Use To Be U), coached by Wiltrina Jones. Although I have some loose skin from my weight loss, I am currently increasing my strength training regimen with the assistance of Coach Trina. Skin-removal surgery is not an option for me. I plan to tone and lean out naturally.

My advice to anyone that wishes to lose weight, is to NEVER GIVE UP! Lose your weight for you first! Do it for your health. Do it because you will look and feel better. Do it because it’s the right thing to do for YOU!

As I was on my healthy lifestyle journey, it was about not having to take medications for something that could be prevented by eating healthy and exercising. For motivation, I taped an old picture of me when I was smaller in size, before gaining my weight, on the back of my door. That photo was on the back of my door for 3 years UNTIL I DECIDED TO MAKE A CHANGE! And Oh Boy, I’m so grateful that I did!

To date, I no longer have hypertension. I am no longer borderline diabetic or borderline for high cholesterol. My doctor even gave me a high five and told me to keep up the great work! And I WILL!

Instagram: @positivelyvee

valerie before and after
valeriejuly16blog2

Tracie lost 120 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Tracie lost 120 pounds. Divorce, high blood pressure issues, and smoking presented a big challenge to her health and happiness. By faith, she made practical lifestyle changes and focused on the life she wanted to build for herself and her children. Check out her journey.

tracie before and after

My name is Tracie, and with God’s help I have lost over 120 pounds. At my heaviest, I weighed 354 pounds at 5’6″ and wore a size 24/25. Now, I’m a size 10/12 and still going strong. I was also diagnosed with high blood pressure at 28 years old.

I started my lifestyle change in 2012. I was going through a divorce, a really tough time in my life. I weighed over 350 lbs and smoked cigarettes. I started noticing that I would see small white floating dots periodically. My blood pressure was thru the roof. I went to my doctor. He diagnosed me with hypertension, and prescribed me a blood pressure pill and a fluid pill. He told me that if I could just lose the weight then I could stop taking the blood pressure medicine.

I lost 70 pounds within 8 months. I worked out 7 days a week, two times a day Monday-Friday. I would walk the treadmill in in the mornings and do dance aerobics in the evenings. I walked 4 miles on Saturday and Sunday. I TOTALLY changed my eating habits. No bought foods or eating out for a while. I packed my lunch for work everyday. That worked for me because I’m not really good a food prepping. Lol. I cut out all sugar drinks and only drank water and Herbalife tea. I still use Herbalife products today.

Since I lost 120 pounds, I no longer have blood pressure issues. I also kicked the cigarette habit. The reason I was so focused and determined was because it took my mind off of my divorce. Instead, I started concentrating on being healthy and being here for my children. I began to understand why it is so important to take care of your temple. I haven’t had any weight loss surgeries but I plan on getting some cosmetic work done.

My advice to others: First of all, YOU CAN DO IT. You have to find your personal motivation. When you understand that your body is a temple and that you have to take care of it, you’ll began to understand the importance of eating well and exercising. Understand that with God, all things are possible.

You don’t need a gym partner. Don’t wait on anyone to do what you need to do for yourself. Start small and work your way up. Learn about yourself. What triggers your overeating? Is it emotional, stressed based, greed, etc? You have to be completely honest with yourself. Go to your doctor because he/she should be your health advisor. I pray that my story has inspired someone. Be blessed.

tracie weight loss

Jeannette lost 60 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Jeannette lost 60 pounds. She has been on a 16 year journey fueled by faith and prayer. Facing diabetes, going through divorce and the loss of her beloved mom has been painful and challenging, but she has focused on being there for her children and pushed through. Check what she shared with us.

Jeanette before and after

My name is Jeannette and I’m 43 years old. I’ve lost a total of 60 pounds. My motivation was wanting to live, after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2000 following the birth of my youngest son. I knew that if I wanted to see my children grow up, I had to take control of my health. So, initially I was inspired by my children to fight for my life. I also was inspired by other diabetics who actually took this chronic disease seriously, by watching their diet and nutrition.

More recently, in 2014, I experienced a serious turn of events. My marriage of 15 years was breaking up and I began to have a setback in terms of my weight loss. I was still loosing weight, however it wasn’t healthy weight loss, since it was coming off due to stress and not eating. Like any other woman going thru a similar situation, I had low self-esteem and felt like I was loosing myself.

After going through lots of anxiety issues, I prayed and prayed for God to safeguard my heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7). I began doing a lot of personal Bible study and praying for the strength to find myself again, and Jehovah God began answering the prayer of His lowly one!

After going through my separation and ultimately divorce in January 2016, I began to bounce back quickly with the help of my Heavenly Father and my loving Congregation. I then decided it was time to be the woman and mother that God intended me to be.

I began eating healthier foods that were high in protein and fiber. I ate less carbohydrates, and started eating more lean meats and vegetables. I started drinking less sweetened drinks and started drinking half my body weight in water. This helped me to eliminate waste and toxins from my body. I also use a detox/slimming tea, which aids in my weight loss and keeps my system running smoothly. My workouts consist of cardio and strength training. I also enjoy running, whether it’s on a treadmill or in a park. I work out approximately 2-3 times a week.

My starting weight was 220 pounds, and my current weight is 160 pounds. My height is 5’4″. I’m now well into my Forties. It has taken me a total of 16 years, off and on, but by being more prayerful and more consistent with my diet and fitness, it finally paid off! Weight loss surgery wasn’t apart of my journey, just Bible study, prayer, meditation, hard work, determination and consistency.

Recently, I loss my mother due to COPD in May 2016. However, I didn’t allow this difficulty to hinder my progress. Although this was a very difficult time for me and my family, I knew it was important for me to continue taking care of my health. I had to be there for my children, like my mother was their for me. I certainly cherish the times and memories I had with my mother and want my children to be able to say the same!

Even though their may be many bumps in the road, I would say keep moving forward, because life is full of ups and downs, but it’s how you respond to it. To anybody wanting to lose weight, I would say make it a matter of prayer. Work in harmony with your prayers and certainly God will energize you, giving you both the power and the will to act accordingly (Philippians 2:13). Just stay the course, no matter how hard it gets, because your body is a holy temple from God (1 Corinthians 6:19). I encourage all to continue to “glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Instagram: @jonezzzgurl2000

jeanette

Karla lost 119 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Karla lost 119 pounds. Our UK sister felt like “the big girl of the group” when she would go on holiday with her friends.  My Fitness Pal, meal replacement shakes, weight training and learning how to eat treats in moderation have been key parts of her journey. Check out her story.

karla weight loss

My main motivation was that as a teenager and young adult at university most of my girlfriends wanted to go on holidays every year. I’ve always been the biggest girl in the group but there was one year in particular where I felt the most pressure and was the most self conscious. We went away to a holiday that was put together by event planner and DJ’s in England, where everyone from all over the country would come together and party. When I got there, I recognized so many people and they were all bikini-ready. I felt like the only ‘whale on the beach’. That was the worst feeling ever and I will never forget that holiday. It had literally helped to turn my life around.

Since then my weight has been up and down, however when I fell down, I always got back up and pushed through. This has helped me get closer to my goal with a total of 100 pounds down and another 28 pounds to go. At 5’6″, my starting weight was 19 stone (266 pounds) and I’m currently at 10.5 stone (147 pounds). My journey technically started in late 2013, however I was not serious and consistent. My consistency started in January 2014.

I wanted to share my journey with people on Instagram, so I created my weight loss page. To this very day, my Instagram page has helped me stay accountable and it also helps me to check out other people’s journeys to keep me inspired on a daily basis. Another thing that has helped me push through when I lacked motivation was looking back at old pictures to reflect on how far I’ve come. Looking at these pictures gave me a wake call and made me think “you can’t quit now Karla!”

I have tried so many diets. I started off with Weight Watchers and the Cambridge Diet. I even tried to starve myself, but that didn’t work obviously as I would binge eat a few days at a time. I finally came across Herbalife supplements, which helped me lose the majority of my weight. Then, I tried intermittent fasting and also counting my macronutrients on My Fitness Pal. When tracking my food intake on a daily basis became tedious, I decided to go back to using Herbalife which I enjoy much more and I’m still taking the products.

I cut down on alcohol from 2-3 times a week to once every two week. I cut down on all junk and processed foods. I have junk once a week now compared to every day before I started my journey. My foods now consist of fruits, vegetables, sweet potato, brown rice, whole meal pasta, eggs, Greek yogurt, fish, poultry and rice cakes. I take the meal replacement shakes for breakfast and dinner with two snacks and one main meal of fish/poultry, complex carbs and vegetables. I also take fibre and multivitamin tablets alongside with the herbal tea. At present, I try and aim for 1,600-1,700 calories a day, tracking my food intake on My Fitness Pal.

At the beginning of my journey, I did no exercise whatsoever as I was to embarrassed to run on the street or workout at the gym. Once the weight started dropping off, I then joined the gym. That was 6 months after I started.

I began with 45 minutes to 1 hour of cardio twice a week, then progressed to four times a week. About 6 months later after I began working out, I started hearing about weight lifting and what benefits it had with regard to loose skin (I was especially scared of having lots of loose skin). This pushed me to buy a weight lifting program which consisted of using weights and machines in the gym, 3-5 times a week. One month later, I saw the way my body was changing! Fat was melting off and I could feel how hard my thighs were getting which meant I was also gaining muscle mass (which I loved). Since then, I haven’t looked back and currently weight lift 5-7 times a week! It’s my passion and my life. Hopefully in 2017, I can compete in a weight lifting competition.

My advice to anyone who wants to lose weight is to find something that fits your lifestyle. There is an endless number of diets, cleanses and detox plans out there, but scientifically it comes down to calories in versus calories out. Find a way that you can enjoy the exercise you do and also enjoy what you eat. More importantly, do some research to know more about the foods you are eating and their benefits. Look for the foods that do your body good, inside and out.

In addition, you need to accept that having ‘junk foods’ in moderation can help you stay focused and remain on track, as banning it altogether whilst on your journey will make it harder and far less enjoyable. At the end of the day, we are all human and events/special occasions will pop up here and there which we can’t avoid every time.

Do not compare your journey to others as we are all at different stages of our own journey and may also have other battles to fight outside of weight loss. Last of all, write down your own short term and long term goals and tick them off your list as you go along. You’ll look back one day and realise how far you’ve actually come.

Instagram: @x_karla_vs_karla_x

Karla

LaRee lost 37 pounds

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LaRee lost 37 pounds. This mom of three is focused on getting healthy. After several pregnancies, she struggled with weight gain. Counting calories, portion control, keeping a food log and walking several miles per day are just some of the things she did to lose the weight. Check out her story.

laree weight loss

My name is LaRee. I’m 5’2″ tall and I’m a 34 year old mom of three. I only have been on my journey since April 1, 2016. I’ve lost 37 pounds so far. I started out at 236 pounds and I currently weigh 199 pounds. I never struggled with weight until after I had children. I didn’t work to lose weight after my pregnancies, because that was something I never had to do. Over time, I reached 200 lbs, then 210 lbs, then 220 lbs and so on.

Eventually, I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize myself. I come from a family (on my paternal side) that suffers from high blood pressure issues and heart disease. After so many failed attempts with diets, I decided to get serious. Enough was enough. I decided not to diet but make a lifestyle change.

First, I downloaded the app “My Fitness Pal” to help me with calorie consumption, as well as deciding what foods were bad for me and what foods were good for me. I then started to eliminate unhealthy things like fast food, junk food and fried food. I supplemented my usually breakfast for fruit, greek yogurt or some other healthy option. I had salad for lunch and used portion control when making dinner. I changed the way I prepared my food by doing things like baking my meat.

I work out no less than 5 times a week and sometimes everyday. I started off walking a mile a day. When that became easy, I went up an additional mile and continued to do so. Now, I’m at 4 miles and I’ve now added strength training too.

When I noticed my progress it amped me up and made me want to keep going. In terms of motivation, everything I do is for my children, so why not choose to live healthier for them too?

People ask “what’s your final goal?” I just say that my goal is “healthy” because this is my new lifestyle. I’m not dieting, I’m simply eating healthier and working out. I always take Philippians 4:13 with me because I truly believe that I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me! And because of this, along with my determination, I believe that I will be successful and that anyone else can be successful too!

Instagram: @Laree_lynette

Tera lost 107 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Tera lost 107 pounds. Health issues began to emerge as the pounds piled on and she was diagnosed with high blood pressure and arthritis. Knowing that she has a family history of many weight-related ailments, she knew that she had to change her lifestyle to live a long, healthy life and be there for her children. Check out how she released the weight.

tera before and after

My name is Tera W. I am originally from Elyria, Ohio (25 miles west of Cleveland), but currently reside in Louisville, Kentucky.

What was your motivation?

About 15 years ago, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. Obesity, asthma, hypertension, in many cases, diabetes, and arthritis are all pretty prevalent in my family. There is also a large number of my family members that smoke and eat very unhealthily, so for a while, I wasn’t really exposed to another way of life. The heavier I got and the more health challenges I encountered. I went through the phases from denial to an acceptance of the fact that I had to really change my eating habits. When I initially began dieting in 2012, a great friend of mine finally motivated me and assured me that I could still have bacon and wine! But it wasn’t until after an injury and a 20lb. re-gain, that I finally buckled down late last year. By then, I had developed arthritis and was in danger of having to take additional meds for high cholesterol and potential heart problems.

My true inspiration whenever I wanted to give up was my children. Who would be there for them? As a single mother, it is important to me that I’m around to support them and to see my grandchildren, if I have them in the future. Additionally, any time I wanted to deviate or give up, I would immediate begin to think about how far I had come and start to really focus on how much better I would feel down the road.

How did you change your eating habits?

During my first go-round, I was on Herbalife’s all natural/herbal shakes/products that served as meal replacements for 2 years. 40 lbs. total weight lost. I limited calorie intake and portion sizes. I also increased my water intake, but didn’t completely give up juice and soda. I have always had a diet rich in vitamins, vegetables, and lean meats, so it wasn’t a huge leap too keep doing that.

In January 2016, I began seeing Dr. Jessica Dowe at Med Life Fit. She is physician specializing in obesity. She conducted a full health panel and did an assessment where the plan for me was 800 calories per day including 4 meal replacements and a lean meal at dinner. More vegetables, less fried food, and no sugar were easy for me as I had already had good practice with Herbalife. I was limited to 50g of carbs per day. I could drink water, coffee, tea along with the meal replacement shakes. I drink a min of 64 oz. of water per day.

What did your workout routines look like?

When I started in Spring 2012, I worked out 2-3 times per week, mainly doing cardio for at least 30 minutes. Currently, I work out a minimum of 2.5 hours per week (3-5 days a week), doing cardio (Zumba), resistance exercises, ab work and weight training.

Starting weight/Current weight
My heaviest weight was 278 pounds. My current weight is 171 pounds and was down to 169 pounds last week. I am 5’9″ tall. No surgery. I have always been terrified of surgery, but may have to consider some cosmetic remedies for my arms.

How long did your transformation take?

Roughly 4 years. When I got a knee injury in 2014 I essentially gave up and gained 20 of the 40 lbs I had lost back. When I got news of worsening arthritis in December 2015, I decided to subscribe to the Med Life Fit program and began in January 2016. I am currently in transition on that program.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?

I would say never lose sight of your goal and do not get discouraged if you deviate from your plan. Just dust yourself off and keep moving. I would also say that you didn’t get where you are overnight, so you should never expect that your behavior will change overnight. Chart and celebrate smaller goals along the way. Lastly, never view what you’re doing as a diet–diets are temporary fixes. Healthier eating is a lifestyle and should be viewed as a permanent, long-term solution.

tera weight loss

Tumi lost 53 pounds

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Tumi lost 53 pounds. Our South African sister wanted to get back to her old self and become more active. A year of low carb eating, cutting out junk food and jogging helped her to shed the pounds. Check out her story.

tumi before and after

My name is Tumi Tseleng. I am 33 years old and from South Africa.

What was your motivation?
My motivation was that I wanted my old self back. I used to be energetic and active. Going up the stairs, I would be out of breath. I knew something had to change. My old pictures taken before weight gain were my motivation. Also, my mom inspired me. She would compliment me and tell me that she could see a difference.

How did you change your eating habits?
I started Banting (low carb diet) and cut out all sugary food and lots of carbohydrates that had been in my diet. I stopped eating fruit, cut out all beverages except for coffee and tea. I also stopped eating bread, pasta and pap (a South African staple food). I followed the Banting green list.

What did your workout routines look like?
I started jogging every morning before work. I worked 5 days days a week.

Starting weight/Current weight
My starting weight was 104kg (229 pounds). My current weight is 80kg (176 pounds). My height is 1.62cm (5’3″).

When did you start your journey?
I started my journey on the 11th of June 2015. My transformation took 1 full year.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
There are no quick fix to this journey. Be patient and don’t weigh yourself everyday. It’s all a mind set change. Remember, you are what you eat. It’s 80% the food you eat and 20% what you do in the gym.

Are your eating habits making you age faster?

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aging

Many people are afraid of growing old. We fear losing our health, our energy, our beauty and cognitive functions. We also see how society can marginalize people as they age. The good news is that aging isn’t something that has to come with negative or ominous feelings. It is possible to maintain an active, happy and fulfilling lifestyle well into your silver years. Nutrition plays a huge role in this. So, if you want to look and feel young for years to come you have to give time and attention to what you are eating right now.

What is Aging?

Aging is a very complex process and it is not entirely understood, but it is known to be greatly related to oxidative stress and free radicals in the body. Free radicals are produced naturally as part of metabolism and ideally cleared-up by the body’s own antioxidants. Sadly many things in the modern diet, specifically sugar and processed food, produce more free radicals than the body can cope with resulting in significant cellular stress, DNA damage and lifestyle disease.

The signs of aging often appear first in the skin, as it is one of the major detox organs of the body. This is one of the reasons why we frequently hear that the women we feature look younger after they’ve lost weight. It’s not just the weight loss. It’s that they’ve cleaned up their eating habits.

Wrinkles, sagging skin, puffiness and grey looking skin can all be the result of damage from free radicals and the chemical we ingest. Many diseases are also thought to be the result of an accelerated aging process as a result of the toxic and stressful environment we live in today. Fortunately we can include things in our diet which support our bodies in the fight against free radical attack and provide the nutrients our immune system needs to perform repairs and rejuvenate cells. There really are foods that can help you look and feel younger as part of an overall healthy lifestyle!
(More info: here and here)

Foods That Help to Keep You Young

Here are some of the best foods you can add to your diet to help your body naturally fight off the external and internal signs of aging!

Blackberries and Blueberries

These deep-blue colored berries are very rich in anthocyanin – a naturally occurring blue pigment which protects against: age-related decline of lung function; respiratory problems; heart problems; diabetes and obesity. It is a potent anti-oxidant and ideally, you should eat 2 serving of blue colored berries a week to make the most of its protective powers. Putting it in a green smoothie is an easy way to do this.

Green leafy vegetables

Green leafy greens, such as kale, spinach or collard greens are an excellent source of powerful antioxidants. They are known to enhance cardiac function, reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and prevent various cancers. They are also rich in vitamin K, known to protect against bone fragility and help maintain long-term health.

Cocoa

Unprocessed raw cacao powder or at least a good quality chocolate with a high cocoa percentage (at least 85%) is rich in Flavonol. This is a type of flavonoid that is associated with improvements of cognitive function. It also helps control blood pressure and insulin resistance. Cocoa has the ability to improve your mood and balance hormones, which is why women often crave it around the time of their period.

Red Bell Peppers

Vitamin C is known to boost your immune system which will make you less sensitive to germs and bacteria, but also makes you less prone to wrinkles and protects your collagen from going saggy. Red bell peppers have three times more vitamin C than an orange making it a great choice to keep you young and healthy inside and out.

Avocados and Nuts

Packed with healthy fats and vitamin E, avocados will keep your brain working and your skin looking young and fresh. Nuts also contain healthy fats which improve mental function and help to keep your mind sharp. (Check out the book Grain Brain for more info on brain health and nutrition)

Papayas

Not only are papayas incredibly delicious, they are also rich in vitamin C, folate and fibre. They also help protect your skin against signs of aging, maintain healthy cognitive functions and help control blood pressure and cholesterol. They contain lutein, which fights free radicals and slows down the aging process and fights inflammation.

Apples

Not only do apples keep the doctor away, they also help keep wrinkles at bay. They are rich in pectin, which contains oligogalacturonides that boosts the skin’s production of collagen. More recently a specific phenol found in apples, phloridzin, has been discovered to have a distinct anti-aging effect – reducing inflammation and promoting healing while reducing oxidative stress from those pesky free raidcals.

Tomatoes and Watermelon

Both these red fruits are rich in lycopene – an antioxidant that, by fighting free radicals, has been repeatedly shown to help protect individuals from various cancers including lung and prostate. This red pigment, which is more accessible in tomatoes when they are cooked, is also known to protect the heart as it reduces the so-called bad cholesterol.

Sardines

Sardines have a even higher content of healthy omega-3 fatty acids than salmon. These healthy fats have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and improve cardiovascular functions and may even help protect against Alzheimer’s.

Foods that Make You Age

The harmful things you put in your body that cause it to age quicker are almost as important as what you eat to protect it. So, here is a list of things to ditch from your diet as soon as possible to help you age healthily.

Fried Foods (Fries, Chips, Crisp, Fried Chicken etc.)

High temperature cooking in fat creates toxic chemicals which increase inflammation and cause oxidative stress in the body, which accelerate aging inside and out. They also contribute significantly to heart disease, some cancers and are linked to depression and anxiety.

Refined and Processed Sugars

Hidden in processed foods and using over 100 different pseudonyms, sugar is a MAJOR cause of disease. Increased consumption of sugar will make your skin look wrinkled and dull by destroying collagen and elastin. Also, it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and can inhibit the action of the antioxidants in your body leaving you more prone to illness.

Alcohol

A glass of red wine is found to be protective against cardiovascular disease. However, excessive alcohol intake accelerates the aging process, harms our liver, creating toxin buildup, and is linked to cognitive decline.

Soda

Made up of sugar and artificial sweeteners, flavors, dye and colorings, soda is terrible for you. It’s also potentially damaging to your immune system and it’s consumption has been linked to the high rates of  diabetes and cardiovascular disease in America. Have a glass of water or freshly brewed tea instead!

Fat-Free Processed Food

It might be expected that a fat free product would be good for you. But many of these products are made with a synthetic fat called olestra which binds to important fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K) and carotenoids – all important age fighting components – and eliminates them from the body. In addition, when the fat is taken out of foods, they taste horrible. Chemicals and sugars are added instead so that the “Fat-free” foods still taste good.

Red meat

Increased red-meat consumption raises levels of serum phosphate which increases your “biological age” and may lead to kidney diseases, cardiovascular problems and overall higher risk of mortality. If you do eat meat, try grass fed instead if you can and find out as much as you can about where your meat comes from. Many people believe it is the horrific conditions in the meat industry and excessive use of antibiotics and growth hormones combined with a totally unnatural diet which is causing all the problems. Do your research and make you own decision. This is an area where there is a lot of debate.

The Foods of Immortality Don’t Exist, but What You Eat Impacts Your Body. Period.

We all may have a few bad habits along the way when it comes to eating habits. There is no guarantee that you will look young and be free from disease just because you eat healthy food. But if you eat healthy most of the time you will likely be on the road to a longer, healthier and happier life. Eat a varied and colorful diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Ditch highly processed foods, refined sugars and chemical additives. Pay attention to what you are eating and how you feel.

Jabu lost 192 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Jabu lost 192 pounds. At 401 pounds, our South African sista suffered back pain, gastric reflux and had a minor heart attack… which served as a major turning point. After years of yo-yo dieting and bad eating habits, she sought out the help she needed to change her habits and transform her health. Check out her success story.

juba before and after

My name is Jabu Kweyama. I’m 32 years old and from Durban, South Africa. I have always been overweight, ever since I was a baby. In my teens, I battled with trying to lose weight. I have been on A LOT of diets in my life and none of them worked. I also tried all sorts of weight loss drugs, both prescription and over the counter drugs. At 16 years old, I already weighed a heavy 75kg (165 pounds). My weight continued to go up as an adult.

In February 2014, I was rushed to the Emergency room because I was having severe chest pains. The doctor told me that I had suffered a minor heart attack. When I got on the scale the doctor was shocked to see that I weighed a whooping 182kg (401 pounds). I was told to lose weight or else I would send myself to an early grave. My height is 154cm (5 feet, 1/2 inch tall) and 182kg was my heaviest weight. At that point, I was struggling to even walk from the bedroom to the garage. I suffered from severe backache and gastric reflux as well. I was always sweating and always felt very tired. I felt like I was watching my life pass me by.

When I was discharged from the hospital, I made a vow to myself that I was going to try my best to lose weight. I was motivated by strangers that I would meet on social networks who had also lost a lot of weight naturally. I was immediately inspired to live a healthy life style. I realised that I needed to lose weight not just to look good but for me to be healthy and alive. I didn’t want to die in my 30’s due to obesity related illnesses.

I started by joining Weigh-less South, Africa, which is a healthy eating program. At Weigh-less, I was introduced to good nutrition and healthy eating plans. I did not cut out any foods from my diet, but I ate everything in moderation. After following a well balanced diet, I lost 35kg in 3 months (77 pounds). This was amazing for me because no other diet had ever helped me achieve those kind of results. After 4 months of being on the Weigh-less plan, my weight loss plateaued. No matter how hard I tried, I was not losing anymore weight.

In July 2014. I was then introduced to a local diet clinic called ‘The diet that everyone talks about’. This is basically a high protein, low carb diet. I immediately signed up for the programme and they designed a meal plan for me. I followed that meal plan religiously and WOW, to my excitement, I started to lose weight again. I noticed that I was developing excess skin, so I joined the gym and hired a professional personal trainer. Initially, I was only working out 3 times a week, then after a few weeks I started intensifying my workout regime. I later started working out 5 days a week. I would swim or do aqua aerobics for 1 hour and then have a 1 hour session with my trainer. I started having dramatic weight loss from working out and also being on the LCHP diet. With this diet, I lost 41kg (90 pounds).

I am now weigh 95kg (209 pounds) and I’m loving every minute of it. My goal weight is 75-80 kg and I still have about 15-20kg to lose. I’m not working out anymore due to a major surgery I had done on my leg in December 2015, but I’m still on the high protein diet. I’m hoping to reach my goal weight by December 2016, if possible. I’m out of the danger zone in terms of my health, so I’m happy to lose just a kg or 2, just as long as I don’t gain any weight.

My eating patterns have really changed drastically. Prior to my weight loss, I was eating junk food the whole day. I would have 6 muffins and a chocolate milkshake for breakfast. Then I’d have tried chicken, potatoes wedges and a liter of coke for lunch, followed by 2 T-bone steaks, sausages, rice and gravy for supper. OOOH, and I’d have a milk tart and caramel ice cream for dessert. This happened every day and I would always have big packets of chips and peanuts in between meals. There was no time in my day when I wouldn’t be eating something.

Today, I cannot stand sugar. It is the one thing I really hate with all my heart. I eat 70% protein and 30% carbs each day, but I always choose vegetable for carbs instead of the easily available refined carbs, like bread, rice, pasta etc. On average, I have 2 eggs, bacon and sausage for breakfast, 2 pieces of chicken drumsticks and vegetables for lunch, and then fish and vegetables for dinner. My between meals snacks now include biltong/jerky, cheese, ham, sugar free cold rinks/juices, etc.

My advice to any person out there is: Make sure that you start this journey for the right reasons. Don’t just try to lose weight just so you can look good in summer. Lose the weight because you want to be healthy and you want to make a lifestyle change. Try not to focus on other people’s journeys, focus on your own. When you try to keep up with other people, you will get easily demotivated and then quit.

My co-worker used to laugh at me when I started working out because we used to be at the same gym. She weighed 125kg (275 pounds) and I was 140kg (308 pounds) by then. She felt that I would never lose the weight or even weigh the same as her. Right now, I’m 95kg (209 pounds) and she is 133kg (295 pounds). She comes begging for advice and help from me now. That’s why I say, don’t stress yourself about what others are losing. Just stay focused on your own journey. Also, I say pray a lot, because God hears our prayer requests and he does fulfill them in his own time.

I’m available for anybody that needs to ask anything related to weight loss, I’m not an expert but I can share what has or has not worked for me.

Instagram: @heaven_on_this_earth

juba before and after