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Ajima Jackson

Natalie lost 50 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Natalie lost 50 pounds. Her wakeup call was being diagnosed with diabetes. She shared her before and after photos and some info on how she changed her lifestyle…

natalie before and after

My name is Natalie Burns. In 2013, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I decided that it was time to lose the weight. I started by eating more fresh vegetables and fruits. I also ate less carbs, more protein and began drinking plenty of water.  For exercise, I focused on getting in at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Now, I walk for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. I completely had to change my lifestyle. My eating habits before being diagnosed with diabetes included plenty of candy, soft drinks, packaged foods and fried foods. My starting weight was 180 pounds and my current weight is 130 pounds. My height is 5’4″. It took me a year to lose the weight. The advice that I give to others about losing weight is, you can do it if you put your mind to it. Stay determined and focus. Lose the weight for yourself, not for others.

Rachel lost 55 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Rachel lost 55 pounds in 6 months.  Weary of quick fix, fad diets, she took the time to research and educate herself on how to change her lifestyle and lose weight in a healthy way.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey…rachel before and after

My name is Rachel, I am 28 years old and this is my story. I started my weight loss journey on Feb 3, 2014 and it took me 6 months to lose the weight. I weighed 300 lbs and now I am 245 lbs. my journey is not complete. I would like to lose 50 more pounds and am currently working on that. I am on instagram as @healthyisthenewsexyy.

I was always a fat person, I can’t ever remember being slim. As a child growing up, I was always on the chubby side. I have my genetics and parents to blame for that. While growing up, my dad bought me lot of fast food (mainly KFC). When I hit my teenage years I continued eating a lot of fast and junk food and don’t mention drinkng a lot of sodas. My lifestyle and eating habits were just ridiculous and to add icing on the cake I use to smoke cigarettes. Then in my early twenties I started to party a lot and drink a lot of alcohol which also added to my weight.

If you ask every overweight person if they want to lose weight, I’m sure that the answer will be yes. However, ask how many are willing to change their eating habits and exercise. I’m sure it will be very few. I made a few attempts to lose weight in my early 20’s by going on crash diets and starving myself. It worked, but the weight came right back and then some. My heaviest weight was 295 pounds. I was desperate to lose weight because my knees began to hurt whenever I had to walk up a stairs and that was so uncomfortable. At that weight, I started to breathe heavy and my lower back used to hurt like hell. Thats when I decided I have to make a change.

I had plans to join a weight loss clinic to assist me but then I didn’t want to go on any more crash diets because I know the outcome of those plans. I went on Google one night and typed in the search bar “how to lose 50lbs in a year” (seeing that was my goal). To my surprise I saw many search results and I remember reading every last one. I even looked at some Youtube videos with people who were morbidly obese and lost the weight. That gave me real inspiration. I started to educate myself on diet, weight loss and exercise via Google and I became well informed. I started my WLJ (weight loss journey) and it took me roughly 6 months to lose 50 lbs. By Aug 2014, I was 245 lbs. I just cut my calories down by 1000 per day and walked 10 miles per week. I cut out sugar and I drank 1 liter of water per day. I ate roughly 1200-1500 calories per day. To my surprise everything I researched and read on Google worked.

It’s not about dieting because diet is temporary. It is a lifestyle change which is permanent. Unfortunately, I stopped counting calories for the remainder of the months in 2014. I guess it was the combination of summer and Christmas time that threw me of. By Jan 5th 2015, I’d gained back 10 lbs. So, I restarted my journey and thus far I have lost back the 10 lbs. Loosing weight is hard and at times very depressing, just for the mere fact that you can’t eat what you want and when you want (like the junk food I was in love with). Cutting that out of my diet was very challenging. I eat what I want and I do so in moderation but there are certain foods that I won’t have in my everyday diet such as chocolate, ice cream and pizza. I try to stay clear of all fast foods. I prepare all my meals at home. That way I know what is going in them and the nutrition facts. I am focused and on a mission to lose 50-80 lbs before 2015 ends.

I have some tips for anyone who is willing to lose weight. Disclaimer Notice: I am not a dietician or nutritionist. I am just listing some tips on what helped me to lose 50 lbs in 6 months.

Tips for losing weight:
1) Drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday
2) Know your serving size
3) Eat smaller meals
4) Prepare your own meals
5) Keep a food journal (i recommended My Fitness Pal)
6) Always know the nutrition facts and serving size before you eat anything
7) Eliminate sugar from your diet or cut it out 90%
8) Try food substitutions. For example: Instead of stewing or frying your chicken, you can bake or grill it
9) Use less oil and butter when preparing your foods
10) Use less dairy products, like cheese. Cheddar cheese is very fattening
11) Don’t drink diet soda…or any soda as a matter of fact
12) Try and eat more vegetables
13) Although fruits are good for you. Don’t over indulge because fruits is high in sugar and carbs.
14) Just always know what you are eating and how much you are eating! You have to keep track of everything.
15) Use Weight Loss tools (things to help u lose weight)

  • Food scale (digital preferably )
  • Download the app MyFitnessPal
  • If you don’t own a smart phone get a note book and right down what you eat and search google for the calories and serving size of it is not on the package

Glenda lost 75 pounds

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May 2016 – Glenda is still on a mission. “Still going strong! I’m down to 197 pounds from 323 pounds! I’m determined to make it to my goal! I am still meatless and I workout 5 days a week for one hour, rain or shine.”

glenda before and after

Nov 2015 – Glenda wrote in to let us know that she’s lost 25 more pounds since April. – “Just checking in, lost my 100th pound this week! The journey continues. Thanks to the inspiration and support from you beautiful people. God bless you!”

glenda update weight loss

April 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Glenda lost 75 pounds. She was skeptical about plant-based eating in the past, but has become a believer. She’s not only lost weight, but at 55 years old she’s also off blood pressure, cholesterol and anti-depression medication.  Here is what she shared with us about her transformation…

Glenda before and after

I am so excited about BWLW’s April Challenge! I was a skeptic of the plant-based lifestyle, but have become a believer. I started my weight loss, rather my “healthy life-long lifestyle” in July 2014 after a serious intervention from my daughter. I was in the poorest state of health I’ve ever been in life, both physically and mentally. I had no energy and my blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol were all out of control. I was depressed and on medications to manage that as well, yet I was growing more depressed day by day.

I reached a point where I wanted to try weight loss surgery when I was watching a football game on TV and saw the stats on a lineman flash by. He was 25 years old, 6’5″ tall and weighed 295 pounds. I was 55 years old, 5’1″tall and weighed 320 pounds. Epiphany: there’s a reason for a 25 year old lineman to weigh 295, and since I’m not a player in the NFL why do I, a 55 year old grandma weigh more than a pro baller?

I was hesitant to try surgery because of so many past failed attempts to lose weight. Plus, if I couldn’t figure out what was eating me, I’d never get control over what I was eating. I went into serious prayer to seek the LORD with all of my heart. I wanted to know why this faith-thumpin’ sistah couldn’t trust Him enough to get the victory. So I asked Him, and His quiet response was, “You never gave it to me.” I went back into prayer to search my heart to see what I was holding onto that was preventing me from surrendering my will over food to Him. I found so much anger and unforgiveness buried in my heart. In spite of lip-serviced forgiveness, I still had a storehouse buried inside of my soul. I began to see what unforgiveness was doing to my life and made a choice to forgive all that I could, and asked the LORD to show me how to forgive the things I couldn’t.

My journey began July 2014, all 320 pounds of it. Yay, I said it, Glenda was 320 pounds! I began a “baby-step” approach of being realistic, I didn’t get to 320 overnight, so I wasn’t going to lose it overnight. I set a goal of 1 pound a week, to lose 150 over 3 years. I walk everyday and drink 8 glasses of water a day. I’ve removed refined and fake sugars out of my diet, and removed animal protein. I made up my mind not to get caught up in the “buddy” workouts, I had my “buddies” flake out at workout time in the past. I looked for people who were already doing it. I found a group at work to do step exercise with at our breaks and a 2-3 mile walk after work. I always try to do a 4-6 mile walk on the weekend. There was no magic, just simple, free exercise.

When I went in for my annual physical in December 2014, I’d lost 52 pounds, my cholesterol was normal, my blood pressure was normal, and my blood sugar was normal as well. As a result my doctor took me off of all of the medications I’d been taking since I was managing my weight with a plant-based diet and exercise. I am also off of antidepressants as well! It took this former carnivore a minute to get used to not eating animal protein. I remember watching a movie and saw a cow that was grazing in a field; epiphany… people stand in the butcher’s line to buy prime cuts of protein from an animal that doesn’t eat meat. Uh, hello, protein sources that can give a cow that much muscle mass must be OK.

I wanted to wait until I’d lost my 100th pound to share, but decided to share now. There is so much positive accountability in this group, and as Black Women we need to hold each other accountable to be healthy. We owe it to our families to be the best we can be in order to give them the best. I don’t want my grandchildren spending sunny afternoons pushing me around in a wheelchair because I lost my limbs to disease. They deserve to play in the sun with me on my own two healthy legs. Short story long, as of today I have lost 75 pounds, weighing in at 245 lbs, and can’t wait to get to my goal and spend the rest of my life enjoying the maintenance while encouraging others to take steps toward change. Be blessed!

Sharonda lost 108 pounds

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Update 2016 – Sharonda wrote in to share that she’s lost 37 pounds more, for a total of 145 pounds gone in 2 years. Faith, commitment and consistency have been major factors in her success. Read her update and what she shared with us back in 2015.

sharonda update

Update: On this day 2 years ago, on a Monday morning before work, I remember waking up in so much pain. Pain in my knees, feet and legs. That was the day that changed my life. For some reason, I woke up before my alarm clock went off on that day, so I had all this spare time. I remember crying because my feet had been hurting so bad for the past few weeks, mainly my heels. Something told me “IT’S TIME”. I couldn’t do anything but cry, pray and ask God to hear my request. I asked God to grant me this prayer. I had been trying for years to lose weight but all for the wrong reasons; to look like others, to fit in, tired of being bullied, etc. All my life I was bullied and thought I would always be the fatter person, so I consumed my life around food. I prayed that God would deliver me from that sickness. When I finished my prayer, it was like my faith was restored and I immediately knew change was coming.

I got on the scale that day and the scale read 305 pounds (I’m 5’3″). Yes, 3…0…5 pounds! I was devastated. That day I said, “No more, no more of this sickness shall I hide behind.” No more constant eating, having no control of my sweet habits and just constantly doing things I shouldn’t. I started eating healthy. I didn’t have any cheat meals. I changed my lifestyle, habits, routine, etc.

After I got off work, I remember buying some workout clothes and getting excited about working out. Having done this with no personal trainer, no help, my first mile was very hard to complete. I walked only two laps around McClellan High School’s track, because that’s all I could handle. I was always the one to complain about not having time to workout or not wanting to mess my hair up. Now, I didn’t care. I forced myself to workout immediately after work everyday and I even worked out on my off days, which are weekends.

I gave up TV shows as well. See, making a lifestyle change is about COMPROMISE. You can’t do all the things you use to do and think things will change! Also, some try to lose weight for the wrong reasons and that’s why it doesn’t work. You have to do this for you.

8 months into my journey, I’d lost my first 100 lbs. I rewarded myself by going to my favorite breakfast place, “Red Door”. I had the Belgian waffle, lol. I didn’t have another cheat until months later. You see, I didn’t cheat on my meals and I didn’t diet. I cooked healthy meals, created a meal plan and created a workout plan that worked for me!

On this day, two years ago, I was a 28 years old, weighed 305 lbs and wore a size 24/22/3XL/42DDD/shoe 9. I was at risk for diabetes and high blood pressure. Today, two years later, I stand proudly at 30 yrs old, 5’2″ and 160 lbs (my Medical report says I shrunk a inch). I wear a size 8 small/medium/34B/shoe size 7 1/2. I DID THIS WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTS, diets, teas, surgery, wraps, a trainer or the gym. None of that was necessary for me. I’m proud to say, if I can do it, so can YOU!

April 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Sharonda lost 108 pounds, after years of unhappiness and bullying. She gives all glory to God for her lifestyle change and now wants to inspire and help others.  Here is what she shared with us about her transformation:

sharonda before and after

This is my testimony of being a chubby fat child who was bullied all of her life, even into adulthood. God is so amazing to still have me here today and in good high spirits! It is through him that I live! It is his love for me that fuels my energy.

I was at my highest weight ever of 305 pounds on 6/30/14, and I cried none stop due to being unhappy about how I looked. Not understanding anything, even my faith was broken. See, when you ask God to restore your heart, give you a peace of mind and truly talk to him with an open heart/mind ; you understand his word more. God said in Proverbs 19:8, “Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good”. He said in 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity”. I used ALL the negatives as my motivation to venture off into this weight loss lifestyle change for the better and for a new way of life.

I didn’t/don’t let on anything man-made to enter my body to help me lose weight, just God-made love and energy!  I practice healthy eating; no fast food, nothing but water, healthy meats, no pork , no fried foods. This is also about MYSELF pushing myself; Power walking, jogging, and weight training (all outside or in the city outside). Standing here at 197 pounds on 4/6/15, I realize that my calling is to help coach and motivate others, not only in the way I needed but also to get closer to CHRIST!  I know your pains, I felt your heaviness…I’ve been there done that! I was once the bullied kid, now I’m a saved woman! My future plans are to lose about 27 more pounds.
Instagram: @Getfitshay_Nicole_
Facebook: Sharonda Hood

sharonda weight loss

Aundrea lost 106 pounds

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Update Nov 2015 – Aundrea has lost 13 more pounds since April for a total of 119 pounds gone. “I was featured back in April and thought that I would send you an update. I have lost another 10 lbs and my current weight is 172 pounds. Also, I am a vegan now. My goal is to change the perception of what it means to be vegan. I want to share the importance of food combining and alkaline eating, particularly for women of color.”

aundrea before and after

April 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Aundrea lost 106 pounds.  Going from a size 28 to a size 8, her weight loss journey has spanned many years and the birth of her two boys.  This proud mom created her own weight loss plan and now she wants to help others.  Here is what she shared with us…

aundrea before and after

My name is Aundrea I’m 41 years old and I’ve lost a total of 106 lbs…This time! This weight loss journey has been going on for 15 years. My highest weight was 297 lbs at a size 28. I’ve lost at least 300 lbs total in that 15 year time frame.

I returned to school in 2003 to pursue my degrees in marketing, biology and chemistry. I wanted to create a whole food/herbal weight management supplement company, and I did. I had plans on becoming a naturopathic physician, but I became a mother of two boys instead and gained all of my weight back. After the birth of my 2nd son, I suffered a heart attack. I was on heart and blood pressure meds, but my health wasn’t improving and my attempts to lose weight on the physician’s meal plans were not working. One day, I decided I was done taking pharmaceutical drugs and I would return to my holistic means of healing, not just treating.

On April 26, 2013, my 40th birthday, I committed to a new lifestyle, physical and mental. My starting weight was 271 lbs. I became an herbalist and received certifications in holistic nutrition and therapy. I updated my supplement ingredients and began taking them, while following a food combining meal plan. I walked as often as possible and still do. I returned to a sport I once competed in for exercise…roller skating, the of the best cardio and muscle toning workout there is!

Prior to the weight loss my diet consisted of meals high in fat, sodium, calories and was processed. I love to bake as well. Like my grandmother, every Sunday meant a new homemade dessert, that my boys picked at and I devoured. My eating habits now follow the 10 rules of food combining. I eat food in certain combinations for maximum absorption, digestion and elimination. I no longer sit down to a meal of protein, complex carbs and vegetables. I select either the protein or carbohydrate to eat with vegetables, preferably the green, leafy type. I often have a mixed greens salad with scrambled eggs and egg whites for breakfast. Lunch is baked sweet potato and sautéed kale. Dinner is usually a lean protein and more veggies. I eat often, approximately every 2 hours. My snacks consists of fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, nuts and hemp. I’ve adapted all my recipes to support food combining principles. I substitute whole wheat pasta with spaghetti squash when making a turkey ragu, use coconut flour when making pancakes, etc. I shop mainly the perimeter of the grocery store now and frequent the store more often for fresh produce. We dedicate each week to eating a green vegetable, exploring new ways to incorporate them in our diet. This way of eating has changed & saved my life. I’ve never felt deprived. I think I was more restricted when my habits were unhealthy. Even my view on hunger has changed. I consider it a sign the track is low and needs fuel, but I feed my body premium, not that cheap crap.

For Christmas, I wanted to weigh 199 pounds as a present to myself. It happened on New Years Day, even better. What a way to kick off the new year! I shared my journey on Facebook for others and to keep me accountable and to inspire others. I created a Facebook page, 100% Healtharian where I post about all things health and wellness. I have the support of a psychologist and colleague, who also has developed his own detox and contouring wraps. We have been helping people lose weight and regain their health for a year now.

My current weight is 185 pounds and I wear a size 8 (height: 5’6″). Total time to lose 106 pounds was 16 months. I still follow the same food combining meal plan and exercise regularly; swimming, biking, skating, gymnastics, yoga, pilates, weight training, whatever suits my mood. I detox quarterly to help me maintain my weight. I’m so grateful I was able to save my life, no more meds and my babies can put their arms around me. We can play together and I can be here as long as possible for them. Now, I have the honor of helping others feel this amazing too!

The advice I pass onto others is concentrate on you and educate yourself…don’t just do. Ask as many questions as you can and don’t stop loving food, but make sure it loves your body. Just like any relationship, reciprocity is essential. Any recipe can be recreated to offer maximum support. Thank you for reading my story.

aundrea weight loss

Johanna lost 54 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Johanna lost 54 pounds.  She got fed up with years of her weight going up and down and decided to change her eating habits and embrace regular exercise, running in particular. She’s done 12 5k’s and 1 10k. Here is what she shared with us…

johanna before and after

My name is Johanna and this is my weight loss story. I have always struggled with my weight. Every since I was 14 years old, I have been on a yo-yo cycle with my weight. It was not until I was at my highest weight of 207 pounds that I got so tired of going up and down. It was on Jan 11, 2014 that I stepped on a track around the conner from my house and declared that I would run a marathon and make a commitment to a healthier life, which I posted on Facebook that day. Talk about accountability! I could not even run 3 steps that day, but, I stuck with it and continued to push.

Facebook Post
Facebook Post

I changed my eating habits. I made sure to add vegetables in every meal that I ate. My breakfast would start with egg whites and 1 whole egg with mushrooms, spinach, green peppers and red onions. Lunch would be baked chicken with sweet potato and broccoli. Dinner would be salmon with salad and kale. I also added protein shakes in my diet and removed sodas and juices. I started drinking water and when I got tired of water I would make flavored water with fruits and mint leaves.

I would run 3 times a week and go to the gym for strength training classes 2 times a week. I started following fitness trainers on instagram to get advice on how to lose weight the correct way. I have also included pilates and yoga to my workout schedule, which I love. I always tell people that I lost the weight because I was tired and had made up my mind I was going to change. Today, I weight 153 pounds (height: 5’6″) and have run a total of 12 5k’s and 1 10k. I want to credit Black Girls Run for helping me on my journey. I will be running my first half marathon in November. My motto now is you can do anything if you put your mind and heart in to it. I am now working on toning my body more, so I have added more days to my strength training. Instagram: @johjeune

Use By Dates: How Long Can You Store Food?

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use by dateEvery year the CDC estimates that 1 in every 6 Americans will get food poisoning. While majority of the nearly 48 million people who experience food poisoning get it from a restaurant about ¼ will get it from home.

Food poisoning is not just unpleasant to deal with but is expensive in terms of hospital care and some extreme cases even result in death. Thankfully you can drastically reduce your risk of acquiring food poisoning at home by learning how long certain foods can be stored.  This is super important when it come to meal planning and buying healthy food in bulk when it comes to eating for weight loss.

A Word About “Use By” Dates

Since many staples of the American diet are store-bought processed foods, many people just rely on the Use By or Expiration dates on the product. It might surprise you but the Use By dates on most food does not offer inclusive accuracy into whether something is safe to eat.

Relying on your sense is the best way to tell if something is still safe to eat or drink. If you have an open container of food it is always wise to check it closely before eating even if you are “safe” in terms of the Use By date. Similarly, just because a food or drink item has reached its date doesn’t necessarily mean you should just toss it.

Remember that the Use By date is only a recommended guide as to when to consume something within its peak freshness. Perhaps the taste won’t be as amazing after this date but it eating something a few days or weeks after the suggested date isn’t a guarantee that you will get sick.  It really depends on the food in question.  Some things spoil much faster than others and may not make it to the Use By Date if they are compromised in shipping, the packaging process, etc.

Tossing perfectly good food just because of a date is incredibly wasteful. In a report done by Harvard they found that the in British homes, roughly 20% of wasted food was thrown away just because of the date. It would be safe to assume that US homes are guilty of this as well.

When it all comes down to it, there is really no strict regulations on these dates and they don’t accurately tell you whether a food is still ok to eat or not. Use your judgement instead by smelling and looking before trying a taste.  We’ve all been eating…all of our lives.  We’ve come to be able to tell when something has gone bad.  Playing attention is the name of the game.

How Long You Can Store Common Foods?

Here is a quick guide for how long you can safely store some common groceries. Keep in mind that certain foods need to be stored differently than others. For example, potatoes and garlic should be kept in a dark, dry, cool place for the best longevity.  Keep in mind that the guide above is based on unopened foods. Once a package has been opened the guidelines above no longer apply. For example, a can of mixed vegetables can last a few years past its expiration date but after it’s opened it needs to be eaten a few days. This list is NOT exact science…per the info stated above…so don’t think of it as the gospel truth.  I’ve purchased food from the store, brought it home and found that was already bad.

Produce

  • Hard-Skinned Fruits like Apples: 3 weeks
  • Citrus: 3 weeks
  • Berries: 1 week or less
  • Melons: 2 weeks or less
  • Leafy Greens: 3 to 5 days
  • Fresh Herbs: 3 days to 1 week
  • Onion and Garlic: 2 months or less
  • Potatoes: 3 months or less

Dairy and Eggs

  • Cheeses: 4 to 6 months
  • Cream Cheese: 2 months or less
  • Butter: 3 months or less
  • Yogurt: 3 weeks or less
  • Milk and Milk Alternatives: 1 to 2 weeks
  • Heavy Cream and Whipping Cream: 1 month or less
  • Eggs: 3 weeks to 1 month

Meat

  • All Raw Meats and Fish: 2 to 3 days refrigerated, 4 to 6 months frozen
  • Lunch Meat: 2 weeks
  • Bacon: 2 weeks
  • Hot Dogs and Sausages: 2 weeks

Frozen Food

  • Hard Cheeses: 6 months
  • Other Dairy: 1 to 2 months
  • Butter and Margarine: 6 months to 1 year
  • Seafood: 3 to 6 months
  • Fresh Fruits: 1 Year
  • Citrus: 4 to 6 months
  • Vegetables: 6 to 10 months
  • Uncooked Whole Meat: 8 to 12 months
  • Uncooked Ground Meat: 4 months or less
  • Processed Meats (Sausage, Lunch Meat, Hot Dogs, Bacon, etc): 1 to 3 months

Canned Food

  • All Canned Food: Up to 1.5 Years Past Use By Date.  The long it is canned, the more the flavor may suffer.

Pantry Foods

  • White Rice: 2 Years
  • Brown Rice: 1 Year
  • Coffee: 1 Year
  • Pastas: 2 Years
  • Olive Oil: 1 Year
  • Vinegars and Soy Sauce: 3 Years or Less
  • Bread and Baked Goods: 2 Days to 1 Week
  • Boxed Foods: 6 Months to 1 Year+ Depending on Food

Seasonings

  • Whole: 4 years or less
  • Ground: 3 years of less
  • Dried: 2 years or less
  • Condiments: 3 months to 1 year depending on type

Relying solely on the Use By Date typically just leads to more food waste, something that can negatively impact our environment and hurt our wallets. When it comes to using foods past their Use By date, use common sense. If in doubt, throw it out.  Food poisoning is a non-negotiable issue.

7 Foods for Supporting Colon Health

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colon health foodsDigestive health problems are easily the most common ailments adults experience in the United States. According to a survey done, almost ¾ of Americans experience some type of digestive problem. Colon health is particularly important for those trying to lose weight.

“Colon cleansing has the potential to aid weight loss; some people claim to have lost up to 20 pounds over the course of a month. The average human colon weighs about four pounds empty and can hold up to eight meals’ worth of food before digestion finally occurs. A colon cleansing can result in significant weight loss and kick-start your metabolism, as well as refocus your attention on better food choices and whole-body wellness.” – Gaiam.com

Ulcerative colitis and colon cancer are two problems that are fairly common in the United States. Eating a healthy diet is the first step working to prevent colon disease and other gastrointestinal issues.

  • Broccoli

Often toted as the number one food for preventing cancer and promoting colon health, broccoli is a powerhouse of a vegetable. Broccoli contains two chemicals which fight cancer: sulforaphan and diinodylmethane.

Sulforaphan has been studied quite extensively. One study done in 2010 by the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center showed that this chemical not only killed breast cancer cells in lab and mouse studies but also prevented further tumor growth.

It is best to eat mature broccoli raw or very lightly steamed. Broccoli sprouts are thought to be about 50 times higher in sulforaphan so you can include those in salads or stir fry as well.

  • Yogurt

One of the easiest things you can do to improve your overall intestinal health is to eat a serving of yogurt every day. High quality yogurts are packed with healthy bacteria and probiotics that your gut needs to be healthy and function properly. Yogurt is especially helpful for those with constipation and other bowel movement issues.

Studies support that yogurt is especially important for helping to prevent colon cancer by giving the body an easily absorbed source of vitamin D and calcium. Yogurt also increase the acidity of your digestive system to a healthy level. When the colon is acidic enough it makes it more difficult for polyps to form.

  • Salmon

Salmon is packed with nutrients and it is highly recommended that it be a part of a healthy diet, unless you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Salmon is easy to digest and it’s amino acids are much easier for our bodies to use compared to red meats. Salmon is a great source of healthy cholesterol since it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Salmon is also rich in vitamins A, B and D as well as minerals like calcium and phosphorus. This fish also contains selenium which is a mineral that is often more difficult for humans to consume enough of in the average diet. Salmon helps everything around your body from your skin and hair to your cardiovascular health.

  • Brown Rice

Brown rice is already widely believed to be a healthier option when compared to white rice. Brown rice is higher in fiber, rich in magnesium and selenium, contains many antioxidants, and releases sugar more slowly.

A study done by Loma Linda University further proves how important brown rice is in the diet. Their research showed that by eating brown rice once a week the risk of colon polyps was reduced by 40%. Colon polyps aren’t cancerous but they do increase the risk of colon cancer. By reducing polyp growth, the change of getting cancer is greatly reduced.

  • Curry

Curry is quite a popular dish in India and Asian countries. In India cancer rates are quite low and researchers are beginning to study whether the classic curry dish might be responsible. While you would have to eat a lot of curry to prevent polyps, studies do show that capsules of curcumin (the chemical in tumeric, the spice used in curry) affect polyp growth.

A study done with a small group of people at John Hopkins shows that combining curcumin with a chemical found in onions reduced polyp growth by 60% and shrunk the polyps in size by about 50%. While the participants group was very small, researchers have high hopes for curcumin.

You can harness some of the power of curry by having it in your meals once or twice a week. You can even combine it with other foods listed here that  are colon friendly.

  • Spinach

Spinach is quite a popular superfood and has long been studied as a food that fights against certain diseases and ailments. Oregon State University had a study that showed eating spinach in cooked foods reduced the carcinogens that can contribute to cancer growth.

Spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals. It is also a great source of fiber which also assists in over digestive health. Spinach can be eaten raw or cooked, with raw being the best way to gain all nutrients from the vegetable. You can also blend it into a smoothie.

  • Mushrooms

Mushrooms don’t seem a likely candidate as an anti-cancer food but they are. The mushrooms most effective at preventing colon cancer are shitake and maitake. Both mushrooms are very high in selenium as well as other nutrients that can be difficult to consume enough of through a typical diet. Selenium helps prevent cancer by protecting your body from free radicals as well as strengthening your immune system.

If you have a family history of colon health issues or have found that you’ve been having tummy trouble, try adding these foods to your diet. Changing your diet is sometimes all that is needed to help with chronic stomach trouble.

Stormy lost 105 pounds

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Update Jan 2016: Stormy lost 21 more pounds for a total of 126 pounds gone. Read what she recently shared on Instagram and what she shared with us back in April about how she lost the weight.

stormy before and after

“Sometimes I get really bogged down when my progress slows down. Starting graduate school last semester forced me to alter my time commitments and unfortunately my weight loss slowed down pretty much to a halt. I was depressed, I was anxious, I was disappointed in myself and thought I had failed at living this healthy lifestyle. Times like those really bring me down. Until one day, I was looking for a picture and ran across the picture to the left and didn’t even realize it was me.

Me? Not recognizing myself. That’s crazy, right? But true. I cried because I was so caught up on how I wasn’t to my weight loss goals… and I could have been there… and how I’m a failure… blah blah blah, that I forgot where I came from.  I forgot why I originally started this journey. To live longer. To live stronger. To live healthier. Never forget where you came from. Never forget your purpose. You can do this. I can do this.” @phatphitnessphanatic

 

April 2015: Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Stormy lost 105 pounds.  After graduating from college and the end of a long term relationship, she decided that it was time to focus on her health and happiness.  She used nutrition and exercise to transform her lifestyle. Here is what she shared with us…

stormy before and after

My name is Stormy Hill. I am 22 years and last July I made the decision to change my life after graduating from college with my bachelor’s degree in Design, Housing, and Merchandising. I also had a very bad breakup with my boyfriend of 6 years. I was tired of watching life just drift passed me as I struggled with my self identity. I had spent my entire adult life attached at the hip to my boyfriend at the time. I was ready to start making decisions for myself and enjoy my life and show the world who Stormy really was.

I started lifting weights, running, and began to eat well. I started my journey at 308 lbs and am currently 203 lbs (height: 5’6″). I have lost 105 pounds with nutrition and exercise alone! I have no goal weight because that puts a destination on my lifestyle. There is no destination. I have fallen in love with Gymmy (that’s my nickname for the gym, since I’m basically married to him. Haha!) and eating healthy.

I started eating 5-6 small meals a day instead of three or four big ones. I started following the food pyramid! I increased my fruit and vegetable intake, gave up fried foods and fast food. I started fueling my body instead of indulging! I also increased my water intake. Most recently I have stopped eating all added sugar. The only sugar I get is naturally from fruits.

I exercise about 5 days a week, twice a day. In the morning, I do a more comprehensive workout, target a certain muscle group. I mix that workout with plyometric exercises and end the whole workout with cardio. I try to run 1-2 miles at the end of every morning workout. Then, at night, I just do about 30 minutes of weight or resistance band training on the same muscle group as that morning. I rotate muscle groups daily to ensure my muscles are getting the rest they need!

My advice to other women wanting to lose weight is nothing is impossible. Sitting at 308 pounds, I thought I would be big forever. I thought that was just who I was. I thought it would be impossible to be fit and healthy, but it’s not and it is NEVER too late to change! Champions aren’t the ones who never fail, they are the ones who get back up! We all fail, we are human, but we must get back up! This is a lifestyle for me. This is me. This is Stormy. I have an Instagram! It’s @phatphitnessphanatic.

Shirley lost 33 pounds

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Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Shirley lost 33 pounds and transformed her body with strength training.  This sista from Curaçao experienced college weight gain and wanted to not just lose weight, but to honor her body temple.  Here is what she shared with us…

Shirley before and after

My name is Shirley and I’m 1.65. I started with a weight of 80kg (176 pounds). Not very heavy, but in my eyes it was a big difference. My weight gain started when I migrated from Curaçao to the Netherlands. I started college and since then I ate everything (and at any time) I wanted. In a year, I noticed a big difference in my weight and my overall appearance.

One day, I saw myself in the mirror and couldn’t believe it. I gained weight without knowing it. As I became a Christian, I realized that my body is a temple of God and I need to take care of it. When that hit me I started asking people that I know how to start a healthy lifestyle. Luckily, I knew a few people with knowledge about how to eat healthy and exercise.

So, I started doing group classes at the gym and eating healthy. It was hard to make that step but I needed to make that change. I started eating 4 -6 times a day (small portions of food). I stopped having fast food and refined sugars. I focused on eating food that was high on clean proteins and low on carbs (Don’t stop eating carbs, your body needs it. Just eat less than you used to.)

It took me 18 months to reach my weight goal of 65 kg (143 pounds). Since then I’m focusing on how to maintain that weight and on living healthy. My focus is to prove to myself that I can eat delicious food and still be healthy and that healthy food is delicious.

My message to all of you is to focus on your health and not on a number on your scale. Eat healthy, exercise and the weight loss will come. Never give up and surround yourself with people who motivate you and want to see you prosper. God will give you the strength to reach your goal!

I try to motivate everyone through my Facebook page www.facebook.com/FitQueens.FQ and instagram @_FitQueens_ [updated] (Because we all are FitQueens). Website: www.fitqueens.nl  Thanks for reading my story and I hope it will help you.

shirley weight loss story