Black Weight Loss Success

The Official Blog of the Black Women Losing Weight Community. Tips, articles and weight loss resources for African American Women.

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Brittany lost more than 80 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss journey: Brittany lost more than 80 pounds.  It all started with writing a letter to herself and making a promise that she’s now fulfilling.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

Hello! I’ve been a follower of this page for quite some time, and I’ve decided to share my success story. I started my journey in March of 2011. It was while I was on vacation with my family that I decided I’d make a change in my life, and better my health. I’ve never been considered “small”, but I noticed that I began to neglect my body and felt like I was letting myself go. While on our way back from a road trip to California, I decided to make a change in my lifestyle. I wrote a letter to myself, and in that letter, I made a promise to myself to live a healthier lifestyle. When I first started working out, my biggest fear was sweating my hair out, lol. I finally stopped making excuses and got my stuff together. I stopped drinking sodas and eating candy. I also cut out fried foods and I started eating salads, and getting away from the table when I was full. I loved to eat soul food and I was a frequent spender in every drive thru, as you could imagine! I started swimming, walking daily, and watching what I eat. At times when I got discouraged, I would sit down, read my letter and remember why I started this journey. Since I’ve started my weight loss journey, I’ve lost 80+ lbs.  When I began I was at my heaviest, which was 302 pounds.  My goal is to lose a full 100 lbs before the end of the year. None of this would be possible if it weren’t for the support of my family & friends, and the motivation to do and live better. The picture on the left is from Nov 2010, and the one on the right is from July 2013.

Brittany weight loss success

 

Ariel lost 135 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Weight Loss Story: Ariel lost 135 pounds with gastric sleeve weight reduction surgery and went from a size 28 to a size 18.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi, I’m Ariel.  I went from 355 pounds and a size 28 to 220 pounds and a size 18.  My weight loss took two years and four months after I decided to have gastric sleeve weight loss surgery. The motivation that helped me make a change was the health problems I was having, such as high blood pressure and heart problems.  I was also on the verge of being a diabetic. I changed my eating habits by cutting out sodas, sweets, fried food, and by having smaller portions. I also started eating more healthier foods and baking or boiling any meat I eat.  Exercise wise, I also started to workout, walk 4 miles every other day and complete squat workout challenges.

Ariel weight loss story

Kelli lost 109 pounds

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Today’s’ featured weight loss story: Kelli lost 109 pounds with the tried and true method of eating right and exercising.  She is preparing for her first marathon in October.  She shared her story with us.  Check it out:

I started my weight loss journey two years ago. I took on the challenge because I wanted to lose 30 pounds by my 30th birthday.  Although I didn’t reach my goal, I kept going. I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease. I wanted to become a inspiration to myself. I knew there wasn’t a magic weight loss pill or weight loss surgery I could take.  Therefore, I wanted to be accountable and do it the old fashioned way with exercising and eating right. On this journey, I’ve done exercise bootcamps, 5k runs,water aerobics and hip hop aerobics.  I also go to the gym. Currently, I do hip hop aerobics 3 times a week for an hour, 45 min.  My gym sessions are twice a week. I gave up fast food, red meat, pork, and sodas. I’ve gained more self confidence and respect in myself after my weight loss. I’m now preparing first my first marathon in October 2013. I’m not perfect, there are days when I eat foods I know I shouldn’t but I still hold my self accountable. My mother passed away April 2013 from congestive heart failure, I’m so blessed she got a chance to see my transformation. My starting weight was 305 pounds.  My weight now is 196 pounds.

Kelli weight loss success

Sharee lost 40 pounds

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Update June 2016 – We shared Sharee‘s story 3 years ago and she recently wrote in to share an update. Since then, she gave birth and went through some ups and downs with her weight loss, but she got back on track and has lost a total of 72.2 pounds. Check out her update.

sharee before and after

I was featured on BWLW three years ago. Back then, I’d lost 45 pounds. Well, life happened, I had another baby and gained all that weight back… plus MORE! I stayed home with the baby for 18 months and just became lazy. I really let myself go and I was so depressed that I didn’t even want to be around family or go out in public. I knew I needed to do something, so I did.

I changed my eating habits by limiting my sugar and carbs intake. I rarely eat anything that is sweet. I drink close to a gallon of water each day. I didn’t use a specific plan or program. I just took the time to figure out what worked for me. Increasing my water intake has been a huge factor in my weight loss. 

At this time, I do not have a specific work out plan. I run after my two young children and work in child care, so that’s where most of my activeness comes in. However, I do plan on figuring out exercising routine soon. 

I have been back on this lifestyle journey, seriously, since December 2015. I have lost 72.2lbs thus far. I am nowhere near my goal weight, but I am closer today that I was yesterday. I went from a size XXL/XXXL to a comfortable XL. I went from a size 22/24 jeans to 16. I am 5’8″.

I know this journey can be hard, but you can do this. Remember why you want to change you life and stick with it. If you mess up, just pick yourself up and push forward. You are worth it!

Aug 2013 – Sharee lost 45 pounds on the Medifast program.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hello, my name is Sharee. My weight has been a struggle for me my WHOLE life! I have a two year old son and he was my main motivation. When I would play with my son, being that I am only 24 years old, getting out of breath in such a short period of time was a problem. I knew something had to be done! I am also a preschool teacher and that also requires a lot of moving. It became a struggle for me to get up and down. This is was NOT okay! I needed a life change and I needed it fast!

On March 15, 2013, I joined a weight control center called Medifast! Medifast has changed my life completely. I am on a Jump Start program which requires me to eat 5 of their supplement meals and then I eat a Lean and Green meal. This means that I eat anything LEAN, my favorite choices of course are baked or grilled chicken  The Green is easy…anything green. I normally choose 3 cups of raw spinach and 2 tablespoons of light balsamic dressing. I ONLY drink water, close to a gallon a day. On the Medifast program, the calorie intake is low so the only exercise that is required is light walking for an hour. Since I am a preschool teacher, I am constantly moving, running, jumping, and walking!

My starting weight at 5’7″ was 270 pounds and I currently when 225 pounds! I lost 45 lbs in three in a half months! I am still working towards my goal weight ,which is 165-170 pounds. I know that with God, my family and friends this journey will end with me on top. This journey has not been easy, but I am determined to reach my goal. Ladies, if I can do it I know you can!

Sharee weight loss story

Ty’Kiesha lost 58 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day! – Ty’Kiesha lost 58 pounds by joining her local Black Girls Run running group, strength training and eliminating negative foods from her eating.  Read more about how she did it:

I’ve lost 58 pounds and have 20 to go!!! I’m working harder every day!!! Maybe sharing my story will help someone.

My motivation came from several places. The fact that I was too tired play with my son or do things with him was one of them.  I was ashamed to go places where people would question my weight gain.  Also, my doctor was telling me that if I didn’t get it together, I would be faced with diseases that were in my family history. I kept hearing advertisements from the Micheal Baisden show about Black Girls Run . I was interested but knew I couldn’t run. I joined the BGR Facebook group for my area and lurked for months. Finally, one day it dawned on me that even though I felt I couldn’t run, I had to start somewhere. I started getting up daily to run with the 4:30 AM group. A few weeks later, I started to change my eating. I eliminated sodas, bread, chips and cakes, week by week. I would eliminate something one week and the next week something else. I’ve since added bootcamp for strength training. I’ve been working on my lifestyle change since August 2012. My starting weight was 236 pounds. Current weight is 178 pounds.  I’ve lost 58 pounds with hopes of loosing 20 more and lowering my BMI. I want show those with little or no hope that it is possible. I’ve struggled and fell a few times but through it all I’m still fighting. The key is never giving up.

TyKiesha weight loss story

Tamillia lost 110 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Tamillia lost 110 pounds with gastric bypass weight reduction surgery.  She is a truck driver by profession.  Being on the road means her workout options are limited, but she has been able to workout consistently and change her eating habits.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey so far:

My name is Tamillia. I began my weight loss journey last November with gastric bypass weight loss surgery.  My weight before surgery was 340 pounds.  At my last doctor visit, my weight was 230 pounds. My motivation was not to develop heart problems or high blood pressure since it runs on both sides of my family.  My other motivation is my daughter. I want to live a long life so that I can see her grow up.  I am 7 1/2 months post op. My goal weight is 170 pounds.

I continue to eat right and exercise when time permits because I am a truck driver and my schedule is full. My journey continues daily.  I walk at least 4 days a week for about 2 miles a day and I workout with some resistant bands daily as well.  After my surgery, I am eating small portions, protein shakes, and green vegetables.  I also eat grilled or baked chicken and fish.  Being a truck driver my exercising is limited to walking around my truck & trailer daily and doing resistant bands.

Tamillia weight loss success

Tange lost 57 pounds

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Tange wrote to us about her weight loss journey.  She lost 57 pounds by changing her eating habits and exercising 5-6 days per week. Here is what she wrote us to say:

Hello, My name is Tange.  I’m a 35 year old nurse who has completely dedicated herself 100% to not only lose the weight but to change my overall lifestyle. I was previously featured on your Facebook page and I have since then lost 37 additional pounds for a total of 57 lbs. My journey began because I just really got tired of being overweight. I didn’t like how I looked and felt at my highest weight which was 220 lbs. Dealing with hypertension, I knew that I had to make the changes.  I had to do it not only for looks but for my health. I completely changed my eating habits, cutting out all fried foods, and switching to all turkey and chicken. Cut out all white flour and switched to whole wheat. In Nov 2012 is when i really made the lifestyle change and began preparing food for the week on Sunday so that i could always have healthy foods on hand. I eat plenty fruits and vegetables and drink water no soda. I also exercise 5-6 days/week doing combinations of weight training, zumba, spinning, walking 5 miles, hiking, and just about anything to stay active. Recently completed the Insanity 9 week challenge. I have found a passion for working out and living an active and healthy lifestyle. Currently at 163 pounds, my sister-law started a facebook page for the sole purposes of inspiring others who are taking on this life long journey to live a healthy lifestyle. It can be done u just have to retrain your mind and know that its not easy but it is worth it. There will be periods when the scale is not going to budge. For me it didnt budge for two whole months but I was getting slimmer. I no longer focus on a number, I focus on maintaining good health for years to come. Its worth it ladies, keep going 🙂

Tange weight loss journey

Denise lost 65 pounds

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Update Aug 2014: Denise sent in an update! She’s lost 15 more pounds for a total of 80 pounds. She says, “I’m trying to lose 100 lbs total. I’m watching what I eat, counting calories, cutting out soda, eating less breads and exercising. I feel so much better. Though I still have diabetes, I no longer have to take the medicine for it. I love the way my clothes fit now and they are less expensive.”

Denise Update 80 pounds

Denise lost 65 pounds in about 8 months.  She is working towards not having type 2 diabetes and her goal of losing 100 pounds total.  She shared some details of how she did it with us:

“Hi, I’m Denise. My motivation to lose weight honestly was a health reason. I’m a type 2 diabetic. I really got tired of being sick and barely being able to breathe. I also have a cousin that was battling with her weight as well.  She loss 100 pounds and is now a personal trainer.  We work out together.   Also inspiring was seeing all the motivating before & after pictures on your page.  I was 313 pounds.  Since then I’ve lost the weight and I’m down to 248 pounds and still counting.  I feel great.  I’m almost at my goal of 100 pounds lost.  I’m eating healthy and exercising.  I  stopped snacking late at night. No fried foods, no drinks, no sweets. I  count calories using My Fitness Pal which has helped a lot.  I’ve still got a way to go but I’m loving myself.  I can’t wait until my doctor says my diabetes are gone.”

Denise lost 65 pounds

 

Top Myths About Detoxing

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There are a few myths about detoxifying which can cause confusion.  Here is some info on top myths:

“We are all toxic!” 

detox mythsWhile it is true that there is more pollution entering our bodies now than in any point in history, this does not automatically mean that all people are suffering from toxin overload. If you may not be “toxic” if you…

  • Are a healthy, active person who always eat homemade, small meals with only organic ingredients and minimal saturated fats and starches
  • Drink only spring water
  • Live in rural areas away from EMF radiation,

If you fit this profile, you probably do not need an intense detoxification protocol. The body’s natural cleansing process can handle the small amounts of toxins that are part of a healthy lifestyle. For most modern people, especially those living in urban environments and/or who have made poor eating choices, detoxes can help us discover the difference between surviving and thriving.

 “All you have to do is fast and you’ll lose tons of weight!”

Detoxes are an excellent way to kick-start a weight loss regime, but they are not the final answer. Experts indicate that usually people only maintain weight loss after a cleanse ends when they continue to exercise regularly and limit caloric intake. Detoxing, and especially fasting, can trigger a sense of depravation that can cause overeating after the cleanse if one is not vigilant. Many people have even gained weight after a detox because their bodies were not nutritionally supported well enough during the cleanse, or they did not eat right and exercise regularly afterward. A healthy lifestyle that includes eating appropriate amounts of organic food (and foods that are not highly processed) and exercising vigorously is the safest and most effective long-term detox strategy. Detoxing is a great supplement or kick-start to a weight loss plan, but should not be relied on as the only solution.

“People on a detox only drink water.”

detox waterSome religious and spiritual practices include periods of water fasting to purify the mind, but this is not a sustainable way to stimulate detox for weight loss long term.  I’m not saying that people don’t report benefits from water fasting, because it is known to help, but the reasons and time frames are varied.  Too varied for me to recommend it in connection with weight loss.  There are several ways to effectively detoxify the body, and many are quite gradual and gentle. Some include periods of fasting on vegetable juice, but even eating a careful diet (raw fruits and veggies for example) can be a helpful detox. If you haven’t done your research, water fasts should only be practiced by healthy adults under the supervision of a doctor or qualified health care professional or within a spiritual context..

“You have to buy Product XYZ to detox effectively.”

Most effective detoxes include food, liquids, and herbal supplements that can be purchased at many health food stores and online retailers. While it can be helpful to have the support of a nutritionist or cleanse specialist, no special proprietary formula (a.k.a. who knows what is in it) is necessary. Some diet pills and powders can actually be harmful because of the questionable chemicals they contain and lack of any regulation.

Renee lost 40 pounds

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Our featured weight loss journey of the day: 50 year old diva Renee lost 40 pounds. This 5’4″ beauty fought her blood pressure down and lost the weight with walking, running and eventually became a vegetarian.  Read more about her story:

My name is Renee. I found your page on Facebook and love it. I’m look at it every day for motivation, tips, etc. I share a lot of your challenges, recipes, post, etc. I love all the stories and I would love to tell mine. April 12, 2012, I started a new job and I had to get new uniforms. I was shocked when I was measured for a size 12 and found that I weighed in at 180 lbs. Mind you, I’m only 5’4. I had to take a DOT physical for work and instead of being passed for two years, I was only passed for 3 months because my blood pressure was too high. My feelings were hurt and I knew I had to do something. Going to the doctor for medicine to control my blood pressure was not an option.

April 15, 2012, I started walking five miles every day.  I cut out fast food, sodas, red meat and pretty much anything white.  I also started drinking healthy smoothies. By August, I was in a size 10 and weighing around 157/160. I had lost 20lbs. I was breaking ground (yaaay). I started running 2.5  miles every day (outside in Las Vegas triple digit temp), lifting 5, 15 and 20 lb dumb bells and doing crunches.  Then I cut out chicken and was only eating fish and veggies.  I drank a lot of water, water, water too.  By December (whoop!), I was down to 140 lbs and wearing a size 7. In March (2013), I took on your 15 day No Meat Challenge and never looked back. I’m a vegetarian now. I joined a gym, too. I run, squat, lift, etc. Being healthy and fit is now my lifestyle. I’ve been at it for almost a year and a half now. I’ll be 50 years old in on Aug. 12th and I’m feeling amazing!!! My blood pressure is great, 117 over 75!! No health issues. I lost 40lbs and have no plans of ever finding them again!  Plus, my knees don’t even hurt anymore.  The before pic was taken March 2012… after pic (black and white) was taken May 2013… pic in yellow taken July 2013.  Thank you for allowing me to tell my story and success. And, thanks again for your page and support.

Renee's weight loss