Black Weight Loss Success

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Ajima Jackson

LaShawn lost 50 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: LaShawn lost 50 pounds.  She went from a size 18 to a size 8 by eating smaller portions and working out regularly.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is La Shawn and I just wanted to share my story in the hopes that it might inspire other sisters to begin their own weight loss journey. I also want to testify to how even small consistent efforts can yield significant results.  I just want encourage others to not be discouraged about where they may be now and that they can achieve results by starting out with small , consistent efforts over time.

In 2010 (the picture on the left), I weighed over 200 pounds and decided that I wanted to make a change. I started by using a smaller plate at home and sharing a plate with my fiancee when we went out to eat.  Also, more specifically regarding diet, I incorporated eating chicken and tuna and I cut out fast food. I also increased my water intake.

For exercise, I started out riding a stationery bike for 30 minutes a day three times a week. I later added Stairmaster, weights and kettlebell exercises. This routine enabled me to go from a size 18 in 2010 down a size 8 at this present time.

I started out at 218 in 2010 and lost 50 pounds from then to now. My motivation was as I said above that I just decided it was time to make a change and start taking care me and ALWAYS being there for everyone else and putting myself last.  Thank you so much for allowing me to share 🙂

LaShawn weight loss story

Karla lost 73 pounds

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Karla weight loss storyKarla lost 73 pounds in 9 months.  Let’s show her some love for sharing her story.  Here is what she shared with us:

I have lost 73 pounds in 9 months.  I did it all natural by cutting back on the foods I needed to & walking.  I still want to lose 30 pounds more.   I was 273 on the pic with the purple shirt. I’m 200 pounds now.  My goal weight is 170-180 pounds.

My motivation was my kids and wanting to be here for them.  I had to get healthy. I changed my eating habits by not eating after 6pm unless it was fruit.  Every morning at 5:45 am I walk 5 or 6 miles. I drink a Kellogg breakfast shake at 8am.  For lunch, I have subway or a small salad I made at home.  Then, I would eat a regular dinner (example: 1 chicken wing, mac & cheese and string beans).  I don’t have bread unless it was wheat.  No drinking soda, only water, natural fruit juices, or cranberry juice.  I also eat a lot of fruit.  If I go out to eat, I order off the kids menu and I always get water with my meal.  Also, some mornings I eat Kellogg cereal with slim milk.  For exercise, I walk 6 days a week for a total of 5 to 6 miles. My goal is to lose a total of 100 pounds in a year.  My year will be up on September 15th.

Karla weight loss success

6 Reasons Why Quick Weight Loss Isn’t Healthy

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Although doctors and scientist have reiterated time and again that healthy weight loss takes time, crash diets and fads promising rapid weight loss continue to ensnare those looking for a quick fix. From celebrity diet fads to fat-burning pills, people are looking for an effortless way to take off the pounds fast. Unfortunately, such methods rarely work, and some also pose several health risks. While you may be able to lose weight quickly, the price might just be too high to pay.

diet plansHealth Risks and Negative Side Effects of Rapid Weight Loss

Losing weight too quickly can cause the body to go into shock and ultimately cause serious health conditions. Not only do many extreme dieting methods cause severe fatigue, dehydration, malnutrition and weakness in the short term, it can also cause long term effects. Following are 6 reasons why you should avoid rapid weight loss:

  1. Losing weight quickly requires extreme efforts such as consuming starvation-level calories and following intense exercise regimens. Not only are such extreme efforts hazardous to the body, they are impossible to maintain long term.  You are not going to drink cabbage soup everyday for the rest of your life, right?  True weight loss takes a lifestyle commitment. It’s just simply impossible to follow a “eat only these 7 things” style diet for the rest of your life or to exercise non-stop indefinitely.  Your weight loss plan should be realistic.
  2. Once you give up on your extreme diet – and you will – you will put the pounds back on plus some.  This is what happens in the long term for most people.  This is called the yo-yo effect, and it’s often associated with rapid weight loss plans. You see, extreme diets cause your body to go into starvation mode – a mode where your body uses fewer calories, thus your metabolism slows down. Once you start eating again, it takes your body a while to start using those calories again. In the amount of time it takes your body to adjust your metabolism, you will regain the weight you lost plus additional pounds.
  3. Rapid weight loss places undue stress on the body, heart, and immune system. Low-calorie, low-nutrient diets can also result in mineral deficiencies, fluid imbalances, cardiac arrhythmia, muscle cramps, and bone-mass loss.
  4. Losing too much weight too quickly is just uncomfortable and not very pretty. Side effects associated with extreme, rapid weight loss include headaches, irritability, fatigue, dizziness, constipation, hair loss, muscle loss, loose skin and menstrual irregularities.
  5. Several medical conditions are caused by rapid weight loss including gallstones. In fact, gallstones occur in as many as 25-percent of people who take weight off too quickly. Dehydration and malnutrition are also not uncommon as are fainting spells. In rare cases, severe electrolyte imbalances can put your life in danger.
  6. Following a fad diet slows your metabolism, pushing your body into starvation mode. Not only does starvation mode result in rapid weight gain after you give up dieting as mentioned above, it also causes your body to break down muscle to use as energy. This means that much of the weight lost during a fad diet is likely a combination of muscle and fat.

For the best results, a balanced, moderate diet and exercise is recommended. If you reduce your food intake by about 250-500 calories per day and increase your activity level, you will achieve a sustainable weight loss of 1 to 2 lbs. per week.  Not only is this amount of weight loss healthy, it’s easy to maintain for the long term.  Of course, this is the case for most people.  I’m not taking into account health issues and those who have more than 100 pounds to lose.  In that case, a healthy diet may be more limited or less limited depending on your health needs.  You really should speak with a doctor and a nutritionist to really understand what works for you as an individual.  Education is key and there are a lot of great resources online that can show you want a healthy balanced diet really is.  Do your research and don’t fall for the weight loss fads and schemes.

Loose Skin after Weight Loss: Why It Happens and What to Do about It

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loose skin after weight lossFor many people, the joy of watching the number on the scale and the size of their clothing go down gets overshadowed by the presence of loose skin. Not only can your skin get loose and saggy after extreme weight loss, your body can maintain the same shape it had before your weight loss efforts. The image in the mirror, while smaller, appears to change little all the while your skin loses shape and elasticity. Fortunately there are ways you can combat loose skin while dieting.

Why Do People Have Loose Skin after Weight Loss?

Your skin is an amazing organ with the ability to expand and contract along with your growth spurts and changing body. This ability is called elasticity and it is at the heart of the factors that contribute to loose skin. You see, once elasticity is gone, your skin loses its ability to shrink back – much like a worn out rubber band that refuses to recoil. Following are just a few things that can affect your skin’s elasticity:

  • Obesity – If you are considered obese, your skin has stretched considerably. Those who need to lose 100 lbs. or more in order to reach their goal weight can expect some lose skin.
  • Time – the amount of time you have been overweight also has some bearing on how loose your skin will be once you lose the weight. The longer your skin remains in a stretched-out position, the harder it will be for it to snap back.
  • Age – As we age, we lose elasticity – it’s what causes wrinkles. Younger skin has more ability to shrink back after weight loss than older skin.

So, some of these factors can not be affected that much.  This is why many people have to have surgery after losing large amounts of weight.  It’s just a fact.  However, you should never let loose skin stop you from losing weight.  Being obese or overweight and dealing with weight related health issues is not worth the vanity.  Your health is more important than some loose skin.

How to Minimize Loose Skin during Weight Loss

As mentioned before, there are several things you can do to minimize loose skin during weight loss. While you may not be able to avoid loose skin altogether, you can surely improve your skin’s ability to retract.

  1. Lose weight slowly – Sustaining a gradual weight loss of approximately 1-2 pounds per week will go a long way in preventing loose skin. You see, it takes time for your skin to contract. When you lose weight quickly, your skin has no time to catch up.
  2. Consume plenty of protein and good fats – Your skin, hair, and nails are made up of protein. Eat plenty of it to alleviate loose skin.  Collagen is a protein that is related to this in the body.  The issue is that if you aren’t eating right and your body starts to cannibalize the protein in your body…it could eat up or hinder the production of collagen that you need for skin elasticity.  It’s also important to include healthy oils in your diet to keep the skin flexible and as healthy as possible.
  3. Get a weekly or monthly massage –  Massages improve circulation to the skin and helps skin retract. Getting a massage also helps alleviate cellulite – another unsightly issue that occurs during weight loss.
  4. Take a multivitamin or monitor the vitamins you are eating – For good skin health, you need vitamin C, E, A, B-complex and K.  Iron, selenium and zinc are also minerals you’d want to get the recommended amount of.
  5. Don’t be afraid of weights – Weight training will help to reshape and redefine the body.  Muscle also burns fat at rest.  Adding some muscle definition and muscle tone will help to redefine your body so that it doesn’t appear that you have just deflated.

In addition to these tips, it’s vital to remain hydrated. All of your body’s organs, including your skin, need water in order to function properly. If you stay hydrated, lose weight slowly, follow a balance diet, and make efforts to increase your skin circulation, you can greatly diminish the amount of loose skin you will have after you lose all the weight. In cases of extreme weight loss, however, it often becomes necessary to surgically remove excess skin when it becomes apparent that it isn’t going to bounce back into shape.

5 Benefits of Adult Weight Loss Camps

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Adult weight loss camps and weight loss resorts are designed to give overweight adults all the tools they need to transform their life and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Typically, adults sign up for a certain number of days or weeks, pack their bags, and call the resort home for the duration of their treatment.  You may be familiar with the Biggest Loser resorts, like the one in Utah, or Pritikin Longevity Center in Florida.  Camps normally employ nutrition experts, personal trainers, counselors, and nurses in an effort to create a well-balanced program that puts campers on the path to sustained weight loss and weight management.

resortzumba5 Benefits of Weight Loss Resorts

Although not everyone is successful at a weight loss camp, these camps have helped countless individuals realize their weight loss goals. Since many require a controlled environment in order to establish healthy habits and make a positive lifestyle change, weight loss camps have proved to be invaluable.

  1. Helps you establish realistic goals. Many people set unrealistic expectations of themselves, causing them to give up too early when they don’t get the results they expect. Experts at a weight loss camp will help you set realistic goals according to your body type, lifestyle, and eating habits.
  2. Promotes healthy weight loss. With so many fad diets out there and contradictory information, it can be difficult to figure out the healthiest way to lose weight. When you attend a weight loss camp, you have a host of experts including physical trainers and nutritionists at your disposal. They will help you dispel the hype and establish a healthy weight loss regimen.
  3. Gives you a head start on a healthy lifestyle. It can be difficult to make a lifestyle change through sheer willpower. Residing at a resort for a few weeks allows you to adopt a new lifestyle in a controlled atmosphere. You won’t have to worry about backsliding, the counselors won’t let you.
  4. Addresses emotional triggers. Many times, overeating and binging are caused by underlying emotional triggers. If not addressed, these triggers will continue to wreak havoc on your weight loss attempts. Not only do camp counselors help you with your eating issues, they help you overcome emotional issues as well. When you uncover emotional triggers and learn how to counteract them, you will be much more successful with your weight loss endeavors.
  5. Educates you about nutrition. Nutrition experts will not only educate you about nutrition, they will help you establish a realistic meal plan and give you the information you need to continue making wise food choices in the future.

Adult weight loss camps pose many benefits for those who wish to jump start their weight loss efforts. However, they can be expensive, which is why many people decide to forgo the experience. Although weight loss camps are not cheap, the information you get from attending camp can prove to be invaluable. In addition to helping you establish a healthy lifestyle, a weight loss camp will provide you with the necessary tools you need to continue to make wise, healthy decisions regarding your weight, diet, and activity level.

Here is a list of weight loss resorts from the Travel Channel.

Wendy lost 53 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Wendy lost 53 pounds with the loss of her mom as her inspiration to get fit.  Here is what she shared with us:

In 2009 I was 218lbs wearing a size 18. What started this journey was I kept getting depressed every time I went to buy clothes and had to grab three sizes and none of them fit. So my best friend and I decided that this was the breaking point. We changed our eating habits and hit the gym hard. This was not easy by a long shot. We started packing our food to take to work and kept motivating each other so we could remain focused. I started a blog called Inspiring My Sisters to help motivate my friends and together we were making things happen and seeing results. Within the first 9 months, I was wearing a size 8/10

I was like damn all this hard work has paid off! Well, I got to cozy and slacked off some and my clothes started to feel snug again. This was the hard part at keeping the weight off. My mother loved when I was on my grind and she died this past July from lung cancer.  I promised myself that I would keep my weight off because that is what she loved. So 3 weeks after she died I got back in the gym and started grinding!! She became my motivation. I lost 14lbs in 3 weeks and never looked back!!!

I feel so good now. This is not a diet it’s a lifestyle. I pack snack bags to keep with me when I feel the urge to get off track. I still pack my food to work. It’s hard but I know my mother is proud of me so that is what keeps me focused.

When I’m at the gym I do a little of everything from cardio legs arms weights and abs. I go running around the lake. I roller skate and swim when I’m not in the gym.  When I found your page I knew I had to share my story!!!  After hard work and dedication I’m down to a size 8, 165 pounds and loving life.

Wendy weight loss story

Beth lost 62 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Beth.  She lost 62 pounds by making healthy food choices, running and she is now a Zumba instructor.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi!! My name is Beth Jones. I am 48 years old.  About 16 months ago, I decided to take full control of my life. I began making healthy food choices and exercising 5-6 days a week.  This has helped me to lose 62 pounds and go from a size 20 to a size 10. I became a pescatarian (vegetarian who eats seafood only…no other meat) in 2011.  I try to stay away from fried foods and sweets. I drink protein smoothies daily to add more protein to my diet. I joined the Savannah Pacers, a running club in my city, and have completed 2 5k runs, a 10k, and a 1/2 marathon so far. Zumba also helped me so much that I am now a Zumba fitness instructor!!  Also, I co-founded a health and fitness club at my middle school where I teach 8th grade math. I feel fabulous and strong and healthy and want to continue to help others find their personal best too!

Beth Zumba Instructors

Jamilah lost 61 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss story: Jamilah lost 61 pounds by eating clean, drinking green smoothies and working out regularly.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is Jamilah and my motivation to lose weight was inspired by my children and myself. I woke up one day (March 17, 2010), and realized I was not the person staring back at me in the mirror.  I was 210 pounds, wearing a size 16, and just over 5 feet tall.  I didn’t like my reflection, and rather than wait until health issues began to surface, I prayed for God to give me a spirit of determination and discipline. In 2009, I did a lot of talking about what I was going to do, but it wasn’t until 2010, that I actually start putting those ideas into actions. I completely cut out pork, beef, bread, soda, and fried foods, and transitioned to boneless skinless chicken, turkey, lamb, and seafood. Fresh /organic veggies and fruits, and a whole lot of water were also added to my diet. I began making smoothies (1-2x a day) to substitute for meals. Kale, almond milk, 1/2 banana, and blueberries..start my mornings off most days :). L.A Fitness became my second home as I was in the gym 5-6x a week, mostly doing cardio (i.e., treadmill, stairmaster, and precor). I spent, at minimum, an hour each day when I worked out. Last July, of 2012, I invested in a personal trainer, which elevated me to another level, in terms of working out. I kept the personal trainer for 6 months, and as of January, 2013, I have been continuing to eat healthy, and stay active at least 3-4 times a week. Today I weigh 149 pounds,(which fluctuates between 148-151) and I am happier than I ever thought possible. It may have taken me longer to get here (as I didn’t take any shortcuts), but I enjoyed the journey, and thank God for keeping me encouraged, inspired, and motivated every step of the way. Stay encouraged. 🙂

Jamilah weight loss story

Twin sisters Sheri and Terri lost the weight together

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I love it when family members lose the weight together.  Twin sisters Sheri and Terri decided that enough was enough and changed their eating habits to lose weight.  Sheri lost 56 pounds.  Terri lost 28 pounds. Here is what they shared with us:

Hello, our names are Sheri and Terri and we are twin sisters. We had been sruggling with our weight for years. We were severely depressed and hopeless. One day, we decided to relase what had us bound (depression) and said enough is enough. I (Terri) went from 8 meds a day to just 2.  My sister Sheri, who was once known as the bigger twin, is now the smaller twin…only by 10 pounds LoL.  Our goal is to hit our 100 pounds lost mark by October 2013. Sheri went from 275 pounds to 219 pounds and Terri went from 257 pounds to 229 pounds. We didn’t do any diets or surgeries.  We just ate healthy foods only; green and orange veggies, good for you fruit, plenty of water only, as well as no junk food or fast food. God is Good.

Terri Sheri Twins Weight Loss Story

Val lost more than 350 pounds

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Update 3/12: Val is now down a total of 370 pounds and was recently featured on Good Morning America.  More info on that…

Today’s featured weight loss success story: Val lost more than 350 pounds without surgery.  She began with Weight Watchers and later learned to change her eating habits and exercise.  Her story is so inspiring and I’m so glad she shared it with us.  Here is what she shared with us:

Val_McLeod_newbook
Update 5/9/14 – Check out Val’s New Book – The Weight is Over

“Most commonly, when we hear about someone’s successful weight loss, we rightly focus on how they did it. While I enjoy sharing my weight loss process, I also like to reveal ‘why’ I lost more than 350 pounds. To me, when making major life improvements ~ motives are just as important as methodology.

From a child, I was extremely overweight. I would have been an ideal student for First Lady Michelle Obama’s Get Fit initiative. Childhood obesity caused me to experience deep emotional pain and I learned to console my internal hurt with my Consoler-in-Chief ~ food. I never saw food as something that was hurtful me. To the contrary… food was always there to soothe and satisfy me.

Throughout my teen and college years, I continued to gain weight. Since I was very tall (6’ ft.) with a large body frame, I did not appear to weigh as much as I did. Even though, my physical presentation was quite overwhelming. In spite of my size, I wanted people to look beyond my physical appearance to see the wonderful person underneath all of the fat.

In early adulthood I began to experience physical challenges that were directly related to my weight. The excessive poundage began to take its toll on my joints and legs. Sometimes it would seem as if my knees were going to break. My ankles would swell and a varicose vein eventually ruptured in my right leg. The initial stages of several other health challenges that could have turned into major medical problems also began to emerge.

Food, my lifelong friend, had betrayed me. The very thing that had been my source of solace was making me sick. Ultimately my weight ballooned to nearly 600 pounds. I was forced to a point of decision. My choice was: Accept responsibility for my well-being or face a life filled with frustration, unfulfillment and extreme health challenges.

While in the hospital preparing for a surgical procedure, I needed to be weighed. I was too heavy for any of the hospital scales. Without asking me how I felt about it, the decision was made to take me outside to the loading dock to weigh me on the freight scale.

I wanted to die!

The hospital staff talked about me like I was not there or was an object. I felt like a piece of freight. After weighing me, on the way to surgery, they announced through their circuit radio system that they had a 600 pound woman heading to the surgical room…and they needed every available man to help transfer me to the operating table.

Deeply humiliated, I remember feeling so insignificant and invisible. What I knew for sure is that I never wanted to feel that way again. Shame, criticism and condemnation do not inspire but this experience was my turning point – the moment when the course of my life had to change. For the first time I faced the realization that I wanted to get the weight off – for good….for me!

Val weight loss success

My weight loss journey has been long. I have not always been consistent with doing the right things along the way. There have been many cycles of losing, gaining then losing again. I had to admit that my issues were not just physical; it was necessary for me to face some hard truths. Issues that I never dealt with because I anesthetized myself with food needed to be addressee. I also acknowledged the hypocrisy of trying to help others while willfully doing such harm to myself. It was time to confront the hurt of being misunderstood and rejected. I could no longer allow past pain to destroy my future. No longer would I forfeit my power for self-growth and development. After confronting my toxic connection with food, I began to establish healthier ways of dealing with challenging life issues.

Then I asked myself the most critical question: WHY?
Why wasn’t I fully enjoying the abundant life I deeply desired?
Why was I choosing to struggle with something that I could surrender?

Deep within ~ me always believed that God had a better and more fulfilling life for me. I knew I was valuable, abundant & loved.

I wanted to have a surgical weight loss procedure but was advised by my doctor that I was too large to undergo the surgery. He referred me to a dietitian who instructed me to go Weight Watchers for support and a more structured eating plan. I lost my first 100 pounds with Weight Watchers. I was ecstatic! Even though I still weighed around 485 pounds, I was now able to purchase clothes from a retail store. It had been years since was able to do that. I bought a size 28 pair of black stretch jeans. I had to lose another 20 pounds for them to fit comfortably and when I was able to zip my first jeans, you could not tell me I was one of the finest women in the world.

In addition to eating much smaller amounts of food, staying away from daily consumption of high fat, high carb food choices, I began to walk every day. Initially, I could barely walk a block without feeling exhausted but as I persevered, I progressed. My walks gradually increased to 3 – 4 miles, five or six days a week. I actually love working out. It feels good to sweat. And it’s so rewarding to get down to a new size. I now wear a size 14 top and 16/18 skirt/pants. {My goal is to be a size 12 – 14}

Additionally, one of the most important things I began to do is saturating my environment with positive messages. Daily faith-building affirmations became my indulgence. I would also set small, incremental weight goals for myself. I never thought about the fact that I had a mountain of weight to lose. I would say that I have to lose 5 or 10 pounds. And pound-by- pound and inch-by-inch ~ the weight came off and I gradually reached the milestone loss.

I also learned how to mute the voices (internal and external) that were destructive to my emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being. Learning to love myself for who God created me to be was pivotal. Love is absolute but we often learn to love (even ourselves) very progressively. I found that as I lost more and more weight, I felt better ~ physically, mentally and spiritually.”

There is an amazing power that comes with completing things. While I had lost an enormous amount of weight, I became satisfied and stagnate and regained about 45 pounds. I had approximately 57 pounds that I needed to shed. I decided that 2013 would be my year to finish strong. As a woman of faith, I’ve firmly believe that God is always willing to help us to accomplish that which aligns with His Will, purpose and providential plan for our lives. And I know He wants me to prosper in every area of my life, including my fitness.

Being a professional empowerment speaker, I recognize that my image needs to match my message. I’d had a really hard time getting rid of excess abdominal and upper arm fat. I was again at the point of considering surgical remedies. While promoting my recently published success empowerment book, GOD sent me a real solution to achieve the fitness level I have long desired. In the past 2 months not only has my weekly weight loss resumed, my entire body structure is changing. I actually have curves and a real waistline. I’m excited for the phenomenal personal results and I totally thrilled to share my keys to success through this global forum and especially with the faith community.

God has entrusted me with an incredible life story. I am a living testimony that no matter what challenges we face in life, we are empowered to be over-comers. At my goal weight, I will have shed nearly 400 lbs! Through God’s amazing grace and great faithfulness, I have accomplished much and I know that much, much more is required of me. Above all, I earnestly look forward to every opportunity to support, facilitate and celebrate the success of women, men and children

Check her out online: www.shaped4success.com