Before and After Photos

Shout out to Kizzy. She continues to lose weight and gain lean muscle.

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And, now, for my next trick… 🎩 . . No, no tricks. Just hard work; prayer; and lots of ups and downs combined with patience, determination and, ultimately, God’s mercy. . . I’ve been in this journey 10 years now. My heaviest was 428 lbs. . . If you haven’t already, you can read more of my story here: https://www.blackweightlosssuccess.com/kizzy-lost-209-pounds/ . . #keepgoing #weightlossmotivation #weightlossinspiration #blackwomenlosingweight #blackwomendoworkout #crossfit #crossfitwestnashville #crossfitsyndicate #blackwomenwhocrossfit #weightlossjourney #bariatriccommunity #black40plusfit #blackfitnessguide #keepitmoving #weightlossgoals #notadietbutalifestyle #paleo #paleo8020 #baritastic #myfitnesspal #kizzyscall #kkendrick #kdkendrick #losingweight #thejoirney #butgodinallcircumstances #theblood #Jesus #beingChristian #weightlossbeforeandafter

A post shared by Kizzy Kendrick (@fit_pastor_k) on Sep 20, 2019 at 4:05pm PDT

Left picture is not my largest; the right picture is not my smallest. Altogether, I continue to look forward to losing those things which hold me down, keep me back, and tell me I’m no good.

I continue pushing toward and into those things which speak truth, exhibit love, and remind me of the fullness of capacity God’s grace and sovereignty has afforded me. In sum, you can say my focus is losing lies and gaining God’s truth.

This journey—our journey—is not solely physical. It’s always deeper. Always more. Always requiring deliverance, salvation, renewal, and remembrance.

God remains able.  God will do all that God has spoken.  And will love you every step of the way. May 1, 2019 was my 1-year surge-versary. @fit_pastor_k

Transformation of the Day: Kizzy lost 209 pounds. During her nine year journey, has experienced tremendous success and significant loss, including the passing of her young son. Despite it all, she put her faith in action and never gave up. Significant physical ailments led her to have gastric bypass surgery in 2018. Check out her story.

When did you start your journey?
When I first entered my healthy-living venture, it was in 2009. I was a non-traditional student in my undergrad studies program. I got tired of seeing the ripped threading on the inner thighs of my jeans. What pushed me, however, was the moment that I returned to class after a short summer break and saw that I could no longer place the writing board of the desk on top of my lap. I had grown too large to fit in the classroom’s seating.

August 12, 2009 was the first day I stepped into the gym in my adult life. I was 31 years old and weighed in at 356.7 pounds. My heaviest weight was 428 pounds prior to that point. My height is 5’8″.

What inspired me most, during the times when I wanted to give up, was the desire to be able to move my body. Mobility was and has always been, very important to me. Up to that point, I accepted what I just could not do. In 2009, I rode a bike, began playing Just Dance on the Wii, started skating at the skating rink with my kids (instead of sitting on the sideline) all for the first time in my adult life.

In 2011, I reached a 178lb weight loss—just through prayer, Weight Watchers and a kick-butt personal trainer. I went from 428 pounds to under 190 pounds in a little over a year and a half. I maintained at around 225 pounds from 2009 until 2012.

Weight Watchers was helpful because it helped me to weigh what was “worth” eating on any given day. No food was restricted, no food that I “could not have.” It was just a matter of asking myself if it is worth it today.

In May 2012, my family met a tragedy, and I lost my 7-year-old son. I picked up emotional eating and regained 100+ lbs of the weight I had lost in a year and a half. When I was delivered from emotional eating, I still struggled severely. I would join WW, do well, then fallback and regain the weight again. It was repetitive like this for nearly 2 years. What inspired me to keep pushing toward good health during this time was the belief in a better life that was available and accessible to me—no matter what or how challenging it was to reach it.

Then, God told me I was done with WW and that I now needed to focus on learning how to eat healthier without it—paying attention to macronutrients and such. That’s when I joined CrossFit, and begin a Paleo 80/20 eating lifestyle that helped me a great deal.

With the help of a new CrossFit coach (something else new in my life the second time around at weight loss), I began eating Paleo (80/20). I learned from my CF coach that for me no diet is sustainable that cuts out entire food groups. Eating Paleo at an 80/20 ratio still allowed me to focus on the most beneficial macronutrients while allowing for other things that are not typical of paleo—like rice and healthy carbs.

My weight would still fluctuate. But I was learning how to go deeper with my health. It wasn’t just about eating right and working out. It was about making sure I had good form, good sleep hygiene, took time out for myself, and scheduled self-care. I didn’t see as much change as I did the first time around, and sometimes I wouldn’t see a difference, but I knew I had to keep going. I knew that not continuing to workout would’ve resulted in a much-worsened condition.

By 2017, I was at the largest I had been since my initial weight-loss in 2009 and, beyond that, all the physical ailments I was rid of, came back—PLUS some. I didn’t like the weight, didn’t like the knee pains, didn’t like any of it, but had a lot of healing to go through and needed to be patient with the process.

When I got to Nashville, I decided to look into medical weight loss solutions because of the physical ailments that made it increasingly harder to remain physically active. I had back spasms and a bi-lateral meniscus tear that resulted in severe knee pain (crutches off and on and all. I could not even get surgery until I lost 60 lbs.). I also had sleep apnea this time around.

Although surgery was an option for me when I initially entered this healthy-living venture (when I weighed 428 lbs), I didn’t opt for it then because I knew I couldn’t handle it. I knew I couldn’t handle having surgery, but hadn’t yet learned how to live right. Now, I do know how to live right (AND love right). Perhaps those times I had to keep going to the gym, doing CrossFit, eating Paleo, and logging into MyFitnessPal DESPITE any real change was God preparing me for this—at least partially.

Here’s the point:
Whatever you feed, grows. Feed the right things, even when the right things don’t seem to be showing up in the right ways. God is faithful.

I had a gastric bypass weight loss surgery on 5/1/2018. The weight comes off in slow and in small increments, but I am still convinced the God knows what is best—even concerning what the pace of my weight loss needs to be.

Whoever thinks surgery is the “easy way,” is entirely ill- and/or misinformed. It still takes work. It requires the maintenance of healthy choices, and it still requires a process. It is a tool, not a magic pill. And I’m thankful for the process I went through before surgery. That process prepared me all this and more.

What did your workout routine consist of?
I work out 4-6 days a week. I do CrossFit 2-3 times a week with a personal training CF coach. On the other days, I either workout at home in my garage gym or via workout videos in my living room. I also do outdoor walking and dance workouts at home and at the local Y. For me, variety is key. I enjoy working out most when I’m doing what I love. I try to set myself up for success by having available to me whatever I deem is needed to get the job done!

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight in 2009 was 428 lbs. This second time around, my starting weight was 336 pounds (on 1/1/2018). I currently weigh 219 pounds. I am at a total weight loss of 209 pounds. (116.7 lbs loss since my surgery pre-op date (March 15, 2018); and 76.3 lbs since surgery on May 1, 2018)

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to keep going: to be patient with the process. As shared above: Whatever you feed grows… I have learned that one step in any direction leads to a destination. Keep stepping in the right direction. No matter how hard or how long it takes, you will inevitably get to where you desire to go/be.

What advice do you have for other people who want to lose weight?
Keep going and keep pushing, no matter what. Do not despise the process. It will benefit a sustained lifestyle. It is one thing to lose weight, but a whole other thing to maintain a healthy idea of self as a whole: what you eat, how you live, what you believe, etc. Your process is essential for this reason. Connected to this, I would also advise that those entering or in this healthy-living venture not ignore the spiritual, mental, and/or emotional factors which have affected/do affect our weight, self-esteem, and perspective.

Learn to love who you are at EVERY SINGLE STAGE of the process, or you will find reasons to hate yourself at every phase of the process. With the wrong mindset/perspective, you will never see your body or your self as “good enough.”

Instagram: @fit_pastor_k

Update: Alisha has released 108 pounds.

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If you gon do it,then do it💪🏼#transformationtuesday … stop playing around and INVEST in your #body 🤔 I did this on my own😅 and wasn’t shit easy about it but I knew what I was doing❗️There is nothing wrong with getting a #personaltrainer to help you with your #journey ❗️Going to the gym not using the equipment right or not knowing how much weight to put on them racks ain’t gon getcha NOWHERE baby❗️Your #diet 🥑🍌 play a major part in your fitness journey… you eat the way you train❗️I was 266lbs got down to 155lbs in 5 months no cheating, no excuses just straight fuckn gettin it❗️Currently I’m 158lbs and now i only want MORE❗️So I invest in my body and I get a trainer to stay on my ass and push me to the last rep❗️#bodygoals #summer2018 Get you a trainer thats been there or to help you get where you need to be ✊🏼😂 #spendthemcoinswisely

A post shared by 𝓐𝓵𝓲𝓼𝓱𝓪 𝓝𝓲𝓬𝓸𝓵𝓮💋 (@iamredkash) on Feb 20, 2018 at 8:19am PST

Transformation of the Day: Alisha lost 96+ pounds. She fell into depression while in a toxic relationship, and the mirror reflected what she was going through. This Army Vet put in a ton of work in the gym, became a Pescatarian, and cut off social media to get results. Check out her story.

See what had happened was…lol
I was in a toxic relationship. He would cheat and lie, and I would eat and cry! Literally! I thought that if I stayed, he would eventually stop, but it continued and got worse for 5 years. The situation put me into a deep depression. Looking in the mirror, I could see everything I was going through. My hair was falling out, and I looked old and tired.

My Stats:
I started my weight loss journey on June 1, 2016, at 266 pounds. My height is 5’5″. I reached my goal on November 22, 2016, weighing 150 pounds. I lost 116 pounds in 5 months, but I wasn’t feeling the 150 pounds look, so I added 20lbs with weight training. My current weight is 170 pounds.

What I did to lose weight:
I changed my diet and went Pescatarian [A vegetarian who eats seafood]. I also worked out 3 times a day every day! I did 1-2 hours of cardio every time I went to the gym. My favorite cardio is indoor cycling!

Example of My Workout Regimen:

• 6:00 a.m. – Hype Ryde Indoor Cycling Class – Duration time: 45 mins
• 12p.m – Bodyweight Strength Training – Duration time : 2hrs
• 8:00 p.m- H.I.I.T High-Intensity Interval Training and Ab Circuit 5×25 of different exercises – Duration time: 1hr 30min

My advice for others:
Don’t be afraid to cut people off in 2019! Your weight journey can be achieved ALONE! It’s all about you. I had no social media during my journey, nothing but fitness and health apps.

Instagram: @iamredkash

Elesshia lost 35 pounds. She was dealing with PCOS, along with pain in her knees, lower back and feet. She was able to find a workout routine that works for her and change her eating habits with help from her coach. Check out her story.

What was your motivation?
My motivation was a desire to live. I have PCOS and have struggled with weight loss my entire life.

How did you change your eating habits?
I linked up with Terry Starks and he introduced me to eating smaller, more frequent meals. I also stopped eating meat as well as dairy products.

Tell us about your workout routine.
I began experiencing pain in my knees, low back, and feet, so exercise has been a challenge. However, with the help of Terry Starks I am using a walking program. I walk for 30 minutes three to four times per week. I also do strength training once a week. For me, consistency is key.

Starting weight/Current weight
My starting weight was 269 pounds. Current weight 234 pounds. I am 5’5” tall.

When did you start your journey?
I started my journey in July 2018. I still have a ways to go.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I have learned is to never give up on me. With God, all things are possible. We only have one life to live. LIVE IT.

What advice would you like to share?
For others who want to lose weight, I would tell you that you just have to do something. I would recommend linking up with Terry Starks. He has taught me so much when it comes to healthy eating and exercise. Never give up. Every day that you wake up is another opportunity to start over.

Sherri lost 12 pounds and 15 inches off her body. She decided to transform her lifestyle in 2018. She changed her mindset and created healthy challenges that she could do with her friends. Check out her story.

December 2017 – December 2018
185 pounds  to 173 pounds
Released “15 inches off of my body”

What was my Motivation?
First, I am a “Self-Motivated” person. I do not need anyone to hold my hand to get things done. I was Super Determined to TRANSFORM in 2018, and I did exactly what I intended to do. Also, one of my friends, who is a Transformation Specialist in his own right, encouraged and inspired me all year long to keep going… NO MATTER WHAT!!!!

How did I change my habits?
It’s Simple! It’s MENTAL. I had a made-up mind that I was going to do things different to ensure I received different RESULTS. It did not take me 21 days either to create a new habit. You can instantly change if you really desire to. Some examples of what I did, was create challenges for myself and my Facebook friends such as, “The Better Choices Challenge” (choosing better foods and drinks) and “The Swap Out Challenge” (adding new foods and drinks to replace the ones that are not as healthy).

What did my workout routines look like?
I created my own cardio workouts. When I wanted to take things to another level, I did double workouts.

What was my starting weight? 185 pounds
What is my current weight? 173 pounds
Even more impressive than releasing pounds, I released “15” inches total off of my body! That’s impressive to me! I took the entire year to transform. Guess what, I’ll be doing it all over again in 2019! I’m looking forward to sharing with everyone again.

Helpful tips:
Be intentional about grocery shopping! Make your shopping list before going to the store. Read food labels! Never shop when you are starving, because you are more likely to just grab anything.

Last words of wisdom: Once you are mentally ready, you will do whatever it takes to release the weight. Ask yourself, “What is really stopping me?” Take full responsibility! Take your time and get it done.

Instagram @thewellnesslady