Updated: Marnita lost 174 pounds

Update March 2018: Shout out to Marnita for being featured by Prevention Magazine again. Check out the article: 8 Real Women Reveal How They Lost 50+ Pounds

Update Dec 2016 Congrats go out to Marnita! Her story was recently featured in the Dec 2016 issue of prevention magazine. (Check out how she lost the weight. More info below)

“I have maintained my weight loss for almost 6 years now, by watching what I eat and exercising. I have made a lot of everyday changes. I am a vegetarian, except for fish which I have occasionally. I drink only water, green tea and decaf black coffee. I keep sweets at a minimum and I’ve discontinued buying flour, corn meal and sugar years ago. I have a belief that you should not take the bad stuff home. If I want to cheat every now and then, I do it while I’m out. If you you take a whole cake home, you are sure to eat it.

As for exercise, I try to get in some form of physical activity daily. Primarily, I do core exercises, walking, dancing and hula hooping with a weighted hula hoop. My weight sometimes fluctuates 5-10 pounds. Seeing my weight fluctuate used to be a very bitter pill to swallow, but now I’ve learned that I don’t have to be perfect. I just have to strive to be my best each day! My advice for others would be don’t stress over your weight. I spent a lot of years obsessing over my weight in fear that I would gain it all back! In the past, I was never truly satisfied with my results because of this worry, even though I have lost over 170 lbs. That’s more than my current body weight! Always be happy with yourself at whatever stage you are at in your journey, and always, strive to be your best self yet!”

Weight Loss Success Story of the Day:  Marnita lost 164 pounds. She is 52 years old, the mother of 3 daughters and 6 grandsons…and she looks great and feels great!  We have been asked in the past about featuring more stories for mature and seasoned sistas and Marnita’s victory reminds us to stay healthy for life.  Find out more about how she did it…

My journey began almost 4 years ago. In January of 2011, I decided to make lifestyle changes after I was diagnosed with High Blood Pressure. I didn’t go on any specific diet or join a weight loss group or gym. I decided to take matters into my own hands.  I initially, cut back on my portion sizes, ate three meals per day, and never ate past 7pm. I was pretty repetitive about the types of foods I ate too. Once I found something that was working for me, I continued to eat those items. For example, almost every morning, I eat a small banana and Greek yogurt for breakfast.

After about a year and a half of watching my eating habits, I added exercise. Now mind you, I hadn’t exercised in probably 20 years, so I wasn’t sure where to begin. Then I realized I had an old stationary bike in my basement that I could use. I pulled it out and begin using it between 30-60 minutes each day. After about a year, it burnt out and I had to purchase a new one. I then decided to add weights and core exercises to my regiment. Recently, I purchased an elliptical.

To date, I have lost 164 lbs. My top weight in 2011, was 334 lbs. and I currently am 170 lbs. I went from a size 24/26 to a size 10/12. My goal weight is 160 lbs. As I previously mentioned in the story you did of me in October of 2013, I was 49 years old, when I began my journey, in January of 2015, I will be 53 years old. I have more energy than I did in my 30’s. I can run, jump, bend, and I play with my six grandchildren like a kid. To God be the glory for blessing me to pursue a healthier way to living. It hasn’t been perfect, but steady!

Check out her Facebook page: Beat The Bulge and Let’s Get Healthy

Additional information about Marnita’s journey…

Update Dec 2015: Marnita was featured in the AARP Bulletin this month. She also gave us an update: “I am a macrobiotic vegetarian now, I don’t eat any meats, except fish, occasionally, no dairy or eggs. I will be 54 years old in Jan 2016. The reporter who captured and reported my story for AARP found me via Black Women Losing Weight featuring my story.”

Update May 2015: “Since the last update back in 2014, I have lost another 10 lbs. I’m down a total of 174 lbs since I began my journey in January 2011. I’m down from 334 lbs to 160 lbs. I am keeping the weight off by continuing to watch what I eat and exercise. I have added walking and bike riding to my exercise routine. I am pretty happy with my current weight and plan to start weight training to tone. I have gone from a size 26W/24W to a size 8/10. My shoe size- from a 9W to a 7 1/2-8M, Bra size a 40DD to a 36C. The picture to the left was taken in Nov 2011, eleven months into my four year journey and the pic to the right was taken less than a month ago. As you know, I began my journey at 49 years old, I am now 53 years old, and feel better than I have in years. I can run, jump, swing, and play in the jungle gym with my grandchildren. When they come to visit we take long walks, and workout together. Those are some of my proudest moments. My passion now is doing what I can to inspire others to live a more healthy life. I am also a child care center owner/ director and I make it a point to serve a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables to the children because as we know, childhood obesity is at an all-time high.”