Today’s weight loss success story: Rose lost 60 pounds. She was so kind as to share the story of her lifelong weight loss journey with us. She is now studying for her PT and Group Fitness certifications.
Rose shared her story with us in depth:
“I would like to share my weight loss journey with you all. There comes a time in life when you take off the mask and realize you are not the person you want to be. My “come to fit” moment happened in the summer of 2003, after seeing my wonderful mother lose weight.
See, I was big ALL my life. I was the bigger than my older brothers, classmates and friends. I was picked on for being big, but their taunting did not make me change….eating was my comfort. With hell going on around me, food was something I felt I could control. By the time I was 12 years old, I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and weighed close to 145 pounds.
Fast forward to high school and college….I was still eating bad and not exercising. Folks who knew me thought I was happy in my own skin, but really I hated myself. Instead of making changes I continued to eat. By 2003 I had reached almost 230 pounds. I was unhappy….cry myself to sleep at night, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts unhappy.
The summer before my senior year of college I looked at myself in the mirror and came to terms that I was not seeing the REAL woman inside of me. I took my mask off for the first time and decided I would try this exercise thing out.
Within three months I lost about 23 pounds doing kickboxing and changing some of my eating habits. By the time I graduated, I was down to 190 pounds. From 2003-2005, I lost an additional 40 pounds. In 2006, I got comfortable and reverted back to eating poorly and not working out. I gained 20 pounds back. I maintained 170 pounds until late 2010 after I found out I had cervical cancer and a heart condition.
It was then I knew I had to get back to me. So I made a LIFESTYLE change! No more dieting, but eating clean and working out. I also got me mental and spiritual health in order….it makes a world of difference.
My current regime is simple…eat clean 80-90% percent of the time, pray, and exercise. I dance, run, lift weight, anything to keep me active. I realized I have SO much to live for and I want to make sure I am in the best health possible while I do it. I’m also studying for my PT and Group Fitness certifications. Until I’m certified, I post workouts and motivational stuff on Blessed Body Fitness.”
Amanda says
You look awesome congrats!
Miranda says
Thank you for being an inspiration! I have JUST recently realized the comfort that I find in food…I now know how to pray over this addiction and how to avoid the foods and the places that once stimulated me to eat. It’s a slow process…I’m at 260 pounds, but I know my 100 pound weight loss is attainable! You’ve got the perfect combo: clean eating, prayer and exercise. I’m going to take these tips into the new year with me! Thanks again!
Chalmers says
what is clean eating
Latasha Burnett says
Clean eating is no sugar & no processed foods. U eat lots of veggies, lean meats, & fruit.
Jackie says
Chalmer,
Also drink plenty of water!! Avoid the white stuff.
Heather Bradley says
I’m truly happy for you. I always wondered why people who are FAT don’t realize they are doing harm to themselves. Where in here before you get to be 230 don’t you realize that. Its too much?? As soon as I gain a few inches in the wrong place food becomes a turn off for me.
Melissa C says
Everyone is different. Just because you realize and are aware of your weight gain doesn’t mean everyone else will respond the same. Let’s hope you’re never in a place where weight can easily creep up on you.
Shawna W. says
Heather your not very inspirational, you took a very positive story and made a very negative comment. Sorry that everyone is not as aware of their waight gain as you.
Tekila says
The past doesn’t matter anymore so why go into that. It sounds rude and insensitive to approach her in that manner when we are on this sure to praise people for their success not acknowledge their failures.
Tekila says
“Site” not sure
Jackie says
I pray you never reach the point where you want to give up and your weight has caused so much pain and distress and is out of control. You are blessed it would be nice to show love and support to others that are not where you are! Your message made me realize there are a lot of people who feel and think like you. We are not all the same thank God. Thanks for reality check about this world.
Candice Jeter says
Really? Your first sentence is cancelled out by the rest of that mess….until you walk in her shoes and know her struggle, please don’t waste space on this thread. Ugh!
Kay says
Well, bully for you Heather! Why even comment? It’s like you want a pat on the back for being vigilant. If that’s the case, this is the wrong site for you. This site is to help the women you meanly call “fat,” to obtain not just a healthy weight but a healthy perspective as well. Why can’t you just acknowledge that she was in a bad place and did something about it? We’ve all been in a bad place (relationships, finances, job) and for some people the bad place is unhealthy eating. But it takes a lot for any individual no matter what they are dealing with to take control and do something about it.
But I’m sure your life is just roses and rainbows, and this philosophy wouldn’t help you at all, because you’re perfect. *end rant*
Shirley says
EXACTLY Kay!!!!!
Shirley says
OMG Heather!!! That was so wrong and harsh on so many levels!! I agree with everyone’s post and basically, you should have kept that comment to yourself!!! Maybe you belittle people who are not up to your weight standards because you need to feel good about yourself but honey that is not the way to go about it!!! That was just soooooo negative!!! I am very proud of her for doing her thang and overcoming the obstacles that were in her way!!!! She was ALWAYS beautiful with or without her weight!!!
April says
Why would you even comment if you are going to be negative, or further more why are you apart of this community cause it sounds to me like you got this weight loss thing under control. I don’t know about you but I’m here because I have a problem with my weight also and I need the motivation so if you are not here to give congratulations, motivation, or a little inspiration just move right along please and thank you!
Steffanie says
You are one of the rudest people I have ever encountered and I really pray that you don’t ever have to walk a mile in any of our shoes. Please don’t comment on anymore stats if you can’t be completely positive. I will pray for you still for you know not what you do………..
loshon33 says
My sincere congrats! Thx for sharing “wearing the mask”, I think a lot of us can identify with that!
Sharon Y. Hudson Scott Davis says
I am so proud of you. I enjoy reading success stories of weight loss. We have a fitness ministry at church and we have seen amazing results with just clean eating and excersise. We have had people taken off of insulin and blood pressure medicine within 11 months of our ministry. You are definetly a strong secure black woman. I applaud you!
Marcia says
I am 240lbs and I would love to know what can I do to just lose 60lbs. My target area is my core & thighs. I am very happy with my size but I want to get out of a size 18 and into about a 12/14. My goal is to be 180 by December 2013.
Jackie says
Congrats,
WTG you are an inspiration, you have accomplished a great deal and should be shown love. I know that God has been a great source of your strength. Keep moving on and you will become a wonderful PT and will be certified.
valerie says
Way to go Rose!! Proud of what you done. Now if I could get myself there! I’m at 257 lbs right now, my highest weight ever!!! I got serious about my weight early 2011 and my brother died suddenly in March 2011 and needless to say I haven’t gotten back to that point yet!!! Thank you for sharing! Now is the time to make my move!! Keep doing what you’re doing cause you are definetly changing lives as we read your story!! Great story!!
Sandy says
Great job!
What’s your height?
Jasmine Cook says
Omg talk about the extra confirmation I needed! Yesterday I went to marshals and bought weights and resistance bands because im ready to tackle my weight! This morning I have on a black shirt & and blue jeans and I weigh 236lbs and my size resembles your old pic! I just met my family for breakfast and my aunt told me ive gotten bigger! I felt ashamed but I played it off like Im ok with my size ! I just logged in on fb and saw your story and I literally felt the sadness lifted from me! Your story has inspired and encouraged me to take control of my body and my health. Thank you for sharing your success story. It has really blessed me and gave me that extra motivation I needed to get me going! God bless you !
Karessa says
You have really inspired me. I just started at a gym two days ago, but find myself more and more excited about going…for the first time. How tall are you? My goal is to lose about 50 lbs, but I’m more concerned about being healthier.
Angie Moore says
Way-to-go my sister in Christ! Keep up the good work!
Shirley says
You look amazing!!!! You are truly an inspiration!!! WTG and work it girl!!!
April says
You look great and that is exactly how it is with me and my family I am bigger than my sister I am very pretty I know that but with this weight on me I am not who I know I can be there’s a story and pain behind this smile and your story is very motivational to me I know I can do this I just have to wait and let it take it’s coarse thanks for sharing your story!
Andrea Says says
You look fantastic!! Keep up the good work. Thank you for sharing your story because it truly has inspired me to keep going. I was amazed at your faith in God and your determination to succeed. It has truly paid off.
Steffanie says
First off I want to commend and thank you Rose for sharing this powerful story. As someone who has struggled with my weight I can appreciate where you are coming from and you look absolutely amazing. I am currently at 230lbs and my goal is to lose 60-70 lbs and that journey will start after the new year. Please don’t let folks like Heather get to you with ignorant comments because she obviously doesn’t have a clue as to what this website is all about. Keep up the good work and keep doing God’s work 🙂
Cherron says
you look amazing, good job
Muscle Simmons says
You look awesome! Great work!