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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Chanel lost 132 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Chanel who lost 132 pounds with gastric sleeve weight reduction surgery.  Here is what she shared with us:

“I had the gastric sleeve weight loss surgery procedure, in which they removed 80% of my stomach.  It’s a little different from the the gastric bypass surgery. Once the surgery was complete, that’s when the challenge came Lol!!  Now I eat smaller portions but instead of three meals it’s now five small meals.  I exercise 2 hours a week and I break it down to 30 minutes a day.  I still have a long ways to go, but I’m defiantly on my way.  My Goal is to be healthy for myself and my daughter.  My advice: just embrace who you are. Everybody not meant to be a size 1 or 2.  I’m just trying to be part of team healthy.”

chanel before and after weight loss

Yetta lost 100 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss before and after story: Yetta lost 100 pounds by becoming a raw vegan, juicing, and walking.  Here is what she shared with us:

I started my weight loss journey in mid May 2012. High blood pressure, fatigue, dark spots on my cheeks, swollen legs, and the way I looked finally made me realize that I had to make a change. I became a high vegetable and fruit raw vegan juicing daily, and walking an hour or 2 each day.  After a few days, I lost about 15 pounds and my right leg was no longer swollen.  I realized that this was the way to go.  The first 40 pounds lost were emotionally overwhelming and it took a lot of “Help me Lord!” not to go back to my old way of eating.  For the last few months, I went to the gym with my sister before going to work, about 4:30 am Mon-Fr.  I do “sweat dripping cardio” for 1 hour and weight lifting for 20-30 minutes.  I change my routine every 4 weeks.  Currently, I’m doing 30 minutes on the glider (20 incline and 85 resistance), weights, then return to the glider for another 30 minutes.  I also walk my dog few miles a week.  I’m no longer a vegan but eat very little meat, sweets, sugar, flour or pasta.  I eat clean 95% of the time.  My goal was to lose 100 pounds by my 44th birthday and I did it.  Now, I will lose another 80 or 100 pounds BEFORE MY 45TH birthday. Getting fit is one of the hardest things I’ve done, but I live by “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”…And through prayer all the time.  I hope this helps others with way over 150 pounds to lose.

Yetta lost 100 pounds

Valerie lost 59 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Valerie who has lost 59 pounds with gastric sleeve weight loss surgery, exercise and healthy eating.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hello, My name is Valerie and I have lost a total of 59 pounds in 6 months with the help of weight loss surgery, exercise and changing my eating habits.  My starting weight was 299 pounds and I am now 240 pounds.  My target weight is 200 pounds.

My motivation to have the surgery was to be healthier and to live healthier! I had no prior problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc!  However, I wanted to be around to see my children graduate from high school, and to see my future grandchildren graduate.  I changed my eating habits by eating smaller portions on a saucer sized plate.  I also increased my water intake from a 1/2 cup daily to 8 cups daily.  I lowered my starches and carb intake, and I have found sugar free recipies for sweets.  My exercise routine mainly consists of walking (anywhere) for a hour to an hour and a half daily.  Having the gastric sleeve procedure was a life changing decisión that I am glad I made!

Valerie weight loss surgery

June Clean Eating Challenge

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june clean eating challengeIn June, the Black Women Losing Weight sisterhood will focus on cleaning up our eating.  To do that, we will do what is commonly called “clean eating”.  So you may ask, “What is Eating Clean?“.

When you eat clean you will be eating unprocessed, whole foods that are prepared or cooked in ways that don’t add extra chemicals and toxins.  We are talking  about fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, lean meats, meat substitutes like tofu, soy, whole grains, lots of water, healthy dairy and fresh juice.  We will avoid fried food, fast food, junk food, bleached white flour, artificial ingredients, soda, commercial juice and sugary drinks, processed sugar (white sugar, corn syrup), and foods with preservatives, toxins, dyes, saturated fat, and trans fat.  You will likely be cooking at lot of food at home, making green smoothies, eating salads, looking for healthy snacks, and really realizing just how healthy you’ve really been eating.

Need more info?  I’ve created a downloadable e-book guide to help you navigate clean eating, “Clean Eating for Wellness and Weight Loss“.  Get your copy today for just $6.00.

How do you join us? – You join the challenge by committing clean eating and by checking-in each weekend.  How do you check-in?  By posting a status message to Facebook or our online community…or by posting a blog post to our online community.  The goal is to be accountable with other BWLW Ladies.  Post during the week to our Facebook wall and online community for support.  You can also post meal ideas, recipes, etc.

Goals for June:

  • Keep meals simple and ingredients to a minimum.
  • Cook or prepare your meals at home as much as possible so that you can control what you eat.
  • Avoid foods that are highly processed, full of preservatives to keep them fresh on a shelf, or colored with dyes.  If you don’t buy it, you will be less likely to eat it.
  • Eat 4-5 meals per day – 3 meals and 2 snacks is a great way to split these meals up.  Your goal is to not go more than 4 hours between meals.
  • Stop eating at least 2 hours before bed time.
  • No fast food.  If you have to eat in restaurants, you will read the menu and seek out whole food options like salads, lean meats and veggies that aren’t cooked in butter and covered in salt.
  • No sugary drinks.  This includes artificial sugars in diet drinks like Crystal Light and Diet Coke.

You can eat ANY fresh fruits or veggies you like (fresh or frozen).  Don’t worry about carbs from these whole and healthy foods.

Clean Eating Guide E-book
Clean Eating for Wellness and Weight Loss E-book – $6.00

NEW: “Clean Eating for Wellness and Weight Loss“.  This e-book covers:

  • Benefits of Eating Clean
  • What Foods are Clean
  • How to Eat Clean
  • Importance of Hydration
  • Eating Clean on the Go and at Work
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Exercising While Eating Clean
  • Recipes and Quick Meals
  • …and More

Download this PDF e-book and read it on your computer (on on your mobile device with the Adobe Reader app).  If you have any questions about the book, email me at info@blackwomenlosingweight.com.  The Kindle version is also available on Amazon.com

Kindle Clean Eating BookBuy Now
Ladies, You CAN NOT out exercise a bad diet.  You have to clean up the highly processed food, sugary drinks, fatty meats, fast food, etc. from your diet so that your exercise efforts are not sabotaged.  Food is 70-80% of the weight loss equation.  You have to eat a healthy diet and commit to doing so as a lifestyle change to lose the weight for good.  Starving yourself or using quick fix solutions will work in the short term, but they can cause health issues in the long run and/or will lead to the pounds coming right back.  Eating clean is very popular and there are tons of free resources online.  Here are some resources to help you:

Exercise: I would suggest that you continue with our May Exercise Challenge routines for another month if you are seeing results.  You can do them in addition to weight training and high intensity interval training.

Disclaimer: Before starting any new diet and exercise program please check with your doctor and clear any exercise and/or diet changes with them before beginning. I am not a doctor or registered dietitian. I do not claim to cure any cause, condition or disease. I do not provide medical or nutrition advice for the purpose of health or disease nor claim to be a doctor or dietitian.

Jenn lost 46 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: BWLW Online Community member Jenn lost 46 pounds by changing her eating habits and exercising.  Here is what she shared with us:

One year ago, I fell into a depression and food became my best friend. I was eating all of the wrong things. I wasn’t active. I am only 5 ft 4 inches tall and to carry around 252 pounds was causing me pain. My back, knees, feet, and ankles would begin to hurt after only 5 minutes of walking. My clothes were getting bigger. One day, I looked at myself in the mirror and all I could do was cry. It didn’t matter that others saw me without flaws. I was unhappy and tired of feeling that way. The next day, I ate and drank all of my favorite things (Doritos, Reeses, Pepsi, french fries). At the end of the day, I threw away everything I didn’t eat and decided at that very moment to start living healthy. I decreased my carbohydrate intake to a minimum of 50 grams daily.  I eliminated sugar, sodas and juices and increased my water to a gallon a day. I also incorporated more vegetables into my meals. I joined a gym and began to do Zumba classes. Today I am 46 pounds lighter! I have never been so proud of myself in my life.

Everyday is a struggle but it’s so worth it. The camera is now my best friend and all of my loved ones can see my confidence. I am still working toward my goal, which I’ll share as soon as I am there. That dark and dismal place of my past won’t EVER see me again. You can believe that!  For all of you that chose healthy living, I applaud you. It’s not easy…But it’s SO worth it!

Jenn before and after weight loss

Rashaun went from 511 pounds to 295 pounds with surgery

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Rashaun who lost 216 pounds with gastric sleeve weight loss surgery.  Her starting weight was 511 pounds and working out was a significant part of her transformation.  Here is what she shared with us:

I wanted to share my pictures with this group/page.  I started my weight loss journey on April 9, 2012 at 511 pounds.  To date, I’m 295 pounds.  I did have the gastric bypass surgery, which is the sleeve surgery.  I was tired of not being able to walk up 2 or 3 steps without being outta breath.  I couldn’t go to my daughter school events cause I couldn’t fit in the chairs, so my daughter was my motivation.  I changed my eating habits to protein drinks, oatmeal and only veggies.  I also drank 3 liters of water a day.  I started going to the gym.  I would work out in the pool, run 2 miles and then do a hour of water aerobics.  I did that 6 days out the week, equaling up to 3 hours per workout session.

Rashaun before and after weight loss surgery

Charlotte lost 60 pounds

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Today’s featured before & after weight loss story:  Charlotte lost 60 pounds.  She was motivated by the possibility of having diabetes to change her eating habits and get healthy.  Here is what she shared with us:

I’m down 60 pounds so far since July 2012! I have more to go. I was borderline diabetic.  I didn’t take it seriously until the doctor said she was more than sure I was over the borderline, because of all the signs and symptoms I was having. The day she tested me I prayed and told God if He would spare me from this disease I would start working out and lose the weight. I’ve seen my aunts and sisters deal with diabetes. Losing their sight, their limbs, kidney failure and having to stick themselves daily. The day I got my results I cried. Cried tears of joy because I didn’t have diabetes. As I cried and while thanking God, I popped in a workout video and haven’t stopped yet.

Along with working out I also used the loseit.com to keep track of my eating. I noticed that when I began cutting back on how much I ate the bulk of the weight began melting off. I stop eating beef years before the weight loss, never ate pork, let the sodas go, cut way back on the sweets and began eating more fruits and veggies. I love my veggies now.  Now, I carry a bag of fruits with me in case I get hungry when I’m away from home. It keeps me from stopping for fast food. Don’t get me wrong, I do have my weak points but I don’t over do it and don’t do it often! When I get to that “I don’t feel like doing this” point, I have my before picture handy and it quickly motivates me to keep moving!  I was at a weight loss plateau for a long time so I decided to join Weight Watchers recently to get the remaining weight off.  I was in a size 24-26 at the beginning of my weight loss journey and now in a size 12!  Fit&Fabulous at 40!

Charlotte weight loss before & after

Demetris lost over 70 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Demetris.  She lost over 70 pounds in 2 1/2 years and she hasn’t had in soda in over 2 years.

I would love to be featured on your page. Your page has always been such an inspiration to motivate me to hit the gym even when I didn’t think I had the drive to do so.

It took me a total of 2 1/2 years to lose over 70 lbs and keep it off. The secret to my success was to exercise at least 4 days a week, doing cardio and strength training.  I watched my meal portions and I drank LOTS of water. I completely cut out any type of sugary drinks. I haven’t had a soda in well over 2 years. All it takes for anyone to be motivated to lose weight is for them to have that “ah ha” moment when they realize they have to do something.  My moment mine came when I was told I was pre-diabetic. That was when I knew I had no other option but to lose weight and to live a healthier lifestyle.

Demetris weight loss before and after

Tyreea lost over 30 pounds

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Update 2017: Tyreea lost 50 pounds. Her husband has joined her on this journey and both have seen their blood pressure improve. Exercise, green smoothies and healthy eating habits have helped her continue to lose weight.

Tyreea and husband

The picture on the left is from March 2012 and the picture on the right is from March 2017. My husband and I decided to join the Green Smoothie Cleanse LIFE. Our blood pressure has changed for the better. We have more energy and we are working together as a team! This has truly been a blessing. I’ve lost 50 pounds. My weight stays regulated with exercise, green smoothies and watching what I eat. I will find out on March 24th if I will completely free from high blood pressure pills. I currently take half of a pill. However, my husband’s blood pressure has been more consistent.

tyreea before and after

Nov 2016: I have maintained my weight loss through Green Smoothies. I am also continually working out with Shaun T’s CIZE program 3 days a week. I have stopped eating sweets, I crave more fruits and I drink 64 oz or more of water a day. I’ve learned that I can be more disciplined about my health. To benefit my kids, I want to feel better and not be so tired. I’m hoping that in January 2017 my doctor say I no long have to take high blood pressure pills. I’m currently down to just half a pill. Advice for others: If you start, keep going and don’t give up. It might look dark but keep going!

 

May 2013 – Let’s celebrate with Tyreea who has lost 22 pounds.  Her motivation was to get of high blood pressure medication and be there long term for her kids.

I would like to share my weight lost.  I started July of 2012 and the after pic is this month, May 2013.  I’m still going.  I feel so much better!!  Before I started, I was 258 pounds and now I’m down to 236 pounds. My motivation was losing weight so that I could get off of high blood pressure medication.  I also wanted to stick around longer for my children. I stayed away from carbs, sweets and I began eating more fruits and vegetables. I workout to “Sweating in the Spirit”, a Donna Richardson workout DVD, 3 times per week. Thank u so much!!

Tyreea weight loss before and after

Share Your Weight Loss Story

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We are looking for great weight loss success stories because we want to inspire women to eat good food, embrace fitness and live vibrant, healthy lives. We want sistas to know that their weight loss goals ARE possible! Send us your story and before/after photos today! (NO COST! NO FEE to post your story.)

You’ll find our interview questions below. If you would like to be considered for a feature, you can submit your information one of 2 ways:

  • Via email – This is the best option and the quickest way to be considered. Send your photos, answers to the questions below and other story details to info@blackwomenlosingweight.com
  • Via Facebook inbox to our page – If you are submitting your story this way, please include your email address for contact as well.

Before and After Photos: We need photos of where your face and body are visible in both shots (no sunglasses or phones in the way of your face).

Interview Questions – The more details, the better! The goal is to help other women understand what you did to release the weight. We want to know how you changed your life. Please include the following…

  • What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
  • How did you change your eating habits? (What foods did you stop or start eating? Let us know if you used a specific plan or program.)
  • What is your workout routine? (Cardio, weight training, Zumba, etc.)
  • How often did you work out?
  • What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
  • What is your height?
  • When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
  • What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
  • What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
  • Is weight loss surgery part of your journey? If so, what procedure and when did you have surgery?
  • What is your social media info? (Instagram, TikTok, etc.)

Please provide as much detail as possible in your answers. We review all of the stories we receive. and post 99% of them. Thank you so much for you interest in sharing your story with our readers.

Disclaimer for Use of Submitted Photos and Information: By submitting the photographs to Black Women Losing Weight (BlackWeightLossSuccess.com), you grant Black Women Losing Weight and its employees acting under its permission or authority, the right to publish, reproduce, distribute, and/or otherwise use your name, statistics, the story you share with us and your photographs in any media now known or hereinafter devised, in such manner, for such purposes, and with such frequency as Black Women Losing Weight shall determine in its sole discretion without further compensation or consideration to you and without further authorization by you. We also reserve the right to omit any advertising, product information, product endorsements or information that could make a reader assume that we endorse a product. Please share only photos you have taken personally or for which you have permission from the photographer or copyright owner to share.

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