Black Weight Loss Success

The Official Blog of the Black Women Losing Weight Community. Tips, articles and weight loss resources for African American Women.

Join Our Email List:
We respect your email privacy
You are here: Home / Archives for black women

black women

Maria lost 35 pounds

by 10 Comments

Today’s weight loss success story: Maria lost 35 pounds. She was inspired to change her life after suffering a number of life trials and seeking God.  She was lead by a friend to watch some helpful documentaries which opened her eyes to what she needed to do to get healthy.

I’m a strong believer that “Everything happens for a reason” even when it hurts.  Back in November 2012, I had a miscarriage (insert sad face) which sent me into a downward spiral. Shortly after, maybe 3 weeks later, I caught pneumonia and shortly after that, tonsillitis.  My body was just so weak and I felt like I was dying, literally. Not to get too deep, but in that moment, I felt like God had left me, even though I knew in my heart, he had not, the devil was just messing with my mind.  God visited me and reassured me that He was right there with me.  I picked myself up and dusted myself off and said, it’s time for a change, no more excuses!!

Now, I was already a plus size woman and had been “talking” about losing weight for years, but I guess I just didn’t have enough motivation to do it. A friend of mine, was talking to be about exercising and becoming a personal trainer.  They told be about these documentaries, “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead”, “Food Matters” and “Hungry for Change” and I watched all 3 that night on Netflix.  Watch these films changed my life!!!!  It was like a light bulb went on and it all made sense. So immediately, I took pork and beef out of my diet.  I removed just about all processed foods, some dairy and started eating whole foods, fruits, leafy green veggies, and JUICING!!  I started out walking 30 minutes a day and did 20-30 min of cardio for 5-6 days a week! So far, I’ve lost 35 pounds and it feels great!!  This is no “Diet” plan.  It’s a Lifestyle change, and I will continue as long as I’m on this earth!  I want to encourage as many people as I can, that it can be done, and even though my journey isn’t over, I now know that anything is possible when you put your mind to it…and if I can do it, anyone can! Start now, today is the day, tomorrow isn’t promised. God Bless!

Maria weight loss

Maia went from a size 26 to a size 16/18

by 7 Comments

Maia went from a size 26 to a size 16/18 and has been inspired to create a clothing line for curvy girls.

“In 1999, I found myself divorced and a single parent to a beautiful 6 week old baby girl. If I wasn’t sleeping due to depression, I was eating to comfort myself. I was at a size 26 and miserable. I would start a “diet”, and would remain motivated for just a few days. I found myself starting over every New Year, but by February I was back to the same routine. In 2009, I had a breakthrough. I began loving myself as I was.  As I began to forgive and allow God to heal me from rejection, I was able to make changes for me. My journey to wholeness and wellness was about me, not anyone else. I am now a size 16/18 and have a ways to go, but continue to take it one day at a time. I am committed to exercising 3 days a week and limit my intake of red meat to twice a month. With a new lease on life, I have stepped out in faith and launched my own apparel line on March 5, 2013 called Stiletto Chic Apparel.  The apparel is casually chic and caters to the average size woman to plus size (additional sizes and styles to come soon.) My blog on my website will allow me to share my thoughts and hopefully encourage other women to never lose sight of who they are and what they can become. I am grateful to Black Women Losing Weight and the encouragement this page provides. It is great to know that I am not on this journey alone.”

Maia weight loss story

Kitamu lost 67 pounds

by 22 Comments

Let’s show some love to Kitamu on her 67 pound weight loss.  She has gone from 415  pounds to 348 pounds.  Her motivation was being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).  

“I’m 30 years old and I’ve lost a total of 67 pounds.  I started at 415 pounds and I’m currently at 348 pounds.  I hope to lose a total of 175-180 lbs total.  My motivation was after being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I learned that a lot of things I ate caused PCOS symptoms like pelvis pain, missing periods and skin issues. However, it’s when I learned that all this weight could make me infertile, I didn’t want that to happen! I’m not ready for children yet, but I do want to have them.

I started slowly cutting things out like ice cram and replacing them with healthier alternatives like frozen yogurt. Candy bars I cut out completely.  Fried foods and coffee I have limited as well.

My current workout routine is a 30 minute uphill walk 5 days a week and I add yoga when I can. I plan to start a new gym membership next month.

kitamu weight loss

 

Ciera lost 93 pounds

by 24 Comments

Today’s featured weight loss success story: Zeta Phi Beta soror Ciera lost 93 pounds.  She has battled an eating disorder and Rheumatoid Arthritis and come out the other side with greater health and fitness.

“I’ve always struggled with weight in high school I battled eating disorders in order to stay on cheerleading and to remain smaller. I battled in college and surpassed the freshmen 15. Up until last year, I Yo Yo dieted. I finally took back my life joined a gym, got a trainer and took on a new lifestyle not a DIET. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and told if I didn’t lose weight I could lose my ability to walk unassisted at the age of 30. I took my back my life and lost close to 100 lbs. I worked hard and didn’t give up even when I fell off. I went from a size 24 to a 13! I still work out and still dropping pounds I want to let women know they can do it !! It’s not about the Looks its about our health and longevity. I feel better at 30 then I did at 20!!!

I have lost 93lbs to date. I first started working out 30 mins a day everyday then went to an hour workout 6 days a week.   Then I changed to 2 hour workout 5 days a week. I had a trainer for 4 mos who motivated me to do intense cardio and strength training. During the winter months, I did Zumba classes and danced a lot which is my favorite hobby.   Dancing helped tone more then anything. Eating – I ate small meals through out the day for example
Breakfast – a protein shake and granola
Am snack – peanut butter granola bar
Lunch – small chicken salad with fat free dressing NO croutons
Pm snack – a slice of cheese usually I would get Kraft block of cheddar cheese
Dinner Fish And some sort of green veggie no bread and I only ate brown rice once a week
Dessert – sugar free pudding

I still adhere to this each week but have found many new recipes.  I don’t eat pork and beef, however I will eat a slice of bacon here and there. My system can’t handle a steak, I noticed after 6 months beef free.  I drink iced coffee but use Splenda and low fat creamer. It’s better to make my own rather then purchase from Starbucks because it can be loaded with unseen sugar.”

Ciera weight lossUpdate 7/5 : Zeta Soror Ciera was featured in April ( www.blackweightlosssuccess.com/ciera-lost-93-pounds ) and she sent us an update: “I want to say thank you to your members and my Sorors within your group! I shared my story back in April and I have stayed focused and have lost an additional 25 pounds, Bringing my weight loss to 118 lbs in over a year ! I have just started my own Curvy Diva Bootcamp to help women tone and feel better about our curves!!! And thank you for all you do!!”

 

Sherese and Petra lost the weight together

by 4 Comments

Check out this great story of 2 friends losing weight together.  Sherese and Petra partnered for greater fitness and health.  Petra wrote to tell us about their journey.  We featured her weight loss story back in March.

“I wanted to submit this timeline photo of me and my accountability partner Sherese. Too often, women want to drop the pounds fast and don’t focus on HEALTH, WELLNESS and FITNESS. Sherese & I were both 200 lbs our heaviest EVER! We decided that we would get back to how we were when we first met one another in 2004. Today we look BETTER.

1. We started on a 30 nutrition plan which included incorporating 

  • protein shakes
  • green tea extract/ginseng infused water
  • herbal teas (no juice or sodas)
  • multivitamins & supplements
  • probiotics & digestive enzymes
  • We cut out inflammatory foods (soy, dairy, peanuts, gluten, refined sugars

2. We started out doing 12-20 minute dance exercise on ON DEMAND,  then gradually increased to 30-50 minute

3. I joined a gym (5 months in).  Sherese created a home gym with couple dumbells, elastic bands & ankle weights.

4. We held each other accountable by:

  • checking in with each other
  • sending each other our workout plan for the week
  • sharing what did for our workouts and keeping each other accountable
  • sharing meal options/recipes
  • shopping together
  • doing health/wellness/fitness vision boards and photo shopping our heads onto the bodies we desired

5. Doing a 7 day detox cleanse every 3 months or as needed”

friends' lose weight together

Sunshine Joi lost 102 pounds

by 18 Comments

Today’s featured weight loss success story: Video Blogger Sunshine Joi lost 102 pounds.

“102 pounds down and still losing!  ONE DAY AT A TIME, ONE POUND AT A TIME!  I first started drinking more water, and cutting out sugary drinks like juice and soda. Then I added healthier alternatives to my meals slowly.  Salad for french fries, turkey instead of beef or pork, and finally became a pesco-vegetarian October of last year. When it came to exercise, I approached it slowly as well. 10 minute walks lead to a membership at Curves gym.  Once my membership ended, I grew on to home workout systems, starting with The Walk Away the Pounds Series, 30 day Shred, and have done 1.5 rounds of P90x. I am currently doing the Couch to 5k running program, and video blogging my journey . I have changed my life slowly, one day at a time, and will continue to lose one pound at a time until I hit my goal weight. I believe a lifestyle change, is what I have gained, and it has far surpassed my weight loss dreams.”

sunshine's weight loss story

TP lost 85 pounds with weight loss surgery

by 5 Comments

Let’s show some love to TP who lost 85 pounds with weight loss surgery.  She was dealing with a number of serious health issues and decided that surgery was the best option.

“I lost 85 pounds lost after gastric bypass surgery….and counting!!! In 2010 made a very hard decision to lose weight. It was hard for me because I held on to my weight for private reasons and it was a source of comfort and part of my identitiy for many years. After some soul searching, it was through that process that I realized I was hurting myself holding on to my weight and I made the decision to let my weight go.

The weight was destroying me and killing me slowly. I suffered from high blood pressure, sleep apnea and it was beginning to become painful to walk. I was killing myself.  With God on my side, in 2010 I had lap band surgery and lost 30 pounds.  However, due to the band causing severe acid reflux, I had it removed and went with gastric bypass in December 2011.  I had to completely change my eating habits. Right after surgery, I was on liquids for almost two months. I slowly progressed to eating solid foods again. Throughout that process I exercised 3 times a week on my elliptical. Some days, I was only able to do 5 minutes.  I had to build up my strength to go longer and harder. Eventually, I began Shaun T’s Hip Hop Abs and I am currently getting my feet wet with his Insanity DVD’s (but they are really tough).

gastric bypass weight surgery

Foods that I was able to eat before surgery I cannot eat now, for instance spaghetti noodles, tuna fish…certain breads and certain meats. What this surgery has been able to do for me is force me to control my portion size. I eat small amounts and my body does not crave carbs and sugar. Sugary drinks I cannot have.  Ice cream I cannot have, but I can tolerate certain chocolate chips cookies, (which I do indulge in on certain occasions, lol) I must admit, lol. What is a staple in my house is the protein shake. My body craves them now so I make sure I have plenty available. I take vitamins, a gummy multivitamin, b12, Vitamin d, Iron, and Calcium with D3.

It has been a very long journey for me and anybody that says having surgery is the easy way out should reconsider.  I am here to tell you that nothing is easy about losing weight with surgery. I have to be very careful and watch what I eat, especially when out in public because I never know when my pouch will reject something I have ate. It does that on occasion.  It has a mind of its own!! LOL
I have changed my whole life, I now have carrots, and raw veggies in my fridge instead of chips cookies and icecream. I have yogurts fresh fruits water and I have decided to work out and put myself first. There are some days where I get into a “funk” and I don’t work out and I don’t eat healthy, but I have learned to embrace those days.  I let them happen and then get back up and start all over the next day. I took me a very long time to make this change and it will take a very long process to maintain my new life and their changes.

December 2013 will make 2 years since my surgery and I am hoping to be at 200 pounds. When I started i was 325-327 pounds and I am currently 240 pounds.   I thank God for giving me the strength and courage to let go of my fears and get healthy!! Thank you for letting me share my story, keep pushing and keep the faith!!!”

Joyce lost 50 pounds

by 9 Comments

Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Joyce lost 50 pounds and fought a battle with high blood pressure.  She is now off all of her medication.

“I lost 50 pounds over the course of 8 months by changing my diet and exercising. I workout 5-6 days per week.  I have plenty of energy now and I feel so much healthier. I am not at my goal weight, but I’m on my way!!!  I started in August of 2012 and I am still currently going.

I became motivated to lose the weight and change my lifestyle when I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with high blood pressure. I was put on medication for it. Now I have been taken off of all of my medication. For exercise, I joined a multilevel fitness program that is based on your physical ability.  I exercise 5-6 days a week and we weigh in on Saturday.  I eat lean fish and chicken, and plenty of veggies. I cut all junk food, processed food and sodas out of my diet. I also stopped eating pork and beef.”

joyce weight loss

Veronica lost 197 pounds with weight loss surgery

by 12 Comments

Let’s show some love to Veronica who lost 197 pounds with Gastric Bypass weight loss surgery.  She started at 487 pounds and is now down to 290 pounds.  She can now get around without a wheelchair and is off the insulin she was taking.

“My name is Veronica and I would love for you to share my before and after. I had Gastric Bypass Surgery on July 24, 2010.  The day of my surgery, I weighed 487 pounds today I’m down to 290 pounds.  I’ve lost 197 pounds.  I give thanks to the Man above, my Doctor and determination.  The weight is still coming off slowly but surely. I can get around so much better now.  I used to have to use my wheelchair wherever I went but now I walk around and don’t even use it. I used to take 100 units of insulin but I do not take any now.  I’m not a diabetic any more.  I eat healthy, exercise and drink plenty of water. My goal is to get my weight down as much as I can as long as I’m healthy.”

Veronica gastric bypass

Christal lost 40 pounds

by 9 Comments

Today’s featured weight loss success story: Christal lost 40 pounds by changing her diet and exercising with the help of a relative (uncle).  I love it when family members are supportive of our weight loss efforts.

“I’ve lost 40 pounds so far! I became lazy, constantly gaining weight and not eating right.  I eventually became borderline diabetic. One day, I looked in the mirror and I just couldn’t take it anymore. My uncle started training me in the gym.  Now, I eat right and just feel so much better about myself. I love the fact that I motivate others as well! It’s such a good feeling, and I’m loving my weight loss journey thus far.”

What did you do in terms of changing your eating habits and exercising?

“I slowly started staying away from sodas, and as of right now I don’t drink them at all.  I cut off junk food.  I eat 5 times a day (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner) with my meals being in small portions and snacks being some kinda fruit, veggie or graham crackers. I do have one cheat day a week though. I started off working out 5 times a week doing a variety of things.  I do lots of cardio, treadmill, walking, fat burn exercises and the stair master.  If it was in the gym I did it. My trainer had my days set for specific exercises as part of my workout plan.”

Christal weight loss