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Candace lost 103 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Candace lost 103 pounds over the course of a year with the help of a personal trainer.  She was preparing to enter the U.S Army.  We applaud her and wish her health and safety.

“I lost 103 pounds to get accepted into the U.S. army. I’ve been eating right and exercising with the help of  my personal trainer, Vito Steel. I started in March of 2012. I leave for the army in 10 days (April 15).  I exercise at least 5 days a week. I lift weights with my personal trainer. I stay away from fried foods and take the skin of of meats.  I also avoid starch, sugars and bread. My diet consists of low carbs and high protein. I eat several small meals a day (every 3 hrs). Drink only water or crystal light.”

candace weight loss story army

Charin lost 48 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Charin lost 48 pounds.  She says, “It has been a TRUE STRUGGLE but I lost 48lbs thus far. Still working but I want to loose another 30 pounds. It is a Life Style Change.”

What is your weight loss motivation?

My knees buckled when I was walking from the weight. I started December 2011. I’m STILL motivated and I want to loose 30 pounds more.

What did you do in terms of eating habits and exercise?

I gave up soda, fried food and fattening snacks.I eat wheat bread instead of white and I try not to eat that too much bread in general. I drink water.  For exercise, I go to Zumba class two times per week. I brought a treadmill and I lift weights. I do 30 – 40 minutes on treadmill at a time. I found a “Stomach Crunching” exercise video on You Tube. My workouts at home are like 45 minutes per session, 3 times a week. I eat snacks but they are the 100 calorie snacks. I eat anything that is low in calories and I splurge once a week.

Charin's weight loss story

I hope this helps somebody. If I can do it, anybody can.

Michelle lost 75 pounds

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Michelle lost 75 pounds by changing her eating habits  and exercising.  She looks great!  She says, “Hi, I live in Indianapolis, In. I have recently loss 75 lbs. my goal is 100 lbs. I actually have changed my eating habits. I have cut out all fried foods, sweets, and pop. I work out at the gym 3 times a week & I walk t least 6 miles a day 5 times a week. Thank you for hearing my story.”  Thank you for sharing it, Michelle.

Michelle weight loss

Update: Marsainah lost 64 pounds

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Two Years Later – 2016 Update – Marsainah lost 10 more pounds for a total lost of 64 pounds.

 At 22, I was told that I was pre-diabetic and that my weight was a big contributor. The doctor gave me two options; lose the weight or get on medication. Since diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer ran heavily in my family, I decided to take control of my life. The whole process took about 5 months of heavy dieting, discipline, exercising, and having the determination to “win” my life over. I’ve lost a total of 64 pounds. I worked out 7 days a week mainly, focusing on weightlifting! Weights are our friends! Now, I maintain my weight by working out 6 days a week, not eating pork and detoxing my body regularly. Currently, I’m weighing in at 160 pounds (height: 5’4″).

Marsainah before and after

Update Sept 2014: Marsainah sent in updated photos and she has been truly dedicated to her lifestyle change.  She’s lost another 10 lbs. All I can say is ABS!  She says, “Since last year I’ve lost 15% body fat by adding weight lifting to my workout routine. I’ve also lost 10 more pounds with a steady diet and a balance of my body’s needs.”

Marsainah before and after

Updated photo
Updated photo

April 2013: Marsainah lost 54 pounds with calorie restriction and exercise.  She was motivated to take action after being diagnosed pre-diabetic .  I asked her, “How did you lose the weight in terms of eating and exercise?” “Well, for the first month I went on a VERY STRICT reduced calorie diet (1000 calories).  I ate a lot of healthy salads, water, and yogurt. At 22, I was told that I was pre-diabetic and that my weight was a big contributor. Since diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer ran heavily in my family, I decided to take control of my life. The whole process took about 5 months of heavy dieting, discipline, and exercising. I lost a total of 54 pounds. I worked out 7 days a week mainly focusing on cardio. Now, I maintain my weight by working out 6 days a week, not eating red meat, and getting regular colonic cleanses.”

weight loss story

Stephanie lost 48 pounds

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Update Dec 2015 – We shared Stephanie’s story (below) about 2 1/2 years ago and she has kept the weight off. I’m Stephanie M. and I was your April 15, 2013 story of the day. I just wanted to update you and let you know that I’ve maintained my weight loss. I’ve had a few ups and down, but thru it all I’m standing strong. I celebrated my 38th birthday in September and I’m very determined to keep my weight off!

Stephanie before and after

April 2013 – Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Stephanie lost 48 pounds by following low Glycemic Index lifestyle and exercising regularly.

“I started my weight loss journey in 2010 on my 33rd birthday, at 203 pounds and wearing a size 16. By my birthday 2011, I was down to 161 pounds. Then, on my birthday 2012, I was 155 pounds and wearing a size 8. I continue to eat healthy. I follow a Low GI (Glycemic Index) lifestyle. I workout and have begun to run 5k races.  I will do my 1st 8k on April 27, 2013.”

Can you tell us more about what you did in terms of eating and exercise?

“I followed a low GI lifestyle which consists of little to no carbohydrates. I began to eat breakfast, which was a meal I often skipped in the past. By being a nurse, I of all people should know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I drink plenty of water sometimes more than 8 glasses daily. I also began to eat snacks throughout the day which primarily consist of fruit. I often eat my meals off of a salad plate for portion control. My motivation was that I wanted to be healthy and get back to my premarital weight. I wanted to lead a healthier lifestyle for my husband and children. I wanted my oldest daughter, Havana to see that I lead by example. What keeps me motivated is that I love the way I look and the impact my weight loss has had on my life. I wog(walk-jog) 3 miles 4 times a week. I use Body Gospel DVDs twice a week, and ride my bike 6 miles at least once weekly around my neighborhood. I walk constantly at work, I always take the stairs. God gives me the strength to continue on and help others with their weight loss journey.”

stephanie weight loss

Keisha lost 90 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Keisha lost 90 pounds by changing her eating habits, following the Daniel Fast with her church, exercising regularly and going Vegan.  She gives God ALL the glory for her transformation.

From 1/11 to  3/29/13, I lost my 90 pounds by fasting, praying and hanging what I ate.  I also exercised. God is good!  My motivation was turning 40 years old! You hear all the time about how much harder it is to lose weight after that age and my father passed away at 40. He wasn’t very healthy. I made a commitment to myself that by the age of 40 I wanted to be under 200 pounds and I reached that goal 3 months after turning 40. I didn’t give up. It really is about Choices. Eat this not that.  Drink this not that. I started my own program 1/1/11 when my job did a biggest loser contest. I dropped 26 lbs in 3 months and WON! In January of 2012 my church did a Daniel Fast and I adopted that lifestyle for nearly a year.  I became vegan. I started exercising more, walking mostly. I drink about a gallon on water everyday. I count calories and I eat lots of fruits and veggies. No sodas, no alcohol, no processed white food – sugar, rice, bread, etc. I pray a lot and I fast often. To God Be The Glory!!

Keisha weight loss

Lequenta lost 81 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Lequenta lost 81 pounds by exercising and changing her eating habits.

After I had a add an accident in 2012, after my 31st birthday, I was placed on blood pressure pills and some other medication to try to get me to heal.  They put me on steroids which made me gain weight.  Then, just because I was doing different things at work and not eating the correct way I started to gain.  My friend Treesje took that before photo of me and I was just disgusted.  I was three hundred and seventy four pounds.  My current weight is 293 pounds.  My goal weight is to get to 215 pounds  I started working out.  I got a membership and asked what I can do.  I started working out 7 days a week for the first 2 months. I did not take a break.  After 2 months, I was strictly doing cardio.   I changed how I eat and I don’t look at it as a diet I look at it as a lifestyle.

Now, I work out 5 times a week.  I do cardio and then weight lifting. I no longer eat bread pasta and I stopped drinking milk.  I tried to drink a lot of water…a lot of water.  I have a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.   I eat fish and chicken, but not pork.  I’m always on the go and doing have something, because if I’m sitting down that’s going to allow the weight to sit on you.  My ultimate goal is to get off my blood pressure pills.

Lequenta weight loss

Bethany lost 64 pounds

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Let’s show some love to Bethany who has lost 64 pounds with the help of Weight Watches, portion control and regular exercise, including Zumba.

“I’m still amazed at the change that losing 64 poundss has made in my life.   I still have a way to go because I’m not done yet. Anyone who really knows me knows that my confidence has always been high, but when I get to my goal…BABY, THEY GOIN HAVE TO POP ME TO STOP ME. LOL

#focused  #still loving wht I see whn I look n the mirror  #teamweightloss

I’m doing Weight Watchers to help with portion control.  I go to the gym 3 to 4 days per week to do cardio and weight lifting.  I go to Zumba class on my off days from the gym. I’m 32 yrs old and I have yet to marry and have children which is something that I want for my future. So, my motivation is knowing that I want to be healthy and be able to play with my future children and take care of them. I’ve been on this journey for almost two years with still a long way to go, but I’m loving the changes I’ve seen so far and the way I feel now.”

Bethany weight loss

 

Dee lost 91 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Dee lost 90 pounds by running and changing her diet.  She recently ran her first half marathon and has quit smoking.  Here transformation below represents  March 19, 2012 to March 19, 2013.

“One year ago today, I began my fitness journey. I began to work out, then made changes to my diet by removing fast foods, sugar, breads, pastas, and rices. Then I began running, 60 seconds at a time, in July of 2012. To lose weight, I used clean eating and I started the “Couch 2 5k” program to learn how to run. I began running with “black girls run” as well.  Since then I have run over 15 races including numerous 5ks, a 10k, an 11.6k and this month [March] I am running my first Half Marathon which is 13.1 miles! I currently run 3 days,and 3 days I do strength training plus some other cardio like Zumba class or Cycle class.

As of today, I am down 90LBS!!!! I am down from 249 pounds to 158 pounds.  I’ve gone from a size 18 to a loose size 8 (I think a size 6 really) .

Bonus: No one knew I was a closet smoker. I was an overweight smoker and now I’m running 6, 7, 8 miles several times a week! As of today I’ve been smoke free for 30 days!!

Ladies, you can do ANYTHING you put your mind and faith to!”

dee weight loss

Ramona lost 84 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story:  Ramona lost 84 pounds and is working to let other women know that “Movement is Medicine”.

Ramona M. Gaines 41 of Philadelphia PA

Height 4’11”

Beginning weight: 323 pounds
Present weight: 239 pounds

Dress size before losing weight: 26
Current dress size: 16-18

“It took me 11 months to reach my current weight.  Factors that caused my weight gain were; emotional eating, lack of exercise, an injury, poor diet and timing of eating due to work schedule

My turning point came when my daughter paid for my gym membership with her money from her 16th birthday. That is what really did it for me. Other deciding factors were hypertension, shortness of breath and chest pains.

I loss the weight doing a variety of things; seeing a Psychologist, physical therapy, Dr. Fisher’s medical weight loss program, changing my eating habits, going to the gym and joined the running group, Black Girls Run.

I got rid of sugars, white flour, white rice and cooking oil. I began to cook with olive oil, brown rice, and brown pastas. I brought in more multi-grains, fish, chicken, turkey, and more fresh vegetables and fruit. I also increased my water intake up to a gallon of water a day.

I began walking and jogging, lifting weights at gym and using step machine and stationary bike at gym. I was so grateful for the new lease on life that God had given me that I founded a weight loss support group for women called Movement IS Medicine, and even wrote an anthology with sixteen women entitled Movement IS Medicine. I believe in wholeness and wellness, which includes mind, body, soul and spirit. Weight loss does not just include how and what you eat but also why you are eating what you eat. If you really examine it you will then begin to see what is really eating you and deal with the root of the matter.  Movement IS Medicine!”

ramona weight loss story