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Tara lost 116 pounds

April 4, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 3 Comments

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Tara lost 116 pounds. After being diagnosed with high blood pressure in her twenties, she was determined to beat obesity and change her lifestyle for greater wellness. Here is what she shared with us…

tara before and after

About 4 years ago, I was morbidly obese and full of excuses. I lived for Reese’s cups and Sonic slushes. One summer, my blood pressure randomly spiked. My doctor, of course, linked this to my weight, and tried to assure me that I was genetically inclined to have high blood pressure. However, I was determined to prove differently. One thing I knew for sure was that genetics didn’t cause obesity. I knew that genetics didn’t inhibit my ability to exercise. Today, I’ve lost 116 pounds, and my blood pressure has been steadily normal for about 2 1/2 years. I workout religiously and I still follow a very strict eating lifestyle. Oreos and pizza are manufactured in abundance, but you only get one life! That’s my motto!

I started my journey weighing in at 314 lbs, 5’6″ tall, carrying the majority of my weight on my stomach. Yea, picture that! Reality set in after finding out that I had high blood pressure at the age of 25. I knew I had to change my life quickly.

I started to treat food as a necessity, opposed to a priority. I decided not to let food control my life. I dropped the Sprites, Reese’s cups and Sonic Slushes (my favorite) cold turkey. I can’t explain where that willpower came from. To this day, looking back, it still blows my mind. Weekly, I prepare all of my meals, which consist of lean meats, veggies and brown rice or a small portion of a baked sweet potato. I’ve drank only water for about 4 years now. Seriously, that’s all my body craves. My snacks consist of raw nuts, almond butter with rice cakes, Quest bars, and protein shakes. I’ve found that when I meal prep, I’m less likely to make poor decisions. However, when I do eat out. I usually opt for grilled chicken and salads without cheese and fruits. I love the unwich (sandwich wrapped in lettuce) from Jimmy Johns too. I’m accountable for everything that I eat. Meaning that I log and track everything that I consume. Awareness is key!

My weekly workouts consist of Weight training and 2-3 hours of cardio. Outside of the gym, I usually run 3-4 miles around my neighborhood at least 2-3 days a week.

My advice to others wanting to lose weight, get in shape or just improve your overall health is to work for what you expect! Success comes to those who work their butts off every single day. Remember, pizza and Oreos are produced in abundance, but you’re only given one life. Live your best life!

Instagram: @Reduced_fat

Cleana lost 66 pounds

April 1, 2015 by Ajima Jackson Leave a Comment

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Cleana lost 66 pounds. Drawing strength from God and lots of encouragers, she has been able to lose weight and improve her health. She shared with us about how she changed her lifestyle…

cleana before and after

Hello, my name is Cleana, I’ve gone from weighing 289 pounds to 223 pounds (height: 5’7″). I’m losing my weight naturally with no help from any kind of diet pills or surgery. I’m doing it completely naturally by eating healthy food and walking. To God be the Glory! My inspiration to lose weight was not wanting to become a diabetic. I wanted to be healthy. I have about 36 more pounds to go until I reach my goal.

I started my journey a long time ago trying to lose weight. I’ve lost weight in the past but not as much as I’ve lost today! My number one motivator is myself. Where I get my motivation from is God in heaven, because I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. God is the only one who I give credit to for helping me lose weight. If I do right by my body by eating right and eating healthy, God will do the rest and that’s where all my help comes from.

I started my journey last year in June 2014. Due to issues with my knee and all the weight that I was carrying, I could no longer workout in a gym like I had done in the past. I started off by walking in the pool doing water aerobics and now I just walk. I recently started the DVD exercise program, Walk Away the Pounds. I also enjoy Hula Hooping when I’m not in pain.

My biggest downfall was sugar and sweets. I’m no longer addicted to sugar. If I do eat any sweets it’s in moderation. I don’t believe in depriving myself. I’m a vegetarian and I’ve been red meat free for 17 years. My diet consists of vegetables, beans, fruits, fish [pescatarian]. I also joined a local weight loss challenge in my city. Not only did I win money it also helped me to reach my goal along the way after the contest was over. Thanks to Coach Taleisha Cox “T.J” who was also very encouraging and who motivated me.

On my journey, I’ve had lots of encouragers. I appreciate everyone that crossed my path and those who have told me keep up the good work. People like my very first Doctor, Dr. Sonya Sutherland, who was the very first one to tell me back in the 90s after all that I’ve been through that now we need to work on my weight. I’d also like to mention my 2nd Doctor, Dr. Sharon Jones, who started me out wanting to lose weight. I thank everyone that has encouraged me and gave me weight loss tips along the way.

I’ve come a long way. I can look back through pictures and really see how far I’ve come on my weight loss journey. It is a process to me. It’s very easy to gain weight but hard to lose weight, but as I said before with the help of God all things are possible. I will continue on my journey. Thank you!

Instagram: @Mizzclecle

cleana weight loss

Rena lost 120 pounds

March 30, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 2 Comments

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Rena lost 120 pounds. After weathering cancer and other serious life challenges, she took a look in the mirror and decided it was time to change her life. She took action and is now inspiring friends and family to change their lifestyles too. Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

rena before and after

Age: 43
Starting Weight in 2013: 310 pounds and a size 24W
Current Weight in 2015: 190 pounds & a size 12
Height: ‘5’7 1/2″

My Advice: Love Yourself Enough To Eat, Live & Be Healthy
My Affirmations Are: “I Motivate Me” and “Fitness Focused”

My Motivation is myself because I was the only one who saw something different that no one else could be responsible for but me. I’m a lung cancer survivor, who have been thru it all. I at some point started giving up on life as well as what I looked like because I was sick. I became depressed and started shuting myself off from family, friends and the world to the point of attempted suicides. Then one day I went to put on some clothes and they didn’t fit and I hated what I saw in the mirror. So, I decided to change what I saw. It started off slow and inconsistent. I started and stop several times. Then one day I said I’ve got to change for me.

I started doing research online about fitness, healthy eating and what supplements I would take to help me. I started walking 20 minutes for about 3 days per week. Slowly, I started seeing results. Then my walking went from minutes to miles. I started walking 2 miles, 4 miles and now I’m up to 6 miles, 3 days per week if the weather is permitting. I also take Pilates once a week and workout in the gym twice a week for toning and core strengthening.

I drink cold pressed juice once a month as a system detox for 5 days. I food prep on Sundays. That consists of kale salads, garden salads with grill or baked seafood (shrimp & various fish) and baked chicken. I eat a high fiber, low fat oatmeal for breakfast or low fat greek yogurts. For snacks, I love celery with organic peanut butter or organic apples with the peanut butter. I also make several infused waters with (mint leaves, watermelon, oranges, lemon lime, cucumbers and blueberries).

I currently have set a personal challenge for myself that is a 90 Day challenge, where I cut out some carbs (no bread, potatoes and pasta), no refined sugars (candy, cakes, pies, cookies, cupcakes, sodas, juice and ice cream) and no alcohol (it’s nothing but empty calories). I’d rather eat a good healthy meal. I am on day #37 of my personal 90 Day Challenge.

I started posting on social media about my personal fitness journey and I’ve have friends and family ask how I lost my weight and for advice and help with fitness. So, I started a group on Facebook called “Fit Focus Friends”. I made the groups “private” because some of the members post pictures of themselves working out and are not as comfortable with everyone seeing there pictures. Social media can be very mean to people.

Rena weight loss

Diandra lost 173 pounds with surgery

March 13, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 1 Comment

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Diandra lost 173 pounds. Motivated by wanting to live a long life with her family, she opted to have weight loss surgery and change her lifestyle to lose the weight. Here is what she shared with us about her journey…

diandra weight loss

Hi, I’m Diandra and I started my weight loss journey in 2011. I lost 70 lbs on my own but started to gain it back. Finally, I decided to have the Gastric Sleeve weight loss surgery on February 27th 2014. My highest weight was 351 lbs and on surgery date I was 304 lbs. I’m now 178 pounds! I stand 5’8″ tall. Having the surgery was the best decision I have ever made. I have lost a total of 173 pounds since 2011. I went from a size 26-28 to now a size 8-10! I truly feel great. I’m now full of energy and more confident.

My motivation for losing weight was my kids. I wanted to live a long healthy life for them. I was afraid my weight would be out of control and I would become bed ridden. I also had poor self esteem and a lack of self-confidence.

I started going to the gym 3 times a week and working on doing Cardio. I started eating smaller portions and of course healthier choices. For anyone who is wanting to lose weight I say give it your all, never give up.. No matter what choice you decide to make to lose the weight just focus and maintain!! Thanks for listening to my story! Please follow my journey on Instagram @dee_gemini615

diandra before and after

Anissa lost 160 pounds with surgery

March 9, 2015 by Ajima Jackson Leave a Comment

Update Oct 2015 – Anissa lost the weight and now she’s raising funds to remove a significant amount of loose skin.- I had the gastric bypass March 17, 2009. In four months, I had lost up to 186 pounds but I wasn’t healthy. I wasn’t eating and I was real depressed. I still didn’t like the new me at a lighter weight and hell I’d lost a whole person. At the time, I thought that once I lost the weight the opposite sex would be interested in me. However, over time I had to realize that I had to like and love me before the rest of the world could.

anissa gofundme These days I have found who I truly am. I have found my worth and I know that I’m overly blessed to have gone through my struggles to get to this point in my life. I took a body fat test and found out that I have 144 pounds of lean body muscle and 54 pounds of body fat – 198 pounds total (down from 360 pounds). I am so proud of the accomplishment that I have made, but there is only one thing that is holding me back. It is a constant memory of how bad I abused my body, i.e. the extra skin that I have hanging from my arms, stomach, and thighs.

So, I’m asking for help!! I am asking for $1 to go to my gofundme account. This will go to saving up for the surgery to complete the journey. I’m asking only $1, but if you feel led to give more then I’m overly honored and grateful. You can find me on Facebook: anissaboston, Instagram at @boston79ak, and gofundme.com/cuttingthefat.

Mar 2015 – Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Anissa lost 160 pounds with gastric bypass surgery and by changing her lifestyle. Eating clean, working out and learning how to shop for healthy food were huge factors on her journey. Here is what she shared with us…

anissa before and after

My weight loss motivation was my children. I didn’t want them have to experience the life of obesity as a life long experience as I did. Who inspired me was a young lady named Cierra Murphy. I knew her when she was in high school and as she graduated and went on to college she took her life back.

I had lost my job and all I had were food stamps coming in so I took a class that the county posted and they taught how to shop the perimeter of the store and how to read labels. So, I stated to read labels when I shopped. If enriched or unbleached was the first word in the ingredients, I didn’t buy it. Eventually I cut out bread and ate more veggies. I introduced kale into my life too. I ate in for each meal, having a protein and vegetables.

For exercise, I walked at least two miles daily. I would walk to the gym which was about a mile going and coming and work out. Then I added Shawn T’s Focus T25 program. When I found employment, my job was my exercise because I was wrapping pallets by hand and standing. With work, I was walking daily at least 8 miles on top of the focus T25 in the morning.

My starting weight was 360 pounds and my current weight is 200 pounds with a body fat percentage of 27.18%. I’m 5’5″ tall. My transformation is on still going today but it will be seven years total on St . Patrick’s day of 2015 since I had the gastric bypass surgery and 17 months of eating clean as a lifestyle. To take everyday as a new day. If you can get to 12 pm with eating clean, then tomorrow push your self to get 12:15 pm. Don’t stop keep pushing. Know in your heart that you can do all things. Get past yourself and push pass your pain.

Instagram: @boston79ak

anissa weight loss

Danielle lost 95 pounds

March 2, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 1 Comment

Update Sept 2017: We featured Danielle back in 2015 and she has worked hard to maintain her success and keep the pounds off. Check out how she did it.

danielle before and after

I was featured on your page before about 2 years ago. I’m a currently back on my grind like never before. I just wanted people to see this before picture, because this is where I came from. I’m currently down 50 pounds and I’m still shrinking. I just want to help motivat young girls out there.

I have tried my best to maintain my weight by staying under at least 2000 per day. Now. I have gotten to the point where I burn between 600-900 calories when I go to the gym. I workout at least 4-5 times a week. On the days when this journey gets hard, I try to remember why I started. I often look at my old pictures for motivation. Lately I’ve been pushing myself a lot more.

My advice to those who are just now starting out would be to stay positive and surround yourself with positive people and positive situations. It’s so easy to get discouraged or stop, but the more you stop the harder it is to start again.

Instagram: @nekole_danielle

Weight Loss Transformation Story of the Day: Danielle lost 95 pounds. Starting in 2012, she is a true example of someone who knows that slow and stead wins the race. Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey…

Danielle weight loss

I contemplated for a while about sending this picture. I started my weight loss journey in July of 2012, and it’s still a struggle. I started out weighing 413 lbs and I’m now 318 lbs. For about two months, I stopped working out and I reverted back to eating unhealthy. To be honest, I gained almost 40 lbs back out of the weight that I’d lost. Sometimes we let our situation get the best of us, unknowingly we allow the devil to come back and take what you have worked so hard for.

About a month and a half ago, I had to put my foot down and re-dedicate myself to my health. Of course I had to start working out again, and I had to train myself to be positive about my future and where I want to be. The picture on the right was taken about a week ago. I look at the picture on the left to remind me of where I do not want to be ever again.

I changed my eating habits by first changing my portion sizes. I would eat only 2200-2500 calories per day. I stopped eating fast foods…I’d indulge every now and then, but I still try to stay on track. No junk foods like chips, cakes, NO SODAS!! I don’t keep sugary drinks in my house. When I first started working out, I was walking 1.5 miles around the track 5 days per week. I switched it up when I got bored. Then I began dancing for 30 minutes per day with my Wii (Just Dance). After I lost about 60 more pounds, I started going to the Gym. I am currently 318 pounds at 5’6″ tall.

We all struggle with something, but weight-loss has to be one of my biggest struggles that I have ever encountered. My message to everyone is that whatever happens, just keep going because it’s so easy to quit and it can be so hard to start back again. Life is filled with temporary forevers, and promises that are broken, but if you commit yourself to you and you only, then you’ll have so much to gain by losing what you don’t need.

Update: Kristin lost 112 pounds

February 20, 2015 by Ajima Jackson Leave a Comment

Update: Kristin lost 112 pounds. We featured her success story back in Nov 2014 at 93 pounds gone. Now she’s lost an additional 19 pounds and wrote in to share more information about her journey.

kristin before and after

I’ve lost 112 pounds altogether. I’ve been going to the gym 6 days a week. My workouts consist of exercising on the elliptical cross trainer, doing 12o squats and also leg press. I believe that the gym is a must for overall health. I still take B12 and B6 injections. I can see major changes in my body and I feel amazing. I’m adding more exercise to my lifestyle and logging my calories with My Fitness Pal. Good luck to all on the weight loss journey I’ve gone from 278 pounds to 166 pounds.

Tanisha lost 57 pounds

February 18, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 1 Comment

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Tanisha lost 57 pounds, going from a size 18/20 to a size 6/8. Determined not to face the cycle of health problems in her family line that she saw other family members suffering with, she decided to change her lifestyle one step at a time. Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

Tanisha before and after

For years I wanted to lose weight but it wasn’t a big deal because I’ve always been confident. One morning my mom was hospitalized because her health had become so bad that so called small health concerns of the past had now evolved into life threatening ones. Health problems are a vicious cycle in my family and I decided that I didn’t want to be a part of it anymore. In life there are many things you can’t control but what you can control you should dominate.

How did you change your eating habits?
To begin, I started on a fruit and veggie only diet for about a month and then began adding lean protein. I also ate every meal before 6pm. I stopped eating fried food, bread, pasta and sweets.

What did your workout routines look like?
Initially, during the first year, I worked out 7 days a week. I did 30 min of cardio, 30 min of strength training at the gym. Into my second year, I worked out spastically about 3 days a week and now I have gone into maintaing mode.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
231 pounds was my starting weight. I’m now 174 pounds at 5’3″ tall.

How long did your transformation take?
1 year to lose it and almost a year maintaining my weight loss.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
Stop thinking about it and start today. You don’t have to go full fledge at the beginning. Start by taking baby steps. Doing something is going to get you closer to your desires, unlike sitting on the couch and just thinking about it.

Instagram: @curvy_fit_pollerific

Tanisha

Shayla lost 57 pounds

February 8, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 1 Comment

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Shayla lost 57 pounds since July 2014. Not wanting to face a family history of illness, she decided to change her lifestyle. She shared with us about how much she gained as a person and how much her life has changed during her weight loss journey.

shayla before and after

A few things contributed and are contributing to keep me motivated to lose weight. My father had a kidney transplant, has diabetes and high blood pressure. With me being 312 pounds at the time with no health issues, other than my weight, I did not want to acquire any illnesses. I knew I was overweight, but I didn’t know or didn’t want to admit that I was over 300 pounds. My fathers health concerns turned a light on for me.

My inspiration comes from with in. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s an honest truth. My progress continually pushes me. Not just seeing the number go down in the scale, but not being winded going up a flight of stairs, or walking small small distances. Being able to get into clothes I haven’t been able to fit into on over five years and them being too big. That feeling is Amazing.

shayla I changed my eating habits by making sure I ate breakfast. That truly sets the tone for my appetite and how I eat for the day. I eat healthier snacks. However, I’m not so far gone that I don’t get a hankering for chips, or chocolate or something deep fried. I’ve just taught myself how to eat those things and not to eat the entire bag of chips or bucket of chicken. If I want that crunchy, salty fix, I would try for a better alternative, like kale chips or fresh veggies in a light Italian or balsamic dressing. If I Have to have a chip I would make sure I’d get a serving or half a serving of them. Put the chips on a sandwich bag, and when they are gone, their gone. For my chocolate fixes, I would have a chocolate protein shake made with dark chocolate almond milk. DELISH!!! For my day to day meals. I make sure I eat plenty of green veggies and proteins. I minimize my carb intake, but I’m not eliminating them completely. WATER, WATER, WATER!!! Drink it!!

When I started working out on July 1st I started with Curves. I ended up there by unknowingly signing up for a case study. I was obligated to work out 4 days a week for 30 minutes a day. I coupled that with my regular gym membership that I had been on hiatus from for who knows how long . I would go to the gym in the morning and do 35 minutes on the elliptical and weights. I would alternate the days between upper body and lowers body. Then I would do the 30 minute circuit training with Curves. If I didn’t make the gym, I made sure I walked for at least 30 minutes. After my 30 day case study with Curves ended, I had lost 16 pounds. I was still very active at the gym, but spending more time on the elliptical. Each week to two weeks, I did five more minutes than before and added a little more weight.

My starting weight was 312 pounds. As of today I weight 255 pounds. I am 5’10” tall. I lost 45 pounds between July 1, 2014 – November 1,2014. I did take a small break for about four weeks (that long of a break is not recommended ). I will never take that long of a break again.

My advise is to never stop!!! Don’t get overly discouraged, don’t lose hope, inspiration or motivation. KEEP PUSHING. We all get tired and frustrated because it may seem your work and effort don’t reflect on the scale. I assure you, you will be amazed at what you gain. You gain stamina, flexibility, courage, discipline and a better sense of self. It’s a true confidence builder. I did it alone. No quick pills, shakes or gimmicks. Nothing can give you the feeling or honor of knowing you worked your ass off, and accomplished something so difficult, by yourself.

Latrice lost 123 pounds

February 6, 2015 by Ajima Jackson 3 Comments

Weight Loss Transformation of the Day: Latrice lost 123 pounds. The death of a loved one and the end of a relationship led to emotional eating and weight gain. At 320 pounds, she decided that enough was enough and worked to change her lifestyle. Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey…

I started my weight loss journey do to depression from losing my mom in 2008. I was eating the pain away. Also, my break up from my children’s father turned me into a compulsive eater, finding myself reaching 315 pounds. I had a baby in 2012 and just got tired of not being able to find clothes or paying more money for them. Plus, I needed something to take my mind off the hurt of my mother and break up.

So, I started going to the gym 5 times a week and I was bored so I decided to do some exercise classes. I did Zumba, Insanity, BodyPump and Spin class and found a new addiction. When I’m angry, I head to the gym and work it out. I also bought clothes smaller and tore the tags off so I wouldn’t take them back and I had to work to get in them.

I eat lean ground turkey now. I also eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. No bread and if I have rice it is brown rice in small portions. I bake my foods and eat a lot of chicken, fish, oatmeal, eggs and tones of water. Grapefruit is part of my way to burn fat and I eat at least 2 a day. I’m currently 197 pounds and wearing a size 14/15. I was 320 pounds wearing a size 24/26 (I’m 5’11”)

If I can do it anyone can. No surgery no pills, just God and a strong mind got me here. I want to get into a size 12 and I’ll be happy I love my curves, so I just want to tone. Stop the sodas, juices, greasy foods and in a couple weeks you can see the difference. Thank you for listening to my story. God bless everyone! We are all beautiful and made differently!!

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