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how I lost weight

Lucinda lost 90 pounds

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Lucinda lost 90 pounds with a medically supervised diet plan and by working out.  Her health was improved in a number of ways.  She is no longer diabetic or dealing with sleep apnea.  Here is what she shared with us:

weight loss success

I would like to share my weight loss journey.  Hopefully it will encourage someone somewhere to get up, get started and be motivated to transform into a new healthier and better looking person!! My journey started when I went to my annual exam on 12/24/12.  I’ve been plus size for a very long time, and on this day I weighed 306.5 pounds. On 12/28/12, my doctor called me with the lab results and began telling me I was in the diabetic range. When he said the “D” word that lifted my spirit to motivate me to do something about my weight! A really good friend of mine named Doretta had been loosing a lot of weight on the Optifast program.  I looked into it and even went for a consultation. I began changing my eating habit immediately. I also started preparing diabetic foods. During my consultation, Dr. Angela Tran was focused on what my health conditions were and how the plan could benefit me.

I had, asthma, sleep apnea, and was possibly diabetic by that time. I have also had two breast surgeries with one cancer positive cyst removal. I started the Optifast program on Jan. 9, 2013, which is a 22 week medically monitored weight loss program (liquid diet focus). I was encouraged stay dedicated to the program during the 22 weeks as it re-trains and shrinks your stomach back to the normal size. I was determined to loose the health issues I was dealing with, so I was very dedicated to the weight loss program. I would go to weigh in weekly and meet with Dr. Tran. At my appointments she would teach me all the things I didn’t know about weight loss, eating, etc. to help me when I graduate from the program. For example “listen to your body when it speaks” I know that may sound weird but when your body says “I’m full” you should listen and stop eating. That is very hard.

I also met with a personal trainer named Liz weekly.  She would teach me exercises and what areas I should work out. Working out could be a struggle, and often overwhelming. So, I would walk 6-8 miles a day at the beginning.  Now I’m up to walking 11 miles a day and doing about 200 squats. Working out has become the best habit I could of ever developed! I am not done with this journey and I have lost 90 pounds so far.  Along with losing the weight, in April my medical labs were pulled and I’m no longer in diabetic range. I have not had any asthma issues since.  Also, I retested for sleep apnea and that is no longer a problem!!  It’s no longer necessary for me to have a mammogram every three months!! I thank God for giving me strength daily to stay motivated and press on during this difficult journey and for placing a resource by way of a friend, Doretta, in my life to share with me. I hope if there’s anyone out there struggling with any types of health conditions, that you decide to make a change and begin your weight loss journey.

Gwandos lost 77 pounds

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Featured weight loss success story: Gwandos lost 77 pounds. She wrote to us to give inspiration to the over 50 ladies (She turns 60 in Oct).  She lost weight by changing her eating, doing Weight Watchers and joining Black Girls Run.  Here is what she shared with us:

I have seen many motivating stories on your Facebook site of Black women being successful at losing weight, but none featuring us “older” ladies. I am 59 years old and I’ll be turning 60 on October 27th.  I have lost 77.6 pounds since January 2011.

My motivation to lose weight came when my son informed me that he had proposed to his fiancé and they were planning a June wedding. Yikes! I knew I didn’t want to waddle down the aisle as the mother of the groom, but I only had 6 months to get it together as they were planning a June 2011 wedding! My focus shifted and I began to be serious about my weight loss efforts.

I re-joined Weight Watchers for the “umpteenth” time on January 18, 2011 weighing 267 pounds, as I had convinced myself that I was ready this time. After yo- yoing on the program, doing My version of it, and losing 25 pounds, I had become stagnant and satisfied with where I was in my weight loss and began to regain some of the weight I had lost. As a member of Weight Watchers I learned to eliminate sugary soft drinks and processed foods and learned to eat healthy by eating fresh fruits, vegetables and lean protein. I joined a boot camp class at my neighborhood gym where I was introduced to strength training. The weight started coming off consistently. I became hooked on working out! A few months ago a friend introduced me to my local BGR chapter (Black Girls Run!) where I met an incredible group of women sharing similar goals, and I began walking. I am now run/walking and have completed more than ten (10) 5Ks. My goal is to complete a half marathon soon. Fitness has become an important part of who I am and what I do. Having learned the essentials of changing my eating habits and incorporating fitness into my life daily, I have lost 77.6 pounds and am close to my desired goal weight of 180 pounds.

As I approach my 60th birthday this October, this grandmother has no plans to slow down! There’s no stopping me!

gwandos weight loss

Pamela lost 32 pounds

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Let’s show some Black Women Losing Weight love to Pamela!  She lost 32 pounds.  She credits 22 pounds of her weight loss to following our monthly challenges.  Here is what she had to say about losing the weight:

In the before picture I was 202 pounds! I was losing weight slowly but it was when I started the Black Women Losing Weight challenges six months ago.  That allowed me to lose 22 of my 32 pounds. I did the exercise that was given to us in the challenges! I also go to the gym at least 3 times a week.  There, I do the treadmill for at least 45 minutes.  At the gym, I focus on a different body part each day, but I always do abs before starting my workout.

I changed my eating habits, cutting back on sodas, junk food and fried foods. Black Women Losing Weight has really been a blessing to me and I can’t wait to start the next challenge!!

What was your motivation:

I would always asked my doctor for weight loss pills because I wanted the easy way out.  Because of my high blood pressure she wouldn’t give me any.  I knew I didn’t wanna continue to take blood pressure pills, so I decided to do the next best thing which was walking going to the gym.  The weight was coming off slowly and then I ran across BWLW and that really got me motivated.  BWLW along with husband being their to support me and work out with me was the perfect combination!  Now, I have a lower dosage of blood pressure medicine.  I’m gonna continue the challenges, lose weight and get off the medicine completely!  My current weight is 170 pounds and my goal is 150 pounds.

Pamela weight loss photos

 

Kenyetta lost 47 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Kenyetta lost 47 pounds.  She was motivated by poor circulation and having to take blood pressure medication.  She changed her diet and did Zumba for exercise.  Check out what she had to share about losing the weight:

I would like to share my story with you. In 2011 my weight was 233 pounds. I was constantly complaining about my weight and I was the biggest size I had ever been in my life. My motivation was that I started having poor circulation in my hands and legs.  I also had to start to take blood pressure pills.  In November of 2011, I started taking ZUMBA classes, once a week in the beginning. Then I increased my classes to two times a week, then up’d it to 4 times a week!! LoL! However, I did not change my diet. I lost some weight but not enough. In June of this year, 2013,  I changed my eating habits. I started drinking more water. I increased my fruits and veggies I was eating and started eating only Turkey, chicken & seafood for my meats. My biggest obstacles that had to deal with were alcoholic beverages, candy and fried foods. I have not stopped drinking alcohol but I have limited my intake.  I chose to LIVE!!!!  Now, I have MILD hand problems but not like it used to be and I’m NOT on BLOOD PRESSURE PILLS!!! 🙂

Kenyetta weight loss photos

Chelsea lost 30 pounds

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Proud mom Chelsea lost weight with exercise, like Zumba, and Clean Eating.  Being active with her daughter was her motivation.  Check out what she shared about her journey thus far:

Hi my name is Chelsea.  This been a hard journey.  I started in late December 2012 by doing Zumba.  It was very fun.  At the same time, I started eating clean: Lean meats, veggies, no rice and no soda. I also have 100 calorie snack packs.  I’m from the country and i love to eat.  Wild hog, deer with rice…that was my idea of cheat meals, but I had limits.  I’m blessed to have a amazing husband, family and friends to support me.  I’m not finished yet.  I have 25-30 pounds more that I want to lose by December of this year, 2013, so I’m doing more Zumba and running 1.5 -2 miles when I dont do Zumba as my workout.  I’ve lost 30 pounds so far!

My motivation was my daughter. I wanted to be able to run a play with her.  She was 1 years old when I started, now she is 2.  Also, I got tired of buying bigger clothes in the Plus Size section at my age.

My starting weight was 215 pounds.  I gained weight after I got on birth control (gained about 35 pounds).  I’m not turning back. My weight was very depressing.

Chelsea weight loss journey

Debbie lost 70 pounds

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Update 6/2014: Debbie lost 7 more pounds – “I started my weight loss journey April 10, 2013. I have lost 77 pounds and I’m still going strong. The passing of both of my parents just 15 months apart and a couple of health scares made me realize how important getting healthy was for me and my children. Thanks to TaeBo, cutting out sodas, junk food and portion control, I now know how it feels to he healthy. My blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose dropped along with my weight.”

Debbie before and after

Starting weight 220 pounds – Current weight 143 pounds – From size 18-20 to size 8-10

9/12/13 – Today’s featured weight loss success story: Debbie lost 70 pounds in 5 months.  She was motivated by the loss of a loved one.  Here is what she shared about her journey:

I’ve had a weight loss of 70 pounds through adopting a healthy diet and changing my eating habits.  My motivation came from losing my mom from a heart attack.  That’s when I knew I had to change for myself and my children.  My lifestyle change began on April 10,2013, so it’s been a little more than 5 amazing months.

As far as eating habits I cut out ALL sodas, fruit juices and junk foods. I drink water all day.  Also I mainly portion control.  I also cut out ALL sodas and drink water all day. If I want some flavor, I add crystal light. No junk foods and I have portion control.

My workouts consist of an hour of cardio or an hour of power walking or jogging five times a week. I’ve been doing TaeBo 5 times a week, now I’ve added power walking/ jogging.  Each day I do an hour long workout.

No gyms, no pills. Everything natural and just discipline. Also, I stopped weighing myself often and go by the way clothes fit. Went from a 20 to a 10-12! Believe me if I can do this all of you can!

My starting weight was 220 pounds.  My current weight is 150 pounds. I would like another 10 pounds more to reach my goal.

Debbie weight loss

 

Travia lost 83 pounds

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Update Feb 2014: Travia is now down to 247 pounds.  She lost an additional 33 pounds (83 pounds total) and is still going strong.

Travia weight loss story

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Facing 330 pounds at age 23 and with her doctor suggesting weight loss surgery, Travia took her health into her own hands and changed her lifestyle.  She has lost 50 pounds since April 2013.  Find out how she did it below:

Travia weight loss

“I have lost a total of 50 pounds so far by making my home into my personal gym. I walk around the yard twice a day for an hour.  I exercise with the biggest loser cardio workout.  I also cut out the sodas and I drink plenty of water.  Eating wise, I snack on 100 pack calories snacks and if I eat any bread it’s wheat bread. Also, I mainly eat fruits like green grapes, apples, and bananas.

My Motivation: April 24, 2013, My doctor told me I needed to lose 30 pounds by July 24, 2013 or we need to talk about weight loss surgery.  Since then I have been on a mission for myself. That was it for me.  I wanted the weight off of me and a new beginning.  I left the doctor’s office and I have been working hard ever since.

Even though I got off track a few times I wasn’t about to let that stand in my way. I’m only 23 years old and I’ve been dealing with obesity majority of my life.  I made up in my mind that I no longer want to live the rest of my life dealing with obesity. The journey is not easy but I know that when I reach my goal weight it will be well worth it. In the end, my goal weight is to be down to 180 pounds and this is only a diet for me but it is a lifestyle change as well.”

Rachael-Lea lost 47 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Rachael-Lea lost 47 pounds.  Here is what she shared with us:

Writing you from Toronto Canada. I tried EVERYTHING…every diet, you name it. Well, I’m down 47 pounds thanks to help of myfitness pal, and the wrong persons saying the wrong thing to me at the right time. Gave me the encouragement to prove them WRONG.

What was your motivation?
I want to tell you that the reason I lost weight is because a doctor told me I needed to. To be honest, I was teased, by the wrong person at the RIGHT time. My heart sunk when I heard the words “you’re too fat”. I realized that it wasn’t just that moment, but many moments where I just got tired of feeling the way I was feeling. What started out as an “anger” run on the treadmill, ended with a very successful way to use negative energy and make it positive.

I was also a “pre-lapband” client. I didn’t lose the weight. I even ended up working at that clinic and saw so many women who were not successful. Many are…many are not. After frustration and years of no weightloss, I took the band out. I was told I’d continue gaining weight (the doctors told me), I wouldn’t be able to do it on my own. Well, proved them wrong! And now I’m band free.

Facebook page: Burn the Girdle

RachaelLea weight loss

How did you change your eating habits?
I did change my eating habits, however, diets in the past didn’t work. I would always buy unrealistic, Yucky foods that would end up sitting in my fridge. I decided that I would watch my calorie count while incorporating better choices. However, sometimes a girl just needs a bag of sour cream and onion chips. And I do that. I give myself permission to eat what I want, I just watch how much I eat. I will tell you Myfitnesspal has been the BEST THING EVER! I use it religiously and always promise to be honest. I think that’s the key. If you stop clocking what you’re eating, or pretend that you never saw it go down your throat, that’s when you do yourself an injustice.

What did your workout routines look like?
My routine is running mostly. I like running and took it up years ago, before the big weightloss ever happened. Right now, I have to careful with one knee, so I moved from outside to indoors on a treadmill. I also love to dance to SOCA! It’s a great way to get work done on the waist! I’ve recently started incorporating weights into my routine. I don’t love it, I’ll be honest, but I do love the results. I work out 5-6 times a week for at least 30 minutes.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 192 pounds. I am now 145 pounds.

How long did your transformation take?
I started working on the transformation Feb 18th 2013 to be EXACT! 🙂

Thank you for the facebook page, you’ve inspired me to inspire women as well.

Tonya lost over 100 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Tonya lost over 100 pounds.  She gives God all the glory for her transformation and uses Phil 4:13 as a life scripture.  She did it with exercise, learning to eat right (clean eating) and going vegan. and Here is what she shared with us:

I started my weight loss journey in 2011. I looked in the mirror and I truly did not like what was staring back at me. With prayer and God’s help my weight loss journey began. The first year of my journey I was going to a nutritionist so I could learn how to eat again. I also started working out to Leslie Sansone’s walking DVDS, Taebo, Kettlebells, Shaun T, Weights & the list goes on. I never thought that I would ever be able to get on the floor and do Pilates but a girl can and I am becoming flexible. It still amazes that I actually love to workout.

I began eating more fruits, vegetables & healthy snacks, eliminated sodas and I rarely eat sweets, twice a year if that. The key to losing weight is eating clean and working out, please Do Not Fall for the FAD (my acronym for FAD is False And Deceiving) diets. They only last for a short period of time. After trying fads you will end up getting frustrated and start eating unhealthy again. Prayer, working out and making small changes every day are some of the key ingredients to losing weight.

Over the past 6 months, I have eliminated meat all together and I am working on being a Vegan (please pray for a sista). Today, almost 3 years later I have loss over 100 pounds and I am still going strong. My goal is to be at 150 pounds by July 15, 2014. My life scripture, is Philippians 4:13 “I Can Do All Things through Christ who strengthens me”. When I want to throw in the towel and people are being negative because God has given me the wisdom to change my life, I repeat this scripture.

I just want everyone who reads my weight loss journey to know without Christ I can do nothing. When it gets really tough just say this prayer. “God give me the strength, stamina and endurance to go on even when I don’t feel like going on in this weight loss journey”. Together we can do this! Let’s keep encouraging one another.

Tonya 100 pounds weight loss

Taliea lost 58 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to this sista!  Taliea lost 58 pounds, going from 287 to 229 pounds.  Here is what she shared with us:

Taliea weight loss story

“I am not ashamed to show my before picture. This is one of the few before photos that I have, because I hated taking pictures. I didn’t want to face the fact that I was HUMONGOUS! It was my way of refusing to accept my reality…I am obese! In the picture on the left, I was a hefty 287 lbs, give or take a few. I realized I needed to get off my ass, and get healthy, or I was probably going to die of a heart attack. Period!

Although I’ve come a long way in a few years, I know I still have more to go. I’ve fallen off the wagon a few times, but I kept pushing on, and am closer than ever to MY goal weight (I’m sure medical books would want to argue with the number I’ve picked).

I never set out to become anyone’s inspiration; I simply sought to inspire myself. (I do have a small support system, and appreciate everything they’ve done to encourage me.) Throughout my journey, I have had a few people message me that they’ve started their own weight loss transformations because they’d seen me post about mine. Just last night, I received a message from a very dear friend of mine, who told me, again, how much I’ve inspired her, and it brought tears to my eyes (y’all know I’m an emotional wimp, anyway).

I said all that, and posted a “before and after,” to say that anything is possible if you really set your mind to it. As cliche as that statement is, it’s 100% true! I’ve got people calling the elliptical machine “the devil” because of how much I mention “the devil” in my workout posts. I seriously loathe that piece of equipment, but, if it weren’t for the time that everyday I spend on it, I would quit.  I’m challenging myself and continuing to lose weight.

I just wanted to share a little piece of me. Oh, the picture on the right is me at 229 lbs. Yes, I’m definitely still considered “obese,” by medical standards (height to weight ratio, etc) but I’m no longer “morbidly obese.”
It took me realizing where I was to appreciate where I am.  Progress!”