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April lost 91 pounds

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Daily Weight Loss Success Story: April lost 91 pounds.  She created her own weight loss plan by making practical changes when it came to eating clean and exercise.  Find out more about her weight loss journey:

April weight loss

“Hello, My name is April and I would like to share my weight loss story.  The motivation behind my weight loss was seeing several family members, including my mother, diagnosed with diabetes. The feared that I too was in line right behind these family members, so I began my fitness journey. I started eating clean and cutting out all processed food.  I also started working out 5 days a week, mixing cardio and weightlifting. When I began my fitness journey, my weight was 260 lbs.  My current weight is 169 lbs and still counting. This process took 10 months. My goal is to become a personal trainer/fitness expert (I’m not a Certified Personal Trainer now). My advice to anyone struggling with a weight problem and looking to lose weight: Stay focused and don’t give up even when the scale isn’t moving. Don’t give up. Believe in yourself and have faith in yourself. Don’t focus on how far you have to go, focus on the fact that you are doing this. Tale each day one step at a time. Trust me, if I can do this so can you. Thank you for allowing me to share my story.”

Connect with April on Instagram: @Apryl.Alexander

Andrea lost 52 pounds

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Today’s Weight Loss Success Story: Andrea lost 52 pounds. She was motivated by wanting to set a good example for her family and to motivate others to live a healthy lifestyle.  Her story is a great example of how making practical, straight forward changes can bring serious results.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey:

Andrea's weight loss story

What is your motivation?
My motivation is to live a healthy lifestyle that will be a good example for my children and motivate others to begin their journey to good health.

How did you change your eating habits?
The first change I made to my eating habits was to make at least 80% of my diet life giving foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables. “If it doesn’t rot or sprout you might want to throw it out.” I love the local farmers market because I believe that God designed our bodies to eat seasonally. So, whatever is at the farmers market is most likely what my body needs for that season. I also primarily stay on the outer perimeter of the grocery store when shopping. I also try my best to pre-prepare all of my meals and added green drinks to my diet.

Andrea's weight lossWhat did your workout routines look like?
I walk 1.5 miles at 4:30am 5 days a week. I do a spin class once or twice a week. I do 30 minutes of calisthenics and weight training 3 to 4 days a week. I also believe that weight loss happens from the inside out. So for me I use my faith in Jesus to address issues that might trigger emotional eating habits. I also attend a mind body and soul groups at my church. I have also completed 2 Half Marathons!

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
I am at the midpoint in my journey and have about 75 more pounds to go to get to my goal weight. When I first weighted in, I was at 278 pounds now I am at 226 pounds. At the end of my journey I will have lost 120 pounds. My goal is to get this done by the end of my calendar year.

How long did your transformation take?
I have been on this journey for two years. My weight loss has been slow and steady because this time I didn’t want to do any fad dieting. Every time I have done fad dieting I loose a massive amount of weight only to put it back on plus more. This is the first time that I have lost weight and not put it all back on.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
“Recently I became inspired to help others that are where I started and doing this helps me move forward to my final goal.  I encourage people to look at weight loss as a change of lifestyle instead of diet and make realistic changes over time that will last for the rest of their life. I believe that small changes over a long period of time make a big difference. Above all to not just look at what you’re eating but also take a close look at what’s eating you. I realize I am only at the midpoint of my journey and many others have completed theirs it would be an honor if my story was shared now and I can check back in when I have me my goal. I feel like this would be a great accountability opportunity. To Him be all the glory.”

Check her out on Twitter: @ADJOSEPHS

LaToya lost 137 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: LaToya lost 137 pounds and today is her “fitiversary”.  She really embraced healthy eating and regular exercise, creating her own weight loss and exercise plan by learning what works for her.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

weight loss story

Hello, Ladies. I have pondered whether or not to submit to any of these beautiful inspirational pages, but hearing the word inspiring of inspirational referred to my journey thus far I decided part one was ready to be shared. I am Toya and 32 years old, but have lived life as a “big girl” since birth popping out at just over 9 pounds. So why now? Better question, why not now? At thirty-two, I am happily married, with a Master’s degree, plenty of supportive friends and family members, but most importantly, it was time for me to start taking care of me. There are no sudden medical issues or anything like that, I truly woke up one morning and felt it was time for a change. I decided to use that time and energy on me so I could do some of those things that were taken off or slowly fell off my list of adventures like sky diving, parasailing, horse back riding, and zip lining.

My mental transformation journey began on March 15, 2013 (my mother’s birthday) and the first two weeks I kept a log of what I ate on myfitnesspal.com. I got to see what I ate and how it affected me.  I also learned how a little exercise can really make a difference. After two weeks of birthday celebrating for my husband and myself, I decided that on April 7, 2013 I would detox. The detox I chose to do is found in the book, Lose Weight Without Dieting or Exercising by J. J. Smith (jjsmithonline.com). Her method is called the DEM (Detox, Eat, and Move method). She made this weight loss thing make more sense by emphasizing that exercise is everywhere and eating is fun especially when done right.

Now, please know that in the past I did the FenPhen thing, no carbs, low carbs, Atkins, South Beach, Lose 21 pounds in 21 days thing (Martha Vineyard diet — too strict for me but did work). I read Fat Smash, Extreme Fat Smash, another Dr. Ian book, and the South Beach diet. I started exercising daily eventually joined a gym (four months in for weight training and aerobic classes…i.e. Abs sculpt, core and more, boot camp, Foxylicious, kickboxing, and spinning (almost)). Actually started working out twice a day — AM workout before work (yup, usually late to work) and PM workout right after work before dinner, sitting down, etc.  I learned to play tennis, went bowling with My best friend regularly, and did numerous workout tapes consisting of; Hip Hop Abs (1& 2), Core Pilates (can’t do this one yet..still finding my core), Sizzling Salsa, Yoga Booty Ballet, a kick boxing tape, Zumba, P90X (not yet tried), Asylum (not yet tried) Insanity (one month completed), Taebo, Turbo Fire, Bellydancing, Core Rythms, T25 (not yet tried), Billy Blanks Jr. workout tape, Jazzercise Burlesque, and possibly a few more that I often rotate.  I also went walking at the park.

From my start date to now (a year later), I am down 137 pounds. I have at least another 100 to go but I am SO happy with my progress. I am much healthier in my food choices (although food was not my biggest enemy) such as brown rice, whole wheat bread, turkey, water mostly, lean cuts of meat, cooking at home, fruits and vegetables. I also do the six or seven times a day eating thing. My current workout routine is still five to seven days a week of classes, DVDs and strength training found from Pinterest or other supportive networks.  I am in week 5 of T25 beta for a.m. workout, and gym or tennis for evening workout.  I’m also completing Hoopnotica (have three classes left on my group on) and will start the Flat Belly challenge (JJ Smith’s newest book) tomorrow.

Ladies, this journey is definitely hard but doable. Realize why you want to do it, and start small towards that. For me, it was parasailing on my next cruise and now I can due to losing the weight. Feel free to check my blog http://bringingsassycaramelback.blogspot.com to keep up with my craziness and best of luck on your transformation journeys.

LaToya's weight loss story LaToya's weight loss story

 

Jenise lost 28 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story: Jenise lost 28 pounds and gained a new perspective on her mental and physical well being.  She has some real wisdom to share and especially wants to inspire petite ladies and those who are middle-aged.  Here is what she shared with us about her weight loss journey:

Jenise weight loss

Since July 1, 2013, I’ve lost 28 lbs. by committing to 90% clean eating and 6 days a week of cardio and strength training. This was just Release #1 for me; I have another 20-30lbs. to lose. I’d like to inspire other short, middle-aged women like myself to get off the couch and move!

MOTIVATION:
My motivation to get healthy is a three-fold process I’ve penned for myself as The Trilogy: mental, emotional, and physical well-being. I’d observed that I was settling for mediocrity in all areas of my life and had allowed the desires of others to consume me. I decided to give myself permission to put myself at the top of my to-do list, set some boundaries, and start to be the change I wished everyone else would make.

EATING HABITS ADJUSTMENT:
I was stubborn for the first 4 months and thought I could out-exercise a bad diet. Previously, I’d skip meals and eat too much at dinner. I then accepted that I had to change my eating habits and began preparing 90% clean meals of lean meats, veggies, and fruit. I eliminated sugar and salt and eat 5-6 small meals on a 2-3 hour schedule.

WORKOUT:
I started working out by walking short distances, doing the plank, and other core exercises. As my endurance increased, I started jogging and strength training for 45-60 minutes, six days a week.

STARTING & CURRENT WEIGHT:
July 1, 2013 = 194
March 31, 2014 = 166

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE:
8 months

ADVICE:
My advice would be to: give yourself permission to put yourself first, be as good to yourself as you are to others, and identify and correct WHY you overeat (i.e., emotional triggers).

Check her out on Instagram: @genuinejenise

Jenise weight loss

Rita lost 29 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Rita lost 29 pounds and wants to give some encouragement to all of the “apple-snapped” ladies who carry their weight on their midsections.  Losing these pounds on her midsection has made a major difference. Here is her story:

Rita weight loss

“Hello, my name is Rita. I was a stressed overeater. My motivation was to wear clothes that woman wore instead of sweats & jogging suits all the time. Check my Facebook page and you’ll see that’s all I wore for yrs…3x shirts with little legs. I wanted to look sexy, especially after the divorce. Also, my blood pressure was above normal and my family kept saying it’s hereditary, instead of get the fat off the top of your body and loose the apple shape.

It may not look like it, but I was only 189 pounds. I have little legs and butt. The lower part of my body is small.  I could wear a 7/8 and I wear a 4 now.  I started my weight loss journey in 2010 for my birthday but gained it rite back.  I had to make up my mind that I want to lose weight & live longer. In 2012, I started really eating like I should.  I am now 160.5 pounds.  My waist was a 42 inches and now it’s 36 inches. I have more to go and I’m still in class and watching calories.  That’s 29 pounds & 6 inches off my waist.

I changed my eating habits with no meats, breads and sweets. Also, no tea and sodas to drink.   I ate broccoli, greens, boiled egg whites, oatmeal, cabbage soup, vegetables soup, asparagus, peas, and salads. If I just had to have meat, I would eat shrimp but no chicken or beef.

My workout routine was mostly walling & “black girls workout too” the dvd and the classes. My weight lost took place over a period of 2.5 to 3 years, because I would start eating unhealthy again & not exercising from time to time. My advice is too change your eating habits.  I also suggest that you find out your blood type and see what type foods you should and shouldn’t eat for your blood type. If you can’t go to workout class everyday, buy a dvd, get up and move around. My motto is if you eat what you have always eaten you will weigh what you always weighed.  I hope I can inspire someone else with a apple shape that we can be healthy with the right eating habits.”

Instagram: @cutieepie_

Essence lost 46 pounds

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Featured Weight Loss Success Story:  Essence lost 46 pounds.  Her story shows that you don’t have to chase quick weight loss. She gives the full details of her 2 year journey to weight loss and greater health and tells us what she did to make the difference.  Here is her story:

Essence weight loss

I would love to share my story and the struggle of just flat out being HUMAN.  The set backs, the come backs, the sweat, the tears, and over the struggle of getting to where I am today. I always like to tell people to ENJOY the struggle. And the reason why I say that is because it took me to find something that I love to do in order for me to PUSH to lose the weightI am 5’3, and at one point of my life I was 23 years old, weighed 184 pounds and was wearing a size 13. I was laid off from my job in 2007 and had just recently moved to Texas. It took me a year to find a job while living at home with my parents. There was nothing to do but lay around, apply for jobs, and eat. I was depressed.

2 years ago my doctor expressed to me that I was border line Diabetic and I had High Blood Pressure in which I would have to take blood pressure pills to get it under control. I use to be one of those women who was big but “carried my weight well” as a lot of people would say. I felt like that was a nice way of saying “you’re big, but not THAT big.”  I would go to the gym 3 times a week, doing 45 minutes on the elliptical, but still eating whatever I wanted to. I knew this was not going to get me where I needed to be and I tried to be content with myself but at the end of the day I was very unhappy with my weight.July 1st 2012 was the day that turned not only my health around but my life around! This is the day I started a 7 day all fruits and Vegetables cleanse.

Breakfast- frozen fruit smoothies, with my favorite fruit and apple juice
Snack- cup of cantaloupe
Lunch- garden salads with light vinaigrette dressing or sometimes no dressing at all
Snack- bananas, strawberries, grapes
Dinner- Vege stir fry ( Spinach, Onions, Broccoli, bell peppers with low sodium teriyaki sauce and garden salads if I didn’t feel like eating stir fry for dinner).

After this cleanse, I lost 6 lbs in a week. (mostly water weight of course) but it was a START and just what I needed!  I’m not perfect,  I can honestly say that I was one of those people who bought chips, cookies, and all other snacks you can think of,  I’m not afraid to admit I told myself I would eat all of it before I started this cleanse. Again, I’m human and who wants to waste food…smh @ me I know….I went from 3 days of 45 minutes on the elliptical to 6 days a week of doing 1 1/2 hrs of a combination of Turbo Kickboxing, Body Combat,  Nike Boot Camp Classes, running 3 times a week (for 1 mile at a 6.3 speed on the treadmill) and incorporating weight lifting at least twice a week at 24hr fitness!    I don’t like diets, so my meals consisted of eating better choices and smaller portions. Was I perfect? Nope, Did I cheat?  Yep! I mean let’s be realistic.  I am not the person to cook on Saturdays, so when I would eat out, I wouldn’t hold back but yes I would work out that day to shed some calories. My eating consisted of no pork and I cut back on Salt and Sugar. I did this for 1 year and before I knew it I was down to 138 pounds, and wearing a size 9. My blood pressure is now under control and I am no longer border line diabetic. Matter of fact my doctor was even impressed with my results.

I am not where I want to be physically but I’m better and stronger then I was before July 1, 2012. My self-confidence and spirit has lifted tremendously even my friends and family notice it. (Let’s just say I take more full body pictures then I do selfies these days) lol! I am now 30 years young and on a new journey of lifting more weights and eating more protein to obtain a more toned and fit body.  I am also proud to say that I have recently been certified to be a TurboKick Instructor, and I’m on a new path to help others achieve their fitness goals as well!All in all, if I don’t leave you with nothing else as you read about my journey, I do want to say this; THERE IS NO SECRET TO LOSING WEIGHT, JUST MAKE TIME FOR YOUR HEALTH. I waited until I had bad results at the doctor’s office to make a lifestyle change. Some people don’t get the warning before the end results of sickness or even death.  So make your lifestyle change TODAY!  And don’t forget SLOW progress IS progress.”
~Essence – Instagram: @essencedw

Essence weight loss

Brittney lost 113 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Proud mom Brittney Joy lost 113 pounds with gastric bypass weight loss surgery.  Check out her transformation photos.

Brittney weight loss

“In March 2012, I started my weight loss journey. I had the gastric bypass surgery. I weighed in on the day before the surgery at 255 pounds. That is my weight in the picture to the far left. The middle picture shows my 6 months to a year progression were I weighed 160-170 pounds. My final picture on the far right is my most recent. I currently weigh 142 lbs. I eat and exercise! I find that when I eat often, my metabolism allows my weight to stay steady. I’m so happy at this point. Don’t plan to lose anymore. Ive fell in love with myself and moved on to the next chapter in my life. ……..SISTERLOCKS!!!!”

Hayet lost 90 pounds

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Weight Loss Success Story:  Hayet lost 90 pounds.  This Instagram diva and proud Ghanaian shared her weight loss story with the world was able to inspire ladies here and in the motherland.  This is yet another example of how telling your weight loss story can be powerful. Here is what she shared with us:

HayetApr14

“I was always overweight but I actually wasn’t miserable. I was a curvy Ghanaian woman who spent 20 years building rock solid confidence to go with it. In 2010, it all changed when I underwent gall bladder surgery. The experience in itself was a big change for me and I decided to try and lose just a little weight. It took me 5 months, and I dropped about 40 pounds. Once again, I was completely satisfied and spent the next two years simply maintaining a 245lb average.

In 2013, it all changed. I got bored and wanted to make a change again. I knew there were two things I loved – taking pictures and sharing my life through them … and there was no better place to do it than Instagram!
A colleague once told me that when you make something public, you have to go through with it! And that is exactly what I did! In May of 2013, I announced my journey to a healthier body and started sharing my journey with my Instagram followers.  From time to time, I would post recipes, workout photos and my favorite gym clothes. To me it seemed like I was talking to myself, but the joy came when I went home to Ghana in December 2013 and people actually recognized me!  Women told me how my posts really changed the way they viewed fitness … apparently I made it look easy!!!! HA! The positive responses, the likes, the comments, the shares and the reposts have been the fuel of the entire journey. Since returning, I started a few groups on WhatsApp that have brought women in Ghana together to live a healthier life! The women get to ask me questions and together we learn to navigate the seemingly foreign concept of being healthy!

My eating habits in itself have been a journey of their own – I continuously change them as a way of challenging my body. When i first started off, my biggest challenge was putting fruit or veggies into my body. I fell in love with smoothies and my life has changed.  In terms of what I stopped eating, I would definitely say that I cut out all non-natural food products. Most importantly, I started to cook even more. I believe that when you cook you develop a new relationship with food, it is no longer the enemy, as weird as it sounds.

For excercise I joined lots and lots of group classes. Everything from Zumba, bootcamp and kickboxing. I make sure to go to the gym at least once daily…even if one of the sessions is 20 minutes.

In terms of my weight, I never really weighed myself. I didnt want to know. I would say I was pretty close to 290 lbs. At my most recent weigh in was at 201 pounds.I have lots of women who depend on me to post their routine so that gets me in there all the time! My instagram name is @hayetrida you can also see my posts using the #hayetisonadiet hashtag.”

 

 

Update: Joelle’ has lost 90 pounds

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Let’s show some love to Joelle‘! She we featured her back when she was down 79 pounds and she wrote in to let us know her weight loss total is now 90 pounds. Click here to read her original post to find out the details of how she lost the weight.

Joelle weight loss story

“Since the last time I was featured, I’ve continued on the straight path of a healthy and active lifestyle. Now weighing in at 180 pounds. I’ve lost an overall of 90 pounds. Staring at 270 pounds, I had had no idea where to start.  Now, with clean eating, using Herbalife and exercising I’ve been able to accomplish so much. I want both men and women to know that achieving the results you want is totally possible. All it takes is consistency and determination. No excuses is my new motto! At first this started as just losing a couple pounds… Now it’s a lifestyle filled with positive vibes! My motivation and passion to help others reach their goals is what’s pushes me. I’m so in love with my healthy lifestyle!”
Instagram: @JoJoeyJoe

Joelle weight loss

Alzadia lost 60 pounds

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Update May 2017: We’ve been following Alzadia’s story since 2014 and she has kept the weight off.

alzadia before and after

Yesterday (5/7) was my four year fit-anniversary and I’m grateful to say that I’m still going strong! I’ve had some challenges and have lost some battles during this journey, but the key is to keep going. Towards the end of last year, I was losing the battle due to emotional eating, but I started working with a nutrition coach. That was the best investment in my health that I’ve made. I got back on track and I’m winning again. I just want to encourage everyone on this journey to continue to make health a priority. If you fall, just get back up!

Update Apr 2015: We featured Alzadia’s amazing story a year ago and she has kept the weight off.  She sent in updated photos and let us know that she’s raising money for her gym that helps people transform their lives with no financial obligation.  That’s awesome!

I’m still going strong on this healthy lifestyle journey. Although I am not as cut up as I thought I would be by now, I am making progress! I am now a volunteer trainer at my gym, Trinity Fitness Riverside (501c(3) non-profit organization), whose mission is to help people get into the best spiritual and physical shape of their lives with no financial obligation. I’m participating in a challenge which will include an obstacle course on May 2nd.

alzadia weight loss

Mar 31, 2014: Weight Loss Story of the Day: Alzadia lost 60 pounds.  Losing her mom to breast cancer was her main motivation to get healthy.  Read about how she transformed her lifestyle and lost the pounds:

Alzadia weight loss storyMy healthy lifestyle changed in May 2013! I actually started walking in January, but in May I partnered eating healthy with exercising! I started using the myfitnesspal app to track my food & I stepped up my workout to the 30 Day Shred DVD. I started that program too many times to count but this time I COMPLETED it!! That month alone I lost 11lbs! From there I completed the Couch to 5K program, Jillian Michael’s Ripped in 30 & her 90 Day DVD Body Revolution (twice). Right now, I’m doing the P90X program and I still run. To date I’ve lost 60lbs.

My biggest motivation was & is my mother. She passed away on Oct 20th, 2013 of metastatic breast cancer. We have NO history of breast cancer in our family so I truly believe this illness can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle. I completed my first half marathon in her memory this past February and was able to run the whole thing! If I was able to do all of this, I know anyone is able to it. I want to inspire all women to become a healthier version of themselves!.. One healthy decision at a time!! I do this using my Instagram page: @queen_zadia

Alzadia weight loss