Black Weight Loss Success

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weight loss story

Jania lost 41 pounds

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Let’s show some BWLW love to Jania.  She lost 41 pounds by changing her eating habits and working out.  She was able to find out what foods were causing her allergies and get relief there as well.  Here is what she had to say:

I started my weight loss journey in February of 2012 at 183 lbs and have since lost 41lbs, weighing in today at 142 lbs. It took me almost a year and a half to get to where I am today and I still want to lose another 7 lbs to get to my goal weight of 135lbs.  My motivation was to lose the weight once more and maintain for the rest of my life. Every few years, I’d go through something and start gaining weight. Before I knew it, I’m at my high point and have to start all over again. I changed my eating habits by slowly eliminating the bad stuff. After I realized a lot of things I was consuming caused my allergies to flare up it made it a lot easier to give them up for good.  My weekly workout routine consists of 3 hours of boxing and 3 hours of strength and conditioning. So, I’m usually at the gym 5 days a week, pulling a double one of those days.

How I changed my eating habits:  After I did a juice cleanse for a week and noticed I didn’t have any allergy issues.  I began to start deducting certain foods, one at a time, to see what was the actual culprit. While doing this I was adding healthier choices. It was like weaning myself off junk food until I felt no need for the bad stuff. It was a slow process but once I started seeing results it became easier to give up the next bad thing. I started reading more health blogs, that had given me plenty of reasons why I need to give up this stuff, letting me know that consuming these things, even if I was cutting back, was hindering my progress.

jania weight loss story

Brittany lost more than 80 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss journey: Brittany lost more than 80 pounds.  It all started with writing a letter to herself and making a promise that she’s now fulfilling.  Here is what she shared with us about her journey:

Hello! I’ve been a follower of this page for quite some time, and I’ve decided to share my success story. I started my journey in March of 2011. It was while I was on vacation with my family that I decided I’d make a change in my life, and better my health. I’ve never been considered “small”, but I noticed that I began to neglect my body and felt like I was letting myself go. While on our way back from a road trip to California, I decided to make a change in my lifestyle. I wrote a letter to myself, and in that letter, I made a promise to myself to live a healthier lifestyle. When I first started working out, my biggest fear was sweating my hair out, lol. I finally stopped making excuses and got my stuff together. I stopped drinking sodas and eating candy. I also cut out fried foods and I started eating salads, and getting away from the table when I was full. I loved to eat soul food and I was a frequent spender in every drive thru, as you could imagine! I started swimming, walking daily, and watching what I eat. At times when I got discouraged, I would sit down, read my letter and remember why I started this journey. Since I’ve started my weight loss journey, I’ve lost 80+ lbs.  When I began I was at my heaviest, which was 302 pounds.  My goal is to lose a full 100 lbs before the end of the year. None of this would be possible if it weren’t for the support of my family & friends, and the motivation to do and live better. The picture on the left is from Nov 2010, and the one on the right is from July 2013.

Brittany weight loss success

 

Ariel lost 135 pounds with weight loss surgery

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Weight Loss Story: Ariel lost 135 pounds with gastric sleeve weight reduction surgery and went from a size 28 to a size 18.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hi, I’m Ariel.  I went from 355 pounds and a size 28 to 220 pounds and a size 18.  My weight loss took two years and four months after I decided to have gastric sleeve weight loss surgery. The motivation that helped me make a change was the health problems I was having, such as high blood pressure and heart problems.  I was also on the verge of being a diabetic. I changed my eating habits by cutting out sodas, sweets, fried food, and by having smaller portions. I also started eating more healthier foods and baking or boiling any meat I eat.  Exercise wise, I also started to workout, walk 4 miles every other day and complete squat workout challenges.

Ariel weight loss story

Kelli lost 109 pounds

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Today’s’ featured weight loss story: Kelli lost 109 pounds with the tried and true method of eating right and exercising.  She is preparing for her first marathon in October.  She shared her story with us.  Check it out:

I started my weight loss journey two years ago. I took on the challenge because I wanted to lose 30 pounds by my 30th birthday.  Although I didn’t reach my goal, I kept going. I have a family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease and heart disease. I wanted to become a inspiration to myself. I knew there wasn’t a magic weight loss pill or weight loss surgery I could take.  Therefore, I wanted to be accountable and do it the old fashioned way with exercising and eating right. On this journey, I’ve done exercise bootcamps, 5k runs,water aerobics and hip hop aerobics.  I also go to the gym. Currently, I do hip hop aerobics 3 times a week for an hour, 45 min.  My gym sessions are twice a week. I gave up fast food, red meat, pork, and sodas. I’ve gained more self confidence and respect in myself after my weight loss. I’m now preparing first my first marathon in October 2013. I’m not perfect, there are days when I eat foods I know I shouldn’t but I still hold my self accountable. My mother passed away April 2013 from congestive heart failure, I’m so blessed she got a chance to see my transformation. My starting weight was 305 pounds.  My weight now is 196 pounds.

Kelli weight loss success

Sharee lost 40 pounds

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Update June 2016 – We shared Sharee‘s story 3 years ago and she recently wrote in to share an update. Since then, she gave birth and went through some ups and downs with her weight loss, but she got back on track and has lost a total of 72.2 pounds. Check out her update.

sharee before and after

I was featured on BWLW three years ago. Back then, I’d lost 45 pounds. Well, life happened, I had another baby and gained all that weight back… plus MORE! I stayed home with the baby for 18 months and just became lazy. I really let myself go and I was so depressed that I didn’t even want to be around family or go out in public. I knew I needed to do something, so I did.

I changed my eating habits by limiting my sugar and carbs intake. I rarely eat anything that is sweet. I drink close to a gallon of water each day. I didn’t use a specific plan or program. I just took the time to figure out what worked for me. Increasing my water intake has been a huge factor in my weight loss. 

At this time, I do not have a specific work out plan. I run after my two young children and work in child care, so that’s where most of my activeness comes in. However, I do plan on figuring out exercising routine soon. 

I have been back on this lifestyle journey, seriously, since December 2015. I have lost 72.2lbs thus far. I am nowhere near my goal weight, but I am closer today that I was yesterday. I went from a size XXL/XXXL to a comfortable XL. I went from a size 22/24 jeans to 16. I am 5’8″.

I know this journey can be hard, but you can do this. Remember why you want to change you life and stick with it. If you mess up, just pick yourself up and push forward. You are worth it!

Aug 2013 – Sharee lost 45 pounds on the Medifast program.  Here is what she shared with us:

Hello, my name is Sharee. My weight has been a struggle for me my WHOLE life! I have a two year old son and he was my main motivation. When I would play with my son, being that I am only 24 years old, getting out of breath in such a short period of time was a problem. I knew something had to be done! I am also a preschool teacher and that also requires a lot of moving. It became a struggle for me to get up and down. This is was NOT okay! I needed a life change and I needed it fast!

On March 15, 2013, I joined a weight control center called Medifast! Medifast has changed my life completely. I am on a Jump Start program which requires me to eat 5 of their supplement meals and then I eat a Lean and Green meal. This means that I eat anything LEAN, my favorite choices of course are baked or grilled chicken  The Green is easy…anything green. I normally choose 3 cups of raw spinach and 2 tablespoons of light balsamic dressing. I ONLY drink water, close to a gallon a day. On the Medifast program, the calorie intake is low so the only exercise that is required is light walking for an hour. Since I am a preschool teacher, I am constantly moving, running, jumping, and walking!

My starting weight at 5’7″ was 270 pounds and I currently when 225 pounds! I lost 45 lbs in three in a half months! I am still working towards my goal weight ,which is 165-170 pounds. I know that with God, my family and friends this journey will end with me on top. This journey has not been easy, but I am determined to reach my goal. Ladies, if I can do it I know you can!

Sharee weight loss story

Denise lost 65 pounds

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Update Aug 2014: Denise sent in an update! She’s lost 15 more pounds for a total of 80 pounds. She says, “I’m trying to lose 100 lbs total. I’m watching what I eat, counting calories, cutting out soda, eating less breads and exercising. I feel so much better. Though I still have diabetes, I no longer have to take the medicine for it. I love the way my clothes fit now and they are less expensive.”

Denise Update 80 pounds

Denise lost 65 pounds in about 8 months.  She is working towards not having type 2 diabetes and her goal of losing 100 pounds total.  She shared some details of how she did it with us:

“Hi, I’m Denise. My motivation to lose weight honestly was a health reason. I’m a type 2 diabetic. I really got tired of being sick and barely being able to breathe. I also have a cousin that was battling with her weight as well.  She loss 100 pounds and is now a personal trainer.  We work out together.   Also inspiring was seeing all the motivating before & after pictures on your page.  I was 313 pounds.  Since then I’ve lost the weight and I’m down to 248 pounds and still counting.  I feel great.  I’m almost at my goal of 100 pounds lost.  I’m eating healthy and exercising.  I  stopped snacking late at night. No fried foods, no drinks, no sweets. I  count calories using My Fitness Pal which has helped a lot.  I’ve still got a way to go but I’m loving myself.  I can’t wait until my doctor says my diabetes are gone.”

Denise lost 65 pounds

 

Shayla lost 40 pounds

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Shayla lost 40 pounds with workout DVDs and changing her eating habits.  She realized that even though she was working out, she didn’t start to really lose weight until she cleaned up her eating habits.  Here is what she shared:

A few years back, I was at a job I hated, didn’t like the way that I looked, I was single, and overall depressed. I refused to go to the doctor to get on medication for my depression but knew that I needed things to change before it got worst. I might have looked like everything was fine on the outside but I was miserable on the inside. It was in God’s hands to place me at a job that I would love and be happy & content with. It was also up to God when he would deliver my soulmate to me. Realizing that there was only so much I could do with all the things I felt were wrong in my life, I decided to focus on the one thing that I knew I had control over.  That it was my weight.

I started at a local recreation center that had a membership for the city residents for only $5 a month. Who can beat that?!  The only problem was that the workout facility was really small. Like teeny, tiny. However, they had two ellipticals, two treadmills, one stationary bike, a stair stepper and a weightlifting machine. That was it!  I used it all to my advantage and began going there religiously. I started losing weight but after awhile I hit a plateau and needed to challenge my body more so I joined 24 Hour Fitness. It was hard for me at first because I had anxiety and didn’t like being around large crowds. I liked the fact that they had group workout classes and that what I started doing a few times a weeks. After awhile I was losing the weight that I wanted.  Within 8 months, I lost about 40 pounds. That was great and all, but I wasn’t completely doing it the right way. See, you never heard me mention anything about eating right. That’s because I didn’t really. I wanted a quick fix and so instead of eating right, I just ate less. I would have chocolate milk for dinner. Not with my dinner, but AS my dinner. I wanted to be skinny! The thought of being healthy or fit never crossed my mind. I did pretty much anything and everything to get SKINNY. Diet pills, cleansing, barely eating, going to the gym multiple times a day.  I had reached my goal of skinny.

It didn’t last long. As soon as I stopped doing all of the drastic things I was doing to lose weight, it all came back and I had put on even more weight than before. I had gotten up to 220 lbs (it might have been higher but I refused to step on the scale after that).  This was the heaviest weight I had ever been, including during my pregnancy with my son who’s now 12. I met the man of my dreams (my now husband) and got comfortable. We’re foodies, we like to eat and that’s exactly what we did. I was back to being unhappy about my weight and had zero motivation to get rid of it.

Last March, we purchased the P90X dvds to do with my now husband.  We lasted about 3 weeks and then gave up. I figured I would just be content with being fat & happy, but that’s not who I was. Not that I’ve always been skinny, but I’ve been pretty slim and active for the most part. I didn’t feel like I was being true to who I really was. I couldn’t wear any of the clothes in my closet and I started to become depressed again. In April of last year, I bought a Groupon deal for a 4 week bootcamp and bought one for my cousin who had just had a baby to go with me. We could be accountability partners. We did great when we were doing the workouts but never really made a change in our eating habits and didn’t workout outside of the bootcamp which was 3 days a week. Then in July, my boyfriend at the time proposed to me and we decided to have a destination wedding. That for sure should have been my motivation but it still wasn’t enough to get me to workout.

It wasn’t until January of this year that I was introduced to Insanity and decided to give it a try. The first month was the hardest thing I had ever done. By the time the second month came around, I still wasn’t seeing that much changes in my weight and decided that I need to get serious with my eating. That’s when things started to happen. When I committed to working out AND eating better everything changed.  I couldn’t afford a gym membership when I started working out and working out in the comfort of my own home with workout DVDs makes me push harder. I’m not worried about other people staring at me. In the past year I have lost 40 pounds and 27 of those pounds have been since January of this year since I’ve been consistent with eating right & working out daily.

shayla weight loss story

What was your motivation?

I have a husband & child to live and be healthy for but my ultimate motivation is myself self-esteem. I feel like I’m living again! I no longer have depression and can honestly say that I have confidence in myself for the first time.

How did you change your eating habits?

I don’t diet. I’ve made a lifestyle change. I eliminated soda, beer and fast foods.  Also, I chose to grill and bake my meats while adding fresh fruits & vegetables to my diet daily. I drink lots of water and I also replace one meal a day with a protein shake.

What did your workout routines look like?

My workouts vary. I’m currently doing Turbofire DVDs and I also, jog, swim aerobics, play tennis and do weight training with light weight and resistance bands.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?

My starting weight was 220 and I currently weigh 180.

How long did your transformation take?

I first began working out in March of 2012 and I’m still a work in progress, so as of now it’s been 16 months.

Thank you so much for allowing normal woman like me to share our stories. I love the website, the challenges, the advice and I’m a big fan of the Facebook page. Keep up the good work 🙂

LaShawn lost 50 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: LaShawn lost 50 pounds.  She went from a size 18 to a size 8 by eating smaller portions and working out regularly.  Here is what she shared with us:

My name is La Shawn and I just wanted to share my story in the hopes that it might inspire other sisters to begin their own weight loss journey. I also want to testify to how even small consistent efforts can yield significant results.  I just want encourage others to not be discouraged about where they may be now and that they can achieve results by starting out with small , consistent efforts over time.

In 2010 (the picture on the left), I weighed over 200 pounds and decided that I wanted to make a change. I started by using a smaller plate at home and sharing a plate with my fiancee when we went out to eat.  Also, more specifically regarding diet, I incorporated eating chicken and tuna and I cut out fast food. I also increased my water intake.

For exercise, I started out riding a stationery bike for 30 minutes a day three times a week. I later added Stairmaster, weights and kettlebell exercises. This routine enabled me to go from a size 18 in 2010 down a size 8 at this present time.

I started out at 218 in 2010 and lost 50 pounds from then to now. My motivation was as I said above that I just decided it was time to make a change and start taking care me and ALWAYS being there for everyone else and putting myself last.  Thank you so much for allowing me to share 🙂

LaShawn weight loss story

Karla lost 73 pounds

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Karla weight loss storyKarla lost 73 pounds in 9 months.  Let’s show her some love for sharing her story.  Here is what she shared with us:

I have lost 73 pounds in 9 months.  I did it all natural by cutting back on the foods I needed to & walking.  I still want to lose 30 pounds more.   I was 273 on the pic with the purple shirt. I’m 200 pounds now.  My goal weight is 170-180 pounds.

My motivation was my kids and wanting to be here for them.  I had to get healthy. I changed my eating habits by not eating after 6pm unless it was fruit.  Every morning at 5:45 am I walk 5 or 6 miles. I drink a Kellogg breakfast shake at 8am.  For lunch, I have subway or a small salad I made at home.  Then, I would eat a regular dinner (example: 1 chicken wing, mac & cheese and string beans).  I don’t have bread unless it was wheat.  No drinking soda, only water, natural fruit juices, or cranberry juice.  I also eat a lot of fruit.  If I go out to eat, I order off the kids menu and I always get water with my meal.  Also, some mornings I eat Kellogg cereal with slim milk.  For exercise, I walk 6 days a week for a total of 5 to 6 miles. My goal is to lose a total of 100 pounds in a year.  My year will be up on September 15th.

Karla weight loss success

Wendy lost 53 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Wendy lost 53 pounds with the loss of her mom as her inspiration to get fit.  Here is what she shared with us:

In 2009 I was 218lbs wearing a size 18. What started this journey was I kept getting depressed every time I went to buy clothes and had to grab three sizes and none of them fit. So my best friend and I decided that this was the breaking point. We changed our eating habits and hit the gym hard. This was not easy by a long shot. We started packing our food to take to work and kept motivating each other so we could remain focused. I started a blog called Inspiring My Sisters to help motivate my friends and together we were making things happen and seeing results. Within the first 9 months, I was wearing a size 8/10

I was like damn all this hard work has paid off! Well, I got to cozy and slacked off some and my clothes started to feel snug again. This was the hard part at keeping the weight off. My mother loved when I was on my grind and she died this past July from lung cancer.  I promised myself that I would keep my weight off because that is what she loved. So 3 weeks after she died I got back in the gym and started grinding!! She became my motivation. I lost 14lbs in 3 weeks and never looked back!!!

I feel so good now. This is not a diet it’s a lifestyle. I pack snack bags to keep with me when I feel the urge to get off track. I still pack my food to work. It’s hard but I know my mother is proud of me so that is what keeps me focused.

When I’m at the gym I do a little of everything from cardio legs arms weights and abs. I go running around the lake. I roller skate and swim when I’m not in the gym.  When I found your page I knew I had to share my story!!!  After hard work and dedication I’m down to a size 8, 165 pounds and loving life.

Wendy weight loss story