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weight loss story

Updated: Avonna lost 115 pounds

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Updated Dec 2013: Avonna has lost a total of 115 pounds.  She wrote in to update blog post we did on her back in April.

“As of today I am 115 lbs down! I jog almost everyday, a strength train and I challenge myself to new challenges.! It’s been a thought year but I have come along way and I still have a long way to go. Follow my journey on IG @FabulousVonnie. This year shall be greater than last. My eating habits have changed drastically!  How I look and feel about food is completely different! It’s a mental process more than anything. Fruits and veggies are my bestfriend!  But it’s more so the feeling of knowing that I don’t want to be fat any more.”

Avonna before and after

Let’s show some life transformation love to Avonna who has released 60 pounds and transformed the way she feels about herself and her body.  She has given us a lot of detail from her weight loss journey.  She put together her own exercise plan through research and putting it to the test.   She also ate clean.

“Growing up being FAT was a struggle! I wasn’t popular, barely had friends and didn’t like myself. Everyone around me was skinny, petite and then there was me. I was always referred to as “Big Von” I was that sister figure to guys, not the attractive, “be my girlfriend” type. That was miserable.

I come from a fit strict family! For the longest time I was the biggest one and it became uncomfortable and it didn’t help me knowing that I was a disgrace! It caused me to fall into a depression and that caused me to eat, ultimately getting even heavier. Due to my weight and what I was going through, I had low self esteem! Practically no respect for myself, I didn’t care. I didn’t care to get dressed or anything! I was plain Jane.

Up until recently, I was in a 5 year relationship and was comfortable! I knew this was forever and was once again neglecting my body! My relationship ended in the beginning of the year and I decided I need to make changes. I wasn’t happy with my body, my personality or anything. I felt he continuously cheated because I wasn’t attractive. I was never approached by men! I felt disgusting. So in Feb 2012 I walked into a gym, LA Fitness. And decided to take control of my life. I have lost 60 pounds and I got into fashion more and I feel much better about myself. My head is held high and I feel beautiful. There are no more nights were I feel like I am in another body. I am a work in progress and I know it’s ultimately up to me to decide where I want my fate with my body and happiness. The my lack of confidence prevented me from shinning to my brightest potential! I had to realize that I can only be the person that God wants and made me to be. I am in LOVE with the woman I am today! My weight no longer defines me!!

324 was my starting weight. So embarrassing. I never really admitted that to any one before.  I created my exercise plan by doing research and putting my research to the test. I would create my own circuit workouts and rub drills. I would walk on the treadmill and gradually increase my speed and incline. As far as eating I clean eat. No fast food, processed foods, fried foods and eating in moderation was definitely important. I had to realize when I was hungry or when I was bored. I am an emotion eater. I eat when I’m happy, sad, mad, angry…whatever the emotion was I ate to it.  That’s sad to say.  Now, I eat more leafy veggies to keep me full longer. I cut out all sugary drinks and focused straight on water. Strictly water.”

Check out her blog: confessionsofafatchick.com

avonna weight loss story

Nekita lost 145 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story: Proud Delta Sigma Theta soror, Nekita lost 145 pounds with the help of Weight Watchers and by working out.  Here is what she shared with us:

“On September 8, 2008, I joined Weight Watchers weighing in at 288 pounds. In September 2009, I had lost 110 pounds and was weighing 178 pounds.  In the midst of that, I had my second daughter causing me to gain 85 pounds back but then have a major come back with diet and exercise.   I hit my goal weight in March of 2012 weighing in at 143 pounds for a total of 145 total lost, which I am still maintaining.

I decided to start my journey to a healthier me for a number of reasons. At 24 years of age, I had high blood pressure and had reached a weight of 288 pounds. I’ve always loved to eat, but my love for food was making it physically impossible to enjoy playing and riding roller coasters with my daughter, traveling by plane due to seating size restriction, or even just walking a flight of stairs without taking a break. After suffering much of the humiliation of not being physically able to enjoy life and being at risk for so many diseases mentioned by the doctor, I decided to make the commitment to change my life.

Living a healthy lifestyle has been no walk in the park.  There are good days and most definitely there are the challenging days. Working out and changing the way I eat is no longer a chore just to lose weight, but it has now become a part of my life which motivates me to carry out this habit throughout my daily life.  My advice to others would be if you fall try to pick yourself back up again and start fresh; every day is a new day. Take it one day at a time, and set small goals along the way instead of looking at the ultimate goal. Try not to look at being healthy as a diet which is temporary, but as a lifestyle change that will take time.  Always have the “I can attitude” and be willing to try new things.

nekita weight loss story

Cledra lost 75 pounds and transformed her life

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Ladies, I want to bring you the weight loss journey of a very inspiring sista named Cledra.  She overcame real tragedy and transformed her life.  Now she is working to inspire others.  

“The work you do to support our community is PHENOMENAL! I recently completed a Half Marathon and if my story can serve your audience I am more than willing to help ! MANY black women especially think that running is NOT possible.  I started jogging at 246lbs (as you can see below) BUT you do need the right education about running! OK….. Here’s my before and my “continuously evolving” picture!  NOW changes in every moment as you know!

Cledra weight loss

My motivation……
I was a woman who lived my life by a checklist. College, Grad school, corporate job, get married, and have a baby. It wasn’t until the day after Mothers Day 2007 when I went in for my 2nd trimester ultrasound that my entire life changed.  I discovered that my baby’s heart had stopped. It was the darkest time of my life and just when I thought it couldn’t get any darker, less than 90 days later my then husband sat me down to tell me he was seeing someone else. Life by design had become life by destruction. Having doubled in size during my pregnancy and the grief of my baby and my “fairy tale” life, I started running.

In the picture on the left I was 246lbs and it was 2 weeks after the memorial service for my baby. Running was my sanctuary. Many days I couldn’t tell the difference between the sweat and the tears but God had spoken to me during my baby’s service and said “lay aside the weight….run on….run on”. My life had been sparred for some reason and at the time I didn’t know why. Obese, filing for divorce, trying to wrap my mind around just how my life ended up this way I joined Jenny Craig because the thought of planning meals, counting, points, or doing anything beyond getting out of bed each day with the weight of grief and pain in my heart was just too much. I got 40 lbs off with Jenny Crag but then would binge repeatedly and self sabotage. This went on for so long I got professional help and realized that at 205lbs (which was the what I weighed when I got pregnant) I would have flashbacks of my baby and I would eat to numb the pain.

I was diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and at that time to get past 205lbs I decided I needed stronger intervention for my obesity and I got lapband surgery. It had just been approved for people who were obese and had one other illness which for me was also high blood pressure. With a lot of therapy, a life coach, and prayer I was able to move past 205lbs and drop another 35lbs. My journey has been long and at times I made it longer by looking for the quick fix. I want women to know that when life deals us cards of disappointment, tragedy, and heartbreak that we can PRESS. We can PRESS when it doesn’t make sense. We can PRESS with a heavy and broken heart. We can PRESS with a “mrs” or without. We can PRESS if God spares our baby or not. PRESS and see what GOD has. Now my life is once again beyond what I ever imagined. I help other women drop ALL weight…not just physical but the weight of bad relationships, the weight of childhood messages, the weight of the “happy face mask”, and so much more. I also just wrote my first book “8 Weights to Drop to WAKE UP to your BEST life”. God has given me beauty for ashes and kept every promise to stay close to the broken hearted and to give double for my trouble. I hope my story inspires a woman who is in the dark right now. A woman who feels loss, hopeless, and perhaps even forsaken. I’ve been there and I KNOW there is HOPE.

EXERCISE:
I workout ALL the time! I was the classic woman who always worked out but OVERATE and so NEVER saw results! I just completed a half marathon but my typical workout regimen(which btw I worked out 90% of the time at home…no gym membership…at least not one that I used!) is 3 days cardio and 2-3 days the FIRM DVDs (aerobic weight training) and 1 day yoga/hot yoga and sometimes 1 day active rest like a bike ride. Working out is my anti-depressant! In my darkest days my OB doctor told me that 30 min of activity had the same benefits of taking a pill without the side effects and I was SOLD! I wanted healing and so in a way ….exercise is the way I cooperate with my God in restoring my soul each and every day!

My site: www.planBEcoach.com There’s a FREE ebook “Stop the INSANITY of QUITTING on your BEST body and BEST life”
My book: 8 weights to drop to wake up to your best life.  All the BEST! -Cledra”

Updated Photo (Nov 2013)

Cledra plan be weight loss book

Chanelle lost 52 pounds

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Today’s weight loss story:  Chanelle lost 52 pounds by watching what she ate and exercising regularly.

“Hi, my name is Chanelle. I’m a single mom of twin boys and a daughter.  If u look at the old pics on my profile, you’ll see that I have gone from 260 pounds to 208 pounds By Myself!  I work out and watch what I eat.   No soda and no sugar!!!!  I also work out and do toning exercises.  I have serious self control!!!  These photos show the results of changing bad eating habits and working out regularly…and I’m going to lose ten more lbs!!

Will power and depression prompted my changes on this journey. I started working out Aug 2011 just for fun and too see what would happen.  I realized that I didn’t want junk food after all that hard work.  By Aug 2012, I’d lost 52 pounds.  I go to the YMCA  and I do classes (body combat, step interval, and every now and then a spinning class) and I keep toned with regular cardio and weights..and a lil prayer helped too!!”

Chanelle weight loss

Kena lost 118 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story:  Blogger Kena lost 118 pounds.  Check out her weight loss blog  www.fat2phat2fit.blogspot.com.  Here is her weight loss story:

My issues with food started in my childhood. I was a picky eater that was addicted to junk food. In hindsight, I can see that the behaviors I displayed back then set me up for failure as an adult. I never cared much about ‘meals’, but present a dessert, a bag of Cheez Doodles or a package of cheap, hard, cream filled sandwich cookies (preferably lemon) to me and I was in heaven. I could survive on processed, high carbohydrate foods without giving protein, fiber or vitamins a second thought. My mother baked and cooked most of our meals from scratch. I thought ‘homemade’ was so old fashioned. I didn’t want baked macaroni and cheese, give me the processed Kraft macaroni and cheese! You know, the throwback kind in the skinny box that came with cheese powder and was a neon orange color. She made us eat shredded wheat, raisin bran and cornflakes. The day my father brought home Pop Tarts you’d think he’d been found guilty of child abuse. My mother wanted us to eat healthfully and prepared nutritious meals. As a child, I wanted no parts of that. I carried those behaviors into my teen and adult years. Needless to say those high carb, fast food and processed food habits landed me on the door step of 300lbs. My journey has been going on for about a decade now. I’ve hit several plateaus along the way. Fortunately I never put the weight back on. Once i lost it, I lost it. I just got ‘stuck’, or my effort level wasn’t enough to produce actual results. I commend those that can lose 100+ lbs in a year. It took me nearly ten years to lose 120 lbs, but I am more than thankful for the journey and the knowledge I’ve learned along the way. I’m only about 25-30 lbs from my goal weight/size. Whichever comes first!

Kena weight loss blogger

One of my favorite quotes is from G. I. Joe. “Knowing is Half the Battle”. You can’t successfully overcome any issue without fully understanding what is causing it. Being REAL with yourself about your workouts, what you’re eating and drinking is the bottom line. Track your food intake until you get this weight loss thing down pat. Stop worrying about your hair, what other people think or how expensive your sneakers and athletic wear is. Educate yourself, there are too many free, reliable resources found on the internet to be ignorant about health and nutrition.

I’ve used Weight Watchers, appetite suppressants, protein meal replacement shakes, as tools in my journey. These were just TOOLS. I had to put in the work. Having a support system is great. But someone else should not determine how well you progress on your weightloss/health journey. At the very least you should invest in:

A gym membership, (there are a few nationwide franchises that offer $10/monthly memberships, There may be a planet fitness franchise in your area) OR Fitness DVDS (collagevideo.com is an EXCELLENT online source) OR Create your own gym at home (kettle bells, jump rope, resistance bands, etc are great if you don’t have a lot of room)

Also: a heart rate monitor, a good pair of sneakers, a good sports bra all are essential. (When I couldn’t afford a good sports bra, I wore two cheap ones at a time)  .

Find a Zumba class, or fitness boot camp in your area to help add variety to your regimen.I don’t skip breakfast, skipping breakfast sets your day up for failure. Other than my protein shakes I choose not to drink my calories. Soda, tea, alcoholic beverages, and juice consumption are limited. Try diluting your favorite juice blend with a flavored club soda or sparkling water. Fruit infused water is another of my favorites. A crockpot is soooo old school but comes in handy. You can prepare healthy meals for yourself or your family with a little bit of prep work. Soups, stews, chili and other one pot meals are right at your fingertips.

I watch my carbohydrate intake. You don’t have to follow a low carb lifestyle, but limit the white: sugar, breads,potatoes and rice. Fruit and veggies are great NATURAL snacks. I enjoy eating and making kale chips and sweet potato chips.

Don’t eat what you don’t like. You’ll only be miserable trying to follow a ‘diet’ comprised of foods that you don’t enjoy. This is all about a lifestyle change that you can LIVE with.

Don’t worry about how you look to others when you start your fitness journey. Just do you. Don’t let self doubt hinder your success. Don’t allow the “I Can’ts” keep you from being the person that you want. I was fortunate to have a great trainer that pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I cried when I was mad at him for pushing me. I cried when he pushed me to success. I would have never believed that I could run a 5K or do a wall sit for 12 minutes. I’m not the ‘face’ of fitness. (And you don’t have to be either). The full hips and thighs on my ‘pear’ shape isn’t the status quo for fitness. And I’m perfectly OK with that. I am recreating the ‘face’ of fitness. This curvy, pear shaped African American woman is strong and determined and that is all that should matter.

I’m also trying my hand at blogging. Check my ‘baby’ blog out at www.fat2phat2fit.blogspot.com

Ladies, Weight loss blogging is a great way to share your story, share your struggles and share your success with others who are losing weight.  I’ve created a quick guide to setting up your weight loss blog.  Check it out.

Towanna lost 68 pounds

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Success Story Update: Towanna gave us an update on her weight loss and she is still going strong. This 53 year old grandma of 2 went from a size 24 to a size 10 in the past.  She’s faced a medical setback but is encouraged about losing more weight and staying healthy.  Everyone has ups and downs, but it’s how you deal with them that will determine your ultimate success.  Here is what she had to say about her journey…

Towanna before and after

I was featured in 2013, but I’m still on this amazing journey. I eat healthy and walk everyday. I’m off of all medications. My goal is to loose 25 more pounds.

I had a set back due to arthritis in both knees and I’m at a size 14, but I don’t let that stop me. I’ve learned with weight loss that you have to focus on healthy eating and exercise. I also have learned not to put a time limit on when to lose weight.

The adjustment I’ve made since 2013 is riding the stationary bike instead of using the treadmill, because of the arthritis. I walk everyday. I start each morning with a green smoothie, followed by a healthy lunch and dinner. I would tell everyone to take little steps in the beginning, then do more each day.

~Original Post ~

Today’s weight loss success story: Towanna lost 68 pounds.  She is in it for the long haul and has been losing weight by making small changes over time.

My name is Towanna. I’m a 51. I’m a grandmother of 2. I’m still on this amazing journey. I am not giving up!! My heaviest was 245 pounds.  In the 2nd pic  I’m 190 pounds and in the last pic I’m 177 pounds.   I have 20 more pounds to go.  Started my journey Aug 2009.  I went from a size 24 to a 10. I walked and used the treadmill for exercise. I gave up sugar and soda. I recently gained 17 pounds back, but I’m not giving up. Prayer, meditation and journaling keeps me Focused.

Towanna weight loss

Jacque lost 80 pounds in 7 months

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Update Oct 2015 – We featured Jacque’s story back in 2013.  This Zeta Phi Beta soror lost 80 pounds in 7 months.  She recently sent in an update to let us know that she’s not only maintained her weight loss, but also lost another 20 pounds for a total of 100 pounds gone. Check out her updated before and after.

jacque before and after

I have lost 100 pounds! I continue to workout by teaching Zumba and reducing my food intake. I stay motivated through my students. The biggest lesson I have learned is staying healthy is a way of life. If you eat everyday, you should workout everyday. Some days more than others. Whether you do a Zumba class or you take the stairs instead of taking the elevator, you should have some form of exercise daily.

I’m hosting a $1 Zumba class in Raleigh, North Carolina, hoping to help people in my area. The class is every Monday from 6pm to 7:15pm. My business, Z-Fitness with Jacque Inc., is all about helping women meet their fitness goals.

March 2013 – Featured weight loss success story of the day: Zeta Phi Beta Soror Jacque lost 80 pounds in 7 months.  She did it by working out and eating smaller portions.  She is now a Zumba instructor.

“Here is my weight loss picture. I did it in 7 months with mostly Zumba, treadmill and smaller portions of food. I am now a Zumba instructor and impacting many other people.  When I started this journey, I just knew I had to loose weight. I started out walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes twice a day. I didn’t diet.  What I did was used portion control. I ate my meals on a smaller plate. For lunch I had Progresso soup daily and didn’t eat after 6pm. I did cut out two of the foods I consumed the most of which was any type of bread and Pepsi’s. I also stopped eating at fast food windows. I started at 255 and now 7 months later I weigh 175. It was hard work but I feel like anything you put your mind and heart to you can do it!  Thank you for sharing and hope it inspires someone else.”

Update 9/25/2013: “Hi I’m coming to you again. I was featured on your page in March 2013. I want to show people how I’m still loosing weight as a Zumba instructor and personal trainer. Being featured on your page has let me inspire a lot of people. As I continue to loose weight, eat healthy and eat in moderation, I want others to know that you can do whatever you put your mind to. I went from weighing 255 at a size 22 and now weighing 169 at a size 8 (86 pounds lost). To God be the glory! I hope this inspires someone else.”

Facebook page: Z-Fitness-with-Jacque-Inc

Original photo

Jacque weight loss story

Updated photo

Jacque updated weight loss story

 

Lloydia lost over 80 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Lloydia lost over 80 pounds.  She shared how she lost the weight:

“I’ve lost over 80 pound by working out and eating right.  I weighed 290 pounds and now I weigh 196 pounds. I started off by walking twice a day, 4 miles in the morning and 4 hours in the evening. I cut my eating habits in half.  Whatever I would normally eat for dinner I cut it in half and had it for lunch and dinner instead.  In the morning,  I only ate a piece of fruit and a protein bar or a egg white with spinach.  After walking twice a day, I went to the gym for weight lifting.”

Lloydia weight loss story

 

Letia lost 59 pounds

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Today’s featured weight loss success story:  Letia lost 59 pounds.

Letia weight loss

I am 25 years old, and after years and years of diets i just gave up.  High cholesterol and borderline diabetic, I couldn’t play with my kids and my knees hurt when I walked.  My husband loved me but I did not love myself.  Well, the way I looked anyway.  I had a stroke which was caused by my high cholesterol and many other things.  I’m sure by the grace of God I am here to see my kids but I knew that God gave me another chance and I needed to take full advantage.  How could I die from being overweight.  I felt it was selfish.  We are all human.  We are all people and we all can win this battle.  Nothing happened overnight, it took alot of praying and restraint and support and even if you don’t have a support system you and God is all you need.  I made myself a cut off time for food.  I stopped eating when I felt full.  I found alternatives to my fast food and snacks.  I never knew how much i enjoyed fruit and veggies.  I joined a gym.

I was a person that did not like breakfast but I realized I snacked a lot in between because I skipped breakfast.  I started including breakfast into a daily habit then I would have a snack.  I stopped eating out for lunch which saved money and calories.  I started drinking 64oz of water or more a day and making a cut off time of 8pm for dinner for snacks.  I had to figure out what I liked.  I used a website called hungrygirl.com which replaces your favorite fast food and makes it into a healthy meal.  That was a life saver because a lot of times on diets we cut everything out and then we become miserable.  I brought smaller plates for the house instead of the huge dinner plates I would pile food on.  I eat basically baked meats no beef no pork.  If I want flavor I will use crystal light.  When I eat my meals I drink water before.  I always eat my protein first then veggies then starch if I have any and when I feel full I stop.  I exercise 3-4 days a week weights are 2 of those days cardio are the others everyday.  I think about me having a stroke and it motivates me to push and never give up and go back to my old habits.  I have lost 59 pounds.

Joetta lost 40 pounds

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Today’s weight loss success story: Joetta lost 40 pounds by going vegan.  She is a proud military spouse who’s husband is currently deployed.  Here is what she had to say:

“I have lost 40lbs since march. I started at 204 now im 163.5.  It was my goal to reach my preferred weight as a gift to myself and my husband who is currently deployed. I wanted to give him a new wife, inside and out. There is no better feeling than, being confident. My problem was food. I became a vegan, no fast food no junk food, only fruits, grains, and vegetables. I sometimes eat fish or seafood.

Joetta weight loss story