Today’s featured weight loss success story: Terraye lost 157 pounds. She gave us the full details of her 3 year journey where she did the research and learned what worked for her in terms of eating and exercise. I love it when ladies put their own unique weight loss plan together. Read her story:
“Hello Black Women Losing Weight, My weight loss journey began and ended in 2010 when I tipped the scale at a whooping 340 pounds. After years of trying miracle weight loss pills and diets. I decided to change my life. Fortunately I didn’t have any underlying health complications and prior to the weight gain I was very athletic. For the most part it was strictly about discipline, FOOD DISCIPLINE !!!
Initially, I started walking at the local park 6 days a week for about an hour. After a month I began to jog /walk. At the start I was only able to jog about 30 seconds at a time. The pounds were melting away and I was getting stronger and stronger. After 7 months I had lost about 60 pounds and I joined Ballys Total fitness. I began walking on the treadmill, then the elliptical, then the stairs and after I reached that -90lbs threshold. I started to add resistance training and other calisthenics (I would recommend adding these at the start of your weight loss journey).
I never hired a nutritionalist because I was too embarrassed to tell someone the amount of calories I would consume in a single day. I’m certain that I was consuming about 3000 calories daily just in beverages alone. I never hired a personal trainer because the mirror was all the motivation I needed. I researched different websites and read countless books on portion control and on obtaining a greater level of health and fitness.
With that information, I removed soda, sugar, bread and white rice out of my diet. I substituted it with lemon water, almonds and brown rice. Boring right?!?!? As my body changed and my abilities grew I had no desire for those unhealthy foods. I did however, allow myself a free meal weekly where I would have anything I wanted that wouldn’t reverse all the hard work I’ve put in. Strangely I’ve found that there are so many delicious foods that offer amazing benefits for my overall health and weight loss that I was missing out on while I was in someone’s drive thru lane. (Shrugs)
My transformation has taken about three years but I always say that I’m “under construction.” I generally workout 5-6 days a week for about 2 hours per session (I recommend spending less time in the gym so your body can recover properly). I’m nowhere near where I want to be physically but I tell myself daily that healthy doesn’t have a look. I work hard, I TRY to avoid behaviors that are not conducive to a healthy lifestyle and I stay as active as possible. A traditional gym can get boring and discouraging at times so I run and bike outdoors when I can; I lifts weights with the boys in the gym, I swim, box, rock climb, jump rope, skii and anything else where I can burn a calorie or two. The scale is a liar and we don’t get along very well but she says that I currently weigh 183 pounds. ;-).
My advice to anyone beginning this journey is to remember that one meal didn’t cause your weight gain so one workout will not reverse it. Consistency is key!!!! Don’t get caught up on a look or a number on a scale It will only complicate things. Pay close attention to non-scale victories they are the best motivational tools ever.
With Love, Terraye Mitchell-Evans”
Johnette says
You better weeerrrkkk! you look absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations on your success. We can do anything we put our mind to! Blessings on your continued journey!!
Judy says
I am so glad to hear the patience that you have shown during your journey. I know that a support from other Complusive Over eaters who are committed to change and patience. I will be praying for your continued change and patience.
Yolnika T Bailey says
You look absolutely amazing and you give me hope. Thanks Terraye!
Cece says
I’m excited for her about the weight loss; however, very disappointed with the picture. It was clearly altered and discouraging for others using this as motivation. I’ll still continue to uplift others while motivating myself. This after picture is extremely discouraging.
Ajima Jackson says
http://www.facebook.com/terraye – You can visit her FB page if you’d like to see other photos of her at the same size. BWLW always looks at more than one photo when we post these stories, to verify the person’s identity and weight loss. We would never post something that was out and out false.
Mindful says
Looking for a reason to fail.
Cece says
Reason to fail? Not quite. Never have been a negative person. I visited her Facebook page before posting and she looks great. I’ve also done photography for several years and noticed the entire right side of the picture had been altered. Again I’m excited for her about the weight loss, as I’ve lost 40 pounds myself. I’m just disappointed in the picture. Failure isn’t an option for anyone. I actually love this site and seeing how everyone is giving tips on improving their health!
terraye says
Oh Cece, sorry that my life and photos disappoint you. especially because I live for your approval! HA!.. Im the biggest critic when it comes to my body so trust me nothing you can say has any merit. Sorry to disappoint you again… I have posted another picture from that same “Selfie Photo shoot” in the comment section for you review 🙂
Cece says
It’s funny how everyone only focused on the fact where I mentioned the altered picture. No need to defend your weight loss to me. I congratulated you on that already. Kudos to you, you go girl, if you can do it anyone can, you motivated so many people today… Really? So sensitive dang. The picture looks altered on the right side. My eyes see what everyone else won’t say. I know you lost weight… Never took that away from you. Keep up the good work lol. Not that serious for you to upload a new picture. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. at the end of the day, to Cece, this picture still looks jacked up on the right side with the stretched tiles. My opinion. Like I said before keep up the good work!
Saundra says
Bravo!!!! I love your no-nonsense approach and your straightforwardness. Very inspiring and motivating. Thanks for sharing and best of luck on your continuing journey.
s.perry says
You look amazing! I love reading uplifting, motivational weight loss success stories. Keep up the great work! I am inspired
samantha says
congratulations! Your success is phenomenal and your story is motivational.
Tieysha Jackson says
This is my friend. She is my motivation. She is my hero. I love her. Go Terrace Honey. I am so proud of you!!
curtis mitchell says
Well Cece,thats my sister and i can vouch for her. She has lost every pound that she says.
Vanessa Harris says
You look Amazing, you are a great inspiration. ..
Yolanda says
You have done a great job and that’s a wonderful testimony so inspiring for me. Good luck on your journey!
Lorretta says
Awesome testimony, Gurl! You are an inspiration.
Tamara says
Well Cece, you could have kept all of that. If you visited her FB page that should have been enough for you to see the transformation. Any who like, Terraye said she doesn’t live for your approval. Congratulations Terraye beautiful Journey keep moving forward. You are definitely an Inspiration.
DARLENE G. says
You look great.keep up the good work,am very obese,and by me reading these weight loss stories this motivate me,if they can do it I can too.
W.h. says
Normally I wouldn’t bother with a comment because I come mainly for that extra motivation and enjoy reading other people’s stories. However I think it’s extremely petty that all of these comments are related to cece’s comment instead of just in general congratulating this woman on her ability to lose so much weight… Move on people! You don’t need to stand up or vouch for terraye it’s obvious she lost weight. However, Cece is right the pic does appear to be altered and can be distracting. However we can still tell the weight was lost but people can still critique the photo. Presentation and first impressions are everything so someone should not have to investigate go to Facebook etc they should just be able to know that the pics shown are real and unaltered photos. I don’t think it was that big of a deal…. Let’s go back to the purpose of these photos and stories and stop being catty.
terraye says
@cece…Po baby…I won’t validate you any longer but I will upload a picture of me in my 2 piece when I go to Puerto Rico next month for your approval
Cherron R. Wilson says
WTG you look amazing, keep up the good work you are beautiful
Teena says
U look good girl! Hey Cece u should share you pics as well..
Belinda Walker says
Thank you!
Paris says
I swear no matter what you do, there is always that hater lerking around. All that was truly uncalled for. Just dnt even comment at all. Congratulations on your weight loss journey. I know it wasn’t easy. You are truly an inspiration!!
Natia says
So I hopped on the book today after being off for a while. I came across this article and wanted to read more. I thought “WOW Terraye showed out and defeated obesity!” You have a very inspiring story; however, these comments are an outrage. One thing about posting a picture, is that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Some people may like, some may not and that’s just the reality of it. I read Cece’s comment and I don’t think she doubted anything. Sounds like she just didn’t like the picture. A closer look and I see something going on under the phone that is causing a distraction and may question the validity of the photo not the weight loss. This thread was not as friendly as I thought. If you’re not looking for approval, don’t let someone get the best of you and have you proving your success to them. Anywho, you lost the weight and congrats.
Antoinette says
Congrats on a damn good job of shedding those pounds!
Can you point me to the books that you read on nutrition? I would also love to do my own research. Tired of this yo-yoing!
Angela says
Inspirational!!!
Latoya Newkirk says
I wanna share mine! I lost 67lbs! I know. Not a lot in comparrison, but I didnt exercise AT ALL lol.
Ajima Jackson says
I’ve been posting 1-2 stories a day for over a year and half and this is the FIRST time that there has been questions about validity of photos. I’m not going to entertain it. If I was not through in choosing these stories, 4 of the Ladies I’ve featured would not have appeared in People Magazine after they contacted me about getting in touch with them. Of course they had to be researched and proved that the weight loss was real. I’m not as strict as them but I DO my research and would never knowingly post a false story. As I noted before, Terraye has posted a ton of photos on Facebook. If you have a question or doubt there is more than enough evidence. AND…I’ve been in web design and graphic design for over 14 years. I KNOW photoshop. This is not a photoshopped image. These women have nothing to gain by deceiving anyone. They are not being paid to post their photos. They only want to INSPIRE and help others with their stories. I honor that and I’m not going to let their good works be spit on.
GIGI says
Terraye you look good. You are an inspiration to many black women. That’s it and that’s all.
I don’t know when we as black women will learn just to compliment and uplift each other without the presence of latent criticism such as the suggestion of an altered photo.
White chicks support each other on their implants, botox, tummy tucks, breast lifts etc. They even lie to their girlfriends and tell them that their butt looks like a black girl booty after 2 but injections just to show their loyalty.
We as black women on the other hand can’t just uplift without having something negative to say.
In trenched in the presence of our negativity lays the spirit of competition and genocide that the slave masters conditioned us into being. Back then it was the “house nigg@ versus the slave nigg@” or the “Aunt Jemima versus the one the slave master screws”. What these black women failed to realize back in slavery days is that although they were conditioned into being each other’s rivalries, they were all still “SLAVES” being used at the masters discretion.
SISTAHS….Let’s wake up and don’t allow the blood of the ones who have pave the way for us (Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Madame C.J. Walker, etc) to be in vein by subscribing to the negativity that the slave masters have conditioned us to become.
Nice-Nasty Comments like:
That sistah is successful but she’s ghetto or she’s smart but she’s a hoe or she lost massive weight but her photos look altered all show our induction to the “HATER CLUB” that was founded by the slave masters…
Ajima Jackson and Black Women Losing Weight, thanks so much for all of the awesome work you do in displaying the hard work of black women in their weight loss journey. This is an inspiration for many of us and we appreciate your commitment. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK SISTAHS…. BWLW rocks!!!!!!!!!!!
Gigi
Subrina says
Thanks for this comment GiGi.
And Terraye…you look beautiful!!!! And great job. This was not an easy journey. You had and have to fight your mind, body, spirit and your community to get to where you are and where you are going. I wish you much success on your journey.
Meisha Strother says
Wooooooow, this story has really been a confirmation of this journey of weight loss. Ms. Terraye I thank you way from Sacramento Ca Boo:):) You and your photos’ have motivated me to PUSH myself even when I don’t want too:/ Lol
I’d love to add you on FB to continue getting tips from you if you’d except (Haven’t checked to see if your page is open or private yet, lol)
Thank you
terraye says
Meisha..Yes send me a request. ..Thank you very much hun.. I’m glad that I’m able to provide so much motivation. I never imagined that my journey would affect so many people… we are in this together hun… #UnderConstruction
Nu Girl says
Way to go! You did an awesome job on your weight loss journey. Do you have any other nutrition tips you are willing to share? I would love your help. Thanks in advance! =)
terraye says
Nu Girl..thank you dear… I would recommend eating breakfast at least 2 hrs after waking and making sure that it’s protein based and filling. (Oatmeal n boiled egg whites ) this will balance your blood sugar and help u to fight craving. .Also eat you dinner for lunch… ( baked fish/chicken, brown rice, veggies) ..drink lots of water :-)..
Sonia says
Amazing! Thanks for the inspiration.
reuna says
Our stories are very similar, I’m at 281 now started at 296, I’ve been walking 4 miles everyday, I haven’t allowed myself any cheat days yet, but you ate motivation that slow and steady will still achieve positive results. …keep up the good work!
UNCLE JACK says
NICE WORK HERO, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK….HOPE TO CATCH YOU AT LA FITNESS…..PEACE
TENESHIA MITCHELL says
Congratulations cousin you can do what you sat your mind to do
Hazel says
Very inspiring story! I have lost about 35 lbs and would like to lose 40 more. Your right on many aspects and provided great advice. I try to change my routine to not get bord and just stay active. Thank you so much for sharing!
Janine D says
Alright now Mrs Evans (lol). You go girl!!! You are truly an inspiration. Time to put in work, I wanna be like u when I grow up lol. Seriously your journey is amazing. Gotta come work out with you soon!
Hey says
Yasss Terraye! Yassss!
Rita says
Terraye, you look amazing. She you at the gym. Jack’s fiend.