http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pumptv/2011/11/21/she-has-lost-over-260lbs--tune-in-to-hear-her-journey

dwn 260 lbs

Hello you guys, I am down 260 lbs now... I am planning a meet up next summer her in Atlanta, Ga. for the ones that would like to come meet me. I would love to meet the people that have been on this journey with me. I have come a long ways and have a long road to travel to get down to 180- 200 lbs. I am still Medifast and loving it because they have help me come a long ways in my journey. I am going to start using kettle bells next week when working out. I also doing a chair dance video that a friend from face book sent me name Sandy. It is a great workout that I been using since my knees have been bothering me.

Goals –

Go to the Ga. Aquarium
Visit New Orleans
Get a car
Continue helping people
Next year walk in a cancer walk
Lose 100lbs in the within the next year
Continue reducing the size of my lymph edema
Walk a 2 mile with no problem none stop
Have a meet up in Atlanta, Ga.
Work on toning arms, strengthening legs, reshaping body

I know it has been a long time

I know that it have been a long time since I post last. I do apologize for that; I have been busy with thing going on with my family. I will start back posting on here weekly. I will start back giving update on how I am doing and what is going on with me and my journey. I have been going through thing with my lymph edema keep getting infected which causes me to retain fluid. I am working with my doctor to get that under control. There is a waiting list for therapy so I am patiently waiting on my time to start back so that my legs will continue to reduce in size. I should be posting some pictures and video at the end of next month by then I should have the camera to do so. I really miss you all and looking forward to your comments. Thanks for all your support love ya!!!

Starting something New

I will be starting the YMCA on Augusta 8 @ 6:30 am. This will be the start of something new for me. I have been wanting to get into a gym for the longest. I finally have a chance to do that. I went and got my Breeze card done the other day. I no long have to wait on others to take me places. The reasons for doing is to reshape, tone, strengthen and build muscles. I start doing squats last week I am trying to work my way up to doing 100 squats a day. I am also working on get at least 2 gallons of water down a daily. I have this great new app on my iPod and cell called virtual gym i do those routine every morning when i get up. They give me the boost I need to get my day going right. I also have been doing easy cycle, bands, walking, windmills, marching, air boxing, wall push ups and chair exercise. I am so looking forward to Monday so I can start working out at a gym.

I AM HUMAN

I've had some tough times. But i am Proud of myself for getting through it and staying true myself and not giving in to the negativity. This weight loss journey is far from easy. I struggle sometimes to keep pressing on. I never let it get the best of me. Daily i push through all the pain.Sometimes I still do not see the results I feel I should. I still I push!! I want to give up sometimes. I still push! I WILL NOT GIVE UP.. I CAME TO WIN AND I WILL MEET MY GOALS!!! WHAT ABOUT YOU?

AFTER 1ST WEEK OF CHALLENGE

I LOST 20 LBS IN THE FIRST WEEK... I FEEL SO GOOD PUSHING MYSELF TO DO BETTER DAILY. I KNOW THAT LOST FOCUS BECAUSE OF THINGS THAT WAS GOING ON IN MY LIFE. I HAVE REGAINED IT. I STARTED THIS 15 WEEK CHALLENGE TO HELP MYSELF AND OTHERS TO PUSH THEMSELVES TO DO BETTER. I WALK EVERY MORNING AT 6 AM AND THEN COME BACK IN AND DO SOME INDOOR EXERCISE( WALL PUSH UPS, EASY CYCLE, RESISTANCE BAND, CHAIR EXERCISE, DANCING, WII BOXING, AND GET ANYTHING THAT KEEPS ME MOVING AND SWEATING. I CAN JUST TELL A DIFFERENCE I NO LONGER BE AS TIRED WHEN I AM WALKING. THE LYMPH EDEMA IN MY LEG IS GETTING SMALLER AND DROPPING.. I AM GETTING MY WATER IN AND EATING MY 5 & 1.. I AM DOING WHAT I CAN TO KEEP PUSHING MYSELF. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO A CANCER WALK ONE DAY BECAUSE AS YOU ALL READY KNOW MY MOM HAVE THROAT CANCER. I WILL BE GETTING SOME PICTURES UP SOON SO YOU CAN SEE HOW I AM LOOKING I SAVING UP FOR A CAMERA. I WILL TRY TO START POSTING MORE BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO HELP PEOPLE THAT IS ON THIS SAME JOURNEY AS ME..

DAY 2 OF 15 WEEK CHALLENGE

DAY 2.... UP AT 6AM I GOT MY WALK IN, LEGS EXERCISES FROM THERAPIST, RESISTANCE BANDS... I WILL DO EASY CYCLE, WALK, WALL PUSH UPS AND DANCING LATER TO DAY.. I HAD TO STOP BECAUSE I GOT DIZZY FROM ALL THE MEDS I AM ON.. I WILL NOT LET IT STOP ME IT WILL JUST SLOW ME DOWN..I HAVE 32 OZ OF WATER DWN. ABOUT TO READ THE BIBLE.

DAY 1 OF 15 WEEK CHALLENGE

DAY 1 OF 15 WEEK CHALLENGE.... I BEEN UP SINCE 6AM AND HAVE ALREADY GOT MY 30 MINUTE WALK IN WELL IT WAS COOL... I WILL GET ANOTHER 30 MINUTE WALK IN LATER TODAY. ALSO I DID 30 CHAIR LEG LIFTS, 3 REPS OF 30 RESISTANCE BAND, 2000 ON EASY CYCLE, AND 30 WALL PUSH UPS... THAT WAS ONLY MY AM WORKOUT.. I DO PLAN TO DO MORE LATER TODAY.. I JUST FINISH READING THE BIBLE (ISAIAH 58-62)

15 WEEK WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE

15 WEEK CHALLENGE

(MAY 15 - AUGUST 28, 2011)

Deadline May 14, 2011 to join

Rules

• Must weigh in before you start and take a picture.

(Send it to my face book inbox or email me at beautifulga2004@aol.com)

• Drink at least gallon of water daily

• Stay strict on whatever program that you are using

• Exercise a least 30-60 minutes a daily

• Build a relationship with the Most High ( read bible daily)

• Everyone who participates must go purchase a $20 gift card from the bank and mail it to me. ( I will send address to your inbox)

Prizes

I will set the prizes once I see how many people join in for the challenge. There will be a 1st place(most weight lost) and 2nd place winner (most percentage lost) I do know. Once I receive the gift cards I will list the prizes.



How to calculate weight loss and percentage

Beginning weight – ending weight = pounds lost

Pounds lost ÷ beginning weight) X 100 = percent weight lost

Why Exercise Is Important for Weight Loss

When we exercise to deplete the supply of blood sugar, hormones are released that instruct our fat cells to release fat into our bloodstream. The fat circulates to the muscles that need it for fuel, and we end up with less fat on our bodies. Just like a car needing gasoline to run.
Reason
Exercise plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body, it makes it possible to create a calorie deficit and lose weight without starving your body and slowing your metabolism. Exercise alone will not help you lose weight you will have to watch what you intake.
Eat healthy foods in reasonable quantities and exercise regularly to maintain good health, and your body will find a healthy weight naturally.
Categories of Exercise
Exercise is frequently divided into two categories
1. Aerobic exercise ( "cardio") causes you to breathe harder and increases your heart rate.
Performed on a regular basis, activities such as running and swimming improve both your respiratory (lungs) and your circulatory system (heart and blood vessels).
2. Strength building, ( resistance training) increases the proportion of muscle on your body. Examples include weight lifting with free weights and using a machine with variable resistance.
Because muscle is a metabolically active tissue, the more muscular you are the higher your metabolism will be. This means that you will burn more calories even at rest.
Exercise Regularly
People who exercise on a regular basis not only lose weight more effectively, but are more successful at keeping it off. And the significance of regular exercise goes beyond the physical benefits.
Regular exercise produces a mental attitude of self-care and self-esteem that bolsters confidence and the desire to continue to improve.
The health benefits of regular exercise
- reduced risk for heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis and diabetes.
- walking on a regular basis is of great value.
-reduce stress, anxiety and depression,
Not only does exercise burn calories, but exercise -- especially cardio -- causes your metabolism to remain elevated for a period of time after you finish exercising. And strength building exercise builds muscle, which helps to keep your metabolism elevated 24 hours a day.
Getting Started – Slowly
Just walking at first will be good. With time you will build your strength, endurance, and confidence.
You can challenge your body to improve by exercising just outside your "comfort zone." Then, when what you're doing is no longer a challenge, you can do a little more or do it a little harder, faster or longer. But forget about the old saying, "No Pain, No Gain." If you hurt, you won't get off the couch!
When you work your muscles, you may feel a little soreness the next day. This is called "delayed-onset muscle soreness" and it is especially common when you first begin exercising. Stressing your muscles causes microscopic tears to their fibers, and this causes the soreness. The good news is that as your muscles heal they become stronger.
If you experience any other type of pain, stop or see a doctor. Our bodies do a wonderful job of telling us when we are abusing them. The problem is, exercise can be so addicting that we sometimes don't want to stop and listen.
It's Natural
The human body was designed to be active, and the modern conveniences that make life so easy work to our detriment back. Walk to the store if you can instead of driving. On your lunch break get in a 30 minute walk instead of eating out.





www.caloriesperhour.com

EXERCISING

I got up early this morning to beat the rain and got a walk in. Then I did the steps in front on my building twice to help strengthen my legs and knees. I was playing on going back out before the rain came but it caught me doing my laundry. So I came back in the house and did my chair exercise for my legs that I was taught when I had physical therapy coming out. I used my resistant bands and easy cycle which was a task because my left arm is messed up been that way for a week now but i did not let that little pain stop me from future pleasure. So people please know that we must move move move no matter what. Our body need it to survive I notice that everytime I workout even if it just 10 minutes I just feel better about myself and can breathe better. When I just sit around my legs and body just ache but soon as I get up and get to moving I feel a lot better Mr. Wright said that is just my body telling get up and do something. So I do even if it just cleaning up my house it is still burning calories. My daily routine

-walking 30 minute or more
-easy cycle
-resistance bands
-dumb bells
-wall push ups
-chair exercise
-wii boxing
-dancing
-squats

I will do this to help me gain strength in my body. Just have to do what I can until I can afford to go to a gym and workout with a trainer. I will find things around the house to use that does not cost a thing. I always have ipod on when working out so I will not Think about what I am doing much and can do it longer.

I came to win!!!!!

I will love this song and I listen to it daily it is one of many songs that keep me in the right direction on my journey. Just wanted to share with you.

WHAT'S NEXT!!!!

I am looking for to the next year of this journey that I am on. I have done an amazing jobs of losing 215 lbs in a year. I have 332 more pounds to go and I am ready for whatever comes my way. I will be even more determined to succeed because I love the way that I am feeling. So I can only imagine what's to come from this. I went from not leaving my house in years. A year later I have changed my life around I I finished my associates degree in Psychology, I have lost 215 lbs, found love Mr.Wright, working on my degree in Medical Insurance Billing and Coding, I have my own place. (WOW what a year this have been) I will push myself even harder this year. I am making it my business to read bible, get in my water, exercise and stay on program. I know that God have been good to me so I must keep him first. What is next for me? I will let you know as things happen. I lymph edema have went down a good bit. (its still big but no where they size it use to be)2011 is the year for more success and I will knock down more road blocks nothing is getting in my way I CAME TO WIN!!!!!!! It feel so good to have this second chance at life and I will do whatever it takes to be happier and healthier. There are things that I plan on doing with in this next year like going on a vacation with Mr. Wright and my family. I want to start back driving this year. I will meet up with my sis Sylvia is a very sweet woman that keeps me on the right path. I also will like to say thanks to all my supporters because you all keep me motivated to continue this journey. I do not want anyone to go through what I went through so I enjoy sharing my story praying that it will help others or maybe even save some lives. So if anyone out there want to contact me you can find me on facebook (LaWonda Butterflylala Cooper-Wright) my email is Beautifulga2004@aol.com I am here for you we can do this together you just have a strong support system. Please only surround yourself with positive people!!! Be safe and blessed!!!!

It have been a year!!!!

IT"S BEEN A YEAR.(YAY) Ihave lost a total of 215 lbs. It was more but due 2 the swelling in my legs & stress in my life it went up.I've regrouped & back on track. I have 332 more lbs 2 go 2 reach my goal. I lost 10 lbs this week. I know that I am doing great & looking forward 2 melting away the rest of the weight. I'm a BUTTERFLY, I'm shedding my cocoon(weight)!!!

Negative People thanks for MOTIVATION!!!

I am human we all will mess up, some stay down but LaWonda will always get back up! Please keep all your negative messages to yourself. I have my ups and down like anyone else. The different between me and others(you) is that I will not give up on myself and goals. I am still on the Medifast program. I was not on it as strict(2 weeks) as I was because of personal issues but I am now back on track. I have lost over 200lbs in less than a year. I have weeks where I do not lose weight but that is life. I will just push myself harder. I will never go back to the way I was last March. I will reach my goal of 200-180(long term goal) So why you are focusing on sending me crazy messages, what are you doing to better yourself? LaWonda Cooper is doing GREAT!!! I will not let the BS that you are sending get me down. Please believe that when it comes to what I need to do to save me(because I was giving a second chance) I am a BEAST/SUPER WOMAN.(I'm still standing) So instead of sending me message join the band wagon and better yourself. I have lost weight(still losing), regain independence, got an degree in Psychology, still in school and have my own place. So my question to you is what are you doing with your life?(besides writing me) Please get some business about yourself; your life will be much better if you just focus on SELF. One thing I do know is I'm doing something right, for you all to be willing to waste time out your day just to write me crazy messages. Thanks for your motivation to keep doing what I am doing!!! (LOL) I love it!! Have a safe and blessed day!!!

61 days of Challenge left!!!

I have a 61 days of my 100 day challenge left, I had fallen off for a minute but I am back at it again. When you fall just get up dust yourself off and start again. I am having a lot of pain in my legs and they are really swollen right now but I have things that have to be done. I must get up and move move move daily!!! I've had ups and downs since starting the program but I never let it get the best of me. I know that I want to continue going in the right direction to having complete freedom from obesity and I will not go back to not being able to do for myself. I love being able to care for self and not depending on sister and mother to do everything for me. I still pushing and working hard to reach my goals of a healthier happier LaWonda Cooper. I know that is a lone road ahead and I am ready for that journey. I will continue to knock down the road blocks that get in my way.

CHALLENGE

-read bible daily
-drink a gallon water
-exercise an hour
-stay on plan 100%

the next 88 days

I am still not feeling good but I will be back on it tomorrow. I am on day 12 of my challenge and I have not worked out in a few days because of pain. I have to get back on track because my one year weight loss anniversary is coming up as of March 17, 2011. I need to see good numbers by then. I will not set any goals because they last time I did that publicly I did not meet my goal I was very upset. I have come a long way and I will not let anything get in my way of being a happier and healthier me. So I will get it in for the next 88 days!!!

pushing myself

I will be starting a 100 day challenge on Feb. 1, 2011...I will the read bible, keep a food journal, stay strict on program, drink a gallon of water, exercise 1 hour daily, rest on weekend.

NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!

YOU SHOULD NEVER GIVE UP ON THE THING THAT YOU REALLY WANT OR SHALL I SAY NEED TO DO IN LIFE. YEARS AGAO I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD BE DEAD IN THE NEXT 2 TO 3 YEARS THAT WAS A LIE BECAUSE I AM HERE NOW. EVERYONE TURN THEIR BACKS ON ME FROM SO CALLED FRIENDS, FAMILY AND MY DOCTORS, I FELT ALL ALONE AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. YEARS OF BEING STUCK IN MY HOUSE IN SEVERE PAIN WAS NOTHING BUT HELL I HAD NO PAIN PILLS BECAUSE MY DOCTOR WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY. I NEVER GAVE UP BECAUSE I KNEW THE MOST HIGH WAS GOING TO MAKE A WAY FOR ME TO GET UP OUT OF THAT SITUATION. I KNEW HE WAS JUST TESTING MY FAITH. I SAID FATHER I KNOW THAT EVERYTHING WITH ME WILL BE OK BECAUSE YOU WILL NEVER JUST LEAVE ME LIKE THIS. OH YEAH THERE WAS A TIME THAT I FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO DIE LIKE THAT BUT HE TOLD ME TO HANG IN THERE MY CHILD. BY GOD GRACES ON MARCH 17, 2010 I STARTED MEDIFAST AND IT REALLY WAS WHAT I NEEDED TO SAVE MY LIFE. HE GAVE ME A SECOND CHANCE AFTER PRAYING HARD ABOUT WHAT TO DO FATHER SHOULD I HAVE THAT GASTRIC OR LAP BAND SURGERY? OR FATHER JUST SHOW ME HOW I CAN DO IT WITHOUT ALL THAT THE NEXT MORNING EVERY TIME I TURNED ALL I SEEN WAS MEDIFAST. SO I STARTED AND I AM A NEW WOMAN NOW.I AM NOT GOING TO SAY IT WILL BE EASY BUT PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IN LIFE THAT IS GOOD COMES EASY. I AM STRICT ON MY PLAN THAT IS WHY I DO SO GOOD ON IT. I LOOK AT IT THAT I NEED TO LIVE BECAUSE I AM NOT READY TO DIE. I KNOW THERE ARE THINGS OUT THERE THAT I WANT TO OR NEED TO DO SO I KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO GET THERE. I AM NOW LOOKING TO GET MY OWN PLACE SO I CAN BE TRULY HAPPY THE WAY I WANT. I WORKING HARD TO GET MY INDEPENDENCE BACK. I AM NOW A HEALTH COACH WWW.LOSINGWEIGTWITHLAWONDA.TSFL.COM . I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH SOME ROUGH TIMES LATELY BUT I DID NOT LET BRING ME OFF OF MY FREAKING PLAN. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE WAITING FOR ME TO FAIL ON THIS PLAN AND GO BACK TO WHERE I COME FROM BUT I WILL NOT LET THAT HAPPEN I WILL PROVE THEM ALL WRONG BECAUSE LAWONDA WILL NEVER GO BACK TO HOW IT USE TO BE I LOVE MY LIFE NOW AND I KNOW IT IS GETTING BETTER DAY BY DAY. I ALSO HAVE TO THINK ALL THE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT IS SUPPORTING ME. YOU ALL REALLY HELP ME TO KEEP PUSHING THROUGH ALL THE BS THAT COMES MY WAY. I WILL CONTINUE TO BUST DOWN EVERY ROAD BLOCK THAT GETS INTO MY WAY BECAUSE I WILL SUCCEED IN EVERYTHING THAT I SET MY MIND ON IN LIFE. IF THERE ARE ANYONE OUT THERE LOOKING FOR SUPPORT OF THERE JOURNEY I AM HERE FOR YOU. I AM NOT LIKE MANY OF THE OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE I AM WHO I AM AND NO IT DOES NOT COST YOU A THING TO TALK TO ME. THE REASON I SAY THAT WAS BECAUSE I HAVE HAD PEOPLE ASK ME QUESTIONS AND BE LIKE I DO NOT HAVE ANY MONEY TO PAY YOU FOR TALKING WITH ME.. I WAS LIKE WOW REALLY HOW CAN YOU CHARGE SOMEONE FOR JUST A CONVERSATION IM NOT THAT PERSON HELPING PEOPLE REALLY HELPS ME AND I WILL BE BLESSED FOR IT. I AM HERE FOR EVERYONE THAT NEEDS ME..ONCE GAIN NEVER GIVE UP BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IF I CAN DO SO CAN YOU AND I WILL BE THERE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. LOVE YOU ALL BE BLESSED!!!

VIDEO UPDATE

UPDATES!!! 187 LBS IN 10 MONTHS

I KNOW IT HAVE BEEN A WHILE SINCE I POSTED BUT I HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BUSY WITH MY PERSONAL LIFE AND SCHOOL. I AM WORKING ON MY BACHELORS DEGREE AND IT IS VERY TIME CONSUMING. I WILL START POSTING WEEKLY AND POST PICTURES AND VIDEOS... I HAVE LOST 187 SINCE MARCH 17, 2010 ON THE MEDIFAST PLAN... THAT IS IN ONLY 10 MONTHS I DID THAT AND IT FEELS SO GOOD TO BE ABLE TO GET UP AND LIVE MY LIFE THE WAY I WANT.. I AM PUSHING MYSELF DAILY TO GO HARDER. I PLAN ON JOINING THE GYM VERY SOON SO I CAN WORK ON TIGHTEN UP MY LOOSE SKIN. MY LYMPH EDEMA IN MY LEGS ARE GOING DOWN .. I GO TO THERAPY 5 DAYS A WEEK AND I CAN TELL A BIG DIFFERENCE SINCE STARTING...