before and after weight loss

Jordin Sparks was all smiles in NYC on Tuesday, and for good reason: not only was she celebrating the premiere of her new film, Sparkle, but also, she looked stunning in her red Alice + Olivia dress. Jordin, 22, recently gave her life a healthy makeover, and her efforts resulted in an impressive 50-pound weight loss!

To lose the weight, Jordin mixed up her fitness routine with running, boxing, and Zumba. (She even takes her mom to her Zumba classes, which are taught by a family friend.) And because exercise alone won't do the trick, Jordin gave her diet a complete overhaul. Most importantly, she gave herself time, beginning her weight-loss journey almost two years ago. Jordin recently told Redbook, "My whole journey has been about self-acceptance. There's no quick or magical way to lose weight. You just have to do it the natural way — diet and exercise and stick to it — and be able to do it at your own pace. Everyone has their own thing."

Now that DWTS is over, everyone is, as usual, talking weight loss. This time the weight-loss winner is Kirstie Alley; earlier in the season, the actress claimed that she was a size four-six, the result of losing 60 pounds before the show (which she's said was due to diet supplements that she endorses).

To show off her success, Kirstie even wore the same dress on her final dance that she wore in the very first episode, tailored to fit her now that she lost the weight. "My dress is half the size it was when we started," she said — reportedly lost a total of 38 inches.

The actress, while she has yet to announce an official weight-loss figure while on the TV show, tweeted that she had lost over 10 pounds only about two weeks into the show. Some of that was the result of a 1,400-calorie diet even while working out five to seven hours a day. Not fueling your body enough during a grueling workout is the opposite of sustainable and healthy weight loss — you'll have no energy and lose muscle mass, and restricting calories can lead to a slower metabolic rate. Even Kirstie agreed; she said she was upping her calorie intake after falling and feeling dizzy from low blood-sugar earlier this month.

Regardless of how much or how she lost the weight, she's has shown how fun it can be to dance the pounds off! Are you happy for Kirstie's weight-loss success?

We have made it to the final week of our 12-week community challenge and giveaway. Congratulations! All your posts, recipes, and reviews have been truly inspirational.

This week's challenge: write a blog post in the Get Fit community group sharing the results of your three months of healthy living. Do upload a photo of yourself — before and after, or re-assess your fitness level and share the results. Let us know how you've improved.

By completing any of these challenges, you will be automatically entered for a chance to win our weekly prize — a $100 New Balance gift card and our grand prize! At the end of the three-month challenge, we will pick a grand prize winner at random from all of the weekly challenge entries. Remember, the more you participate, the more chances you have to win the grand prize: a Get Fit Boot Camp in Los Angeles that includes a round-trip flight to Los Angeles, a four-night stay at the W Hollywood, a personal training session with celebrity trainer Jeanette Jenkins, a nutrition consultation with C & J Nutrition, and four workout sessions with our very own FitSugar editors that will be featured on PopSugar LivingTV.

If you're ready to join the fun and feel the community support, log in and head directly to Get Fit For 2011. Need a little help making a blog post? Here are tips on posting in our group.

You have until 11:59 p.m. PDT on Sunday, April 3, to complete any of these challenges. Ready. Set. Blog!

"It was something that was never on my radar. Then I thought, why not just do it? Why not just throw my body out there and try and see what I can do?"

— Robin Quivers on running the New York City Marathon. The radio personality, 58, told People that three years ago she could barely walk a few blocks. She then switched to a vegan diet and began exercising — 80 pounds later, and she's running in a marathon!

Wynonna Judd has a new lease on life these days. After dropping 55 pounds and five dress sizes, the country music singer tells People that she feels "more alive."

For Wynonna, finding the motivation to commit to a healthier lifestyle came in the form of two life-threatening health scares. In March, doctors discovered blood clots in her lungs, and in July, Wynonna was involved in a head-on car collision.

To lose the weight, Wynonna underwent "brain state conditioning," which has helped her stop using food as a coping mechanism: "My weight was a symptom and not the problem. I used food to soothe and reward and I don't do that anymore."

But as many of us know, a healthy diet and exercise are also key. Wynonna gave her kitchen a makeover and no longer keeps unhealthy items stocked in her pantry. She also goes on walks every day: "I can walk up the hill behind my house without puking."

It is week 12 — the final week — of our Get Fit For 2010 giveaway. This week's challenge is to share your results from three months of healthy living. FitSugar reader hickje01 was hoping to look better but never expected she'd feel better and be healthier too!

I must confess that when I started off on this quest for a fitter, healthier me in 2010 . . . my focus was geared towards healthy eating and exercise. I didn't really consider the other aspects of my body and lifestyle that might change with this new regimen. However, when I visited the doctor the other day, she reported that my resting heart rate was 47 beats per minute which aligns with levels reserved for well-trained athletes! I was sort of shocked? I know I have been working hard but never had I considered how much my body was benefiting from my new endeavors. Last night, I took a little more time to reflect and realized that my skin has been clearer, my mood brighter and so many other aspects of my life have felt the "trickle down" effect of my triumphs. The more I learn about my body, the more I want to take care of it. The moral of the story is that my 2010 goals were very superficial (i.e. bathing suit body and skinny jeans!) but I think the inner me is reaping the benefits.

The Get Fit For 2010 giveaway is almost over so be sure to write up your before and after experience. By participating, you'll also be entered into the drawing for our weekly giveaway of a $100 Nike gift card as well as our awesome grand prize.

We're up to week 12 of the Get Fit For 2010 giveaway, and FitSugar readers mshay05 and annnnnnnie shared with us their before and after results.

From mshay05:

Well my start weight was 150 I am now at 142. I'm sooooo happy with it. I am also so thrilled with the habits that I formed. I am eating healthy, and I am really aware of what I am eating. I feel that I have more energy and I feel more healthy overall! I also love to work out more now than ever! I am focused to stay on track! I also have improved self-esteem, always a plus!

From annnnnnnie:

Jan 2009: 147lbs
Dec 2009: 136lbs
Mar 2010: 130lbs (Current)

Total Weight Loss since Jan 2009: 17lbs (11.6%)
Total Weight Loss since Jan 2010: 6lbs (4.4%)

Target Weight: 123lbs
7 more lbs to go!

The Get Fit For 2010 giveaway is almost over so make sure to complete the final challenge! By participating, you'll also be entered into the drawing for our weekly giveaway of a $100 Nike gift card as well as our awesome grand prize.

We're up to week 12 of the Get Fit For 2010 giveaway, and FitSugar reader stef42678 shared her her before and after results.

I have absolutely loved this challenge because I am definitely much fitter than I was 12 weeks ago and feel so much better about myself.  During this challenge I have learned to eat better, by keeping track of my food intake as well as portion control, I exercise more and keep things from getting boring by changing up my exercise routine and experimenting with new healthy recipes.  I have dropped a few pounds, feel stronger and am more confident in the way I look.  I would love to win a prize, but I also think everyone who participated in this challenge wins because you feel so good when you are done!

The Get Fit For 2010 giveaway is almost over so make sure to complete the final challenge! By participating, you'll also be entered into the drawing for our weekly giveaway of a $100 Nike gift card as well as our awesome grand prize.