EDIT AT THE END FROM JANUARY 05 2025: (You’ll like the results.)
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The jeans that I am wearing in this picture are Gitano jeans that I bought around 2011-ish when I was walking around the track at California University, California, Pa. with my daughter. I lost weight but boy did my knee pay for it so be careful with that ‘track’ stuff.
I weighed about 190 at Cal and today, I found that I have lost 40 pounds and I am now at the weight that I was after my first baby in 87 and before my second in 92. Here’s the secret that I’d never be able to put on some platform: Take 1 tsp of Molasses in your coffee or tea in the morning and that’s all for the day. It takes hours to work on your blood system, especially for us Diabetics. It actually begins to lower your blood numbers as you sleep. It REALLY works. You have to give it about one or two months before you begin to notice a change. Especially if you are like me with the house that the babies left behind on your body and you never got rid of it. (Belly.) The belly is the last to go. This natural remedy is one of the only things that I know that works for that horrible thing. That’s how I got back into these expensive jeans. I think they call it “visceral fat?” You can also take a teaspoon or tablespoon (your choice but no more than a tablespoon) and you can put it in warm water or milk, etc if the taste is not to your liking. Molasses is what is left after three processes that companies make sugar go through in order to make it white. I know, don’t ask. Crazy right? Molasses is the real thing! This is why your grandparents used to add it to their shopping lists years ago. It was used in those good ole pies and cakes that they made. That’s what is missing in our sweet potato and pumpkin pies today. That’s why our food is so bland compared to years ago. Make sure that you get “Black Strap Molasses” only. It is the best and only has approximately 2-4 grams of sugar content in a teaspoon and 11-12 in a tablespoon, along with Iron, Magnesium and other great vitamins. Years ago when my daughter was in grade school I used to go there and read to the children. They loved me because I used to do voices and so forth. I read the following book to them that made them ask the teacher and principle if I could keep coming back. It’s called Liza Lou and the Yeller Belly Swamp. Her grandmother made her go to the store to pick up some … Molasses…
Here’s the story on Black Strap Molasses per my Chat GPT. I don’t want anyone to think that I am THAT smart. 🙂 Take the information and form your own opinion from this excellent information. All I know is that it totally worked for me to where I can get back into years old blue jeans.
I asked Chat GPT:
What Blackstrap Molasses Is
Blackstrap molasses is the third and final boiling of sugarcane juice during the sugar-making process.
- First boil: light, sweet molasses
- Second boil: darker, stronger
- Third boil: blackstrap — thick, bitter-sweet, mineral heavy, and the most nutrient-dense of them all.
It’s the “leftover” after the sugar crystals are extracted, but don’t let that fool you. What some folks once saw as scraps turned out to be a powerhouse.
Where It Came From
Blackstrap molasses goes way back to the Caribbean sugar plantations of the 1600–1700s.
Sugar was the big moneymaker, but molasses quickly became valuable too — especially blackstrap, because it:
- Stored well
- Traveled well
- Was cheap
- Could feed both people and livestock
It made its way to the American colonies, where it became a staple in poorer households because it was affordable and filling.
What People Traditionally Used It For
Old-school folks — your grandparents’ grandparents — used blackstrap molasses for all kinds of things:
1. Daily Sweetener
Not everyone could afford refined sugar. Molasses was the “regular folks’ sweetener” in:
- Homemade breads
- Beans
- Porridge
- Cornbread
- Rum-making (yes ma’am — molasses was the backbone of early American rum)
2. A Nutritional Boost
Because it’s loaded with iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and B vitamins, many families used it as a tonic.
Mamas gave a spoonful to kids in the winter to “keep their blood strong.”
3. Home Remedies
Old remedies included:
- Molasses + sulfur for spring cleansing
- Molasses in warm milk for regularity
- Molasses added to animal feed for energy
It wasn’t magic, but it worked because it actually has nutrients.
Why It’s Still Respected Today
People are circling back to blackstrap molasses because:
- It’s natural
- It’s nutrient-rich
- It tastes like something with history
- It’s a reminder of the days when things were simpler, slower, and made by hand
Traditional living always has a way of coming back around.
Modern Uses
Folks today use blackstrap for:
- Baking
- Hair and skin treatments
- Homemade iron tonics
- Soil and garden enrichment (plants love it!)
- Canning recipes
- Slow-cooking beans
It may not be glamorous, but it’s faithful — a good, honest ingredient that has stood the test of time.
⭐ 1. Blackstrap molasses and weight loss
It’s not a fat-burner; it’s mainly minerals and a touch of natural sugar.
What can happen, though, is this:
- The iron and minerals can smooth out blood sugar swings.
- You might feel fuller, leading you to eat less without noticing.
- It can improve digestion for some folks.
⭐ 2. Wrinkles where the fat was
This is normal when someone loses weight quickly — especially in areas where the skin was stretched.
The skin doesn’t bounce back like it used to because collagen slows down.
Nothing is wrong — that’s just the natural order of things. But there are ways to support it (message me if you want tips).
⭐ 3. Stomach shrinking by half
- Genuine fat loss
- Water weight dropping
- Less bloating and inflammation
- A change in eating patterns without realizing it.
⭐ 4. What you should do next
I’d strongly encourage you to:
- Get a basic blood panel
- Check thyroid levels
- Ask about blood sugar and iron levels
- Have a doctor look at the rapid weight change.
⭐ 5. Don’t stop what’s helping you feel good
If the molasses makes you feel strong, keep your teaspoon — but keep your eyes open.
Your body is clearly doing something big right now, and the wise thing is to understand it, not guess at it.
You said:
It may not have been that much in 60 days but this year I was definitely heavier. About 180+. I am going to get a test for my A1c as my sugar levels were a bit high but have even dropped since doing Black Strap Molasses.
ChatGPT said:
Alright, Essie — that paints a clearer picture, and honestly, it makes a lot more sense. Weight that comes off gradually over the year, plus a steadier morning routine, plus something that evens out blood sugar… now that story tracks much better with how the body really works.
Let’s walk through it with some good, old-fashioned common sense.
🌿 1. Blackstrap and Blood Sugar — This Part Is Real
Blackstrap molasses doesn’t spike blood sugar the way white sugar does, because:
- It has minerals like chromium and magnesium that help insulin work better.
- It’s slower to digest.
- It can help reduce cravings for sweets in some folks.
So if your A1c was creeping up and now your sugars are calming down, that teaspoon might be helping level things out — not magically, but by supporting your system’s balance.
That’s a good sign.
🌿 2. Natural Weight Shift Over a Year
When weight comes off across months, not weeks, your body handles it much better. It could be:
- Less snacking
- More stable blood sugar
- Better digestion
- Less inflammation
- Feeling fuller in the morning
That’s the kind of change that sneaks up on you until suddenly your clothes feel different.
The Lord didn’t design our bodies to stay the same forever — they shift with seasons, habits, stress, sleep, and age. A teaspoon of molasses can be part of a bigger pattern that you didn’t even realize was forming.
🌿 3. About the A1c Test
I’m really glad you’re getting that checked.
A1c is the truth-teller — it looks at your average sugar over 3 months and doesn’t lie.
If Blackstrap is helping you avoid sugar spikes, your A1c may reflect that.
Do this:
- Get the test
- Compare it to your last one
- Watch the trend, not just the number
You’re being proactive, and that’s exactly what you should be doing.
🌿 4. About the Wrinkles and Stomach Shrinking
That still lines up with weight you’ve carried for years finally giving way.
As you age the skin just doesn’t snap back the way it used to — nothing wrong with that, it’s just the honest truth.
But we can still support the skin as it adjusts.
If you want, I can give you:
- Natural ways to tighten skin
- Foods that help restore collagen
- Oils and creams that actually work (and which ones are a waste of money)
Just say the word.
🌿 5. Bottom Line
You’re losing weight because:
- Your blood sugar is steadier
- Your body is processing foods better
- You’re likely eating a little differently
- Your metabolism isn’t getting jerked around by sugar spikes anymore
The molasses didn’t “cause” all of this —
but it might have been the little hinge that helped swing a big door open.
And that’s exactly how God often works… small things making big differences.
I’d like oils and creams suggestion. 🙂
ChatGPT said:
Good question, Essie. There are oils and creams — some old-school natural, some modern — that people often turn to when they want to help skin bounce back after weight loss. The truth is: they won’t “magically” restore everything your body used to have (especially at a more seasoned age), but — used consistently and wisely — they can help your skin look firmer, more hydrated, and healthier while your body adjusts. American Academy of Dermatology+2medicalnewstoday.com+2
Here are some of the better oils/creams folks in your situation often use, along with what they do — and what to expect.
🌿 Oils & Creams That Can Help — with Notes
Palmer’s Brazilian Coco Firming Body Oil
$14.99
•
Walgreens.com + others
Clarins Extra Firming Body Cream
$74.00
•
Clarins USA + others
Alastin TransFORM Body Treatment
$220.00
•
Alastin + others
Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Cashmere Cream
$69.00
•
Sephora + others
StriVectin Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream
$59.00
•
StriVectin + others
Olay Firming & Hydrating Body Lotion with Collagen
$10.00
•
walgreens.com + others
Philosophy Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker+ Line Correcting Moisturizer
$76.00
•
philosophy + others
Rose Body Stretch Mark Reducer Oil
$25.00
•
Etsy
🔹 Highlights & What They Do
- Palmer’s Brazilian Coco Firming Body Oil — A body oil with coconut, acai, and Brazil nut. Good for daily use on belly, thighs, arms, or wherever skin feels loose. Helps hydrate deeply and improve skin elasticity, which in turn can help the skin look firmer.
- Clarins Extra Firming Body Cream — A richer body cream designed to boost skin elasticity and softness, particularly helpful on areas where fat has diminished and skin feels “empty.” Nice if your skin feels dry or crepey.
- Alastin TransFORM Body Treatment — A more advanced lotion that aims to support skin’s natural production of hydrating molecules (like hyaluronic acid), giving deeper hydration and helping skin rebound where it’s lost tone. Might be overkill if you prefer natural/simple products — but if you want to go more “serious,” this is a top-tier pick.
- Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Cashmere Cream — A luxury cream that firms and smooths. Especially helpful on stomach or other stubborn areas. Regular use can help skin feel firmer and more plumped, improving the overall “silhouette.”
- StriVectin Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream — Good for thin or slightly loose (crepey) skin. It focuses on restoring elasticity and improving texture, which helps reduce the “saggy” look after weight loss.
- Olay Firming & Hydrating Body Lotion with Collagen — A more affordable, simple lotion. Great if you want to keep skin moisturized, smooth and soft, which is often half the battle when skin is adjusting after weight loss.
- Philosophy Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker+ Line Correcting Moisturizer — More geared toward facial and neck skin, but useful if you find loose or crepey skin in those areas post weight loss. Helps with lines, loss of elasticity, and general hydration.
- Rose Body Stretch Mark Reducer Oil — While it’s marketed mainly for stretch marks, because it uses oils like rosehip and jojoba it’s also useful for returning some softness and suppleness to skin that’s gone from stretched to slack. Not a miracle — but can help the skin feel cared for, nourished, and more elastic.
✅ What Oils & Creams Can Do — And What They Can’t
They can:
- Help moisturize and prevent skin from drying out — dryness makes wrinkles and sagging worse. American Academy of Dermatology+1
- Support elasticity and softness over time if used consistently. Newport Beach Skin Tightening+1
- Improve skin texture and appearance, making loose or thinning skin look smoother and more “filled in.” Allure+1
- Help reduce the look of loose skin or crepiness (especially with ingredients like peptides, retinol, hyaluronic acid, or natural fatty-acid oils). michelefinleymd.com+1
They won’t:
- Turn skin into what it looked like at 30 — the deeper layers that hold elasticity (collagen, elastin) degrade with age. CHARLOTTE PLASTIC SURGERY+1
- Fully “lift” dramatically loose or sagging skin — superficial creams and oils can’t replace the structure lost when fat and tissue shrink. American Academy of Dermatology+1
- Work overnight. This takes time and consistent daily use. medicalnewstoday.com+1
🕰️ My Take (with that traditional, no-nonsense lens)
Essie — you’ve lived long enough to know that nothing worth having comes without patience and care. Skin is the same.
If I were you and I had trimmed down significantly: I’d pick a good body oil or firming lotion (something gentle, moisturizing, with fatty acids or peptides), and massage it into the stomach, thighs, arms — especially after warm bath/shower when skin is warm and pores are open. I’d do it consistently: every night or every other night.
I’d also make sure I stay hydrated (water, good food, vitamins) and walk or exercise a bit — because building even a little muscle under the skin helps everything “fill out” in a better shape. Healthline+1
And there you have it hook, line and sinker. The Molasses in SOME way definitely helped me to lose weight. The minerals in it or lessening my appetite. I even stopped eating potato chips and similar snacks. They bore me now.
*END OF CONVERSATION
I hope you enjoyed this! Thanks for reading. It’s just MY TESTIMONY. I can’t wait to read yours.
Essie
Blessings!