Low Carb Snacks: Peanut Butter Cookies | Chocolate Cheesecake | Protein Ice Cream | Chocolate-Coconut Muffins | Guilt-Free CustardFit, Fine, and Forty-Nine: Teri’s Story
I Hated the Person I Saw in the Mirror
I wanted to change. I wanted it badly. And on July 22nd, 2005, I decided to take back control, starting in the weight room of my gym.
As a teacher, at the beginning of the year we have to say something about ourselves. That particular year, the question was geared to personal challenges we’d set. I can still hear the laughter as I announced to my fellow co-workers that I was going to start a five-year fitness and nutrition plan.
I remember one of them saying, “Well, you gotta ways to go; you better start now!” The sarcasm, though maybe not fully intended, was obvious.
The person I hated when I looked in the mirror.
At 156 pounds, I had yo-yoed my way down from 171 pounds. Diets didn’t work for me, and due to allergies, supplements weren’t an option. However, hard work, determination, and the “want to be fit” attitude were at my fingertips.
I knew that eating clean and maintaining a steady fitness regimen would benefit me. I had not gained the weight overnight, so I didn’t expect to lose it overnight. What I did expect was transformation… and what a transformation I’ve accomplished!
Hard Work Pays Off
To date, in my beginning of the fourth year of my five-year plan, I’ve lost 30 pounds and 45 inches — that’s right, forty five inches all over my body! Thirteen of those inches were in my gut alone!
I’ve maintained a steady loss of weight and kept it off. Although I fluctuate between 126 and 130 pounds, I have gone from a size 13 to a size 4.
Hard work does, indeed, pay off!
I love weights! I never liked running, but love my power stepper. I guess I love weights because I’m such a control freak, and I love the power I feel when working with weights. I like the way a body can be transformed into something completely different and I get those results with weights.
I don’t go into the gym with a “complete plan” each time. If I did, I wouldn’t do it because my ADD would kick in and that would throw the plan straight out the window. My workouts are steady, and while they may be light to medium, I’m always consistent!
Making New Discoveries
I recently took two weeks off when we went on a vacation to Egypt, and while I felt guilty for taking some time off from lifting initially, I know that in the long run, it benefited me a great deal. When I returned to the states, I found my strength returned much more than I thought it would. I now know that even if I take some time off, not everything will be lost.
I train with weights three to four times a week, and do either stepper cardio or yard work on the alternate days. However, I’ve also learned to listen to my body and lay my rests in there. I now know when to push, and when to pull back.
We recently bought an assistive lift machine that I love working my shoulders on; I like the results I’ve gotten with it so far. I’ve been performing pyramid sets starting at a resistance of 120, progressing to 130, 140, 150, and then 15-20 reps of dips without rest. What a rush!
It’s all worth the time, the pain, and the sacrifice.
Fit, Fine, and Forty-Nine
I just celebrated my 49th birthday, and I’m in better physical shape, with more muscle tone than I had when I was in my 20’s! Over the past several years, I’ve literally lost a whole person! How incredible is that?
The amazing thing is, I did this for ME!
I kept journals of what exercises I did, kept a spreadsheet of monthly measurements, and took lots and lots of pictures. I started with 20 minutes of training a day until I could do more. Once I started seeing results, the rest fell in place.
I’ll be 50 years old next year, and it’ll also be the beginning of the 5th year of my five-year plan. The irony is, people aren’t laughing anymore! The skepticism that fueled my determination in the beginning has taught me that even negative motivation can be channeled into some very positive results.
If I Can Do This, Anyone Can!
My best advice to anyone starting a fitness plan is to:
Be consistent. Be determined. Be diligent. Be yourself.
Do it for change. Do it for results. Do it for life. Do it for you.
Plan your work. Work your plan.
When everything is said and done, make sure more is done than said.
And if anyone asks, tell them, Teri LaFaye said so!
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THANKS! What an inspiration. I get the questions and the well meant support with a light tinge of taunting too at the mo’…but I will prevail. Excellent story!
Awesome job! You are such an inspiration to many!
Thank you for writing this, and thank you FitGirlWorld for putting this up. I printed it. Wonderful inspiration!
This is why I love this site, for showing the reality of everyday women who found the strength to take control of their lives. Amazing story, hard work really does triumph!
OMG, this is just what I needed right now! That last part is fabulous and I wrote it down so I can refer to it when I have weak moments. Great lesson on how to take negative stuff and turn it into such positive outcome. Bravo!
I love it! Congratulations to you Teri! What a remarkable transformation!
Congratulations neighborette Teri!
Thank you so much for sharing my success!
Remember the word SUCCESS has two c’s in it……it other words, SUCCESS IS TO SEE!
SEE what you want for your life. Hold that image in your mind. Then MAKE it happen, FOR YOU!
Hugs 2 U all!
Teri LaFaye
teri i am so very proud to call u my friend u look amazingly awesome
Terry, You and I go back many, MANY years!
I love you!
xox
Teri
Congrats Teri. You look fabulous! I am curious, on average how many calories a day do you consume?
It’s funny you should ask that, because I do NOT go by caleries or watch them.
I limit the amount of sugar gram intake. A person only needs about 30 per day. The body will make it’s own sugar from foods. I do not eat dairy products, but drink/eat soy products instead. When recipes call for milk, I substitute vanilla soymilk (lite) SILK or rice milk. Rice milk is natually sweet and is excellent to bake with. I substitute tortillas (with only 1 gram sugar per slice) for bread. I cook with olive oil and rarely eat fried foods.
No fast food, or very limited, because I like to know what I am truly eating. When I do eat out, I usually still pick the foods I cook at home.
I eat a lot of meditarrean type foods, non-processed fresh meats: fish, chicken.
I cook low carb meals. I eat till I am full.
I have never been on a diet….moderation and clean eating and exercise work for me. I do not drink sodas at all.
Hope this helps and thanks for the post.
Teri LaFaye
Hey Teri,
When you taught me in 10th grade I was such a troubled teen. You motivated me to turn my life around and make something of myself. Two marriages and four kids later I have held on to the words of wisdom you provided me as a teen. I will soon be a teacher and it is because of you!! You believed in me when no one else did..you motivated me when no one else would…You loved me when no one else would…you listened to me when no one else would…you never gave up on me when everyone else did.You may not realize it but your motivation and wonderful personality has changed the lives of many and on behalf of all those people including myself I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! I love you and miss you so much!!!!
OMG, Mandi, I am sitting here bawling like a baby. I love you so much. I think back to all the kids I have taught over the years and that first year, when I taught you all, was and is one of my fondest memories. Our little class was so inspirational to me as well.
I am so very, very proud of your becoming a teacher. You will be such a positive influence for others because you know what it’s like to feel down and out.
I miss you so much, too.
Always remember that it is the things that matter the most in life…are not THINGS at all.
I love you,
Teri LaFaye
wow Teri…it doesn’t get any better than that!!! When you have touched someones life so deeply…priceless!
Chris,
On the SOUL FOOD poetry (the first one in the motivation section) there is a poem that talks about ‘believing in someone..’ http://www.oliciouslife.com/soul-food/
That’s what I wrote for the kids I teach, and that’s what they remember the most from me. I am so blessed to be blessed by the kids (many now grown) I teach and have taught. I learn more from them, than they do from me, and it doesn’t get better than that!
And even though I never had children….I have MANY children…..
big hugs!
Teri LaFaye
Thanks for sharing your story. I just turned 40 and was feeling depressed because I realize I have let myself get out of shape and overweight. I Googled “Fit at 40″ just to look for some stories for inspiration to lift my spirits. When your story popped up, Fit and 49, I just had to see who was fine and almost 50. Boy, you inspired me! I’m also a teacher and I realize that we give so much to others that we often neglect ourselves. Thank you for writing such a poignant, honest story of the journey to weight loss. You have encouraged me to keep taking “baby steps” to reach my goal. No one can do it in 3 or 6 months, but steady pace will win in the long run!
Thanks Lucious! for writing such a wonderful comment! The important thing to remember is that every little bit means SO MUCH! Consistency is the key ingrediant and determination fuels the fire. Keep in touch and join the site for the support. Hugs, big ones, to you!
Teri LaFaye
p.s. you just wait till I am Fifty Fine and Fit! lol
Excellent story, Teri! Your determination and spirit make you a remarkable lady and a force to be reckoned with!
Thank you so much for the comment, Alphawoman.
Big Hugs 2 U!
Teri