Name: Terri
Age: 41
Family Status: Married
Occupation: Homemaker
Hometown: East Northport, New York
Pounds or Inches Lost: I have lost 81 pounds and went from a clothing size 18/20 to a 8/10! My husband also lost 90 pounds with me!
Terri’s Weight Loss Story!
When did you become unhappy with your weight?
3 years ago this March my husband decided to join a weight loss program because he was 38 years old and was on blood pressure medication and asked if I would like to join with him.
What made you decide to lose weight?
I have osteoarthritis in both of my knees really bad and figured I better join with him to get some extra mileage on my knees before I need replacements.
What were the most important changes you made to lose weight?
My choices of food and the portions. When we joined the weight loss program, I went out immediately and purchased a food scale because if a portion size was 3-4 oz. of meat I wanted my 3-4 oz. and not an ounce less. I didn’t want to deprive myself like I always did when I went on a “diet”.
What was most challenging about losing weight?
I think getting through the first few months. Changing the types of food and the quantities. I would spend a long time in the supermarkets to get food I ENJOYED but were a low points value on my weight loss plan. After a few months it was like 2nd nature to me.
How long did it take you to start to see results?
I would say 2 months to really notice. I knew the first week would be a good loss like it always was but little by little I would need to get new jeans and clothes.
How long did it take for you to reach your current weight?
It took me a year and a half. I took it slow. My motto is “slow and steady wins the race”. If a weekend affair came up I ate what I wanted but in moderation. Some weeks I would lose and some I would gain. So I never kept track of how fast I gained all that weight. I never woke up after a week and said “Oh good I gained 2 pounds this week”! So I just took it one day at a time instead of looking ahead long-term. In the journey I learned a tremendous amount about my body and myself.
How long have you maintained your weight loss and how do you do it?
It will be one year of maintaining my goal weight this coming Mother’s Day. That was the greatest gift I could have received last year was to hit my goal weight Mother’s Day weekend. I maintain my weight because I know what my shopping list is every week and I know what I have to do. I’m not saying there isn’t challenges I face from time to time so if I have a “bad” day I just move on and get over it instead of saying “oh well I ate that, so let me just jump head first into the cabinets and continue”.
How has your life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
I just feel like my 40’s are the best time of my life. Being a heavy kid all my life I have never been this healthy and felt this good ever! My knees LOVE ME NOW! I don’t take medication anymore and the exercise has helped me strengthen my upper thighs to help keep the pressure off my knees.
How did ShapeFit help you reach your weight loss goals?
I always read ShapeFit’s articles and little bits of info to help me learn. I love learning new things that can aid in my “new journey” and ShapeFit does that for me.
Terri’s Weight Loss Tips!
Weight loss tip #1:
Don’t deprive yourself of portions.
Weight loss tip #2:
Keep the food in the house you need to keep you on track.
Weight loss tip #3:
Take baby steps in making changes and in the long run you will see bigger changes.
Weight loss tip #4:
Enjoy the journey to getting healthy instead of dreading it.
Weight loss tip #5:
Finally, SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE!!!!
Terri’s Weight Loss Eating Plan!
Breakfast:
Fiber One cereal with dried cranberries and skim milk and a small grapefruit and coffee. Or, 2 slices of whole grain bread with 2 TB peanut butter, or egg white omelets.
Lunch:
Cottage cheese with spices added to it and 2 slices of whole grain bread or 3 oz. of turkey or chicken on light bread with a side of cold cooked veggies.
Dinner:
4 oz. of protein a big salad every night, or whole wheat pasta with shrimp or grilled chicken, sometimes I do breakfast for dinner.
Snacks or Mini Meals:
1 TB peanut butter on grain crackers or oatmeal, or low-fat cheese on crackers or an apple with peanut butter. I always try to make sure my snacks are not empty calories.
Terri’s Weight Loss Workouts!
Weight Training:
I do the “Walk Away The Pounds” and increase my weights that way.
Cardiovascular:
I use my treadmill daily and either walk at 3.5mph and go up as far as a 12 incline for short periods of time or I walk at 4.0 up and down to 4 incline and lower and sometimes use 2 pound weights at 4.0 but flat ground.
