thinkingthin

Traci Oliver has spent most of her adulthood vowing to slim down. Now, the “weight” is finally over for this local school teacher.

WRITER: JAMES COMBS // PHOTOGRAPHER: FRED LOPEZ

Traci Oliver thought the hit NBC television show Biggest Loser offered all the necessary ingredients to help her lose weight — hardcore trainers, expert nutritionists, teammate accountability, and a national audience.

Throughout the years, the Fruitland Park resident has flown to San Francisco and Los Angeles on two occasions to interview with the casting team of the show, and she has also met with members of the casting team in Tampa and Orlando.

Standing five feet four inches tall and weighing 298 pounds, Traci found that life can be difficult and humiliating, hence her burning desire to appear on the reality show. She had reached a point where she could no longer bend over to tie her shoes without holding her breath or becoming winded. She avoided participating in family outings, afraid that her weight would somehow embarrass her. And she felt out of place at her daughter’s dance rehearsals and competitions because she was heavier than other moms.

Despite her best efforts, she never landed a spot on Biggest Loser. However, Traci came to the realization that she could lose weight without spending several months at an isolated ranch, appearing on national television, and winning the $250,000 prize money.

All she really needed was support from family and friends. That is exactly what she has received since embarking on a weight-loss journey that began in January 2013. After ten weeks of eating healthy and walking religiously, the 41-year-old teacher has shed thirty-three pounds.

“I have prayed hard about making a lifestyle change, and I did not want to wait until something goes wrong with my health,” she says. “I felt stuck all these years. Now, I am on the road to recovery.”

The Road To Obesity

Growing up in West Orange County, Traci remembers herself as a “chunky, cute girl… never beautiful.” Despite her excess weight, she always remained active, participating in gymnastics and competing in cheerleading and swimming as a middle school and high school student. Of course, as is the case with many people, her activity level dwindled considerably after high school.

And as a young adult, life threw her some unexpected curveballs. Thirteen years ago, she divorced her high school sweetheart and was forced to raise her daughter, Bailey Gable, by herself. Then she lost her best friend, Kelly Wise Henry, to breast cancer. These sad events occurred within a five-month period, causing Traci’s life to slowly unravel.

“Because I was raising a small child all by myself, I was no longer the number one person in my life,” she says. “My life centered on my child, so I never really worried about my health and weight. And losing Kelly was hard because I knew her my whole life and always knew I could talk to her about anything. When she passed away, there was a huge void in my life, so I filled the void by having a relationship with food.”

This unhealthy relationship continued even after Traci gave birth to a second daughter, Libbey, and then married her current husband, Chad. Several years later, she decided to pursue a career in teaching because she wanted to “be part of my children’s educational journey.” She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from St. Leo University in 2006 and three years later, received a master’s degree from National University in teaching and leadership focus. She landed a teaching job in Lake County and later accepted a job at The Villages Charter School.

All that time, however, health became a mere afterthought. Her diet consisted primarily of french fries, pizza, fried food, and sweets. And snacking on chips and salsa was a nightly routine. “While I was attending school, I was a full-time student, a full-time wife, and a full-time mother. Trying to juggle those duties was hectic. I would find myself coming home from school and stopping at fastfood restaurants, or I would be studying late at night while snacking and eating. I loved anything loaded with carbs.”

As the pounds continued piling on, Traci realized that losing weight needed to become a priority. She made repeated trips to the doctor’s office in hopes of being diagnosed with an obesity-related illness. Such a diagnosis, she thought, would provide her with the proper motivation needed to shed unwanted pounds. Somehow, though, she always received a clean bill of health, and as a result, lacked the incentive to begin a diet program.

Over time, family outings became a source of embarrassment for Traci. If the family went horseback riding, she worried about being too heavy for the horse she rode. When the family went out to eat, she wondered whether she could fit comfortably in a booth. When the family would go ice skating, Traci opted to take photographs rather than risk falling and hurting herself.

“I would basically sit on the sidelines while my husband and children were having fun,” she says. “I enjoyed watching my family have a good time, but I wanted to be right there with them.”

The Awakening

Several embarrassing, gutwrenching moments helped spark Traci’s desire to lose weight. One of her daughters, who had spent two years as a member of a competition dance team, had her sights set on competing for a third straight year. But in October 2011, her dance instructors pulled Traci aside and said her daughter needed to become stronger and lose weight. They also questioned whether they had a costume large enough to fit her. These damaging words broke Traci’s heart and crushed her daughter’s spirits.

“I started crying in front of her coaches,” Traci says. “I was not a healthy role model so I felt somewhat responsible. When you hear something like that as a mother you begin wondering how you can fix it. For me, the one way to fix it is to set a good example for my children.”

However, it was a December 2012 trip to the north Georgia mountains that proved to be the ultimate wake-up call. As the family attempted to take a short walk from their cabin to a hey also e ing words broke nd s. ying ci says. “I was model so I felt sible. When like that as or et n.” cember to be ll. As ke a a

Up for the challenge

In February, Traci began competing in the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Wellness Challenge that lasts through May 14th. She is serving as captain of her five-member team, which includes her pastor, Sidney Brock, and his wife, Merideth, as well as Bill Holt and his wife, Paige. Traci has been close friends with her teammates for many years.

nearby river, she felt extreme pain in her lower back and told her family she needed to immediately walk back to the cabin. She could barely move. Her husband offered to get the car, but she refused.

“I told him I was going to walk back up the mountain if it took me all day. The thing I remember most is seeing the fear in Libbey’s eyes as she looked at me. I felt ashamed that my child had to witness me in my lowest of lows. At that moment, I promised myself that nothing like this would ever happen to me again. I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.”

For Traci, the days of a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet were over.

The Transformation

Since January, Traci has been working alongside Lori Esarey, owner of Lady Lake-based Total Nutrition and Therapeutics. Lori has helped Traci make drastic changes to her eating habits. Now, breakfast usually includes Greek yogurt with almonds; lunch may entail Mahi Mahi and asparagus; and dinner often consists of shrimp, broccoli, and yogurt. She faithfully sticks to lean proteins and vegetables and occasionally allows herself to have fruit. “I have a little hand cooler with me at all times stocked with fruit, almonds, broccoli, and cauliflower,” she says. “That way food is always available, and as a result, I won’t be hungry and tempted to stop at a fast-food restaurant. After all these years, I am finally learning how to have a healthy relationship with food.”

She also wears a pedometer to track the number of steps she takes during the week. Traci typically averages 12,000 to 16,000 steps a day and faithfully walks several miles after dinner. “I have been keeping the pavement hot every night,” she says enthusiastically. “I have given my tennis shoes the death penalty!”

Other aspects of her weight-loss regimen include logging everything she eats and visiting Total Nutrition and Therapeutics once a week for a weigh-in. Lori says Traci has faithfully stuck to the plan, and she is pleased with her progress thus far.

“The very first meeting, Traci showed up with a determined look on her face, a plan already in place, and a mission to once and for all overcome her obesity problem,” Lori says. “I couldn’t sleep for twenty-four hours because I was so excited and so ready to be a key player in her plan. Instead of her wondering what I can do to make her lose weight, she is more focused on what she can do to take control of her weight, have more energy, and be the wife and mom she wants to be.”

For Traci, the best part about the Total Nutrition and Therapeutics program is learning how to lose weight the healthy way — without fad diets, gimmicks, or surgery.

“Losing weight through proper nutrition and exercise feels so good and natural to my body. I am so glad I am saving my life now and did not wait to begin this journey when I came down with an illness. All the knowledge I have obtained along the way is so empowering and will help me maintain a healthy lifestyle for the remainder of my life.”

Recently, Traci began working out at Infinity Fitness under the guidance of personal trainer Tyrell Rachel. The work is demanding, but she is definitely up to the challenge. That was apparent on a March afternoon when she overcame severe burning and fatigue to complete 100 bench step-ups.

“I was sweating like a dog and tears were streaming down my face. For me, it was an iconic moment because I was so angry at myself for being grossly out of shape. That anger gave me the necessary motivation to complete the task. I was exhausted at the end, but I persevered knowing I never want my body to be like this again.”

Family Support

Over a nine-year period, Traci tried out for six seasons of Biggest Loser. In Season 10, she completed a group interview with casting members at Universal Studios in Orlando and several days later, was asked to return for an on-camera interview.

“Looking back, I was so nervous that I failed to open up to them the way I should have. I simply did not take advantage of the time I had on camera.”

She has no regrets, however. As a matter of fact, Traci now says that failing to make the final cut as a Biggest Loser contestant was a blessing in disguise. After all, she is making her journey toward health and happiness in the comfort of family and friends rather than complete strangers.

“For me, trying out for Biggest Loser was never about winning money; it was about losing weight and becoming healthy. I finally realized that I wanted to accomplish those goals while being around the people I love. My husband is so supportive and has always been my angel. Also, doing this around my daughters allows them to learn what it takes to be healthy. This is an experience for the entire family.”

Indeed, her lifestyle change has forced her husband, Chad, to take a long, hard look at his overall health. “She has made me realize that my eating habits and lack of physical exercise are in need of a transformation,” he says. “I cannot sit on the sidelines and watch her put so much effort into her lifestyle change without realizing I need help, too. It is also fun for us to walk and talk at night, which brings us closer than we already are.”

More than anything, Chad hopes his wife’s hard work and effort helps boost her self-esteem and allows her to feel comfortable in social situations. “I know her choice of not participating in family functions dejects her a bit. Most people won’t peg her as an unhappy person, but there are certain aspects of her life that weight affects. She covers it with comedy. Honestly, I don’t want to continue hearing her say, ‘big girl coming through,’ so she can beat someone to the punch to what she thinks they are thinking of her and her size. She is so beautiful inside and out, and I just want her to be happy, healthy, and active… and outlive me.”

Similarly, her daughter Libbey, who is now 12, cannot wait for the day when her mom

‘lightens up’ at family outings. “I look forward to having my mom participate in the fun instead of just sitting and taking pictures at the beach!”

No doubt, the strong family bond and incredible support are instrumental in helping keep Traci’s spirits up and her weight down during this

What others are saying about Traci

arduous journey. This is a lifelong journey, one that Traci promises to stick with through thick and thin. She may never earn the title of Biggest Loser, but as far as her physical and mental health are concerned, she is well on her way to becoming a big winner.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to ‘pay it forward’ by inspiring Traci as she endeavors to adopt a healthier lifestyle. She has asked me to be her accountability partner in her journey to health and wellness. I welcome the task and look forward to being part of this life-changing experience. If her start is an indicator of success, I anticipate great results!”

— B.E. Thompson, who lost more than 300 pounds and was featured on the June 2011 cover of Healthy Living Magazine.

Traci’s top five tips for anyone beginning a weight-loss journey:

1

As of January 16th, Traci’s …

Starting body fat percentage was

2

3

Come up with a plan. In other words, don’t make plans after a certain point in your day. This way, exercise will be a daily attainable goal.

Surround yourself with people who support you and your desires to live a healthy and active life. 4

Do not wait to make a change. I didn’t get “bad news” from a doctor. I simply got “sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.” Go into this lifestyle with a preventive mindset. Investing money in your body now can prevent future investments to cure your sick body.

55.4

Starting glucose level was

104

Starting cholesterol level was is and

Fuel your body with lean proteins and vegetables. If you don’t fuel it, you won’t be willing to move it. 5

Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Most everything on the interior part of the grocery store is processed and unhealthy.

156

Starting triglyceride level was

68