Leaner and lovin’ it

With determination in her eyes and conviction in her voice, Traci Oliver talks about her lofty goal: to lose 100 pounds by the time New Year’s arrives. By early November, she had lost 83 pounds.

“I recently told somebody that I feel 100 percent better health-wise and because of that, I would be okay if I did not drop another pound. On the flip side, I have experienced several failed weight-loss attempts where I never reached my desired goal. Therefore, I really want to achieve my goal of losing 138 pounds. Things are going quite well, and I feel unstoppable.” weight is at a so I introduce interval running into my regimen to shock my body into fat-burning mode. The goal is to go a total distance of five miles, running for two minutes and then walking for one minute. Another thing I’m doing is sitting in a sauna for 45 minutes and sweating profusely. In the beginning, I hated sweating because it felt yucky, but now if I do not sweat I feel no progress is being made.

Today, I interview with Hometown Health TV, which is doing a spotlight on Total Nutrition and Therapeutics, the company that has been instrumental in helping me lose weight. Theinterviewisvery emotionalandasaresult, Ibreakdownandcry. The questions really trigger my emotions because I suddenly realize where I’ve been and where I am today. The interview makes me feel vulnerable.

I take a spin class at LB Crossfit in Lady Lake to help raise money for breast cancer awareness. I have been spinning for a month. When I began,Ineverimagined sittingonacyclethat did not move would be verymuchfun. Much to my surprise, I discover spinning is an exciting and intense workout. I am proud of myself because I can spin for 45 minutes without stopping.

Day 279 Day 286 Day 288 285 Day

I attend the Florida State versus North Carolina State football game in Tallahassee. This is the first FSU game I have been to in several years. My husband would always take the kids while I stayed home. I always worried whether I could climb the stairs or whether I’d fit in a chair. I also worried about who would be sitting in front of me and behind me. For me, attending the game was another milestone, and my beloved Seminoles won, 49–17!

I surprise myself today by trying swordfish. I have never liked fish; I don’t even like looking at them in a fish tank. However, I must admit the swordfish is amazing. It tastes like filet mignon. Also, eating fish certainly has health benefits.

Traci By The Numbers

STARTING WEIGHT: CURRENT WEIGHT: STARTING BODY FAT: CURRENT BODY FAT: STARTING BODY FAT %: CURRENT BODY FAT %:

298 215 160 POUNDS 98 POUNDS 58.6 45.4

I meet with my food coach Jaime Alonso to discuss an important topic: healthy eating during the holidays. I provide Jaime with a list of food items I typically eat once the holidays arrive and together, we discover healthier versions of those foods. I will be enjoying items such as mashed cauliflower, stuffing, green bean casserole, gluten-free pumpkin pie, and pumpkin cheesecake modified to fit the Paleo diet. While many people gain weight over the holidays, I feel confident I’ll faithfully stick to my nutrition plan. To be honest, I am not worried about gaining weight during this time of year. Of course, I do not want to become too overconfident because that is when you tend to slip.

I make an appointment for a consultation at Mesos Plastic Surgery and Laser Center. I make this appointment because I want to have excess skin removed from my arms, chest, inner thighs, and stomach. Although the surgeries would not be until late 2014, making the appointment now will give me extra motivation to achieve my goals. Still, I am nervous about going there because it is another moment where I will feel vulnerable.

Day 290 Day 291 Day 292 Day 293

I’m looking at some old photographs and see one of me at my heaviest. I look so sad and miserable in the picture, and I realize I must have made others who were around me miserable, as well. I send my husband a text of the picture and ask, “How did you love me like that?” He responds, “Because I love you; not an image of you.”

Today Libbey and I begin the Ab Challenge, a 24-day program that focuses on core strengthening. I look forward to spending the next 24 days with her doing situps, planks, and leg lifts.

I have become a healthyrolemodeltomy addition to Libbey’s success, Bailey has lost 25 pounds.

Coming In February

Be sure to check back with us in February to find out about Traci’s latest feats, challenges, and obstacles. If you are unfamiliar with Traci’s amazing journey, please read her stories in our April, June, August, and October issues of Healthy Living online at lakehealthyliving.com.

Give The Holidays A