Be an inspiration: If you’ve made positive changes in your diet and/or fitness routine and are happy with the results, please share your success with us. Include your email address, a daytime phone number and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG). Write: Success Stories, c/o Patty Murphy, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or e-mail Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
SUCCESS STORY / Courtney L. Teague, 30: From 150 pounds to 121 pounds
Former weight: 150 pounds
Current weight: 121 pounds
Pounds lost: 29 pounds
Height: 5 feet 4 inches
Age: 30 years
How long she's kept it off: She started May 2014. "My original goal was to only lose three inches off of my waist and 10 pounds, but I went past that sooner than I thought I would," said Teague.
Personal life: "I live in Austell, Ga. I'm a full-time doctoral student majoring in instructional technology and distance education, a blogger, special education teacher, and education support specialist." She blogs at: www.fabfitinspired.com and is also an independent distributor for the Beachbody 21-Day Fix program.
Turning point: "First, I saw a photo of my back when I was in the pool on vacation. I had back fat and I just thought it was horrible because I could not even find my swimsuit straps," she said. "Secondly, when I was in the hallway at my school and I heard students whisper, 'Ms. Teague is pregnant. When is she due?'"
Diet plan: "I do not have a diet plan — I have a lifestyle plan," she said. She does the Beachbody 21-day fix program that has seven workouts per week and a portion-controlled eating program. Breakfast is an egg frittata with veggies. She has a Shakeology shake for a snack. Lunch is a turkey sandwich with apples, yogurt and carrots followed by a tortilla cheese pizza for a snack. Dinner is often basil chicken, three-bean salad and couscous. "Believe it or not, I no longer crave junk," she said.
Exercise routine: "I work out seven days a week, for 30 to 40 minutes a day," she said.
Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge was saying no to the random dinner invites from my girlfriends."
How life has changed: "I have found that it is not until you have determined that you want a better life mentally that your body will [change]," she said. "I can honestly admit that I used to be very inconsistent and the only thing I would commit to was completing college degrees. My decision to take an alternate route initiated my transformation. I acquired an accountability team … After I saw my transformation, I decided that this lifestyle is bigger than me. My reason for continuing is to continue to help others … I have inspired others by sharing fitness and inspiration tips on my blog. I have even had people to contact me to become their [fitness] coach because they see how positive I have become."
