"I Achieved My Dreams!"
This reader learned that motivation can come from the most unlikely of places—and dropped 20 pounds in the process.
by Kelly Marages
Tamira Cole, Tennessee
Age: 24Height: 5'3"
Pounds lost: 20
At this weight: 1 year
Tamira's challenge
In college, Tamira made time for everything but her health. She excelled in class, served on the student council, and volunteered, but because she was so busy, she ate takeout and skipped exercise. She graduated on the dean's list—and with 20 extra pounds, at 142.
Shifting her priorities
Tamira's poor eating habits stuck with
her after she left school. "I complained
about my tummy bulge, but I didn't do
anything about it," she says. "For some
reason, I didn't understand that my
body was like every other aspect of my
life: I had to put work into it if I wanted
results." Then Tamira was faced with
financing graduate school. "I heard
that the Miss Tennessee Pageant gave scholarships, so I researched the
requirements," she says. Her academic
and service records made her a good
candidate. "But I looked at photos of
past competitors and realized I'd have
to make some changes," Tamira says.
"That was the inspiration I needed
to improve my diet and fitness level."
Prep work
With just a few months to go before
the first event, Tamira consulted a
pageant trainer and nutritionist. At his
advice, she gave up white bread and
refined sugars and filled her fridge and
cabinets with healthy staples like brown
rice, chicken, and fresh vegetables. She
also posted her "before" pictures and
gym plan around the house to remind
her what she wanted to improve and
how she planned to do it.
Tamira began walking on the treadmill
for half an hour
each day, adding
five-minute bouts
of running until she
could jog the whole
time. To tone up,
she began to lift free
weights. "Just as I was starting my third week, I noticed I
was waking up refreshed and energized,
which hadn't happened in years." In the
first month, she lost 8 pounds.
Taking center stage
As Tamira lost weight, little things kept
changing. "I used to wear neutral colors
to blend in, but I started shopping
for brighter clothing," she says. "I felt
bolder and happier every day." After
losing 20 pounds in four months,
Tamira began competing in the smaller
pageants leading up to Miss Tennessee.
Although she didn't win a title, she did
receive several awards that came with
grants-including Miss Congeniality-
that helped her finish grad school. "The
pageant came to me as a blessing in
disguise," she says. "It helped me see
that living healthy can give me the
energy I need to reach all my goals."
3 stick-with-it secrets
- Spice it up "When I got tired of my routine, I tried Pilates and salsa classes. They worked different muscles, and I even met workout buddies in them."
- Think of the benefits "On busy days, I don't skip exercise, I do it during lunch. It helps me de-stress."
- Change your perspective "I used to be jealous when I saw perfectly toned people. Now I tell myself that if I keep it up, there's no reason I can't look like that too!"
Weekly workout schedule
- Cardio 45 to 60 minutes/5 days a week
- Strength training 45 minutes/4 days a week
