Hi! My name is Teri! You may know me as fcpchick on Instagram, twitter and facebook.
Trust me, there is more brazen openness to come out. The point is to get a dialogue going with others, maybe create some positive change out there in the world, and to inspire others.
A little bit about me.
I'm very focused on my work and working out. I'll get into that below. But first, I am married to a wonderful guy named Jon! (Back off fellas and ladies!) LOL! We live in MN and are active in the community. The two of us are obsessed with the 80's and have a pretty impressive pinball collection. We love to travel, discover new places, and meet new people. Together, we are strangely attracted to bingo halls and casinos. My husband helps me on freelance video and photography projects and from time to time when I need an extra hand at my day job when things get crazy. Jon is my rock. I totally lucked out.
In all seriousness, by day I am a program director for a college radio station where I produce five shows a week on Minnesota arts, history, and culture. In my free time, I am sing in bands, act, train for triathlons, teach bellydance, powerlift and am currently looking at pursuing physique/figure competitions (just to change it up. LOL)! But, I used to be 206 pounds of love! How and why did I become active?
The year after that, I started training for international/Olympic distance triathlons. However, with increased training, my weight went back up to the mid 160s as I struggled to find the right nutrition for the amount of energy I was putting out. (Two to three workouts a day will leave you hungry and eating everything in sight!) There was also metabolic damage from the HCG protocol. However, I kept pushing forward in my goals. Each year I managed a faster finish at events I competed in the year before.
In all seriousness, by day I am a program director for a college radio station where I produce five shows a week on Minnesota arts, history, and culture. In my free time, I am sing in bands, act, train for triathlons, teach bellydance, powerlift and am currently looking at pursuing physique/figure competitions (just to change it up. LOL)! But, I used to be 206 pounds of love! How and why did I become active?
About four and a half years ago, my health took a turn for the worse. After entering a divorce and moving back to Minnesota from NYC in 2010, I packed on the pounds. It got to a point where I could not even get off the floor from a push-up without being in excruciating pain. It was embarrassing, and it started to affect my personal life and intimate times with my partner. I knew I had to do something, so I began my weight loss journey, dropping down to the low 140's to mid 130's by 2012 by use of HCG and exercise. You can read about that journey here: http://itsteritime.blogspot.com/2012/01/hello-new-year-hello-challenges.html
In October 2011, I started belly dancing which turned into passion - performing locally and eventually teaching (which I continue to do). With my new lease on life, and with the encouragement of my husband (Jon) I decided to make a commitment to my new self, and start triathlon training. The first year I completed three sprint triathlons, multiple 5Ks (obstacle and regular) and a 26 mile bike race.
In October 2011, I started belly dancing which turned into passion - performing locally and eventually teaching (which I continue to do). With my new lease on life, and with the encouragement of my husband (Jon) I decided to make a commitment to my new self, and start triathlon training. The first year I completed three sprint triathlons, multiple 5Ks (obstacle and regular) and a 26 mile bike race.
Picture summer 2012 after HCG - Weight around 140 to mid 130's
My First triathlon - Trinona's Sprint Course 2012 in my hometown - Winona MN
The year after that, I started training for international/Olympic distance triathlons. However, with increased training, my weight went back up to the mid 160s as I struggled to find the right nutrition for the amount of energy I was putting out. (Two to three workouts a day will leave you hungry and eating everything in sight!) There was also metabolic damage from the HCG protocol. However, I kept pushing forward in my goals. Each year I managed a faster finish at events I competed in the year before.
2013 Belly dancing at Earth Day
Trinona 2013 Olympic Distance - weight in the mid 160's to 170.
Chisago Lakes Triathlon 2014 Bike in. Weight 165. Competed in "Athena" Division in both 2013 and 2014
In 2014, I started juicing fresh fruits and vegetables and found clean eating - something I believe in wholeheartedly. My weight began to level out in the high 150's to mid 160s, but I had a ways to go. Around the same time, my friend Carolyn introduced me to serious strength training. Being an avid follower of BodyPump, I was not afraid of weights, but I had hit a plateau. Carolyn guided me, and we found I was naturally strong. I competed in my first bench and deadlift competition where I placed 2nd in both events in my age/weight category this past December.
Looking back, the year 2014 had its challenges. Injuries surfaced and created a mental hurdle. I had a small tear in L4-L5, causing pain in my back while biking, horrible foot numbness while training and compensating during deadlifts. To top it off, I have an osteophyte complex in L3-L5 and an osteophyte on my hip. I still competed in triathlons, and managed to grin through the pain and beat my previous years times. About six months of physical therapy did not stop me from going forward. Being pretty stubborn, I continued to train, but in other ways. More cycling was implemented, and other lifting routines. I was pulled off of running for two months, deadlifts and the leg press, but I progressed in recovery and was cleared to participate in Tough Mudder (my second one). It wasn't pretty, but I made it through. Finally, I was given an injection in my hip and was able to resume my training schedule.
Pull 205 pounds at Golden Bear, Dec 20th 2014
Tough Mudder September 2014 - Plymouth WI
Today, I am more focused than ever. The only way I can keep crushing my goals is through proper training and nutrition. Realizing that this would also reduce impact on my body, I signed up with David Ryan Fitness who introduced me to HIIT, functional training, proper nutrition and supplementation! I am being challenged in ways I never have – and rewarded with a blossoming six pack, a drop in body fat from 30% (October 2014) to 15.15% and my weight is back in the normal range of 134 lbs. This year I have a surpassed my goals of completing my triathlons at a faster pace, place at my 2nd bench/deadlift competition on May 9th, dropped my body fat down and competed with placing 3rd in my first physique competition at MN Mayhem on September 26th. On November 21st I won 5th place at OCB Midwest States in DeKalb IL. Most recently, I placed 4th at the DFAC Diva Classic in Duluth MN on April 30th. Up next? The DFAC USA Championships on June 11th in St. Paul MN!
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| Diva Fest Competiton 4/30/16 |
Back development April 2015
Another testament that you can change your body: Earlier in April, I had my V02 Max tested. My results came back at 50.3 – which is considered superior for someone 14 years younger than me. I would never in a million years thought I would be able to change my body like this! I have no doubts that I will accomplish all I can! Put in the work, and you will get the results.
V02 Max Testing April 2015
I’m always looking to learn more about physical fitness. Currently, I am working towards completing my wellness coach certificate, and have enrolled back in college with a focus on exercise science and nutrition at Winona State University. I am also working on saving my dollars for a personal trainer certification.
Through my journey over the years, I have been written about as a source of inspiration for others Click Here to Read, and asked to write columns for the local paper My "New Year's Resolution" article, give advice and lend inspiration to other members of our local YMCA.
Currently, I am trying to educate people of the dangers of stress. I have hypothalamic amenorrhea due to a stressful occupation. I am receiving treatment for this and I hope others can learn from my experience. I essentially became menopausal at age 35 – not gradually – but abruptly. With all the mental and physical symptoms that come along with it. Depression, mood swings, hair loss, night sweats, fatigue to name a few. We are hopeful that with the estrogen/progesterone meds I am receiving that I will make a full recovery. What keeps me going is the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle and fun spirited athletic competition.
Currently, I am trying to educate people of the dangers of stress. I have hypothalamic amenorrhea due to a stressful occupation. I am receiving treatment for this and I hope others can learn from my experience. I essentially became menopausal at age 35 – not gradually – but abruptly. With all the mental and physical symptoms that come along with it. Depression, mood swings, hair loss, night sweats, fatigue to name a few. We are hopeful that with the estrogen/progesterone meds I am receiving that I will make a full recovery. What keeps me going is the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle and fun spirited athletic competition.
My personal belief is this; If I keep changing my goals to challenge myself and choose to never settle – I will progress in my training, and be the best I can for myself, my husband and our future. At the same time, I hope to continue to inspire others to be the best they can be for themselves and the ones they love!
Health or dietary supplements refer to a diverse group of products commonly consumed for the purpose of supplementing the diet and enhancing health. These products typically contain ingredients from natural sources and are not meant to prevent, treat, cure or alleviate the symptoms of medical diseases or conditions. Health Supplements
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