My Journey to Wellness
By: Terressa Cortez
Two years ago my health was at its all-time worst. I was overweight and feeling it’s effects throughout my body. I was tired, my joints were stiff when I stood up it was painful to get moving. The doctor, after endless tests and visits, diagnosed me with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis, nodules growing on my thyroid, fatty liver disease, IBS, bladder incontinence and depression to name the most crucial of my ailments.
I was barely 40 and yet I felt like an old woman.
I don’t recall a time in my life that I was ever outgoing. I was desperately lacking self confidence in large part due to the fact that I was never thin as a child and that reality had resulted in painful experiences, most especially the name calling. The two that stick in my mind the most are “THUNDER THIGHS” and “UMPAH LOOPAH”. Adding insult to the injury, the names came from within my family.
Though the emotional pain was excruciating, I never let anyone see how much those words hurt. I hid them, buried them deep within and told myself they didn’t matter.
The truth was they did matter very much. They had stayed with me my entire life and they controlled me. Secretly, I watched others around me and always longed to be like them; outgoing, funny, laid back, thin, fit, and healthy. I wanted to dispel the names but I never knew how and, honestly, I never fully realized the impact my self image issues were having on my life.
As the years passed, I had become increasingly quiet, and isolated. I hated how big I had become and paralyzed I was in public. I couldn’t speak. I hated going anywhere, would not allow myself to be in any pictures. My family knew not to even ask. It wasn’t a question or a consideration and before long it was as if I didn’t exist. I would not even look at myself in the mirror, even brushing my hair away from the mirror hoping that it was okay because I could not bear to see the person that was looking back at me. I didn’t know her. The woman I knew was lost somewhere inside this other person and I couldn’t reach her.
I tried every diet imaginable, bought all of the “As seen on TV “exercise gimmicks, eventually trashing them all or giving them away to the next innocent individual. Obviously, I remained overweight and unhappy. I was a “yo-yo” dieter and like a hamster on a wheel, I was going, going, going and getting nowhere.
I was missing out on my children’s lives and isolated from the world outside my door. I didn’t care if I ever met anyone or went anywhere. I just wanted to be at home in my own safe world and left alone. My life was gone. I knew it but somehow, I just accepted it as my fate.
When I was diagnosed with all my ailments, I knew something had to change. I could no longer wait, silently hoping for it to happen one day, all alone in my house. I was sick, in pain, sad, frustrated and wanted out of this darkness I was trapped in.
I knew the answer, not the how but I knew the what; nutrition and exercise.
Oh, how I dreaded both. I had been doing this all my life and it never worked but I made up my mind that this was it. No more! I was at rock bottom and the only out was up. I had to do this differently this time. It could not just be another diet. I had to change my lifestyle, my thoughts, and the years of abuse I had inflicted on myself. No one could do it for me. I did not want to die and with all of my health issues the doctors had told me I could have a heart attack or stroke at any moment. I couldn’t stand the thought of not being around for my family, someone else becoming a mom to my girls; not being the wife I so desperately wanted to be for my husband. No! No one else could have my life. It was mine and I was going to fight to keep it.
With the help of my brother, I began Chalene Extreme from Beachbody and I started changing the way I ate. This time there would be no staving. I was going to eat. I had to learn how to eat, what foods to put together in order to make a healthy meal, how to exercise the right way and how to change my thinking from “I can’t to I can!”
The first day I began Chalene Extreme I could barely even get through the workout. It was tough. I could hardly breath, my face was beet red, I was dripping in sweat and I actually cried on the floor before I finished the workout. I was in terrible pain. Just in the first day I had blisters on my feet the size of quarters, my shin splints hurt so badly I couldn’t move. I even hated my reflection in the TV as I followed the video. My fat was moving one way and my body another.
I told myself I was crazy. There was no way I could do this. If you think of “Beachbody” the first picture that comes to mind is this fit, healthy, muscular person and there was no way I could ever be that. Who was I kidding! Well, those were my thoughts.
Day two came, I was so sore I could barely move. The blisters on my feet were bigger still, my knees hurt from the pressure of my weight and I was disgusted by who I had let myself become. All I knew was I had to push play.
This was up to me. Only I could change this.
As painful as it was I had to push play. I ate my oatmeal and egg whites for breakfast, got my children off to school, my husband had left to work and it was time. I closed all of the blinds, turned the ceiling fan on as high as possible and pushed that play button one more time. I again cried before I was finished, my face still beet red, legs screaming in pain, blisters busted and new ones forming. This went on for weeks before it started getting better. But, with the support of my family and my stubborn determination I sat out to break this cycle and finally get off the roller coaster ride I so hated.
Just one year later, I have lost 104lbs. and I am off of all but one medication. My doctor is amazed at how much I have changed. When I went back for my one year checkup she did not even recognize me. I looked completely different and I had turned my health around by eating healthy foods and making exercise a way of life.
My confidence has grown and I am slowly making friends. I no longer wish to be like anyone else. I want to be “ME”. I like to look in the mirror now and I love the person who I see looking back at me. I found “Terressa”. The person who I thought was gone forever was right there in front of me.
Losing weight has saved my life. Not only am I becoming healthier every day but I have grown so much.
I learned along the way that losing weight wasn’t just about the weight. It has been about learning to face my fears. I also learned that eating for me wasn’t just about eating. I was an emotional eater. I had to be willing to face all those years of hurt. I had to learn to forgive myself and others.
My journey to physical, mental and emotional wellness has been one of the greatest experiences in my life. It is no longer about reaching a destination. It is about growing and learning as a person every day. When you reach one goal, you set a new one. I haven’t stopped and I am determined more than ever to become the best me possible.
I am currently a Beachbody Coach myself, helping others through their Personal Journeys, bringing them confidence and assisting them through their fears.
I am finishing my weight loss goals, learning to speak in public and make friends for the first time in my life. Although I still have many fears I know that I am strong enough to face those fears and not let them hold me back and paralyze me. I am stepping out of my comfort zone every day. It is not always easy for me, still scary, but I know it’s the only way. I am no longer letting my life pass me by. I am showing up for it every day. I am no longer giving my life to anyone, it is mine and I am claiming it.
My family has seen me at my worst and now tells me I inspire them. It’s the best feeling in the world.
My name is Terressa Cortez. I am 41 years old, wife and a stay at home mother to 4 girls. I was born in Dayton, Texas and grew up in in Killeen, Texas. I currently live in Florida. I enjoy exercising, nutrition, reading, feeling the sun’s rays on a beautiful day, the quiet, and spending time with my family. I want to give back from my life experiences to those who have struggled like me. I live life every day, one day at a time and never losing sight on all the possibilities life has to offer.
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This article is published on Team Family Online with Terressa's permission, as an example of how sharing your life story can positively benefit others, especially the next generation! If you're ready to write a portion of your own life story, we're here to help… let's write your story together! Your story matters! If you feel your story isn't "good enough" or "too hard" or you don't know where to begin, let's do it together! Use Terresa's story about her struggles with weight and self-esteem as a springboard for your own "short story" and then jot a few sentences down about how your low or high self-esteem has influenced your life. We learn from each other… join us in walking with the wise!
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
wow, I am always so impressed with people who take action on whatever it is in their life they want to change and you did it Terressa! I applaud you at this moment and I pray God's richest blessings upon your life. An awesome story of an overcomer; if you can do this, you can conquer anything!
You are such an inspiration Terressa and you show everyone what they can achieve with the right mindset. Brilliant. This statement really stuck out for me: It is no longer about reaching a destination. It is about growing and learning as a person every day.
So true!
Totally inspiring story – thank you for taking the time to share the inner battle as well as the physical one!
It really begins with the inner battle, doesn’t it… I think that’s where most of us lose the battle! I’m thankful Terressa has helped us by opening a window into her own experience!
Thank you Joy, I truly believe our own success begins within. We must love ourselves first.
Loved her story. I didn’t catch the author’s name at the beginning, I thought I was reading your story, until she said she liked herself and wanted to be me… but she didn’t say SUSAN! LOL
Love this feature Susan, her story really encouraged me and helped me to keep motivated too. Especially since I am in menopause and really fighting with my weight.
Hey there, Elvie… lots of us in that menopause category taken by surprise on the weight gain, but if I were living in your house with the lovely kitchen smells of cinnamon buns and more…. oh boy! You look AMAZING for such a fabulous chef!
HI Elvie, Thanks for reading my story. SInce this I have had to have a hysterectomy and I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism so I can relate to the weight gain issues. I have had a few set backs along the way but I am still seeing progress. Hang in there and whetever you do , don’t give up. Keep working at it. It may take us a little longer but I believe we can do it despite our obstacles. My life is changing daily for the better.
What a gorgeous lady!! And what a heartwrenching story at the beginning. It’s incredible the cruel words our own families speak over us, and how destructive and painful they are. Huge kudos to Terressa for her courage and stick-to-it-iveness. And to you, Susan, thank you for bringing us these uplifting stories.
Thanks so much, Victoria…. I think of Terressa’s story every day because her transformation began at the point where desperation met determination and she persisted…. my challenge isn’t weight, but the principles are the same for everything! And Victoria, you’ve got a massively encouraging story yourself and I hope to be able to share it here one day soon! Thanks so much for stopping by and reading and commenting!
Thank you Victoria for the compliments. By writing my story I am been able to forgive and let go of the hurt. Life is so much better when you forgive, not only the people who have hurt you but the hurt you can cause yourself by believing all the wrong things. I want others to know that life can be so much better than living in that darkenss.
BRAVE BOLD BRILLIANT ~ Incredible Beauty Inside & Out…Thank you for sharing your life to help others
Thank you for taking time to read and share an encouraging comment!
Thank you for reading my story and for all of the encouragment this has brought me. What an amazing experience this has been.
Thank you Susan for publishing this. It means the world to me!
You’re welcome, Terressa…. I look forward to hearing more of your journey!
What an inspiring story Terressa – thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for reading and sharing, Annemarie!
Thank you Annemarie for taking the time to read my story. I have been blessed by being able to share it with others.
What I love about sharing our stories best, is that the blessing goes both ways!
Such an inspiration!
Terressa’s story inspires, for sure… and I believe many people’s lives will be changed for the better as she’s able to share her story! Thanks, Denny 🙂
Thank you Denny, I truly hope others find the strength to fight whatever battles they are going through and to know their lives can be great. I believe it is within us all.
Your story is so powerful, Terressa, that I really do believe it is within me… it’s almost like you have to be at the place where “enough is enough” and just do it?