Featured Fitale – Tameshia Michele Farley

Please introduce yourself to our readers:

Hi, my name is Tameshia Michele Farley. I have been a Science Teacher for 14 years now. I love spending time with my family especially my 7 year old daughter.

I love Science and teaching. But my passion is teaching individuals and my community the “science” of food, how to read nutrition labels, and providing resources to them because my community is considered a food desert.

What sparked your weight-loss transformation journey?

Honestly, Initially, I started my weight loss journey for two reasons,  1. because my knees were hurting really bad but the main reason, my daughter was about to start school and I didn’t want her to be embarrassed of her mom at school.

Overall, I didn’t want to be an embarrassment to my family. So, I prayed and asked for guidance.

What was your beginning and current weight or measurements?

How long did it take for your weight-loss transformation from beginning to end?

I am a work in progress. I feel like I should have lost more in these 4 years but I have to keep reminding myself that I’m not where I used to be and losing 182 pounds naturally is alright.

My motto is #itisajourneynotarace. 

Which physical activities did you participate in during your journey?

During my weight loss journey, I have been blessed to workout with so many Fitsisters and Fitbrothers and to get sweaty in so many platforms of exercise such as Soca’Robics, Cranked up Cardio, MixxedFit, Zumba, Zumba toning, RIPPED, Extreme Hip Hop Step, Reggae’Robics, STC ( Step, Tone, Core), Kangoo, Pound, WERQ, AquaPole, AquaBoxing, BodyWerk, Kickboxing, Kettlebell AMPD, Bootcamps, Pilates, and Line Dancing, just to name a few of my favorites.

How did your eating habits change?

Contrary to many beliefs, I started my journey by actually taking time out the day to eat. By being a teacher, I was so busy doing everything that I didn’t have time to eat so I started allotting time to eat and I started meal prepping.

Currently, I do low carb and “high” protein and I drink lots of water.

What does your day of eating look like breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks?

I am one who can eat the same thing every day.  I eat eggs with spinach, mushrooms on a low carb (5 net grams) tortilla with a half avocado and a dollop of sour cream or 2 boiled eggs, and a serving of turkey sausage.

Lunch is either salad or a Turkey burger (no bun) with onions, green peppers and mushrooms and a vegetable.

Dinner is either what I didn’t have for lunch. I try to eat meat once a day.

Snacks- apple with almond butter or cucumbers in white vinegar, cayenne pepper, and pepper.

What is your favorite fitness activity?

I love to dance and lift iron.  I workout at least 4 times a week and I have started incorporating weights/ toning.

How did you develop and sustain the willpower to avoid the bad stuff (i.e. junk food, bad drinks, lack of activity, etc.)?

Honestly, sometimes it can be a struggle so I pray. I also will substitute me wanting carbs with healthy carbs.

What advice do you have for someone looking to get started with their fitness journey but not sure where to begin?

This journey is unique to you. Dig deep and analyze why you want to make the change and always remember why. I would say talk to like minded folks and get in the habit of taking it one day at a time.

I love the quote, “One Day or Day one. You decide!” And don’t beat yourself up if you fall, do not stay there, just pick yourself back up and be that #GoalDigger you are and push harder the next time.

And remember success doesn’t happen overnight. I always tell myself, “I may not be exactly where I want to be but I’m definitely closer than the day before.”

Do you have any fitness inspirations?  Who are they?

My fitness inspirations are all my instructors both past and present such as Daphne Hicks (founder of FitNance) @SocaRobicsNat ( creator of Soca’Robics and Reggae’Robics) Cassandra Bahrose, Dr.JaiArmstrong (creator of Cranked up Cardio), Melissa Gordon-Ferguson, Will Jefferson, Sonja Burns, and Cassandra Thomas (Founder of Chunky Girls Workout, Too) just to name a few!

And of course, all #myfitfam (anyone who I have ever exercised with or have conversed exercise with) who pushes me, encourages me, supports me, holds me accountable, laughs and prays with me, they are all inspirations to me!!!

But most importantly, my husband, my daughter (my #1 cheerleader) my mom, dad, sister and brother are my inspirations because they are so supportive and motivating. When I’m down about my journey, they are there to lift me up!!!

And we are on this journey together. We all have our own stories but we’re in this to win this! I appreciate them so much!

How can readers learn more about your transformation and journey online (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)?

I am on Facebook as Tameshia Michele Farley and Instagram as @Unique_butterfly45. You can also join my group on Facebook called “Our Imperfectly Perfect Journey to a Better Us.”