Tamara Savage
Chief Operating Officer
By the time I hit my 46th birthday, I had been smoking for 30 years and I felt like I was losing what had become a battle with my body. Although I’d been active in sports in high school and had continued playing softball until my early 40s, a full-time career and being the single parent of two sons dominated my time. I knew what I should eat, but soccer games, basketball games, laundry, shopping, yard work and helping with homework made making bad eating choices seem justified. My weight had increased from 140 pounds to nearly 200 pounds. Signs of menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, and insomnia grew increasingly annoying.
As I approached my 48th birthday, I decided to take control of my life and become “Fit by 50”. To me, that meant quit smoking, lose weight, start exercising and get help for my menopause symptoms. I knew I needed a plan. So. I laid out an step-by-step plan to guide me.
Step 1 of the plan was to quit smoking. So, 18 months before my 50th birthday I smoked my last cigarette. I’d tried to quit several times before, but always started smoking again. This time, however, I was determined to be “Fit by 50”.
Step 2 was to lose weight. By then, quitting smoking had added another 33 pounds and had pushed me to an all time high weight of 233 pounds. That’s a lot of weight to carry on a 5’2” frame!
Step 3 was to sign up at a local women’s only center to establish a baseline fitness level.
Step 4 was to get help with my menopause symptoms. I was fortunate that at the same time, my younger twin brothers Patrick Savage and BodyLogicMD’s Chief Medical Officer, formed BodyLogicMD to help physicians become successful anti-aging physicians associated with the American Academy of Anti Aging Medicine (http://www.worldhealth.net/). Bioidentical hormone therapy, which for me included estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone replacement was successful in greatly reducing my symptoms and helping me along the path to my goal of “Fit by 50.”
Step 5 was to join a local training program that used a run/walk approach to running. By my 50th birthday, I’d lost a total of 76 pounds and completed a 10 mile road race. “Fit by 50” was no longer a goal, it was a reality.
Next Steps happen on a routine basis as I establish new goals. I continue my quest for better health in my second half century of life. I have lost a total of 100 pounds, I am still an ex-smoker, maintain my bioidentical hormone replacement program, run/walk 4 days a week with various running groups and I lift weights at the fitness center two days a week. I signed up for my first marathon (26.2 miles) at the age of 51 and I have completed over a dozen since then.
I am healthier and fitter than I’ve been in any time in my life. I celebrated my 100+ pound weight loss by completed a 100 mile race on my 52nd birthday in just under 30 hours. Recently, I ran a 50 mile trail race in Canada this month (my 5th) to celebrate my upcoming 54th birthday.
The final step in my health and fitness journey started six months ago when I accepted the position of Chief Operating Officer with BodyLogicMD. I consider it an honor to work with physicians who are dedicated to helping their patients successfully live with menopause and andropause (male menopause) through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, fitness, and nutrition.
I look back at the wellness journey I’ve traveled in the last few years. The most important thing I’ve learned is, like the races I run, achievements come just one step at a time.
I hope you will subscribe to the BodyLogicMD blog specializing in bioidentical hormone therapy.
Very interesting! I’m glad I came across your blog.
This is all true (I’ve seen before and after pictures). I work in the same office with Tamara and she looks absolutely Fantastic for her age (I still really don’t know her age…that’s how good she looks).
Tamara is very displined. It seems to me that she has total control of her life starting from what she eats and how much of it, her fitness and bioidentical hormone therapy treatment plan. I understand personally a lot of what she has gone through. I was one of those people who were guilty of making excuses to justify why I acted blind to how I wasn’t taking care of myself and running my body ragged. This is tru for most of us especially when you have children, have to work full time, and have to run errands in between this schedule (that’s the excuse for everything).
I’ve been witnessing Tamara’s way of life for a few months now and I see her and her family suit up in their jogging outfits at least three times a week (knowing Tamara she probably does this way more than I know). Watching Tamara and her daily routine has helped me watch myself. I’ve been on a plan to take control of my life and health for a few months now. I will admit that I do cheat sometimes but the more I stick to it, the number of times I cheat lessens each week. It’s like Tamara said “One step at a time”. Looking back I do see a huge difference in my moods and sleeping pattern (forgot to mention memory…of course). I’ve had recent tramatic events in my life and how I’ve handled it now is totally different from how I’ve would have before.
I said all of this to say, You feel better when you do better for yourself. Take control of your situation. It’s YOUR LIFE, YOUR HEALTH….Wouldn’t you take advantage of a treatment plan that would get your body functioning the way it should be and make it easier for people to enjoy the REAL YOU?
Makes perfect sense to me plus we just have the best doctors hands down!
Thanks for the motivation Tamara!
Sherline
I am totally inspired! Sherline, if you’re still with BodyLogic, will you email me? We were in contact a few months ago – I wasn’t ready to make the commitment, but now I need to do this. Thank you! 773-758-9160. Please leave a message if you go to voicemail. Laura Wagner
All I can say is this treatment is a life saver. I had a partial hysterectomy when I was about 34. Even before the surgery, I had suffered with depression. A few years after surgery, I just really began to fight depression and very low libido. I was in tears with my gyno and in tears with my family doctor, both said he just has to do with “life happens”. I realize I have lost my oldest son at age 20 to cancer and life had not been the greatest growing up, BUT, this was getting rediculious. Now I’m 47 and finally getting help. My husband never left me and now he says I’m sooo much nicer to live with and just be around. He’s not scared to come home from work anymore (not knowing what to expect when he walked in). All I can say is THANK YOU.
HI my name is Kathy , Your story discribed my life to a T ,i had a rough childhood , came from alcoholic parents who got mean as hell the more they drank ,anyway now i am married to a WONDERFUL MAN and i know for sure he loves me b/c i have put him through hell ,he also didnot know what to expect when he would come home from work ,but things are getting better since i have taken control of my life ,i am starting the hormone pellets in a week b/c they r very out of wack so things r looking up ,by the way we have been married 32years ,anyway good luck to u & wish u well