News

July 10

Walking for health – and dad’s memory

A weight-loss activist brings her self-help message to the community.

AMANDA L. QUICK Times Leader Intern

WILKES-BARRE – Fifty laps may seem like a lot, but Terri Homeier is not intimidated.

Homeier’s goal was to walk 50 laps in honor of her father – who would have been 50 years old – in addition to continuing her weight loss goal of over 200 pounds.

“When people say you can’t do it, it lights a fire inside of me … I want to fight the cycle. My dad was 6-7 and 700 pounds,” said Homeier.

Homeier hosted the first Bill Wolfe Memorial Fight Against Obesity Run/Walk and Zumba Day at Odyssey Fitness in Wilkes-Barre on Friday. According to a release, Homeier decided to tackle her obesity problem after her dad died from obesity-related kidney disease two years ago.

Since October, Terri’s mind has been set on reaching 190 pounds.

She knows that this won’t be possible without the support of her family, and especially her personal trainer, Mary Majikes.

Majikes describes Homeier as a hard worker, great person and a strong and determined woman.

“She gives everything I ask of her … she’s first and foremost doing this for herself and she has a wonderful support system in her home … there’s nothing she can’t do,” Majikes said.

Homeier and Majikes, have a client and trainer relationship, but they also describe themselves as best friends.

“This is not just my gym, this is my family … and she has saved my life,” said Homeier of Majikes

Homeier has also lost the weight due to her change in attitude and exercise.

She takes classes at Odyssey, walks on the treadmill and walks her children to the bus stop instead of driving them.

Homeier has inspired her family and friends to take on a healthier lifestyle. She has encouraged her family to eat healthier meals and exercise. Her husband has lost 30 pounds and her daughter lost 10 pounds.

“I saw how much Terri lost … I would see the numbers on the bulletin board … they always increased, and then she got to three digits,” said Chris Bohinski, Wheeling Jesuit College student, who lost 60 pounds.

Homeier was joined by more than 100 family and friends.

“People wearing green shirts are directly related to my father, and people wearing light blue or tie-dyed shirts are walkers who chose to walk or make donations,” said Homeier.

The T-shirts cost $10 and each Zumba class cost $5. All proceeds will go to a fund that Homeier to help obese individuals obtain a gym membership.

There was also a raffle with prizes from local businesses. Sponsors included Pepsi, Christopher O’Donnell, Esq., Wegman’s, Mohegan Sun, and Walmart.

Everyone who participated in the walk received a gift bag, T-shirt, and a free lunch provided by Odyssey.

“This has been such a journey … next year I’ll be back … hoping to get to a healthy lifestyle,” said Homeier.

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