81-Year-Old Swimming Icon, Who Once Couldn?t Get Into a Boat With Her Kids, Narrated Jaw-Dropping Transformation Story in 2011

There is a difference between athletes and the average person. While many people have transformed their lifestyle at an old age and achieved their fitness goals, few have achieved what DeEtte Sauer has. The 81-year-old is a decorated competitive masters swimmer. She is also the no. 1 ranked swimmer in the age group. Sauer has competed in swimming for decades, but that wasn’t always the case. The swimming icon narrated her jaw-dropping transformation story in 2011.

Sauer was never part of the athletic bunch in school or college. By the time she turned 40, the swimmer had become overweight. However, the turning point came when she couldn’t accompany her kids on a boat ride while on vacation.?“I was angry about what I’d done to myself,”?said Sauer in an interview with the?Houston Chronicle?in 2011. She decided to turn things around.

Frome being overweight to competitive swimming

DeEtte Sauer started her inspiring transformation with a change in diet. The 81-year-old stopped having fried and junk food. She also gave up meat for a plant-based diet. Besides diet changes, Sauer began walking every day. With consistency came results. Sauer said she weighed 250 lbs but probably lost 100 lbs. However, Sauer soon discovered the sport that would change her life and inspire those who learn her story.

When DeEtte Sauer turned 58, she wanted to try competitive sports. The swimmer?“showed up at a pool to join a masters team.”?However, she also said,?“I couldn?t swim a lick. I don?t even understand why I showed up.” With practice, the then 58-year-old began making progress. She gradually got faster and improved to the point where she joined the masters team.

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“I signed up for a meet after just three months,”?said Sauer.?While competing at 58 was a nerve-racking experience, Sauer never looked back. Now the 81-year-old has numerous medals and remains the one to beat. From leading a sedentary life and weighing 250 lbs to becoming the top masters swimmer in the world, DeEtte Sauer has no plans of slowing down.

The iconic swimmer hopes to inspire

In another interview with Growing Bolder, Saur revealed she swims with two other swimmers in her lane. The 81-year-old said,?“one?s 12 years younger, one?s 15 years younger.”?Despite struggling to keep up with them, Sauer refuses to give up. The swimming champion said trying to keep up with younger athletes helps her to improve.

Sauer also hopes to inspire other younger athletes with her transformation story. She also hopes people who learn about her strive to live healthier.

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