The Great Challenge

So while I was without a computer, I joined this local gym's 6 week weight loss challenge.  20 lbs in 42 days.  I went into the challenge confident.  I went sure I wouldn't have a problem.  I had 6 weeks with a custom meal plan and a personal trainer.  What could go wrong?  Well....  I like cake.  And netflix.  And cake and netflix at the same time.  HAHA.  And to be honest....I was kinda glad I was without a computer.  I was waking up at 5 am to be at the gym by 6.  And the workouts weren't hard.  But I had the trainer telling me to do more than what I wanted to do.  I can work out at home.  But through this challenge I've learned that my thought of being so tired that I can't do one more pushup/exercise is so much different than my actual being tired.  That first week had me in tears more than once.  I mean, not from pain.  Although, I was so sore the next day and the whole first week.  But I was so out of shape that I couldn't do a lot of the exercises without modifying them.  I cried because I let myself get that out of shape.   The whole challenge was just as mentally tough as it was physically tough.

But I know, you want to know if I made the 20 lbs.  I didn't.  But I succeeded in getting more fit, healthier, and well, happier.  I move better.  I feel better.  And I can keep up with the boys better.  I went into the challenge without having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or any other obese health problem.  I honestly thought I was healthy.  And on paper, I was.

Here's my official before and after pictures.

But here's what I got out of the challenge....  I earned enough money back from the weight I did lose to have a gym membership till May.  I also learned different ways to workout at home.  And I learned what diet works for me and what doesn't.

Overall, I lost 18.1 lbs, 16% body fat, and 2 pant sizes.  So while, I may not have succeeded and won my challenge, I won.  I got healthier.  And I determined to not stop because I'm not on a challenge.