I had seen the Challenge for the first time around at the center, but I truly wasn’t ready for it. Then, when the stay-at-home orders grew longer, I thought, “This is the time to work on my emotional and physical well-being.” I got started by changing my fitness. I began working out three to five days a week, 30-40 minutes at a time. Even when my alarm would go off at 5 a.m. for work, I would begin the day by having a positive conversation with myself about what I wanted to accomplish. Before I knew it, I had completed my workout and was on my way to work. Then I began focusing on the foods I ate. I started watching my calories two weeks ago, and I am already down four pounds. I have become a vegetarian and I am eating more fruits and veggies. I’m trying all kinds of new foods I wouldn’t have tried before, and really liking them!
- If you get off track one day, accept it and start again tomorrow.
- I stopped using food as a reward.
- I still shop, but now I wait a day to decide if it’s a need or a want.
What has changed the most for me is my energy and attitude. I used to come home from work and be so exhausted I just wanted to sit on the couch, watch T.V., and eat. Now I have so much more energy to say “yes” when my husband asks me to go for a bike ride, or take the kayaks out on the lake. Every day we look for small opportunities to make better choices together. I am most surprised by how much my mindset has changed. Now I can see that it’s all the small things that have helped me change along the way. Parking far from the door in the parking lot, taking a lot of short walks, listening to my positive self talk so I don’t give in. The Thrive Challenge has changed my whole outlook on life. It just helps me feel like the person I always want to be.