There is a saying that it isn't how many times you fall, but how many times you pick yourself up off the ground that matters.
Tara and Trent have certainly demonstrated this over the past five months as they competed in their fitness challenge, alternating sleeping in with hitting the gym religiously and healthy food choices with greasy fast food.
Overall, both Trent and Tara came out winners, as they raised their fitness to a new level and learned what it means to be dedicated to their health. And although the challenge is officially over, the two will continue to challenge themselves to embrace a healthy lifestyle and be all that they can be (cheesy, I know).
Tara
I have to say I'm amazed at how much weight Trent managed to lose (I'm also secretly resentful - don't tell Trent). I'd consider him the definite winner in our challenge, but at least I'm the first-place loser!
Since my first painful venture into the gym, I managed to lose 14 pounds and went down two pant sizes.
The most important lesson I learned was that there will always be days when going to the gym or saying no to a fourth helping of cheesecake will be difficult - no matter how many perfect days in a row you've had. The real secret is not to make a big deal out of your failures, as it will only discourage you from picking yourself up, dusting the cookie crumbs off your shirt and getting back on the treadmill.
The longer I waited to get back on track, the harder it was.
The achievement I felt most proud of was running my first 10K in Calgary May 29. All my hard work paid off, as I was able to run the entire time. Sure, I may have come in 1968th place, but it could've been worse; I could've come in 2260th place. If Helen Stewart of Calgary is reading this, you should still be proud of finishing, even if you were last.
Also, out of the people from North Battleford who ran the 10K, I came in first. Don't ask me how many people from North Battleford ran the 10K. Okay, fine, I was the only one.
At the end of the day, exercising isn't always fun, but it's a helluva good excuse to dig into the ice cream.
Trent
Like the updates for this challenge, the trips to the gym have all but stopped for me, unfortunately. Due to the busy summer schedule of baseball, fastball, soccer, football, ball hockey and golf I haven't been inside Lifetime Fitness for a long time. I am still focusing on the healthy eating and the occasional vodka and water at times instead of a couple beers.
The challenge between Tara and I was big motivator to get to the gym and I suggest to anyone who is hesitant about getting into the workout routine finding a partner or a competitor is the best way to go. The challenge provides extra motivation and someone watching what you are eating or not eating or when you work out can be enough of a push to get to the gym.
Once things slow down with all the sports and a minor knee injury is healed, I fully expect to get back into a routine at the gym and want to try to continue the fitness challenge even if Tara has moved to another province and I am competing only with myself.
One of my goals was to lose some weight before I went on a trip to Mexico in February and I did that. I felt like I was in the best shape I have been in since high school and it showed when I constantly had to pull my shorts up in the ocean.
I also fit into my graduation suit from 2005 for a wedding I was MC for two weeks ago, so that was a pretty nice feather in my cap.
Last time I weighed in I was 218 pounds, which was a loss of nearly 30 pounds in three and half months of working out and a month and a half of not exactly working out, but still trying to stay active.
Beach season is here so I cause it is time to get jacked and tanned, which means more time at Litetime Fitness.
