Final Reflections: On to the NEXT Challenge!

Before we begin, some news: I WON THE CHALLENGE AGAINST MY BROTHER! :) Not only did I beat him, but I also crushed him in pure pounds so we didn’t even have to calculate the percentage of weight lost. This means he has to pay for a vacation for me to a beach in February or March (under the condition that I keep the weight off, which you know I will!). He was exercising a lot but I kept telling him that he needed to watch what he was eating as well, and I think now that he saw me and the results I got he’s finally going to listen to his little sister.

But best of all, even better than winning, is the fact that I am now a completely different person from the girl who started this journey 60 days ago. First, for the physical changes:

Final Weigh-In: 17 pounds lost, 3 inches off waist, 2 inches off thighs (each)

Looking back at my goals these were all things I was concerned about so I’m ecstatic I saw results in those areas.

I did much better in all moves of my fit test, but most importantly I know I did them in better form. I remember the first fit test and it was such a struggle getting through it, I thought I was going to pass out. This last fit test was still tough no question, but I felt so much stronger and confident that I could make it through. I don’t think it ever gets easy because you push yourself to go harder, but I do want to keep improving my form for the next fit tests.

I have also changed significantly both emotionally and mentally. Back in August I was so stressed and worried about my future that I felt paralyzed. Even though I still don’t have a full time job I know things will work out eventually because I’m working towards it and I know I can reach my goals. I had several interviews and there are possibilities for positions starting in January, so keep your fingers crossed.

I love the camaraderie I have gained with the test group members. I know some better than others but having each one there working out alongside me has been inspiring.

I’m still not done, I want to continue getting more fit and stronger and get my ABS! In the past week I’ve been trying on a lot of my old clothes that I haven’t worn in over a year and they fit me again! Some clothes are even feeling roomy now. One dress I bought in august is now so ridiculously big on me I can even believe I bought it. They didn’t have my size and I really loved the dress, so I bought it one size up with the intention to tailor it and I’m kicking myself because the size down would have fit me perfectly now.

This has been an amazing journey so far, and the 60 day challenge was a great jumpstart to what I want my new lifestyle to be. I am going to be slightly more relaxed now that the challenge is over, I might take a day off from bootcamp every once in a while or allow myself to eat a quesadilla every now and then, but I still want to make it the norm to go to bootcamp every night and stick to my eating plan because that’s what my body wants now.

I am beyond excited to start training to become a coach and start helping my friends and other bootcampers. One of my friends already texts me for advice then jokingly writes back, “Thanks coach!” and another one asked me about my nutrition and if I ate bread during the past two months. I know helping them will also help keep me accountable for my actions, and I’m looking forward to continuing this journey.

I still plan on blogging weekly, so hopefully I will have new goals and updates soon. I’m thinking I will do a personal challenge that ends on December 31 so that 2012 will be the first year in many that losing weight will not be my first resolution since I won’t be worried about it. That leaves more room for other goals to accomplish! :)