Success Story #21 VR

Name:                         V. Riva
Location:                    Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Improvement:            4% Reduction in Body Fat
Time:                          3 months
Program:                    2011 / 2012 Total Transformation Challenge
 
What was your biggest challenge / obstacle (s)?
My challenge was working in enough time to get the strength training workouts and challenges in. There were days when it would have been so easy to say "I’ll do it another day", but then I would stop and think that's just an excuse. Get your workout in. As tired as I may have been before my workout, I always felt energized and better afterward.
 
What motivated you to stay on the course?
This is my third time participating in the challenge.  My in the past my goal was to lose weight and get fitter and those results paid off with a new personal record at the NYC Marathon last November. Doing the challenge helped me run a faster marathon.  My goal for this challenge was focused on getting toned and leaner.  As the weeks progressed I did lose a few more pounds and body fat.  Seeing these results kept me very motivated to complete the challenge.  I noticed that my clothes were getting loser and I ended up having to buy a new wardrobe as my reward.   That’s not such a bad thing!   It definitely helped that I had another team member participating with me on those days when it would have been so easy to skip the workout; I knew I had someone else depending on me for the team.  It helped both of use stay motivated and on course.  
 
Did your diet change? If so, How? Please be detailed!
I continued to make a conscious effort to maintain a calorie level that could meet my needs as I train for an upcoming half marathon and work outs during the challenge period.  I focused on getting the majority of my calories in between breakfast and lunch and had lighter dinner meals which were focused on lean proteins, vegetables and fruits.
 
What advice could you give to others that want the same results? 
Be patient, as with anything in life good things come to those who are patient and persevere.  Weight training, aerobic fitness and weight loss take time to achieve.  It doesn't happen overnight but gradually over a few weeks.
 
How is this experience going to affect you going forward?
While I have been running half and full marathons for some time now, my new goals are to complete a Century Ride and a duathlon in the next year.  I'm going to continue to work out regularly at the Employee Wellness Center to help accomplish these new goals.