Success Story #30

Name: S. Murphy
Location: JFK Medical Center. Atlantis, FL
Improvement: 4% Reduction of Body Fat
Time: 3 Months
Program: 2008 Total Transformation Challenge

 
What was you biggest challenge/ obstacle?
Staying motivated is always my biggest challenge. if I know someone is counting on me then I will be there. I started out on the challenge really strong and hit a slump in the middle. I'm very competitive so knowing that I was falling behind got me back in the fight.
 
What motivated you to stay on course?
knowing that the team was counting on me and every person to do their part kept me going.
 
Did your diet change? if so, how?
It did change but not that much. I've always tried to eat healthy so it was more of watching my portion sizes and making better decisions. I had gotten really lazy and had
started to eat convenience foods a lot more. I didn't deny myself any specific food, I just ate less of it. if I wanted a cheeseburger, I would get the kids meal instead of the large combo meal. when I went out to eat, I would get a salad or steamed vegetables instead of fries. I made small changes because those are the ones that are easier to stick to in the long run.
 
What advice could you give to others that want the same results?
Start small. make one or two changes and stick to it until it becomes part of your daily routine and then add one or two more. if you start drastically, you will never make it. one of my goals was to drink more water. I am from the south so I love my sweet tea. I realized how much sugar was in a glass so I started watering it down. I've gotten so used to it now that I don't like it full strength. I also wanted to start running more so I started slow and did a walk/ run program that I had done in the past. it gradually builds you up to running a full 30 mins. I have figured out when the best time for me to go to the gym is. I do better after I come home from work and take a break for a few hours. if I try to run right after work, I feel very tired. I'm on my feet all day so taking a break and then going later, my legs feel fresher and I don't feel as tired.
 
How is this experience going to affect you going forward?
It has helped me find a routine. my competitive nature has kept me going and forced me to stick to it when I probably would have given up. I have started and stopped working out many times in the past. since moving to Florida just over two years ago, I haven't been able to find a routine that fits. this challenge has helped me to do that.