What was your eating and fitness like prior to starting the challenge?
Prior to the 6 Week Challenge, I lived a very demanding, stressful, exhausting, and unbalanced lifestyle. As a mother, wife, practicing family therapist, and full-time PhD student, I had very little to no time for self-care, so I frequently ate meals that were convenient, which usually means unhealthy.
I did not exercise regularly since I often felt mentally and physically drained when I did have downtime. This rut resulted in me gaining excessive weight and feeling anxious, frustrated, and unhappy. I knew I needed to eat healthier and take better care of myself but I simply did not know how to get out of the rut I was in and perhaps I thought it would have been easier to just stay there.
What healthy habits have you gained from completing the challenge?
The 6 Week Challenge taught me to make better choices overall yet to be bold enough to take risks. The challenge required me to meal prep weekly and to stick to a specific nutrition plan. Through that, I learned how to strategically plan my grocery list, prepare tasteful meals, be consistent with workouts, and remain focused on reaching my personal goal. The weekly repetition allowed me to easily transition into living an overall healthier, happier, and more balanced lifestyle.
I’ve noticed that I am more intentional with what I put into my body and how I treat it (learning and listening to my body); I reach more for the healthier foods and/or say no to foods I know would upset my stomach or make me sluggish. Before the challenge, I would have been too scared, embarrassed, or self-conscious to even try something challenging because of self-doubt. In time, I’ve also noticed myself taking more chances outside and inside the gym.
I have done many things that I have never done or dared to do before and without much hesitation because the inner voice that used to tell me I couldn’t do something has subsided drastically. With continued attempts and practice, I’ve overcome many mental roadblocks and gained mental, emotional, and physical strength and stamina. My busy schedule remains the same but taking better care of myself has helped me to juggle everything while feeling happier and more fulfilled. For that, I will forever be grateful.