“God, grant me the Serenity to Accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.” My daily prayer

My 60day challenge started long before the spring of 2021. You see, the challenge to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle started years ago, in my mind. I have struggled with my weight on and off for years. I am a married mom of three, but that’s no excuse for being overweight and disappointed in my overall appearance. I was an emotional eater, and my weight fluctuated as my life faced different challenges. The happier I was, the more I cared about my appearance and focused on exercise and healthy eating. The more challenging obstacles I encounter, the more I ate my feelings instead of working through them. My emotions governed my life. Logically, I knew my weight was something I could change, but I lacked courage and understanding that I was standing in my own way.

Insert Life Time, my trainer Paul, and the 60day challenge. Just one of the many things I have tried in the past to lose weight and establish a healthy lifestyle. Just showing up to the gym consistently and following my nutrition plan yielded me great results. I was 20 plus pounds lighter and feeling much stronger and more confident. Then came the most recent 60day challenge. I starred at the Hello Fresh Start signs in my gym and noticed the colorful t-shirts all the trainers were wearing. I internally asked myself questions. What does the challenge entail? Is there more than just 20 pounds of weight loss for me? Can I have muscles, too? I talked to my trainer Paul, and he let me know he was planning to introduce the challenge to the group. At the group fitness introduction, he explained some details and let us know the deadline to sign up. After the group meeting, I asked some of the other gym ladies if they were planning to participate, and their excitement encouraged me enough for me to commit to the challenge. Right then and there, I made a deal with myself. Tosha, do your best and DON’T SUCK!

The 60day challenge began. I watched the nutrition video that Anika delivered each week, increased my cardio workouts, and really started to pay attention to my logs more closely to see where I might be potentially consuming sneaky fats or calories that I could easily eliminate. I looked at labels more closely and genuinely tried to stay away from packaged food. If it’s fresh and I cook it myself, it has to be leaner, I thought. So, there you have it! I really focused much more intently on what I was putting on my plate. I then partnered with Gia, Saida, and Hope (WRT group members) to complete our daily cardio, review each other’s food logs, and have accountability conversations. The pounds just started to come off.

As the pounds started to shed, and the muscles started peeking through. I became even more excited and willing to make the necessary sacrifices. I was committed and determined not to give up on myself, no matter how hard it got. No regrets, I told myself. The aforementioned three gym ladies offered me accountability, comradery, and also daily encouragement. These three ladies and my trainer Paul pushed me further than I have ever gone before. As a result, at the age of 45, I am in the best shape I have ever been in my life!

Going forward I know that I can do much more than I have ever imagined. Let’s face it, I have already shocked myself! I still sometimes jolt awake in the morning, grabbing my hamstrings to see if they are still there … lol. From now on, I plan to continue taking on physical challenges and trying new things. Weight loss and working out do not have to be boring. Paul proves this to me every day. I will also become more disciplined in my eating (I’m in charge! insert smiley face), confident in my workout skills, and determined not to give up on myself. I have also found that I am not alone in my struggles, and I now believe that I never will be; iron sharpens iron.