While this was not my first 60day with Life Time, it is one I will not soon forget! This program pushed me over the 50-pound weight loss marker! As a result, my confidence and posture have greatly improved.

My goal for these 60 days was to lose ten pounds and eight percent body fat. Also, a personal growth goal was to transition from TEAM Cut to TEAM Alpha. While I was exercising in TEAM Cut, I was always observing Alpha participants and thought to myself, “I can’t do that. I am comfortable where I am.” Disappointed in myself for not making gains during the previous 60day, I decided this time around I would make changes to see changes, both mentally and physically.

At the initial consultation, I was eager to meet one-on-one with a Life Time trainer to set my intentions, goals, and establish my why. The first week in, I completed my Resting Metabolic Assessment and met with a nutritionist to establish macronutrient (i.e. protein, carbs, and fat) goals specific to my body. This allowed me to set and track my nutrition daily. I maintained a goal to complete my nutrition diary daily for the 60 days and check in with my nutritionist to make modifications along the way. These days, I feel like a new person. I no longer crave sweets or sugars after each meal. I am satisfied with nutritious and delicious food.

One habit I established early on was establishing one daily commitment. I set phone calendar reminders prompting me to answer: what one thing am I committed to completing today? For many days, my nutrition and water tracking was my commitment. Sometimes, it was meal prepping main dishes and snacks for the week. Other days, my commitment was to walk or run around the beautiful neighborhood park if I missed a gym session. The Try It Tuesdays and Sampler Saturdays also provided extra workouts that focused on proper form and motivation from group participants. Nowadays, I feel an irresistible urge to include movement daily. Exercise has become an essential component of my life.

Once nutrition and commitments were set, I transitioned to TEAM Alpha three times weekly. The workouts were challenging, yet satisfying. I couldn’t believe it was me who finished these amazing workouts, so I took photos of the workout board after almost every session. These are reminders to tell myself that I can do hard things. Box jumps no longer initiate avoidance or fear. They instill an internal confidence in my abilities I had not had previously. My new physical goal is to improve shoulder strength and stability to feel comfortable with overhead squats. I know that if I keep reminding myself “I can do difficult things” I will meet this goal.

After the first weeks, I established a self-care mantra reinforcing the power of positive self-talk. I posted this on my bathroom mirror and the front of the fridge for constant reminders that I am strong, beautiful, confident, happy, and worthy.  My body responded well to strength training, and my mind welcomed the positive mantra. Emails with motivation and tips from Coach Anika and Coach Paul also kept me going with their words of wisdom. I remember Coach Anika encouraging me to keep going in week 7, to not stop. I listened to this message at least four times that week! I knew I would finish strong!

Even though the Summer 60day is now complete, I will keep my mantra on the mirror and fridge as well as Alpha in my schedule three days weekly. They are now daily mental and physical routines set on autopilot. My husband also joined Lifetime while this program was running, inspired by my weekly successes, and we have developed new workout and nutrition goals together. I love the habits that developed during these days and I will not stop!