Melanie Matjosic is the winner of our 12 -week Lean and Mean Challenge. She lost an incredible 28 pounds and 14 per cent of her initial body fat. She wins $6,750.00 in prizes including a flight and accommodations for two to Jamaica.
Her story: I am 35 years old and married with a 3.5 year old little girl and an 18 month old boy. I decided to enter the mean and lean challenge because I was at a point in my life where I felt just spent. I was at my heaviest weight ever. I either didn’t eat at all or picked away at junk food. I was physically and emotionally exhausted. My life revolved around my children yet I would have days when it took every last ounce of energy I had to play with them, take care of them, and do the day to day things expected of a stay at home mom. I needed to change for them and myself.
It was time to reclaim my life and get back to the former healthier me but I needed a kick in the butt. To my surprise I received an email from One on One in regards to a fall fitness challenge, there it was, my kick in the butt.
My exercise regimen consisted of high intensity 30 minute cardio and strength combination workouts.
I worked out 4 to 5 times per week (mainly 5 times per week). With two active children, fitting in my own exercise was challenging but I found it was best to fit it in, in the mornings. I would feed the kids breakfast and then we would all go up stairs where I would set up some toys for them and then start my workout.
For the first two weeks I spent most of my workout carrying my son and going through the motions but I still got it done. Eventually minus a few potty breaks here and there my kids would play while I worked out. Sometimes my daughter would even join in and workout with mommy. The most rewarding aspect of the lean and mean challenge has been the self realization that I CAN be healthy and full of energy and that I DESERVE to be, and I can do it without sacrificing my time with my kids. As moms we seem to forget about ourselves for the betterment of the family and it took a lot to come to terms with the fact that taking care of myself WAS for the betterment of my family.
The biggest challenge has definitely been keeping up with the morning workouts with lack of sleep. My 18 month old still finds it necessary to get up every 1.5 to 2 hrs, so sleep in my house can be hard to come by.
The daily online Passport to Fitness emails were great and provided not only really good information and insights but also helped to keep me motivated and focused on my goals.
My husband was also very happy and supportive of my choice to join the challenge. He knew that I needed to make a change and reminded me of that anytime I started to lose motivation.
My nutrition consisted of 3 meals and 2 snacks. I usually worked out in the morning and. Once completed, I had a breakfast consisting of 1/2 c. oatmeal mixed with 1/2 c. pineapple or blueberries and a small scoop of protein powder. My first snack was usually 1/2 c. yogurt or cottage cheese and an apple or cut up veggies. For lunch I would have 1 c. of homemade squash or vegetable soup and 1/2 a pita or whole grain sandwich with turkey and a thin slice or cheese. My second snack ranged from a rice cake w/ a poached egg on top, to a tomato and cucumber salad to left over soup. For dinner I would usually have a palm sized portion of chicken or fish, 1 c. of veggies, such as broccoli or asparagus, and 1/2 c. of yams, brown rice or whole grain pasta. I also usually didn’t eat after about 6:30 pm.
Anytime that I fell off track I would always remind myself of my goals, clear out any excuses that I was trying to develop and just get right back on my plan. Before long, missing a workout would just leave me feeling off. Also anytime I knew I was going somewhere where I might indulge I would make sure to eat well prior to going so that I wouldn’t be overly hungry. That way I could treat myself without pigging out.
I would really like to continue on the path I’m on right now. I have come a long way. I would still like to reduce my weight and more importantly my body fat a little more. I am hoping that over the next three months that I can get my body fat into the athletic range. The advice I would give to someone struggling with their fitness goal (s) would be as hard as it is to find the energy and the time to work out, eat right and get healthy, it is so much harder not to.
Thank you so much to One on One, this challenge gave me the motivation I needed to reach my initial goals. Had I not entered this challenge I would probably be thirty pounds heavier convincing myself that 2013 would be the year I finally got back into shape.
