The time to change is now for this Get Fit contestant
Ten professionals and 10 teams are competing in the 2015 Get Fit Challenge. Who will earn the healthiest marks? Follow along on Facebook and then find out at the In Business Expo & Conference on Oct. 21. This week, IB checks in with Kate Karre, HR administrator with Johnson Block & Co., who is competing in the individual challenge.
I want to start off by saying how thankful I am for this opportunity. It’s not only something I really wanted, but also something that was truly needed. I’ve been overweight my entire life. I’ve taken part in every fad diet under the sun as well as other tried and true methods, such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig. I was always seeking the quick way out, but after a few weeks I’d get sick of the program, have a craving for something I wasn’t allowed to eat, or I wouldn’t see the scale move and I’d just throw in the towel. I turned 30 earlier this year and had a huge realization that if I wanted to be around for another 30 years — and do all the things I have on my bucket list — I was going to need to make some changes.
I have to let you in on a secret I’ve discovered though; some of you may already know this but this might be a surprise to others. The secret way to losing weight is … a lifestyle change. I know, right? Who would have thought! I would love to eat pizza, burgers, and macaroni and cheese every night for dinner, but that’s just not going to help me in the long run. What will? Smaller portions, eating more fruits and vegetables, and adding in exercise will help me lose weight.
My regimen has changed drastically from what it was prior to the start of the Get Fit Challenge, particularly when it comes to exercise. I was already on Jenny Craig before the challenge began, but I’ve just been even more meticulous about making sure I eat my fruits and vegetables. As far as exercise goes, I’ve made some drastic changes. Prior to this challenge, I hadn’t worked out in almost a year. I now work out pretty much every day of the week. Monday and Wednesday evenings I have training at Harbor Athletic Club with Jamie and Becky. They have made this challenge so much fun. They both encourage and push me to do a bit more than I did before. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays I take walks around my neighborhood. I used to hate going for walks, but now I put on an audio book and check out new routes regularly. My goal is to always hit 10,000 steps a day, and most days that proves to be a bit of a challenge due to the sedentary nature of my job. Friday evenings I’m back at Harbor taking a dance class to pop, rock, and hip hop music called WERQ. I’m absolutely in love with this class, and can’t wait to take it each week. Saturdays are usually a combination of a workout video (“Pound” is my current obsession) and a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood.
I’ve been asked by a few people how I’ve been able to stay motivated. To be honest, it’s the great support system I have around me. My trainers, Becky and Jamie, really have been amazing to work with as well as the other individuals in my training class. My consultants at Jenny Craig celebrate every pound lost, and give me great ideas. Lastly, I have really supportive friends and family who are behind me every step of the way. In order to make this a lasting journey, I’ve decided I need to hold myself accountable, and what better way to do that than by documenting my journey. I started a blog, Kate’s Quest to Wellness, and it can be found here: https://katesquesttowellness.wordpress.com/. I look forward to giving you all an update really soon!
Meet all of the competitors here and see who wins at the In Business Expo & Conference.
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