Kate Raley
a&b Fitness Concepts
159 Stark Street – Randolph
Trainer – Amber Alvin
Final Measurements
Waist – 43.5″
Hips – 49″
Bust – 45″
Weight – 214 lbs.Height – 5′ 6″
Challenge Loss Totals
Waist – 7.5″
Hips – 4.5″
Bust – 3″
Weight – 32.5 lbs.
What is one thing you have learned about YOURSELF during the last 4 months?
One thing that I have learned about myself over the last 4 months is that I am stronger than I thought. This was a tough 4 months. My will power was tested many times. I was able to overcome a lot to get where I am at today. I just believed in myself and remembered what I was fighting for. Some mornings were rough getting up early to go to Boot Camp when I really wanted to stay in bed like the rest of my family but I knew if I did there is no way I was going to fight through this weigh loss by doing that. It now feels great to get up early and get my workout done before I start my day. I feel energized. I have to tell you I still have a few days I would really like to stay in bed, but I have very few of those now. Eating was a challenge. But with the help of Amber I was able to just learn what foods to eat. I am now able to make healthy meals that my family loves. No need to make a separate meal for me and another for the rest of my family. It also helped having so much support from my family, friends, a&b members, coworkers, and neighbors. I received letters and emails from others talking about their struggles that they have overcome and support for myself to get through this. Some real amazing people, some I didn’t even know were struggling. These kinds of things make you want to fight even more.
Will you continue with your exercise routine & new eating habits?
I am definitely going to continue to exercise and keep my new eating habits. I feel great after working out. I have so much more energy. I am not at my goal yet but it will take time. I am very happy with my progress so far. Just need a few more months to reach my goal. I have found that I really do like running, now that I am in better shape. I plan to keep running. No marathons for me, but running to keep in shape and maybe a few 5Ks. My new eating habits are great! I have tried many new food items over the last 4 months and really loved them. Who knew?! I would be a liar if I said I would never eat sweets or bread again. Just have to have more infrequently than I did before. I just ask myself, “Is it worth it?” A lot of times I find myself saying no, it isn’t worth it. It better be a darn good dessert or excellent bread to make it worth eating. And that is okay. We can’t starve ourselves of something we love. I am excited to see where I am going to take myself after this. I owe a lot to Amber for guiding me through this last 4 months and hopefully through many more months. Also to everyone else that has supported me and reached out to me. You all have helped me through my journey more than you know. What an awesome journey it was and will continue to be.
Paula Miller
Aspire Boot Camp
805 Park Avenue – Beaver Dam
Trainer – Rachel Plonsky
Final Measurements
Waist – 30.25″
Hips – 32.75″
Bust – 35.5″
Weight – 160.5 lbs.Height – 5′ 6.5″
Challenge Loss Totals
Waist – 5.25″
Hips – 4.25″
Bust – 2″
Weight – 23 lbs.
What is one thing you have learned about YOURSELF during the last four month?
I learned that I’m stronger than I thought I was. When I first joined Aspire the thought of losing all the weight seemed over-welling. I realized that by setting small goals and working towards each one of them that the final goal seemed much easier to obtain.
Will you continue with your exercise routine and new eating habits?
Yes! I still have about 10 more pounds that I want to lose so I’ll need to continue. I also just feel better everyday if I eat healthy and exercise.
Trainer: Many people struggle with motivation, how do you plan on keeping your Lose 2 Gain participant motivated now that the Lose 2 Gain is wrapping up?
This is something we focus on with all our members because it is very easy to lose motivation. One thing we do is keep it fun. The workouts change daily and are never repeated. The exercises we do in those workouts are not repeated in at least 8 weeks. That way there is an element of fun when our members walk in for their workout, the unknown. It╒s easy for boredom to set in doing the same workouts week after week.
We also set goals, both long-term and short-term. Our Fit Clients program is where our members weigh in each week. They record their weight, measurements and body fat percentage. Seeing their progress each week is motivating to continue. It actually calculates their percentage of completing each goal so they know if they╒re on pace to reach the goal. It also sends me a report each week letting me know how they╒re doing, so if they are struggling we set up a nutrition strategy session together.
We also keep track of attendance and reach out to our members if they miss a week of boot camp. We want to make sure that a week doesn’t turn into a month and so on.
Finally, our private Facebook group is a great place to find motivation from our members. I post on there daily and we have themed days, like “What’s Cookin’ Wednesdays” which feature new recipes each week. This is a support group for our members to reach out when they are losing motivation or to lift others up when they need it. At Aspire Boot Camp we’re all family.
Jessica Wheeler
Get Fit Health Club
N7156 East Plaza Drive – Beaver Dam
Trainer – Marie Cigelske
Final Measurements
Waist – .125″
Hips – .825″
Bust – 2.25″
Weight – 11 lbs.Height – 5′ 5.5″
Challenge Loss Totals
Waist – 6.375″
Hips – 3″
Bust – 2.25″
Weight – 24.5 lbs.
What is one thing you have learned about YOURSELF during the last four month?
I’m stronger than I thought I was! I also learned that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. For example, with sweets it isn’t necessarily either extreme consumption or none at all; instead I learned to balance. With the passing of my grandfather at the start of the Lose 2 Gain, I’ve learned that inspiration can come from the thought of him. When I’m stretching, I remember him saying at 88 years
Bethany Castleberg
The YMCA Dodge County
220 Corporate Drive – Beaver Dam
Trainer – Stacy Woods
Final Measurements
Waist – 31″
Hips – 39″
Bust – 40″
Weight – 178 lbs. Height – 5′ 7″
Challenge Loss Totals
Waist – 11″
Hips – 8″
Bust – 6″
Weight – 30 lbs.
What is one thing you have learned about YOURSELF during the last four months?
I think the biggest thing I have taken away from all of this, is that transformation is really not just about the outside, but also what is on the inside. Many of my family and close friends have definitely seen the physical changes but what really makes me proud is that they have noticed the changes that have come from within me. When Stacy offered the challenge to me, I knew deep down it was going to be a game changer, so right then and there I decided I was going to give it absolutely everything I had. It’s pretty amazing what kind of change you can see and feel in four months, I have literally become stronger from the inside out. I have overcome fears and self-doubt that I have carried with me since I was younger and have a new confidence about me that no longer limits me to reach for what I want. It’s incredible how unstoppable I feel!
Will you continue with your exercise routine & new eating habits?
The “it’s a lifestyle change” phrase is really true. I’ve been consistently working out five days a week for the past four months and I can’t see not continuing that. Working out is my “me” time, something moms these days really don’t take all too often. We are expected to be everything to everyone and often are left depleted. My workouts and healthier eating habits are what re-fuel me, so although implementing healthier changes was difficult at first, it got easier because of how great I was starting to feel. There is no way I plan to give any of that up. Last summer as I watched my children play outside, it crushed me that I couldn’t keep up with them the way I felt I should and more so that I was letting them down. When you are in that state of mind, it is so hard to take the first step; that is why I╒m so grateful that I was asked to be a part of the Lose 2 Gain Challenge. The other night while out on a walk with my three year old son Bentley, he said to me “Mommy you’re beautiful, but my favorite about you is that you take walks with me.” As warmer spring weather is approaching, we are outside nearly every day. We go for walks, we jog, we race, we play. “WE” play.
Trainer: Many people struggle with motivation, how do you plan on keep your Lose 2 Gain Participant motivated now that the Lose 2 Gain is wrapping up?
Bethany has had no problems with motivation. She is very driven and determined to be healthy, not only for herself but for her family. I know she will continue to make her health a priority and that alone will keep her motivation going. She also knows that I am always here to help in anyway I can. Q
