Looking for some extra inspiration for the Shred? Want some tips from some past winners? Scroll down to see the thoughts, experience, and difficulties that each of our Shred winners had in the End-of-Summer Shred!
Women
1st Place: Ruweida Bloomquist
How much weight did you lose? What was your overall % change? What was your program regimen? I?lost 4 lbs. I started with a weight of 100 lbs and ended with a weight of 96lbs. The regiment was pretty easy to keep up with – in addition to taking at least 3 classes per week I did at least 45 minutes of cardio 3 times a week.
What was the biggest obstacle you overcame during your 30 Day Challenge??My biggest obstacle was giving up on the breakfast lattes and potatoe chips. I still got the lattes every morning, but switched to skim milk and no whipped cream.
What was your inspiration during your 30 Day Challenge??To be honest my inspiration only came after week 1 when I noticed the huge improvement in my cardio and realized that the workout regiment and the few changes made were actually working. It inspired me to continue with the regiment for rest of the shred and even after the competition ended I found myself trying to stick to it as best I can.
How has your overall experience of the 30 Day Challenge affected you? Affected your approach towards exercise??The overall experience was definitely a positive one. I’ve noticed that I’m in better cardio shape; I sleep better making me feel a lot more rejuvenated in the morning. Knowing this makes me want to continue with the regiment.
2nd Place: Edita Fikhman?
Coming soon! 🙂
3rd Place:?Rachel Speed
How much weight did you lose? What was your overall % change? What was your program regimen? I lost 6.4 pounds and the overall body fat % change was 2.5%. I did semi-private training sessions 3x/week and watched my food intake a lot more carefully – I definitely wasn’t perfect, but I tried to cut down carbs and sugar a lot – and ate a lot of fish, veggies, nuts, fruit kind of meals.
What was the biggest obstacle you overcame during your 30 Day Challenge? I think my biggest obstacle (and honestly I didn’t overcome it) was keeping the food journal. For me just getting to Arena so early in the morning was all I could commit to, since I hadn’t exercised (and certainly not that hard or consistently) in years. Once that feels more natural to me, I want to focus more on the food journal.
What was your inspiration during your 30 Day Challenge? I think Joe and Jonathan inspired me the most. I wasn’t experiencing enough of a difference in the mirror or on the scale to motivate me, but they both were always so generous and sincere with their encouragement. Their words made me feel good about myself and what I was doing. And even though I didn’t see a miraculous change, I started feeling better, I was less intimidated about the workouts and changed my mindset to: “How hard can I push myself in these 45 minutes to get the most out of this experience?” (Rather than, this is torture . . . when will it be over?).
I also refer often to Jonathan’s words about “being comfortable with discomfort.” That helped me a lot to understand what this experience is about – since I’ve always been the type to seek and create comfort for myself and my family.
How has your overall experience of the 30 Day Challenge affected you? Affected your approach towards exercise? I was absolutely shocked I came in 3rd. I had thought it wasn’t making any difference, so it was amazing to me that it actually was.? Initially, I had thought a 6-pound weight loss was nothing, but I now understand that it’s a good start. The 30-day challenge definitely encouraged me – because there’s a beginning and an end – so you can measure your progress. And I was so excited to place so that was wonderful. But it also helped me manage my expectations that a little bit is good — that’s the way it’s supposed to be and if I can stay with it, more progress and results will happen – slow and steady wins the race. I get it now.
Men
1st Place: Dave O’Connell?
How much weight did you lose? What was your overall % change??What was your program regimen??[I lost] 6.6 lbs [with a] 3.4% change [in body fat]. [My program regiment was] lots and lots of Arena, being in the gym regularly keeps you on track.? The regular discussion of the shred, the email updates and the others competing keep you going. ?When not shredding there are times I work out then go home and have a bowl of ice cream after dinner …. This is weight loss sabotage! Also, I cut out late night snacks and got more sleep.
What was the biggest obstacle you overcame during your 30 Day Challenge?? Happy hour, parties, dinners and family gatherings are always the toughest. ??Keeping the journal is tough for me.
What was your inspiration during your 30 Day Challenge? ??
1) I like a competition;?2) I was facing the Conejo Valley mud run and the Spartan run and didn’t want to get creamed by the competition, every pound counts when you are carrying it 3 miles;?3)Even with regular gym attendance I had let my weight creep up a bit and it was time to get it back in check.
How has your overall experience of the 30 Day Challenge affected you??Affected your approach towards exercise?? Good reminder that you can do anything 30 days at a time. ?Oh, and I’m 6.6 lbs lighter.?Goal setting is an absolute must when the desire is to lose weight. I am going to do an assessment with Joe and then set some end of year goals.