I first heard of the Gold’s Fitness Challenge as I read the morning paper. There was the ad describing and promoting it. I had spent the summer with a trainer in the gym, and had made some wonderful gains in muscle tone and overall fitness, but then I had started a new job, and my training schedule was affected. For me, routine is crucial for maintaining a fitness lifestyle, and when it was interrupted, my dedication suffered. Slowly I had stopped going to the gym, and began to fall back into the old habits. In a short, three month period, the gains I had worked so hard at achieving all summer were fading away. The ad for the challenge sparked a little flame in me and I vowed to get back into the gym and continue on the path I had started. I did go to the gym that afternoon, and as I was going through my routine, I noticed a sign on the mirror advertising the Challenge. So I started seriously considering joining it. I had as much chance as anyone. This wasn’t some high stakes fitness competition, this was more like a personal quest to improve your lifestyle. There are cash prizes for the winners, and even some promotional opportunities for the overall winner. It seemed a winning situation regardless of winning or not. I would end up being in great shape, and have a solid foundation for a healthy lifestyle. I figured the added element of competition might actually inspire me to be more committed. So I joined. I contacted my trainer and set up a program with him. As imagined, the competition factor is a huge motivator. There is also the added time element. So not only going against others, but having to do it with a deadline. The pressure is on…..