Initially, I was reluctant to tell anyone about my involvement in the challenge. I was thinking how silly I would sound, if I told people, and then didn’t come through. After telling the first person, however, something unpredictable happened. All of a sudden, I was accountable. What an amazing motivator that is. I found I wanted to tell even more people, as each one gave me more reasons to stay committed.

I’ve really had to restructure my thinking. These are not “diets” and “exercise programs”. If you really want to transform yourself to reach your full potential, it needs to become a lifestyle. Granted, the food I am eating now is geared towards a competition, and I know full well I will not continue to eat like this forever, but I will maintain the basic components of a clean diet. Exercise needs to become an integral part of your daily routine, in addition to regular workouts at the gym, for the rest of your life. I do choose active sports over going to the movies. I do run up the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator. I do park further away when I go shopping. I do take active vacations over sedentary ones. These are choices that need to be made if I want to feel strong. If I want my clothes to look fabulous. If I want my confidence to soar. And I do. I know what the alternative is. I’ve been there. Tired, uncomfortable, self-conscious. Not the empowering emotions I want to feel. So, above all else, determination and commitment are the very first steps towards a new life.