I’ve been trying to get into the Healthiest You Challenge since it first began many years ago. I was so excited when I received the email this year saying I was picked to be a competitor. Three weeks in, and this challenge has already been life changing. I’ve been trying to lead a healthy lifestyle for years, but have always struggled with balancing diet and exercise. With the help of my coach Liz Watt, my teammates on the UNC Health Care Team and the other UNC Wellness Center staff, I am finally on the right path. This challenge has given me the tools I need to make some big changes.

The UNC Health Care team is ready!

The UNC Health Care team is ready!

As part of the Healthiest You Challenge, we are given the opportunity to attend several classes to help educate us on how to lead a healthier lifestyle. The first class that we participated in was Nutrition 101, which explained to us what healthy foods we should be eating and how to prepare proper portion sizes. I have since removed all processed foods and sugar from my diet and now eat only whole foods. The first week was a little rough while my body adjusted to the new diet, but I now feel so much better because my body has the nutrients it needs on a daily basis. The following week we attended a meal planning class that helped us learn how to plan out healthy meals for the week.

Another requirement of the challenge is to attend a variety of fitness and cardio classes that the UNC Wellness Centers offer. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in some cardio classes, a spin class, a yoga class and an aquatic class in the pool. My favorite classes that I have taken so far are a weight training class, which helped me incorporate strength training into my workouts, and a body weight class that taught me several body weight exercises that I can work on from home when my schedule doesn’t permit me to make it to the gym. One unexpected bonus of participating in this challenge is that my son has become interested in becoming more physically active. On the weekends I’ve taken him several times to the UNC Wellness Center in Cary where he loves to climb on the rock wall and run on the track with me.

I had the opportunity to sit down with a nutritionist to discuss my diet to ensure that I was eating the right foods in the right amounts. With some minor tweaks I now feel better than I have in years. I actually look forward to getting up at 4am to go work out. Even after this competition ends in a few weeks, I now have the tools to successfully continue this journey. I have made some good friends, learned a lot of information on how to lead a healthier lifestyle, and will maintain this lifestyle forever! Thank you to the Healthiest You Challenge and all the sponsors that have made this possible. You have changed my life!!