When the 2011 Burn The Fat Holiday Challenge was announced, I asked myself, "Is this challenge a good idea for me?" I had already lost 84 lbs, and I was finding it hard to believe I could see any difference in 49 days. I might get rid of 5 pounds, yes, but - how about 10? No way! Then, why should I commit myself to joining a challenge and working hard for 7 weeks?
So the challenge started. I peeped into other fellows' journals. Everybody sounded so motivated, hopeful, cheerful! I got carried away instantly. I said to myself, "why not?". Why wouldn't I be able to lose more weight, to reshape my body a little more, to look better? Come on, this is the "Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle" method - if I stick to it, if I keep focused and stay positive, I can do this! I really wanted TO BELIEVE, and I was craving for results!
I set HIGH goals for myself: I would lose over 10 lbs, and about 3.5 lbs of fat, in 7 weeks. Really challenging, huh? I knew I would have to work hard. I knew I would have to be committed. And I also knew what my biggest issues were. Negativity. Despair (when something went wrong). Lack of strength to handle obstacles. Losing focus... Quitting instead of persevering. But I was determined to overcome them. I wanted to be a finisher - I wanted to be no quitter!
During the first days of the challenge, I did a lot of planning. I applied all I had learnt from "Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle" - the book. So I would have 5-6 small meals a day, I would taper my carbs, I would do full body workouts 3 times a week. Knowing what to do, and why you do it, is crucial to your success. Besides, I had read an interesting phrase in Marc David's article on tips to improve the chances of winning a body transformation contest. The fifth tip said, "Just one day at a time, strung together 49 times. You can do that, can't you?" It was really an epiphany! Then I'd focus on one day at a time - "I'll work hard today, and I'll do the same tomorrow"; all I had to was repeat it 49 times. And that would become my key fit-losophy for 7 weeks.
Of course there were days when I was incredibly motivated to stick to my plan and work real hard, and days when my motivation decreased. I was on a team but we didn't make it to the finish. However, one of my teammates and I learnt a great lesson together. During the challenge, we worked towards a better self-image for both of us. Together, we were no longer the weak women failing but the strong ones who would pick themselves up after tripping and continue working hard on our health goals. This was indeed a great life lesson in itself: you help yourself when helping another fellow.
But - what would I have done without my BFFM friends? Steve, the Spartan - he was like a rock and set a great example for me. Roisin - she has set high standards for herself, which was really inspiring and motivating; this challenge wouldn't have been the same without her. Karen - she's an amazing source of inspiration and encouragement, and her sense of balance is amazing. Besides, I had Debby, Diederik, Carol, Sheri, Chad and Georgia, among other BFFMers. All of them helped me realise that, even though the road to fitness can sometimes be hard, the whole journey is easy to endure when you have a strong comrade to share it with - half the pain and double the joy, they say. You're right, Tom! - the power of social support is truly the fifth element of fat loss success!
On the whole, this challenge was a great experience, and I can say joining the 2012 BFFM Holiday Challenge was the best move I could have made. I lost 11.3 lbs and 6.6 % body fat, I made new friends and I learnt to be stronger. As a consequence, I'm a healthier and fitter me, and I'll be ambitious enough as to stay on this road until I reach my ultimate fitness goals. Why should I deserve less than that, anyway?
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