I owe my sincerest gratitude to YOU, yes you!  In addition to my faith, I never would have made it without my support system.  All of your words of encouragement have kept me going throughout these 12 weeks.  Thanks for holding me accountable!  I’m proud of those who I have inspired to modify their lifestyles to be more healthier.

To H-E-B – Thank you caring enough to give back to your customers! Kate Rogers specifically for creating this life changing experience. Her amazing staff of Melissa, Suzanne, Shannon, Lorena, Mari, Miguel, Sara, Pauline and everyone else. It’s unbelievable how supportive you all have been. Thank you for teaching me to invest in my health like I do everything else.

To my family – Thanks for your endless love/support and continued efforts to live a healthier life. I can’t wait to move back home and help you all implement your own lifestyle changes!

To my friends & classmates – Thanks for accompanying me to the gym, listening to me complain about being sore and keeping an open mind about healthier food options.

To my health coach, Kathy – Thank you being my personal cheerleader and celebrating all of my victories, both big and small.

To the SDSD Sponsors – Thank you Gold’s Gym, Avocados from Mexico, Fleet Feet Sports, Dole, Uncle Sam, Metropolitan Methodist Hospital, the Hilton San Antonio Hill Country Hotel & Spa, Watermelon.org and Brita for partnering with H-E-B and giving me the tools I needed to make my health a priority.

The past SDSD contestants - Thank you for all of the advice and encouragement throughout this experience (especially via Facebook and Myfitnesspal).  You guys were proof that this lifestyle change is attainable.

I’d like to share some words of wisdom that Shannon shared with us via Daniel Garza (the first Partner SDSD winner).  He has a theory on “reset buttons”: ”along this journey we call life; we are presented with reset buttons, an opportunity to reset the direction in which our life is headed.  These can come in many forms; a new job, the chance to get healthier, a break-up, a marriage, the decision to have children… It’s up to us to decide if we are ready and willing, and have the courage to press reset.”

Thanks to this priceless experience, my reset button has been activated.  I am proud of myself for having the courage to submit my application and admit that I needed help getting my life back on track.  I have a whole new appreciation for life.  I no longer go through the motions; I seize the day!  I am excited about my future and all that the Lord has in store for me!

My Vow:

• I vow to continue this healthy lifestyle.
• I vow to never return to the life that I lived before 1/13/13.
• I vow to continue to implement everything that I’ve learned.
• I vow to express my feelings instead of turning to food like I did in the past.
• I vow to continue my work out regimen 5 days a week
• I vow to continue invest in my body.

I leave you with this quote by Earl Nightingale, “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.”

Tweet

I love the game of basketball and this is one of my favorite times of the year (March Madness).  Due to the weight that I accumulated, I couldn’t get up and down the court like I did in the past.  One of the main reasons that I entered this competition was to get in shape so I could play competitively again.  I am proud to say that I am making huge strides towards that goal.  This weekend I had the chance to do something special, BE AN OLYMPIAN!  I participated in the Texas Physical Therapy Olympics with the PT students from my school. The gym was so packed that you could feel the energy!  It was a surreal experience that I’ll never forget!  I felt like I was in high school again.

We made it to the women’s championship game but lost 9-7. Words cannot describe how much fun I had!  :) This experience was the definition of a non scale victory.

My awesome teammates, Andi & Lindsay, and I! Great job ladies!

Even my classmates, Zach & Nitin, came to cheer me on! Thanks guys

Also, every week my classmates and I play basketball – Orly, Jacob, Zach, & Nitin!

WE GOT GAME

Tweet

This video pretty much sums up what this journey has been like so far.  I’m having to push myself in ways that I haven’t since high school.  All of my hard work is paying off and I’m loving the results.  I enjoy challenging myself to do things that I didn’t think I could do!

Here are a few quotes that motivate me:

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”     – Jim Rohn

“Nothing will work unless you do.” – Maya Angelou

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas A. Edison

“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” – Christian D. Larson

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn

Tweet

Before starting this lifestyle change, I used to skip breakfast or have something quick like a pastry dry cereal or a granola bar.  I would wake up shortly before class started, grab one of the items mentioned and rush out of the door.  The only time I would cook breakfast was on the weekends when I had time.  Now, all of those excuses aren’t applicable anymore!

Here are two of my go-to breakfast options:

Option 1: This is a healthy twist on a breakfast sandwich: egg whites, flax n’ grains kangaroo sandwich pockets, low sugar strawberry jelly and Canadian bacon. I only eat 1 slice of Canadian bacon but the serving size is 2. Only 185 calories!

Option 2: Whole wheat flax waffles, sugar free syrup and breakfast turkey sausage.  I only eat 1 patty but the serving size is 2.  The flax seed in the waffles makes them very filling.  Plus it’s only 375 calories!

Both of these meals aren’t complete without MooTopia! It’s milk with added protein and less sugar.  As a chocolate milk fan, I love the chocolate flavor.  The fat free kind tastes just like 2% milk.  I was skeptical at first but once I tried it at Fit Camp, I was hooked!

What are some of your favorite healthy breakfasts?

Tweet

Last week, I received a phone call from one of my good friends from college. [ GEAUX TIGERS ] We both were managers for the LSU women’s basketball team.  She’s always had a passion for the human body and is now an exercise physiologist.  We hadn’t spoken in a while so when I saw her name show up on my phone I grew anxious.  Not skipping a beat, she yelled “Briiiiiitt!” She kept reiterating how proud she is of me.  I thought it was really thoughtful of her to call me instead of texting or telling me through Facebook.  She reminded me of several things that I have learned so far.  In summary, a lot of small changes made daily become habits over time.  I can honestly say that I have changed my lifestyle within these 10 weeks.  I love the way that I feel and the confidence that I have gained.  I have a new lease on life.  God has truly blessed me.  I am so grateful to H-E-B for choosing me to be apart of this once in a lifetime journey!

Thank you to everyone who has complimented me along the way, 

it means more than you’ll ever know

Tweet

“Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.” - Bill Cosby

I ended my spring break on a positive note by attending boot camp with my mom and cousin.  I enjoying participating in boot camps because you never know what to expect.  Boot camp workouts are a great way to burn a ton of calories because of the high intensity circuits in a short time frame.  It was great working out with my mom and cousin!  I enjoyed encouraging them and watching them step outside of their comfort zones. Great job ladies!

I even got to run with a parachute attached to me! (I’ve always wanted to do that!)

It’s like my shirt says NO PAIN, NO GAIN and KNOW PAIN, KNOW GAIN

Tweet