Pounds LOST: 25 lbs.
Inches LOST: 13 in.
Bodyweight LOST: 11.1%
Bodyfat LOST: 6.6%
​​
This was my first time doing the challenge and I really enjoyed the process! I had begun losing weight before the challenge but needed an extra boost so I signed up—the challenge ended up being just the “boost” I needed. Kendra and the WLG coaches will definitely challenge you, but they give you the resources and encouragement needed to do so. Thinking about sitting down and planning out my meals & workouts used to give me a headache, so it was nice having all of my meals, recipes and even my shopping list done for me. After planning, prepping and exercising for 12 weeks, it now comes much more naturally. From the bod pod to the points system, there are so many valuable life-lessons to be learned about your health and wellness throughout this challenge.

Mary Lee, WLG Athlete

Stats:
- 31 lbs. LOST!
- 13.4% bodyweight LOST!
- 5% bodyfat LOST!
- 22.5 inches LOST!

PRIZE - ONE FULL YEAR OF WLG TRAINING

​Well I have struggled with weight gain since having both my kids. I have tried just about everything over the years to lose weight. I have seen the WLG challenge post many times but have been scared by the commitment  . This time I felt hopeless at my heaviest weight and decide to take the plunge and convinced my buddy to join me on the journey. WLG offered structured routines and food plans that were manageable even juggling family and my journey to a healthier me. I think the one thing that aided in success was having a "buddy". We meal prepped weekly as a team which helped in the daily success and supported each other in the struggle of obtaining a new me. Kendra and the WLG family are very supportive and welcoming! Looking forward to an amazing year and continued success in developing a new healthy me. 

Jennifer Corn - WLG Athlete

Stats:
- 19 lbs. LOST!
- 11.6% bodyweight LOST!
- 5.3% bodyfat LOST!
- 13.7 inches LOST!

PRIZE - 6 MONTHS OF WLG MON-FRI TRAINING
​
I have struggled with weight loss my whole life, never crazy overweight but always the chunky one, even as a kid.  I remember drinking Slim Fast in high school, bleh!  I have always been active and workout consistently but my eating habits are like a roller coaster. I really needed something different and new, then I found WLG and the fall challenge.  Kendra is super supportive but makes you work hard.
 
I set a few goals for the challenge but the most important one was being able to say that I tried my hardest.  It didn't matter if I won, or if I lost a certain number of pounds, what mattered to me was being able to look back and say I tried the best I could.  With that in mind, every time I wanted to eat or drink something bad, I asked myself if it was worth it, and usually the answer was no. Tracking points was like a game to me so I got excited each week I didn't lose any, which fueled my desire for success.  I also filled out weekly point totals ahead of time because I knew I would feel bad if I had to erase it.
 
The more I kept to earning all my daily points - drinking water (download an app to keep track!), working out, etc - the easier it was because it became a habit.  Once it's a habit, it gets much easier.
 
I loved how many perk options there were, and that boxing was one of them.  I've been doing boxing/kickboxing for a few years and I love it.  It's such a good workout for your arms and core...and it's fun!  And I had a big non-scale victory when I shaved 3 minutes off my timed run.  It was proof of how much my endurance and physical capabilities had changed.  Losing weight and being skinnier is awesome...but being fit is such a great feeling!
 
If you want it bad enough, go for it.  The challenge is an opportunity to prove what you're made of and be part of a community of people that want the same things. "It's not about being the best, it's about being better than you were yesterday."

Ashley Tanis -WLG Athlete

Stats:
- 21 lbs. LOST!
- 12.5% bodyweight LOST!
- 4.5% bodyfat LOST!
- 16 inches LOST!​

PRIZE - $300 UNDER ARMOUR GIFTCARD
​
​WLG 12 Week Fall Challenge was an amazing experience! Approximately four months ago I felt terrible, my clothes were way too tight, and I had no energy at all. I had tried weight loss methods before (like Weight Watchers, and various cleanses) but they just did not accomplish long term results I needed. I was looking for something more to help me feel better. I knew I needed help with my diet and exercise but had no idea where to start. That is when my friend Jen told me about the WLG challenge she had joined and asked me to do it with her. I agreed to join the challenge, but honestly never expected to stick with it. Once I read through all the information and realized it was exactly what I was looking for I actually became excited to get started.
 
The meal plans are awesome – to have someone else plan out my meals for the week is perfect! I found some delicious new recipes I will continue to make over and over. The best part about the meal plan is that it is realistic. Who has time to cook something new every day, not me! Jen and I were able to get together on the weekends and prepare most of our meals and snacks for the whole week. Having meals already made eliminated eating out or the quick drive thru runs because of not wanting to cook.
 
Exercise – something I have always disliked! I was terrified walking into the first class. It was very tough but surprisingly fun too. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. Kendra pushes you hard but is also very supportive and motivating. I am not sure I will ever “love” working out but I do love that feeling of strength and accomplishment after a tough workout that you cannot get from anywhere else. Even the muscle pain that is felt for days after feels great. You can actually feel yourself getting stronger inside and out.
 
In only 12 weeks I not only lost 21 lbs but also won my first massage, a makeover and an Under Armour Gift Card! I just followed the plan and now I have so much energy and feel amazing. I am excited to start 2017 not trying to be healthier but continuing to become stronger! I cannot wait to begin the next challenge!

- Missy Duty, WLG Athlete

​Fourth time's a charm!
Spring 2016 was my 4th time joining Workout Like a Girl for a challenge.  Kendra is such a great trainer, her challenges provides amazing tools and encouragement and I love the arsenal of recipes and workouts I have now, the price is worth is just for the meal plans and workouts...Not to mention you get to choose a perk!

  I chose TRX as my perk and did 10 classes with Julie (and Kendra and Evan) on Thursday mornings.  There was such a huge difference in my strength from the first to the last.  What I laughed at first class thinking it was impossible (think pull up to swing through with a chest press) I was performing by the end of my perk sessions.

Before the challenge started I was the heaviest I had ever been (even more than when pregnant) and depressed and never felt well.  I sat down at a machine at the mall and found out I was overweight AND had high blood pressure.  I signed up for the challenge and decided this time I was not going to give up.  I also went to see Dr. Mowry at the Healing and Wellness Center and made a lot of changes to my diet that helped me feel better fast; the biggest (and hardest) change was giving up wheat and sugar.  I felt so great I was getting up in the morning, going to the gym, doing the workouts.  I work full time from home so I started getting up at 5 to get my work done so I could go go gym or class later in day with out feeling guilty.  

My biggest piece of advice is to keep your Challenge book somewhere you have to see it every day.  Don't wait until the end of the week...plan ahead and document.  Use your book or an app like My Fitness Pal to track your food and exercise, put your points in daily.  AND..as Kendra says, we all screw up.  Don't stop.  Don't let one weekend of eating and drinking deter you.   I thought I didn't have a chance of winning this challenge and then I realized I was almost 20 pounds down so I decided to turn in my book, I was shocked (and elated) when I got 3'rd place. Obviously the real win was 19 pounds down and 10.5 inches off my body that I plan on maintaining.  p.s. it is not easy to share the after pictures, I know I still have work to do.    Thank you WLG!

Carrie Sutherland

This is my 2nd year with WLG Fit Camp and my 3rd Challenge. The first challenge seemed impossible. I have worked out my whole life, but thought that because I worked out I could eat whatever I wanted. When I first saw Kendra’s meal plan I didn’t think I could ever stick to it. About halfway through I started to get serious about eating clean and little by little I started dropping some pounds. By the end of the first challenge, I was mad at myself for waiting 6 weeks instead of sticking with the meal plan from the beginning. But that challenge finally motivated me to keep going.

After the first challenge I continued to follow Kendra’s meal plans, rotating through them. Then in July I did her 100 mile challenge and the pounds kept coming off. I was excited to start the second challenge. This one was hard too. It seemed like I had some sort of event every weekend – a class reunion, family reunion, Halloween, Thanksgiving and holiday parties. I did as many bonus points as I possibly could and never missed a day of clean eating, exercise and water. I did have deductions but I always got my base points in every day. I was really disappointed when I didn’t place in the top five that time.

Once again, I stuck with the meal plans – now I had 24 weeks of meals from completing two challenges. When it came time to weigh in, I had kept off all of the weight I had previously lost. This last time was different though. I really didn’t think I could lose much more. I figured I would never win anything because other people were hoping to lose 20 pounds or more. What kept me going this time was the chance to earn as many bonus points as I wanted. Every challenge, Kendra adds something new or different to the mix and this time it was the extra bonus points. I went to WLG boot camp on Mon, Wed, Fri and Saturday. I went to WLG boxing every Thursday. I tried to run a mile before or after every class and I stayed after class to do the bonus workout. I went on long runs every weekend and walked every night. All of that hard work paid off and I lost 5 more pounds.

Now my challenge will be to keep this up. One of the things that I learned was how much water I need to be drinking daily. I have an app that I use to make sure I am getting at least 2/3 of my body weight in ounces every day. I also finally figured out (in the words of the wise woman LaneAnn) that I can out-eat any workout that I do. At the end of the day, I need to eat fewer calories than I burn.

I am so thankful to all of my fellow WLG workout friends, especially Debbie Krueger for encouraging me to come back to class. If it wasn’t for her, I never would have tried the first challenge. Debbie changed her schedule so that we could go to 5am class together and she stayed after with me every class to do the bonus workouts. Kendra has created such a positive and supportive atmosphere – WLG is truly a family!
 
Jen DuLaney, WLG Athlete

Christine Davies was a force to be reckoned with during the 2016 Summer Strong Challenge.  She boxed, C3, and WLG all day, everyday to come in FIRST place among 200 contestants!  With an amazing 26 lbs. weight loss and 21.5 inches off her tiny frame - she literally worked her BUTT off!  Not only did she win the grand prize of ONE YEAR FREE WLG, she also won the 8 week makeover!  The Glam Squad of Mel Torre of Levity Hair Studio, Make-up Artist Chelsea Clarence and the uber talented photographer Mary Jourdak helped recreate a super sassy retro feel all the while pulling out all of Christine's unique style and flair - IT WAS EPIC!   Congrats Christine, you nailed it!  xoxox K

I asked if Christine would sum up her Challenge experience in order to maybe help the next challengers that will enter in September 2016.  Here is her experience... ENJOY!!   

It all began during the snow storm of 2016. I had been cooped up in the house for 3 days eating and drinking everything. I decided 1 night that I need a change to better myself and this was the time to do it. I was newly single and really wanted to focus on me and me only. I was ready for the challenge and I needed to be all in this time. I never went into it thinking I would win anything  - I just wanted to drop some weight.  It was going to be hard but it was only 3 months. I am not a big fan of cooking so the meal prepping was going to be interesting. I stuck with the recipes that were provided. I had some knowledge already of what I needed to be eating or what not to be eating. If I wasn't into certain meals I would repeat old ones that I did really enjoy. If there was something I wanted to eat but I couldn't have i.e. Cadbury mini eggs I bought them and saved them until the end as a prize to myself.  

Now I enjoy an adult beverage as much as the next person, not having beers while watching a game with friends or a glass of wine with dinner was going to be tough but I knew that was the key to making this challenge worth it. I really stuck with the not drinking up until my birthday about half way through but even still I stuck to it only "cheating" a few times. It made a huge difference I dropped over 10 lbs the first month. It felt good to have done so well it's what kept me going I was making a difference I felt great. Week 8 when Kendra announced me as the winner for the makeover I was shocked. I really wasn't expecting it but was very excited. It also just motivated me now to win this whole thing.  I was going to do it so I started basically living at the Edge going everyday and at least 2 -3 classes 1 day. I busted my butt everyday ate more veggies I think I ever have in my entire life and loved it. I had so much more energy than I ever have before.

​I am definitely in the best shape I have ever been in. I can fit into my "skinny" clothes that I saved for that 1 day when I get back in shape. It's hard work but it's totally worth it. However it wasn't just me dieting exercising and not drinking, the support and motivation of everyone in the WLG family is quite amazing!!! So thanks everyone! 

Water!
Drink all the water.  I didn’t think I would be able to drink it all (12-14 cups a day for me), but I did since the point deductions would have been so big!  I drank a 16 ounce cup of green tea with lemon every morning on waking.  Each morning I filled 3 quart jars with water – 4 cups per jar.  Through the day I would pour them in my tea cup, or fill up my water bottle if I was going out.  I always kept a water bottle with me when I left the house.  I did have to make sure I knew where all the restrooms were during the challenge, or in a couple of cases, a thick stand of trees!

Food!
I have always been on the seefood diet (yes, that’s right – “see food, eat it.”)  So I cleaned out all processed foods and did not have them in the house except for company, who I rarely invited during the challenge.

I did not drink alcohol during the challenge.  I also cut out added sugar and baked goods.  That means I didn’t bake the muffins or other grain items on the plan.  I ate Ezekiel sprouted grain bread only. No routine pasta, just once or twice before races.

I have a breakfast that I always like – a slice of Ezekiel sprouted grain bread, and 1/3 cup of 2% cottage cheese.  This is a good mix of carb and protein to begin the day. If I am doing a race that morning, I eat a slice of Ezekiel with some peanut butter, with a half a banana a bit later.
I ate every few hours, the meals and snacks.  I keep a bowl of baby carrots front and center in the fridge, and ate a ton of those.  Other easy snacks are clementines; pineapple chunks; ½ cup of 0% fat Greek yogurt with either almonds and blueberries and some stevia, or with cucumbers, green onions and dill; a slice of Ezekiel or sliced apple with peanut butter.  I always traveled with some of these snacks so if I was running late and hungry, I could pop a healthy snack and not be tempted to drive through somewhere.

My usual lunch was a green salad (I like the prepared boxes at the Safeway, the herb blend or spinach/kale, already washed) with either baked skinless chicken breasts or hard boiled eggs that I prepared on the weekend for the week ahead.  I would add blueberries or apples; avocado or shaved parm, and some veggies – cucumbers, grape tomatoes, etc.  I have a good balsamic vinegar that I sprinkle on instead of salad dressing.  If I am making the salad for company, I make a dressing with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, adding turmeric, ginger, lemon juice, a bit of salt and pepper.

Dinner was a lean protein and vegetable.  I ate red grapes for an evening snack, after reading somewhere that they can reduce fat (well, red wine, but I wasn’t drinking wine).
I usually did not eat after 7 pm.

Now this was not on the plan, but I did plan one meal a week where I could have something that would cause a point deduction.  I coordinated it with lunches or dinners out that were on my schedule.  I did not go crazy but had a piece of bread or pasta the night before a race, or even a little dessert if it was a pot luck and someone brought something delicious.  I stayed within my calorie range for the day.  I believe that knowing I had this kind of safety valve ahead in the week, kept me on the plan the rest of the time.

Exercise!
I did the TRX perk and it was great.  I was nervous about it at first but I noticed I progressed in balance and strength over the course of the challenge.  I also did some WLG classes.   Great varied workouts where you can really sweat it out and feel your muscles getting stronger over time.
 
I did all the bonuses plus activity for activity points.  Usually I did the walk/run bonus miles.  Once I did a long bike ride, and several times I was able to do the bonus Pinterest workout that was posted.  I liked that they targeted different muscles each week.  Sometimes I would do one session of the bonus Pinterest workout for my daily activity and walk/run the bonus miles for the week. Sometimes it was hard to get it all in, but I definitely think sticking with the level of exercise that was recommended contributed to my success.

Tracking!
Planning and journaling.  I used the weekly planning charts to plan the week ahead.  Every morning I updated my points and exercise from the previous day.  This mentally prepared me for another day on the program. Also I use a program online called loseit.com to write down everything I eat and all my exercise.  You can put in how much you want to weigh, and it tells you how many base calories you should have to get to that goal.  It keeps track of the calories in food and exercise, and I always stayed within the recommended range except for a couple of special occasions.

Plateaus were tough.  I got through them by mentally imagining my body going through a reset to get used to the new lower weight.  I changed up my exercise routines.  I made sure I had water all the time, to reduce water retention (sounds counter-intuitive but it is true, body will release water if you keep drinking it).  Tracked sodium intake to make sure it was low.  Ate on low end of carbs.

Results!
I lost body weight, body fat, gained lean muscle mass, and progressed on my athletic ability. Since the challenge ended a couple weeks ago, I started slipping away from the good clean eating, daily exercise, and the water.  I can really feel the difference.  So this week I have been drinking more water and eating back on the plan, and feel better. This is definitely a life-long commitment.  I am looking forward to the next challenge to keep it going.

-Carol Jelich, WLG Athlete

​Reflecting on what motivated me to take the challenge seriously this time around and what made it work for me went a bit like this:

Step One: Recognize I have a problem.  I thought that certainly there was a medical condition that was keeping me heavy and that there was no way this was all me.  I went for blood tests and they all came back normal.  %^*!   I had a problem and now it was on me to make a change. 
Step Two: OK, I have a problem- what is going to help?

1. The Challenge. 
2. Sleep- I made it my job to try to get 7+ hours of sleep.  I had been getting closer to 5 so this was a starting point for me to get healthier and seemed relatively easy to implement.  I read about the benefits of getting a solid night’s rest and I could realize the positive impact of making sleep a priority after just a few nights.
3. Accountability- A solid workout buddy and partner in crime- Suzanne Crawford.  We scheduled our workouts together in advance and split our food prep.  If there was a week one of us was super busy with work or kids the other took on all the food prep for that week.   We ran a significant amount (avg. 25 miles/ week for the first month and 35 miles/week the last month) due to our work schedules but also incorporated two to four C3 and/or WLG classes per week.
4. Help- My husband’s workload increased over the 90 days but I actually think this has helped us bond/respect each other a bit more and has made life after the challenge more level.
5. Nutrition- I met with Billie Walton (amazing nutritionist and perk add on) three times during the challenge and tracked my food in a notebook whenever I ate.  I started to realize I ate to eat. It always shocks me how quickly and carelessly I can consume.  I have become considerably more conscientious and understand this is the crux to my future success or failure. I stuck to the WLG food plan mostly (I added in teddy grahams more times than I would like to admit and deduct) and subbed in recipes from the Summer challenge when there was a recipe that I didn’t love. I went through sugar withdrawal the first month, no joke.  Food prep was key and takes up a lot of time on Sunday but it is crucial and worth the investment.
6. No excuses- I have 3 children between 2 and 13 years old, I work a full time job, and I own a business. Someone else doing the challenge has four kids and three jobs and still can make it work so I will not excuse myself.

If I want it, it is worth it.  I had to make the time and get to work.  4:30 am runs are beautiful when I let them be and doing WLG and C3 to the best of my abilities with no judgement has made me so much stronger both internally and externally.  My only regret is that I didn’t take the opportunity to make this change sooner. The community at The Edge and WLG is astoundingly encouraging and embracing and the gains I have received have been well worth the sweat equity.  

- Katie Hunt, WLG Athlete

​This is what worked for me, doesn't mean it will work for you...you can't half-ass this and expect major results, but you have to recognize you will have a bad day or a bad week, and know that you CAN get through it! 

Mindset - I didn't go into this wanting to be the top person or thinking I could because that wasn't my goal. I've done things before where I have lost a lot of weight quickly, but could never keep it off. I needed to do this the right way, which may also be the slower way, but that is OK. Being healthy is a journey not a destination. Every day you need to eat, so everyday you need to make decisions. I just wanted to do something to lose weight and get healthy without putting so much pressure on myself. There is no end-date, yes the challenge is 12 weeks - but you will be in your body and making decisions about food and activity the rest of your life. So just relax, do this for you and know it doesn't happen overnight. 

Prizes - Yes, there were some amazing prizes...but I read what they were and kinda forgot about them. I wasn't doing this for the prizes offered, I wanted to do this for the prize of fitting back into all of my clothes I've outgrown, and NEEDED to do this for my health. My regular diet had become garbage x10, and when you eat like crap you will feel like crap. (I suppose this is also mindset)

Support - My boyfriend was a huge support system in terms of helping me cook and stick to the meal plans. He cooked MANY meals for me. I have a full time and part time job, so if someone offers to help you -let them! That is what our friends & families are here for in our lives. You can always return the favor - like sharing the food ;) Join the challenge with a friend or family member, and be supportive but not in competition. 

Teams - I was pretty scared about joining a team. I didn't want to let anyone down and didn't want to accountable to others. But I am so happy I joined. It ended up helping to keep me more motivated and accountable to myself. And it was nice to be able to share some inspirational things, funny and down right torturous things (ie: candy at training haha) It is another way to have support from people that are working towards the same goal. 

Meal Plans - I'll be honest I was not following the meal plans 100%. Some of the snacks, etc. were a little too hard for me to eat because I spend my days driving around QAC. BUT, I choose to eat other things we were allowed to eat and the correct portions. I also indulged when I went away for the weekend, spent a day at RennFest, etc...but I didn't go crazy. I took my point deductions and looked at how I could make up for those deductions. One day I was having the worst carb craving and instead of eating something really bad, I decided I was not eating the meal I was supposed to and made one of the breakfast sandwiches on the meal plan instead...craving gone and I didn't beat myself up. Don't be afraid to add or substitute veggies in some recipes, or add spices you like (Lol just not sugar)

Exercise - Doing something active everyday was probably the most challenging thing for me to fit into my schedule. Some days it just didn't happen, but MOST days I made it happen. Again, when you have support for this it will help a lot. Go walk the trail, take a new class at the gym...try to make it fun. I live in Ridgely, so I was blessed to have all the trails at Tuckahoe State Park or Adkins Arboretum to walk...not only was I able to get my exercise, but it was a break and felt great to be out in nature. 

Water - I'm adding this because it seemed like a lot of people had a hard time with this...I've been drinking about 4 liters of a water a day for the last 3 years because I completely gave up soda. I was drinking it morning, noonand night (terrible, I know). Having liter-sized bottles of water was an easy way to track how much I was drinking. I was able to make water a habit over time, so it can be done! Maybe it will take you longer than the challenge, but again this is only a 12 week challenge and if you want to be healthy this is a journey...

Ultimately, you need to do this challenge for yourself. Don't put too much pressure or try to be perfect, just relax a little and focus on why you wanted to do this in the first place and just try your BEST. This is 12 weeks of getting you in the right direction, but your life doesn't stop when the 12 weeks ends...so keep going :)

- Leslie Rucker, WLG Athlete

I had thought about doing the challenge after i saw the transformation my good friend Aaron Welsh made when he committed to doing his first challenge. Then i finally decided to sign up when my grandma told me 



“The time has come for you to be your own man and take on the world, because somewhere along the line, you changed. You stopped being you. You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you’re no good. And when things got hard, you started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow. Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!”

 

Boy was she right!!! She’s always been my motivation her and my lovely wife. 
12 weeks is a long time 1/4th of a year! and for me it took following the meal plans as best as i could. My work schedule was great for keeping me on track after i would get a little off track on weekends. Tho i didn’t veer to far off on weekends. I also worked out every day at least ran/walked 2 miles (walk at the start of the challenge) and took every opportunity i could to do the “bonus” workouts. Cause if you’re willing to go through all the battling you got to go through to get where you want to get, who’s got the right to stop you? I mean maybe some of you guys got something you never finished, something you really want to do, something you never said to someone, something… and you’re told no, even after you paid your dues? Who’s got the right to tell you that, who? Nobody! It’s your right to listen to your gut, it ain’t nobody’s right to say no after you earned the right to be where you want to be and do what you want to do!… You know, the older I get the more things I gotta leave behind, that’s life. So it takes a lot of hard work and dedication and you have to be willing to put it in! Had a great experience and hope to take everything i’ve learned about healthy habits and use them for the rest of my life! Its going to be hard work but i’ve already proved i can do it! ​

- Blake Phelps, WLG Athlete