​When I signed up for this challenge I was scared to say the least. I felt this was my last chance to feel like myself again. I have 4 children, am I really going to have the time it takes to do this? I have Crohns Disease, are they going to expect me to eat nothing but vegetables for 12 weeks? When I tell them I cant do that, will they really have an answer? I am afraid to drive over the Bay Bridge, am I seriously going to drive back and forth over it to get my butt kicked? Is taking all this time for myself selfish when I have so many at home who need me? I've never done a push up, how the heck am I going to do this? What if this is one of those things where I starve to death for 3 months just for an amazing after photo? What next? Are they really going to give me the support and tools I need to make a life change? Most of this challenge takes place at home, how will I hold myself accountable? My family and friends are supportive now, but how long will that last? The questions go on and on. But then I realized that the millions of questions racing through my head where meaningless. There's really only one question that matters. DO YOU WANT THIS? And the answer was YES.  All I have to do is choose it. Every second of every day choose it and everything else will fall into place. I WANT THIS is the mantra for my success. I WANT THIS!

Everything else did fall into place because the WLG team knew I wanted this and made sure to do everything in their power to help me get it. Kendra suggested I take the nutrition classes and one on ones with Billie and not only did she make the meal plan possible for me with Crohns, she helped me through personal issues I was having. Billie is a wealth of information.  I will never look at a grocery store the same again. I was afriad of the Bay Bridge and now I'm signed up to run over it in November. The only class that fit my schedule wasn't for beginners, so Kendra gave me constant variations during every class until I didn't need them anymore. In the beginning it took me longer to complete the exercises in class but I wanted to finish and I was never alone. People would stay after to encourage me, get me water and do whatever it took to help me finish. The meal plans are so thoughtful and easy. My kids even enjoyed exercising with me. 

I chose to do it, and that was my key to success for the 12 weeks and will continue to be for the rest of my life. That attitude did make everyone want to help. My husband cooked my meals, my friends weren't upset I chose not to hang out because I wanted to work out. They were proud and encouraged me. My friend would show up at the gym on the daily, ask me what my goal was and do it right along with me. My friends weren't annoyed - they were inspired. Some plan to do the next challenge with me. 

To date I have lost 25 pounds, but that makes no difference to me. What I have gained is so valuable. I got WAY more than what I paid for. I can't imagine any other weight loss program being this invested in their clients. I am apart of a team now.

I do have a fantastic after photo but since then I have lost more weight and gained all the tools and supporters I need to do this forever. This isnt a diet this is a way of life. This is forever. All you have to do is chose it. Do you want this?

I had started WLG classes back in early July 2015,  I could see the changes in my body soon after I started but I was not seeing any changes with my weight and was very frustrated by this.  When Kendra posted about the Fall challenge it was a no brainier I was signing up. 

As September 19th soon approached I was very excited, scared and hesitant all at the same time, like what the hell did I just get myself into.  So I had to mentally pump myself up and told myself that I was going to give this challenge everything that I had.  I set my goal to lose 25lbs and stuck to the meal plans to a tee, drank my water and ate my snacks.  I stopped drinking wine all but for a few occasions and the weight just started coming off, I averaged about 2lbs per week.  I also became mindful about working out in between the days that I attended WLG classes, with being a mom of 3 boys working full time and the team sports I was busy carting my kids to, homework etc, this was a challenge in itself, but I did what I could and made sure that when I was in class to give 110%. As Kendra always says "if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you". 

By the end of the challenge my last weigh in I was down 24 lbs! I was amazed how much I really lost, my friends couldn't believe how "skinny" I had become.  I was slowly gaining back my self confidence that I haven't had in years.  I went from hating what I saw when I looked into the mirror to actually loving the skin that I'm in and I owe all of this to Kendra and her support and the fabulous WLG team.  I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to be a part of something so awesome as this and will be certainly signing up for the next challenge, it has changed my life!!!
 
-Michelle Perez, WLG Athlete

Heather's Story!!
Looking back over the last 12 weeks of the challenge and I've got to say, "Wow!"  I feel amazing and STRONG now.
 
When I began the journey at the end of summer I was feeling what I can best describe as fluffy and puffy!  We enjoyed our summer, let's just say that.  So I told my hubby that I was going to sign up and I told myself I will commit all the way for 12 weeks.  What is 12 weeks out of a lifetime right?!  Prior to this challenge, I thought my family and I were eating healthy Monday - Friday and I was working out inconsistently.  I had about 20 pounds of extra weight sticking to me and it wouldn't budge.
 
So yes this challenge was during football season, lots of tailgate parties, Halloween costume parties and right on up to the holiday parties.  Good thing I have an amazing team of friends and family to support me.  I packed meals and snacks to take on the go to all the events and moved on.  I also hovered over the veggie platters at parties too!  Yes I gave up alcohol for the challenge although when we took a Disney cruise I allowed myself some wiggle room each day (though I still worked out daily and made healthy choices with food).
 
What worked?  Sticking to the menu and planning ahead. This was my go to:
 
1) Thursdays: Print the menu and make the grocery list.
2) Friday Nights: Great time for grocery shopping - Food Lion was empty!  (Secret: I would also get a head start on some of the more difficult to find ingredients!)
3) Saturdays: Prep and cook for the week ahead.  (Sometimes a little prep and cook on Sundays too).  My husband and I became a well oiled machine working together in the kitchen to prep.
4) Post menu on kitchen cabinet.  Yes, I'm type A so I checked off each meal as I ate them.  I also kept a copy at work.
5) I worked out 7 days a week, did my cardio and then picked 3 bonus workouts each week.  I put all of this on my calendar for the week ahead to make sure I made time for it.  Did it mean that sometimes I was in the gym at 7pm one night at 6am the next morning?  Yes, from time to time but it didn't kill me (as Kendra says: this will not kill you, everyone before you has survived!).
 
Some other areas that helped:
1) WLG 101 was a great class to take each Monday evening.  It was my first class at WLG and a great way to get started with many others who were in the challenge.  Strength in numbers!
2) We had the option of becoming part of a team for the challenge.  I didn't know that many folks so I thought it would be great to meet more folks.  This was a great idea.  We had a team leader and a private Facebook page to access.  The FB page was a place to ask questions, share advice, and cheer one another on.  It worked - as we won both team challenges and got access to private training with Kendra as a team!!
 
Takeaways:
1) My 6 year old son now talks about "his meal plan."
2) I lost over 25 lbs through hard work, lots of sweat and dedication.
3) It was all worth it!  Just set your mind to it, stick to the plan and it will work for you.  It doesn't matter what your goal is, if you give it all you have you will definitely be healthier at the end.

​- Heather Skipper, WLG Athlete

The 2014 Fall Challenge helped prepare me for the Summer Challenge.  I knew that if I wanted to do well it was going to involve some changes to my lifestyle and planning ahead.  I needed to be dedicated and committed to the challenge.  The first thing I did was to get my family on board and explained to them how important the challenge was to me.  Next, I sat down and figured out how I was going to fit into my schedule daily hour exercises, bonus miles and meal prepping.

I work three 12 hour shifts a week and I’m off weekends.  The first three weeks I followed the meal plan that was provided to us.  After week 3, I still used the meal plan but I substituted the soups and other dishes with just eating chicken, lean meats or fish with vegetables/salad for lunch and dinner.  For breakfast I usually ate 2 eggs (one egg white and one whole) and piece of wheat toast or Whey protein shake with unsweetened almond milk.  For snack, I usually ate an apple with Peanut butter or half of a banana.  I kept it simple and pretty much had the same routine every day.  I meal prepped either Saturday or Sunday for the entire week. 

Drinking water was key.  At first, I tried to keep track of my water intake by refilling a 32 oz water bottle twice a day.  However, my lips were getting chapped which told me that I needed to drink more water.  I started carrying around a 3 liter water jug with me; as silly as it sounds this was the best way to keep track of my water intake.  I knew that when that jug was empty I was finished drinking water for the day.  I only drank water and at week 8 I acquired a taste for coffee which was new for me.  I drank one cup of coffee in the morning with half &half and 2 Splendas.

I worked out every day for the 12 weeks except for a few times that I missed due to conflict with my schedule or just needed a break.  Since the week started every Saturday in the challenge I attended 8 am Saturday class and ran right after class.  I’m off weekends so I wanted to get my bonus miles done or mostly done right away just in case something came up during the week and it also allowed me to just worry about working one hour every day during the week.  The first 8 weeks I worked out before work 3 days a week, either at Club One or did Insanity DVD at home; one day a week with Kendra and two days at WLG.  On Sundays, I worked out at Club One. 

The last 4 weeks I stuck to eating lean meats, chicken, fish and vegetables.  For my snack, I ate string cheese and avocado.  My energy level increased significantly the last 4 weeks so I started going to bed early and waking up very early to make it to 6 am class.  Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday I attended WLG, one day with Kendra and the other two days at Club one or DVD’s at home.  I gave up alcohol completely at week 8.  The first 8 weeks I drank alcohol a total of 3 times.

The Summer Challenge helped me reach my fitness goals.   Even at my skinniest I never looked or felt like this.  I’m full of energy, happy and way more efficient all around.

Jason came to the WLG with the future Mrs. Bruns aka Melody Pereira (October 2014 WLG Athlete of the Month). Out of the gate, I noticed that Jason was a go-getter. Super focused. Not chatty during class. Always gave 110% to each and every challenge and was usually first in the door for our 1/4 mile sprints! Who was this guy!? Well I would come to find out.... He's amazing! During the 2014 WLG Fall Challenge, he managed to lose 23 lbs., 8% of body fat and 11 inches off his frame! I could not be more proud of all his achievements during the past year with the Fit Camps and think he is beyond deserving of this award! I would like to point out that though we have many guys that attend the Fit Camp that Jason is the FIRST to get this recognition. An athlete is an athlete. Hard work is hard work, no matter how you slice it. He works hard. He want change and HE DID IT!! Congrats Jason, you FLIPPIN rock!!