Seeing Fit

SCOTT CROCKETT
age 37 · height 6’6” · city Orem

How has life changed since you began this fitness challenge? It has been a great experience! I’ve enjoyed learning how my body works — specifically nutritionally. I’m healthier than I have been in years. Aches and pains have gone away. Flexibility and agility are increasing. I’m more confident and will sustain a healthier lifestyle.

What are the biggest differences you’ve noticed? Little things like tying my shoes and grabbing things off the ground are not as laborious. I’m running longer and farther than I ever have. I’m becoming stronger, and I’ve seen real physique changes.

How have your eating habits changed? This is by far the biggest change of the year! I eat much more frequently and in smaller portions. I wish I had a new way to make losing weight work, but the old remedy works — eat less and exercise more.

What’s your favorite healthy meal or snack? Whole wheat bagel with Adams peanut butter and sugar free strawberry jam — can’t beat it!

What’s your favorite exercise routine? A good upper-body lift!

What have been the biggest struggles? The whole process would have been much more difficult without my wife’s help and motivation. One struggle was going on vacation and eating correctly — it takes extra planning but can be done. One temptation is avoiding all the food that is brought into the office.

What keeps you motivated? Knowing someone is going to take your photo and publish it is great motivation! Being accountable to Dan was another motivator. Moving forward, I want to continue to improve and elongate my life so I can spend more time with my family.

How much time do you spend exercising each week? If I am trying to muscle build — an hour a day. For a fat strip week — 2 hours a day.

How do you gauge your success? By setting and attaining goals. To be honest, I failed at my fat percentage goal for this program even though I hit my scale weight. My fat percentage goal hasn’t changed and I plan to achieve it in the first few months of 2009.

Have people noticed your transformation? That is like asking if you notice the difference between a whale and a trout! People have been very generous in their compliments even though I have a ways to go.

What advice would you offer to people looking to improve their health?
1. Start today. The sooner you get on the healthy path the quicker you will see results.
2. Be accountable to someone. Find someone who will be honest. Set incremental goals and have penalties.
3. Don’t risk your health. We don’t need supplements and drugs to lose weight — we need control. It is empowering to set and attain goals. There are few things that will build character quicker than digging yourself out of the hole you put yourself in.

SHERRI TOMLINSON
age 42 · height 5’9” · city Orem

How has life changed since you began this fitness challenge? It has been one of the best years of my life. I have loved every second of being active, eating better and meeting so many new friends through Keena. I am now a triathlon addict! Overall I am much happier and have more self confidence. I found the old me again.

What are the biggest differences you’ve noticed? Besides the obvious weight loss, plus nice muscle definition, I have a brighter outlook on life. I am much more calm and peaceful.

How have your eating habits changed? Our whole family has learned to love healthier foods that we may have never tried without great input from an amazing trainer — like tilapia and quinoa. I haven’t had a bite of Häagen-Dazs all year. Wow, that’s hard to imagine — but I don’t miss it.

What’s your favorite healthy meal or Snack? Always and forever apples.

What’s your favorite exercise routine? Spin class, followed by swimming, then yoga. But it’s a huge toss up with trail running.

What has made you feel successful this year? I am nearly half the size I was when I started. I also took almost two minutes per mile off my race times. A breakthrough “ah-ha” moment was when I had to grab an outfit at the store in a hurry and was able to pick jeans and a shirt without trying them on and they fit perfectly! It’s fun to shop again and feel good in my clothes.

What have been the biggest struggles of this fitness challenge? Avoiding baked goods. I could live on chocolate cake for every meal! Another struggle was making it out the door when no one was counting on me to show up to work out. It’s much easier to be accountable to someone. I didn’t like letting myself down, but it was much harder to hear, “Where were you?”

What keeps you motivated? I love to see continual self improvement. I get excited when I reach a goal and then realize I could have done even better.

How much time do you spend exercising each week? Ten to 15 hours

How do you gauge your success? By how I feel — I am stronger, happier, healthier, skinnier and faster than when I started. I wanted to run eight-minute miles, be a size 10 and feel positive again. That has all happened. My jeans are a size 8! (I just can’t get over that!)

What advice would you offer to people looking to improve their health? Find good friends to support you and then get serious about it. Being dedicated to health is not that hard, but it takes willingness and desire. As people see you being successful, they want to jump on board. It’s amazing.

STEPHANIE SHURIAN
age 40 · height 5’8” · city mapleton

How has life changed since you began this fitness challenge? A year ago I was unhappy with my body — I didn’t like how I looked or felt. Zac helped me gain control of my health. Life as a mom gets pretty hectic, so it’s nice to know I have control over at least one thing in my life. I have energy to get through the day, and this has benefited my family.

What are the biggest differences you’ve noticed? Zac gradually worked me up to a pretty tough workout. Every week he says, “Wow, that’s the hardest workout we’ve done!” I like knowing I can handle tough things!

How have your eating habits changed? I’m eating smaller portions, a lot less sugar and a lot more fruits and vegetables. I shoot for eight a day. They help me keep my calories in check without feeling hungry.

What’s your favorite healthy meal or snack? Two low-fat Eggo Nutrigrain Waffles with fresh or frozen berries and a cup of milk. It’s low fat, has lots of flavor and fills me up because it’s full of fiber.

What’s your favorite exercise routine? I love going out for a brisk walk. My toddler, Cody, and I love to be outside — he’s happy and I get a good workout. I also love weightlifting and seeing myself get stronger.

What have been the biggest struggles of this fitness challenge? After losing 20 pounds, I hit a plateau. We kicked my workouts up a notch and cut calories but the scale still wasn’t moving. I should have felt fantastic, but I could barely get through the day. After Zac encouraged me to see my doctor, I found out I had a thyroid problem. I started medication and now have energy again — and the scale has finally started moving. It was really frustrating, but life is like that. You just work through the new obstacles and keep going.

What keeps you motivated? Being in a magazine article is pretty good motivation. Zac has been great — he expects me to be at every workout. We talk about nutrition each session to keep me focused. My friend Shelly works out with me, which makes it fun and brings out my competitive nature. I also love reading health and fitness magazines. It keeps my mind focused and I find new recipes to try.

How much time do you spend exercising each week? I work with Zac three days a week, an hour each time. I use my elliptical three to five days a week for an hour at a time.

Have people noticed your transformation? One sweet woman at church noticed I was losing weight. She’s my cheerleader and says the nicest things each time I see her.

What advice would you offer to people looking to improve their health? The thought of losing weight and getting in shape is an overwhelming concept. But you don’t have to make drastic changes all at once — small changes add up to big results. I do best when I focus on the good things I’m going to do (eat more fruits and veggies) instead of what I can’t do (no more chocolate). Fitness is a lifelong journey so you have to keep at it. Sometimes I have a bad day and don’t eat well or miss my workout. But it’s not the end of the world. Tomorrow is a new day and I can do better. A gradual lifestyle change is better than a fad diet any day. It may take longer to get to your goal, but you’ll enjoy the journey a lot more.

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