Many participants in “Fit for Life” are working hard and have begun seeing great results. After the second week of fit for life wrapped up, they were challenged to do as many push ups as they could. Many people do not like doing push ups and do believe they can do very many of them. During the one minute, many participants proved themselves wrong and exceeded the amount they thought they could do. Although many of the participants dreaded this challenge, there is one participant who’s goals is to be able to do a one handed push up by the time “Fit for Life” ends.

Since Wednesday and Thursdays bootcamps were cancelled, because of the record breaking snowfall, participants found themselves stuck in their houses and were not able to get out and get a workout in. By the time many of area residents were able to get out of their houses, and the YMCA of the Northwoods opened back up, we found them in the wellness center or attending group fitness classes to make up for lost time. Many participants were pushing each other hard to make up the cancelled bootcamps by working out together.

Weigh in time crept up quickly this week, and some participants found themselves gaining weight. This is common when people begin to work out. Many of the participant’s bodies are beginning to transform themselves by gaining more muscle and losing body fat, which can cause a slight weight gain.

During the lecture Dr. Wendy Henrichs discussed many important facts about calories, including the different types. She also discussed how to eat clean and how lifestyle choices can extend or shorten a person’s life. For many people this is just information and they may not know how to use it. Dr. Henrichs discussed how to incorporate the given information into your life bit by bit. She also discussed how having a healthier lifestyle can decrease morbidity and lengthen a life. Dr. Henrichs handed out a very useful packet that included “Ten Energy-Boosting Breakfast Foods” and some nutritious and fun breakfast recipes.

Some main points to take from her lecture were to make a shopping list, shop the perimeter of the grocery store filling your cart with fruits and vegetables first, never shop when you are hungry, and celebrate your successes. This last one is very important to succeeding, remind yourself to not focus on what you aren’t doing, be optimistic and focus on what healthy habits you are doing. As Dr. Henrichs stated in her lecture, having an optimistic outlook can add as many as seven years to your life.