Find Your Fit Challenge Fall 2012 Comes to An End...

Nearly 20lbs lighter, 6% less body fat, and a whole new outlook on life, I found my fit and new lifestyle, and it's one that is here to stay...

Will post my thoughts/reflections in the next couple of days :)  This last day has been very busy...

Using my accomplishments as inspiration...

Just wanted to share with you some of the wonderful messages I have received from people I have inspired, THIS is what it's all about, being a positive role model!

"I am going to use your Fitness Challenge as my motivation. You look great and congrats. I need to get into the swing and habit that is what is hard." ~Brian N.

"Congratulations! You are an inspiration to all of us." ~Sande C.

"GO, GO GO Garofalo! your a walking ad for how exercise and nutrition can transform someone to a beauty like yourself. Your confidence has grown and you look great." ~Martin P.

"You are amazing!!! And such an inspiration!" ~Kris A.

"Meredith...You are awesome. I just started my own get fit and healthy program because I saw what you had done. So inspiring!" ~Meri F.

"Meredith you look amazing! Way to go. Makes me want to get off this couch and go to my pull up bar." ~Dean A.

There are just SOME of the comments of the probably hundreds I've gotten via Facebook, Twitter, and even viewer emails from work.  They all have one thing in common:  me accomplishing MY goal of challenging others to take on the same issue I faced with myself.  I hope to use what I've learned to help EVERYONE find their fit....

The Official Final Week of the TLS Find Your Fit Challenge Fall 2012

On the final lap of the race...

 

It's hard to believe.  Here I am sitting in my PJs on the one week out marker from the Find Your Fit Challenge being over.  So much has changed over the last 3 months, I am not the same person I was when I started.  Looking at the before and after pictures is shocking.  Feeling my tight stomach and arms is encouraging, knowing that I was able to accomplish that.  I even feel like a new woman, confidence high all around whether it be at work or in my personal life.  And it has not been easy, no way!!  I totally had to transform my life, my eating habits, my fitness habits, and push myself past points I never thought I would come to.  But I think what amazes me the most is the impact I have been able to have on others.  I lost count of the men and women of all ages who have come to me asking how I did it, inspired by my story and progress and wanting to set their own fitness goals and achieve them.  People I know and people who watch me on the air alike.  I love having the power of influence to help better other's lives.  I want to shout from the rooftops my happiness, and how awesome this journey has been for me and could be for others.  If you are reading this right now and felt inspired or have been inspired along the way, please comment and let me know.  And ask questions if needed, let me help you feel this amazing...and confident in life.

A speechless moment at work...

I know I haven't wrote much on this in a while, but I will have so much to write once this is officially over and I can reflect. Something I just had to share tonight was my feeling I got watching my broadcast from the 7pm show tonight. I was astonished at how different I looked. I know I've been losing weight, toning, heard it from the viewers, but for some reason tonight when I played back my show I saw stunned and filled with joy and satisfaction that I achieved a look that I had always wanted, and how different I look for the better.  I wore the SAME dress before the challenge, and can't believe how much better it looks on me now, almost perfect...

I look like network material, big city, and I'm comfortable, happy, and loving ME in my own skin and clothes. I'm really glad I took on this challenge, changed my lifestyle, found my fit that I do NOT plan on letting go. This new me, is me. The me I've been searching for. I'm content. Fulfilled. Wowed. But not giving up this last week, pushing strong until the end :)

Down to the Last Two Weeks of the Challenge...

I know it's been a while since I updated this.  The truth is, the changes have become my everyday lifestyle now, that it no longer was something "new" to me.  It's still just as exciting though.  When I walk into places and people comment on how nice I look in a dress that months ago was "too tight" or "unflattering".  When I try on a size I thought was mine, and it's too small, so I get to go down to the next one.  When I discover how awesome it is to look at myself in workout clothes and beam that my hard work is showing...and paying off. 

Yah, that's me.  Still working on wearing shorts but I think once this challenge is over I will start making them part of my workout attire :)

I'm really going to sit down and reflect with you more once the challenge is over, open up, be honest, and share with you EVERYTHING I have learned.  But I ask you, if you're one of the people on the fence about making a lifestyle change, please contact me.  Let me help YOU achieve the goals I am achieving, because I can tell you one thing...I am happy.  And healthy.  And truly loving myself AND life more now than ever before, I do NOT want to go back to my old ways.  Truth is it is work, and at times easy and others tough.  But I know what I want, and to go for it.  You can too...I believe in you.  I believed in myself and look how far I've come.

Before Challenge Began

 Tonight

Didn't lose my curves, just the fat :)

Confidence.  Determination. Success.

Will you Find Your Fit??

Work early, more to come later :)

One week away from 2 months into the Challenge

Hello!!

I know it's been a while since I blogged, but I've been getting used to this new lifestyle that it's become a part of who I am in an amazing way!  Working out has become something I look forward to, it helps relieve me after a stressful day instead of drinking and eating.  I make sure I change it up each day so it's not the same, which makes it more fun, and I make sure I get my 6 days in by planning a week in advance, thanks to my personal trainer Kristi.  She is amazing, if anyone locally is looking for someone to help them achieve fitness goals she is the one.  She is patient, determined to make me the best I can be, but strong enough to make sure I stay on track.   Check out her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TrainWithKristi

This is a themed Bayside Challenge Workout from Halloween weekend...fun AND finding out fit through circuits and TRX.  I LOVE it, and it's free so you can try it too! Come out on a Saturday from 10:30-11am under the Ringling Bridge by the Gazebo and you'll see what I mean!

 

As far as eating, I'm doing SO much better with my portion control and choices of what I eat each day.  I've fallen in love with tofu,. it's packed with protein and super healthy when it's not coated in spices.  It's great in salads too!  I still have my wine, but extremely sparingly.  Or if I know I will have it, I will make sure I have a good workout or hour of cardio to help me burn those extra calories so I can enjoy my wine!

I'm still tempted by bad foods like pizza or a quick fast food treat.  But I remember that I am what I eat, and being about 15lbs healthier, more toned, and 3% down on body fat, I am not ready to regress.  I want to keep up my hard working toward Finding My Fit and continuing the fabulous feeling!

Questions?? Ask away, I'm here to help YOU achieve your goals too :)

~Meredith~

New Recipe :)

Turkey Veggie Salad with Tomato Sauce Dressing

What you Need:

Lean, Ground Turkey Cooked

Bell Peppers

Red Onion

Salad Mix

Mushrooms

Tomato Sauce

Fresh Garlic Cloves

Fat Free Mozzarella 

Directions:  Sautee veggies together with fresh garlic cloves until cooked, brown and cook turkey and mix together with veggies.  In a side pot mix 1 can of tomato sauce with water, add 1 cup mushrooms, 1/2 cup fresh onions, seasonings to taste and fresh garlic.  When that's done, use as dressing over salad.  Then sprinkle a little cheese on top and as it melts, it makes it even more yummy :)

Healthy AND DELISCH!!!!

 Also had a great workout tonight with some fabulous ladies at Kristi's Bootcamp!!  We had a Fall theme and worked out with pumpkins, talk about making it interesting :)