We just finished a 4 week group challenge. Personally, I am a huge believer in the daily flow of fitness. I believe our bodies do best when we move them daily and nourish them with appropriate doses of God-made 🍎🍊🥑🥦🥕, not man-made 🍕🍟🌭 food. That being said, most people love an occasional challenge. Maybe we get in a rut, or maybe we go down that slippery slope where all of a sudden we are going through the drive through and having frequent doses of 🍧🍨🥧🍬. So I provide challenges to get new clients moving and/or regular clients back on track.
But I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the group challenges! We competed in groups of 3, with points awarded for individual healthy habits and for mileage done as a group outside of camp. Although people whined a little about eating 7 servings of vegetables/day and getting 7 hours of 😴, it is no surprise that people felt better and performed better at camp then they had the previous month. The happiness factor is what makes this challenge my favorite. People were connecting and community was happening and everyone was laughing and smiling more. One of our new campers even said that her husband told her she is happier then she was before starting boot camp. She is in the 5:30 am group, and she told me she was actually sad the days we didn't have camp (I'm sure she quickly got over it, so don't worry about her 😉).
What is your takeaway? We are made for community! Studies show that people in healthy social relationships live longer and more satisfying lives. We all know that fitness also increases your quality and quantity of life, so combine the two! Exercising by yourself can be a good stress relief, but on a regular basis it is lonely and boring. Join a group and get happy! (I know of a great one - just ask our happy campers 🏃💪🙌😁.
Oh I almost forgot, here are the groups that rose to the top and won prize money and tanks/tees! Team MRS on a MISSION, with Sade, Rachelle, and Mary for the overall winner of healthy habits! Team LOSE to WIN, with Jeff, Natalie, and Lisa for the greatest weight loss. Congrats to all!