It’s always fun to present our giveaway prizes!
Nicole Lasker and I met up with our giveaway winner, Melissa Jensen at the Lasker Jewelers store last week. She was so bubbly and very excited to try on her new “it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon” bangle by Alex and Ani. As she was trying on bangle I asked her about her story and what the bangle’s message meant to her. As always, our giveaway winners have a good story to tell.
Already a Winner: Melissa’s story
Melissa said that the bangle’s message had meaning to her because of her weight loss journey – she’s lost over 50 pounds! Her goal has been to lose 90 pounds and she needs to remind herself that weight loss and the path to good health doesn’t happen over night. This is where the bangle’s message “It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon” rings true. Melissa began her journey last March and she was lucky to have her husband join her on a weight loss program. As we know it’s always easier to stay on a program with someone by your side. They began with a program called Whole30. I honestly had never heard of it before. She explained that it was a very strict program that includes limiting refined sugar and until she had started the program she didn’t realize how many items we ingest have refined sugars added to them. She admitted the program was difficult to adhere to because the food guidelines but she found success with the Whole30 program and lost over 20 pounds! She was also happy to find that an autoimmune disease she had dealt with had went into remission.
Melissa has now joined the Weight Watchers program and feels that their slow approach to healthy eating will be easier to follow long term. Since March she is down over 50 pounds and hopes to steer clear of the roller coaster ride of losing and gaining it back. She is on her way to meeting her goal of losing 90 pounds.
Exercise is the next step for Melissa. She has participated in the Beach Body program in her hometown of Osseo but she admits that it’s been difficult to be completely committed to a workout routine. She holds several positions that keep her busy; wife, mother of two children ages 13 and 11, Director of Kingdom Kids Christian Pre-school, youth music director at her church, and she’s President of Osseo Community Theatre. Even though she has a busy schedule Melissa realizes exercise is important and she wants to get back on track with that part of her marathon to become healthy. Her current weight loss has already given her the ability to be more active and she’s looking forward to being able to exercise more and play with her children.
Congratulations, Melissa. Good luck to you on your marathon toward weight loss, exercise, and better health!
Here’s to finding your style,™ – Kim
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*This post is based on our giveaway winners story. kimbentley does not endorse any programs mentioned in our winner stories or posts. Please consult your physician prior to beginning any nutrition or exercise program.
