Fitness challenge

GREATLIFE | FITNESS PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMERTHE TEAM FITNESS CHALLENGE:final results

2021 was not a great year in so many ways BUT our fitness challengers rose to the occasion and surpassed everyone’s expectations, especially their own! Thanks to a dedicated support team of Rochelle Court at Orangetheory Fitness (OTF); Tricia McDonald of OTF and The Yoga Junction; and Jennifer Velasquez at Simply For Life.

Head coach Rochelle Court says the final decision on picking the winning team was incredibly hard because “everyone was just phenomenal.” Ultimately, the husbandand-wife team of Ryan and Patricia Browning were crowned the champs.

“They encouraged each other, as well as others in the group, had incredible progress, and boosted the community feel. On top of that, they have encouraged their daughter to become active like mom and dad, have both taken it upon themselves to further their training and sign up for races, and they’ve asked questions to fulfill a healthier lifestyle.”

Our six challengers share some of their inspirational journey here and you’ll find an extended version of their stories online at airdrielife.com

SYLVIA WHITE Weight - 158.2 lb Chest - 35” Upper ab - 30” Belly button - 29” Hips - 42”

What are you most happy with about your experience in the challenge? What I’m most happy about with this experience is all the accomplishments achieved. My weight loss was consistent every week, which helped keep me motivated and focused. I was able to increase my speeds and distances on the treadmill, lift heavier weights, achieve relaxed focus during yoga class, but best of all was I found a love of taking an hour to work out, and take time to do something for myself. What has surprised you the most? I was most surprised at how easy it became to establish better health habits after having small victories. I found I was making sure workouts were being booked and set into my schedule. Before this, the idea of working out was not overly appealing, but that has definitely changed. I never thought I would look forward to heading to gym. But I do now! I love to see what challenge I can conquer during that class. My food choices are much better also; I’ve had to remind people that I’m not on a diet, but that I’ve made a lifestyle change. 34 airdrielife.com | SPRING 2022

CHAS ZAHORCHAK Weight - 116 lb Chest - 33” Upper ab - 28.5” Belly button - 29” Hips - 35”

What skill, technique or lesson is your best takeaway – what will you continue to do moving forward? The lesson I take away the most is really understanding how nutrition impacts my body the way that it does; being able to take this experience and apply what I’ve learned as I need to through the next phase of my life. I feel far more educated about nutrition and without the support of my coach, I’m not sure I would have been able to figure it out on my own. Share an inspirational or funny or frustrating moment your team shared during this challenge. Sylvia and I would work out together a few times a week; she didn’t know, but I would secretly try to at least match her in splat points and intensity. But she’s a beast at the gym and I’m still working to beat her level of intensity in a class, whether it’s rowing, weights or on the treadmill. Don’t tell her, but I’m secretly still trying to get there lol. So I guess she has been what’s been inspiring me through the challenge

TARA STREET Weight - 181.8 lb Chest - 38” Upper ab - 33.5” Belly button - 37” Hips - 44.75”

What are you most happy with about your experience in the challenge? I have to say what I am most happy about with my experience during the challenge was finding that sense of community and piece of self again. I didn’t realize how much I missed having that in my life and how much it affected my own mind and body connection. To find that feeling of belonging, support and encouragement has been amazing. What has surprised you the most? What has most surprised me during this 12 weeks has been the changes in both mind and body. Not only was I able to push my body through the uncomfortable but I also found myself being able to sit in the uncomfortable and find balance in the connection of mind and body. I have been working for a long time to get the two in alignment with each other and can finally feel that connection. SAMANTHA SMITH Weight - 218.2 lb Chest - 42.75” Upper ab - 34.5” Belly button - 39” Hips - 47”

What skill, technique or lesson is your best takeaway – what will you continue to do moving forward? I am still learning to listen to what my body needs. However, when you can commit, learn and challenge the changes for yourself, that is when you can become a better version of yourself. Share an inspirational, funny or frustrating moment your team shared during the challenge. Our team shared a lot of great moments together; my favourite would be learning how similar we actually are, without realizing it; it’s like we share the same brain sometimes. I am beyond grateful for Tara. We worked hard to reach our goals. We also learned from the other teams and gained some valuable friendships along the way. It is nice to find others who share similar struggles, who can be real about it, and who truly want to see others succeed. I look forward to seeing how we all continue in our health and wellness journey, and I am excited for these new relationships that were built.

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GREATLIFE | FITNESS PATRICIA BROWNING Weight - 232.4 lb Chest - 45” Upper ab - 38” Belly button - 35” Hips - 51”

What has surprised you the most about yourself? I am most surprised that I was able to cut more than four minutes off my mile run! Before I would only run if I was playing sports, but I actually find it therapeutic. Who would have known I could ever enjoy running? I’ve really learned that weight doesn’t define physical ability. I am more capable than I ever gave myself credit for. What skill, technique or lesson is your best takeaway – what will you continue to do moving forward? I am soaking in every single lesson and technique I have learned so far and I am running with it, for life. This competition was the perfect kickstart to my amazing journey of health and wellness. I am going to continue eating to fuel my body in a healthy manner. I am going to continue to slay the gym at Orangetheory. I am going to continue to ease my mind and honour my body at yoga and most importantly I am going to continue to love myself because my journey is far from over. Also, a good bra and running shoes go a long way. RYAN BROWNING Weight - 206.6 lb Chest - 44” Upper ab - 39.75” Belly button - 37” Hips - 41.5”

What has surprised you the most about yourself? What surprised me the most was how fast and far I developed in what seemed to be such a short period of time. In the start I struggled to hit 1.4 miles on the treadmill. Now I’m running three to four miles with half the effort. Yoga was also a big surprise to me as well. Honouring my mind and body has changed my view of myself and how I live and has helped me to manage my day to day. Share an inspirational, funny or frustrating moment your team shared during the challenge. What has been inspiring for me is seeing my whole family being healthier and stronger. My seven-year-old daughter wants to run and fuel her body with healthy “fuel” and understands she must go to bed early to rest her mind and body.

It has inspired me to be someone to lead and look up too. I want to continue to set the bar and be the example and inspiration for my whole family and friends.

I’m very happy and thankful for this opportunity. It started out as a challenge and has turned into a new lifestyle. My new goal for myself is to do a 70.3 triathlon in July. I’m thankful for all the people I have met and helped me with my goals. It’s truly a community looking out and cheering you on. life

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