Member highlights from our latest Wellness Kick Start!

After a month of eating six cups of veggies, half of your bodyweight in ounces of water, getting 7+ hours of sleep, moving your body, and a few bonus challenges in between, what were the results?? Daybreakers share their mental, physical and emotional changes, and what contributed to their success!

Katy

Gains:  I lost 7 lb, 3 inches off my waist, and 2 inches off my hips.  My clothes are fitting much better and I’m wearing non-legging pants again!  Feeling much stronger and healthier overall 🙂
 
 
What worked:  Our entire household focused on sustainable eating habits.  In order to do that we got rid of all the temptations in the house such as chips, crackers, high sugar foods, and alcohol.  We ate whole grains, minimal dairy, grass fed meat, and cooked lots of flavorful veggie packed soups, stews, and salads.  We replaced sugar and alcohol cravings with fresh fruit and cinnamon based herbal teas like Bengal Spice.
 
Mental Health:  This year has been tough to say the least.  Last August I realized that I needed some help to deal with everything life was throwing at me, wine wasn’t cutting it anymore!  So long story short I started a journey towards mental health recovery that included returning to Daybreak among many other things.  Throughout the last several years I have instructed and practiced various forms of mindfulness including meditation, however, I never really stuck with anything consistently until now.  In addition to refocusing on nutrition this month, I started meditating 1-3 times a day. Like fitness it takes perseverance to see the gains. If you put in the time you will see the results.  For me it has significantly contributed to my improved mental well being along with the Daybreak community, healthy eating/drinking habits, and sleep, lots of sleep!
 
For me it’s all about balance and finding ways to #pursuebetter 🙂

Dawn

Gain: I lost 3.5 pounds, a stubborn body fat percentage that earlier had taken me a whole marathon training cycle to lose.

What Worked: This is the first time in years I held to a nutrition plan over a week– the app and other participants inspired and motivated me. Counting cups or portions was much easier than macros, and each graduating week helped me build momentum and confidence.

Initially I thought that the sugar-free standard would be the killer, as I had secretly eaten all of my kids’ Christmas stocking candy hiding in my closet over December, but it was the processed foods that proved the toughest for me. With my big family, canned beans and tomatoes are a huge staple. (And the fact that people brought us dinners for seven straight days and 12 pints of ice cream when my son broke his femur– I almost cried not eating them.) I made separate meals for myself. I realized that kicking sugar was part of a trifecta– the sleep, water and veggies enabled me to give it up. I am no longer bloated or lethargic– and I can tell I’m actually nourishing my body.

Moving Forward: I took a day off in celebration–my kids were super proud of me. This month I’ll take a cheat day each week, and I need to be able to use some canned beans and tomatoes, but I am dedicated to nourishing my body.