The Pride Health Challenge contestants have been transforming their lifestyle. As we approach Pride, Metabolic Direct and LGBT Weekly wanted to highlight each contestant’s journey. Each week, for the next four weeks we will publish their Pride Health Challenge stories in their own words. Here the contestants will share their truth. Here is Marcel’s journey:
The Pride Health Challenge has been an amazing experience and has helped me form a solid plan to stay in shape and healthy. I had two big hurdles during the challenge: to learn to moderate my sugar intake (especially at the beginning) and to watch my food intake during my PhD graduation party. Vincent and Chris helped me not only to set tangible weekly goals but provided me the extra motivation to lose the weight by believing in my success and keeping a running dialog with me throughout the challenge. That extra accountability made me want to push through the challenges and succeed even more.
Marcel Hetu
In the first month I started noticing a transformation and so did the people around me. After the first two weeks of the program, the intense sugar cravings ceased. I was able to moderate my diet and still had tons of energy to be able to run, hike, lift weights and live a more active lifestyle. This is much more different than other programs where it usually was a compromise between energy and food intake. This program focused more on making better food choices rather than focusing on limiting food quantity. By the end of the first month I had lost about 10 pounds and looked more toned as a result of incorporating workouts into my fitness plan.
In the last month of the Pride Challenge, I was fully invested on making sure that I stayed on target with my food selection and exercise. I used a fitness tracker to monitor both my heartrate and activity during the day. Since I was doing more cooking at home, I invested in some cooking shortcuts which included a George Foreman Grill. Small changes in my lifestyle allowed me to see large changes in my overall health and appearance. By the end of the Pride Health Challenge, I expect to have reached and slightly exceeded my goal for a 15 pound weight loss.
This challenge has given me the ability to realize that, despite a busy and stressful schedule, it is never too late for me to take control of my health and well-being. I can’t thank my coaches and this Challenge enough for selecting me as a contestant and for working so hard for my success. I am excited to feel more confident and healthy this year at Pride!
