Quite the Challenge

This week concluded the 100 day heart challenge that I have been working on for my internship. The Heart Challenge involved working with 3 individuals who were at high risk for cardiovascular disease; working to improve their cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, waist circumference and of course, their weight. At first, I was so excited to be one of the trainers for this challenge. I thought I would really change their lives for the better and be inspirational in helping them to achieve their goals. Well, it sufficeth me to say that this wasn't just a challenge for the participants... it was a challenge for everyone. The first time I heard the words "How does 6am work for you?", I realized that i was doomed.

For the past 4 months, I have been getting up at 5:30 am, going to the hospital and helping women to exercise! Only to return at 4pm to do the same. Day in and day out, the challenge had its set-backs; weight gains followed by weight losses, accompanied by nutrition pit-falls and frustrations. One woman even had the audacity to tell me that having to do this challenge was really impinging on her schedule! All the while I'm thinking to myself..."impinging on your schedule?? The sun hasn't even woken up lady and YOU'RE the one who chose to be here right now!" Oh well, it has ended and the best news of all is that I did help change someone's life for the better, Cathi lost 30 lbs and was taken off her diabetes medication. She was an amazing inspiration to me of dedication and hard work, and I am so glad that I was blessed to be a part of this experience with her. All in all it's been a interesting and heart-warming journey... I'll leave out the details about how BYU screwed over the whole part of it counting as an internship-that's a story for another day..