For 13 weeks, Kristen MacGregor represented the Kins Market in the West End in the Kins Challenge. She was committed to improving her overall health with the help of free fruits and veggies, free health tests and nutrition consultations, a personal trainer, and a Vancouver rec centre membership. She also participated in weekly challenges to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society and wrote about her Kins Challenge journey on her blog (TowardsATwoPiece.com).
All the hard work paid off. As the winner of Kins Challenge, she will enjoy a cruise to Los Angeles even more motivation to keep up her new healthier lifestyle.
How are you doing now that the competition is over?
I feel really good. Its been just over a month, and I have to admit I miss it. Being in the competition was really motivating and exciting. I loved reading the other competitors' blogs and weighing in together. We were in it together.
It was definitely easier to stay disciplined when I was in the competition. Now Im learning how to maintain all my new habits without prizes to keep me on track.
What did you find challenging about the competition?
I never liked gyms so I had to figure out how to burn calories in ways that I would like. I also had to change my ideas about food. I used to believe that eating fresh produce was more expensive and it would just end up going bad. I learned to shop for groceries, and cook new recipes using fresh fruits and vegetables.
You said you wanted to try activities out of your comfort zone. What did you do?
The Sun Run. Ive never thought of myself as a runner, but now I know theres nothing like the feeling of accomplishment when you cross the finish line.
I never liked going to yoga classes because it was so intimidating. I felt like everyone else was so much thinner and more flexible. Because of the competition, I would go to yoga class even when I didnt feel comfortable. Eventually I got over myself and now I want to keep going.
What lessons were especially valuable?
Im not the only one who was really hard on myself. Through reading the other competitors blogs I realized that everyone makes mistakes.
I now take responsibility for what I eat and have learned that I have to exercise if I want to maintain my weight. Its really that simple. I learned that exercise can be fun.
I learned not to focus on the scale and to be patient things dont happen overnight.
What kept you motivated?
Because I asked, I had friends to exercise with many days a week. They were so patient and I felt so lucky. They became my team.
You have to celebrate the little achievements. I may sound like a total geek, but I had poster boards up in my house with charts where I would give myself gold stars for all the activities.
I set goals. One was to walk 10,000 steps every day. I used a pedometer and if, by the evening, I was coming up short, I would grab my boyfriend and go for a walk around the seawall.
I would make dates with friends and family to exercise together and that really helped to keep me accountable.
What are some new healthy habits youre enjoying?
A girlfriend, knowing I was in the competition, invited me to hike around Lynn Canyon, something she did many times a week. After the first time, I felt slow and winded. I didnt think Id go again but she called me every time she went and made it really easy for me to join her. Now, we go hiking together 2-3 times a week and hike at least 15 kilometres each time.
Im going to run in another race. My time for the Sun Run wasnt great, but now that I have a time to start with, I want to do another race and beat that time. Knowing I have a race coming up keeps me motivated to train.
Whats your advice to anyone hoping to embark on their own challenge and lose some weight?
Try your best and be positive. Dont beat yourself up when you make mistakes.
You have to take responsibility for what you eat and how much you exercise.
Its a slow process so you need to be patient, but every little thing makes a difference.
