Lynnwood Parks and Recreation staffers led by example and lost more than 115 pounds combined during a 12-week fitness challenge.
Thirty participants, 18 of which were recreation staffers, embarked on the city’s self-guided fitness challenge from Sept. 8 to Dec. 8. Four people didn’t complete the challenge.
Participants weighed in, measured their calves and arms, and tested their body-mass index before and after the challenge. In between, they largely worked on their own to get in shape and could only ask the Recreation Center’s personal trainers for guidance.
After completing the challenge, Recreation Supervisor Brian Hendricks said he and his coworkers have a newfound empathy for people who struggle to undo unhealthy lifestyle habits.
“Changing your life is hard to do,” Hendricks said.
Despite a workplace with fitness equipment an arm’s length away, Hendricks – who fell short of his goal to lose 20 pounds – and his coworkers toiled to make time to exercise.
It was eye-opening for him and staff who thought it would be a snap to lose weight.
“Losing weight is difficult,” he said.
The challenge reinforced to Lynnwood resident Victoria van Hof that she has to exercise before work if she’s going to get it done. The lawyer lost more than 20 pounds during the challenge.
Van Hof gets up at 5 a.m. and fits in a workout three to four mornings per week before heading to work.
The challenge worked for her because she saw results and measured her success rather than past attempts where she fought against her body.
“I’m competitive by spirit and it helps to have a goal to work for during a finite period,” van Hof said.
Jamie Psaradelis, a city recreation specialist, found keeping a food journal in addition to exercising helped her meet her weight-loss goal of 20 pounds. The journal reminded her it’s healthier to eat meals rather than skip them as skipping can trick your body into carrying calories rather than releasing them.
Psaradelis chose to participate to not only lose weight but to feel better physically and emotionally.
Like Hendricks, she admitted it was hard to squeeze in time for a workout especially when she was tired and mentally exhausted. But seeing results pushed her forward.
“Having people to talk to that are doing the same as you, it helps,” Psaradelis added.
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