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Current Weight: 170 pounds

What's something new that you've incorporated into your workout routine this month?
"I’ve started step aerobics, which is a nice change from my usual Tae-Bo and walking. I have (finally) mastered my new sport hula-hoop and am having fun working out with that. I also joined a one hour exercise class that uses the stability ball."

Have you been utilizing fresh fruits and vegetables as the weather gets nicer?
"I like fresh fruits and veggies, and every year my husband plants a large garden. We enjoy fresh tomatoes, zucchini, corn, beans and peppers all summer."

On a scale of one to 10, what was your strength level when you started? What is it now? How do you feel about the change?
"My beginning strength level was probably about a four, and has doubled to an eight. My increased leg strength makes daily activities much easier. My upper body strength has also improved, and I can lift and carry more than I could before."

What's something in your daily life that has become easier as a by product of diet and exercise?
"Ordinary everyday activities are much more comfortable. I can get in and out of the car with less difficulty, I have more room in the seat at a movie, I can carry more grocery sacks into the house at one time, going up and down the stairs to do laundry is easier."

What is one of the main things that you've learned to incorporate into your diet that keeps you on track?
"I try to eat lots of fiber rich foods, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Fiber fills me up, keeps me full for a longer period of time, and regulates blood sugar levels."

What do you do if you have a craving for something sweet, especially with the nice weather, so you don't break your diet?
"I have Weight Watcher brand ice cream treats in the freezer. They taste really good and are pre-packaged in single serving sizes. I keep them in the basement freezer so I have to go up and down the stairs to get one!"

With the challenger end right around the corner, do you see yourself meeting your original goals?
"My original goal was to lose about 50 pounds total, and I hoped to lose about 40 of that during the Challenge. After checking with both my trainer and physician, a healthy weight for me is actually more than I thought I should weigh because they took into consideration my age, body muscle mass, and bone density. I learned that the best resource when setting a healthy goal weight is your doctor or a personal trainer instead of consulting an arbitrary weight chart in a book. I have about 15 more pounds to lose, which will be a total weight loss of 35 to 38 pounds. This is definitely possible to achieve by the end of the Challenge."

Have you exceeded any of your goals?
"Some of my health goals have already been met. My total cholesterol has dropped 20 points; my glucose level dropped 26 points and is no longer in the diabetic range; and my triglycerides have gone from 282 to 134! I expect these results will only get better as I continue to lose my excess weight."

How do you plan to carry out what you've learned from the challenge after it's over?
"I will continue to make strength training and aerobic exercise a part of my life. I will also continue to find ways to move throughout every day. In the past, I would do cardio workouts only when I needed to drop some weight and I had never done strength training. I will continue to practice the intuitive eating techniques that my nutritionist has been coaching me on."

What is your weekly routine for working out?
"I strength train for 30 to 40 minutes, followed by 20 minutes of interval cardio on the elliptical or treadmill, and 10 minutes of stretching. Three times a week is ideal; two times a week is mandatory. One day a week I take an hour class that uses the stability ball. Two days a week I do a 30 minute cardio tape at home, either Tae Bo or step aerobics. Extras” include walking 20 minutes of my lunch hour; hula-hooping during commercials; five minutes of ab crunches or stretching in the morning; taking the stairs at work…anything that incorporates more movement in my day."

What is a typical day, diet wise?
"Breakfast: One egg, turkey sausage or Canadian bacon, whole grain toast; fruit or fruit juice; or high fiber cereal; skim milk; fruit.
Lunch: Sandwich made with protein (chicken breast, tuna, ground turkey burger, low fat cheese, or peanut butter); two slices of whole grain bread; fresh veggies; piece of fruit.
Dinner: Grilled lean meat or chicken breast; baked sweet potato or brown rice; steamed or salad veggies drizzled with olive oil.
One or two snacks daily (depending on hunger): Low Fat cheese stick with whole grain crackers; or apple with 1 tablespoon peanut butter; or popcorn; or sugar-free Jello with fruit; or Weight Watchers ice cream treat."

Debbie Kennedy of the West Side Community YMCA on Christine

"Christine has lost 23 pounds and 15 inches overall! She has 15 percent more strength and endurance in her fitness tests. Being fit and fabulous over age 40 can be a challenge and to make the progress that she has is remarkable. Priorities such as family, work, friends take your attention away from yourself as well. Christine’s family has been very supportive while she has been able to make her health a focus. She has gained the knowledge, strength and confidence over the past 16 weeks to pave her foundation for success. She has been able to progress into her new spring routine in the fitness center which includes more free weights and core training. I’ve seen a remarkable change in her desire to learn new exercises. We have also set goals for more outdoor cardiovascular training whether walking in the neighborhood, jumping on the mini trampoline or hula hooping in the yard. Christine’s next goal is walking in a 5K! "

Karen Giles-Smith, MS, RD Registered Dietitian on Christine

"I’ve noticed a major change in Christine over the past month. Her energy and enthusiasm are shining through. Her eyes sparkle! In addition to feeling healthier and more comfortable in her own body, I think Christine’s comfort level with food and eating has freed her to put energy into other aspects of her life.The successes Christine is experiencing maintain her motivation. When doubts creep in, she reminds herself of her progress: No more heartburn, sounder sleep, more confidence, being able to enjoy food, feeling more energetic and, most recently, the need for clothes in a smaller size. For the first time in many years, Christine enjoyed an anxiety-free Easter. In the past, she battled the bunny. She would buy candy for her son’s Easter basket, eat it all before Easter morning, and then have to buy more. Or, trying to avoid temptation, she would buy candy very early on Easter morning. Now that she’s given herself permission to eat sweets whenever she wants, their power over her has vanished. This year, Christine enjoyed a few pieces of Easter candy and that was enough. She was able to focus on family instead of food. Christine shared that she recently experienced a major breakthrough. She now knows she has what it takes to achieve her wellness goals and make healthy habits a permanent part of her life. She has overcome her doubts and fears. As she so aptly phrased it, she is “kicking her demon’s butt!”