I’m currently typing this article on a Friday morning at a quarter to ten, even though I don’t have to be at work until 3pm. Why, you might ask? Well, I’m super excited to say that I’ve joined something called The MAX. I had heard about the program through my mother, and she had heard about it from our neighbor at the beginning of 2016. While my mother joined in April (which was when the second 10-week challenge of the year started), I just joined the third challenge of the year at the beginning of this past week, and I already feel better than I have in a long time.

The MAX is a program that gets you in shape both physically and mentally. As I previously stated, there is a new challenge every ten weeks, and you have to come to class five times a week, excluding weekends. For the early-birds, there are classes ranging from 5:00am to 9:15am (I attend the 8:30am class), and for the ones who prefer to sleep in, classes range from 4:30pm to 8:30pm. Therefore, you have absolutely no excuse not to get your butt to a class. While working out five days a week seems like a lot (and it is; don’t get me wrong), 96% of the program is based on eating healthy and detoxifying your body from all of the yucky stuff we tend to put into it. As our instructors have constantly enforced, this program is truly a lifestyle change, not a diet. You aren’t expected to eat well for ten weeks and then gain every pound you’ve lost back once those ten weeks are over; you’re expected to consistently eat healthy foods to maintain your weight, your health and your happiness.

I’ve never been skinny; I’ve never even been toned. While lots of my friends growing up were stick-thin (due to sheer luck and an ultra-fast metabolism), I was not. I’ve always had to wear the biggest sizes in everything, and I’ve never been truly comfortable with my body. Although I have learned to appreciate my body a bit more over the last year or so, I’ve still been wanting to lose weight and feel more confident with myself. Luckily, The MAX came into my life at just the right time. My mother lost 15 pounds in her first challenge, and as soon as she finished, she told me to sign up with her for the next one, promising that I would really enjoy it. Although I was nervous to sign up at first because I don’t really like working out in front of people, I decided that I would give it a try, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made so far.

The third challenge of the year started on Monday, June 27th, and since it’s Friday, I’ve successfully completed my first week of the program. The atmosphere and energy at The MAX is incredible; everyone cheers each other on, and there is not a hint of negative energy in the air. It’s been an awesome experience exercising with the ladies (and men) at The MAX so far, and this is only the beginning for me. I can't say enough positive things about this program even though I've just started my journey, and I can’t wait to start seeing and feeling results, as well as what the future holds.