Nicole knows the road ahead isn’t going to be easy

Not the last early morning workout.

This morning I finished my last 6:30 a.m. workout as a contestant with “Team Alicia.”

It is a little bittersweet, the end of the contest, but every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end (yeah!). It’s not to say this morning was my last 6:30 a.m. workout ever – since I have a toddler at home, it is probably the only time I can squeeze in exercise since she will be asleep, plus I still have work and school obligations!

Realistically, now that the Weight Race is over, I will probably have to work twice as hard to achieve my personal weight loss goals. I’m OK with that. One of the most crucial lessons I have learned is that there are no short cuts for healthy weight loss. It really does take hard work, and an attitude adjustment. It takes support, which I am lucky to have from family and friends. I have lost just under 20 pounds (19.8 but who’s counting?) over the last nine weigh-ins, of which I am extremely proud.  The last 10 weeks at Elevations have been truly educational, in so many ways. I have done so many things that I never thought I was capable of, like running on the treadmill with no hands! (OK, it was only for a minute, but still, accomplishment). Or even this morning, using the TRX strap like a pulley, I was able to pull Alicia across the group fitness carpet three times. So no matter what the scale reveals tonight at the Lounge, I all ready am a winner.

“Willpower is also a muscle – EXERCISE IT” Alicia Colgan, Elevations trainer