CONGRATS, LORENA!

My first CSE Challenge done! This challenge helped me find a version of myself that was missing. It helped me realize that I’m capable of doing anything I set my mind to, and it showed me that I’m stronger than I think. 

I decided to join this challenge to better myself physically and emotionally. Recently, my long term relationship ended. Although this relationship wasn’t doing me any good, it was hard to say goodbye and move forward when my heart was still in it. I was in a dark place emotionally; I was depressed. I would tell myself I wasn’t pretty and that maybe I wasn’t loved in return because I was fat. This negative self-talk was a daily fight with myself. I knew I needed to make a change - not just emotionally, but physically as well. I needed to get my confidence and self-love back. 

My sister joined CSE last year, and she introduced me to this program. She helped me join the gym when I first started and helped me understand the program and macro-counting. I first started making CSE meals during the CSE Summer Challenge. I was late joining, but I also wanted to understand and see if I could stick to this program before joining. Let me say, I enjoyed every meal! I prepped daily and kept going back to the gym, going three times a week. 

Finally the CSE Fall Challenge was announced and my sister asked me to join her and her husband. I had my doubts because I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to do it, to fully commit. I've joined multiple challenges before, but quickly gave up because I was always starving, and I didn’t enjoy the meals because they were repetitive. However, I was able to finish this challenge strong! The CSE program made it easy for me to cook and prep my meals, and I have enjoyed all the meals. Physically I’m stronger than when I started. I continue to go to the gym, but have also found a new love for running. I couldn’t run more than a mile before and now I’m up to 5! =) 

My biggest change has been emotionally; I was truly unhappy before this challenge. Over the last seven weeks, I’ve learned to work on positive self-talk, to love the changes my body is making as I continue this journey and to love myself. This challenge also brought me closer to my sister. She has helped me with the meals and has helped me stay motivated and confident in myself during this challenge. I look back and I’m glad I joined this challenge and community. I feel stronger than ever. I continue to train at the gym and trainers/people at the gym have come up to me and congratulated me on all the hard work and the changes I’ve made. 

Every day I’m thankful for what my body is capable of doing and how I continue to improve physically. As I write this, I can’t help but smile. I love the new version of myself and this chapter in my life. All I have to say is thank you CSE, and I can’t wait for the next challenge.