Measuring goals, success

The decision to lose weight and get healthy is not realized overnight. Months, years may pass before an individual will make a commitment and face the challenge. For some it means setting personal goals and expectations, and keeping the challege private.
For Slim Down Challenge contestants it means setting expectations, following a healthy nutrition and exercise plan, and maintaining motivation all while publicly sharing their 6-month journey.
"The Slim Down Challenge has given me the motivation and the opportunity to get healthy," Jessica Campos said. "If it wasn't for this challenge I wouldn't have been motivated to lose weight. It gave me the tools to get healthy, they offered me a trainer and a gym (Fitness Zone),” she said.
Adela Feekes was excited when she was chosen to be a contestant. "I was excited because now that the whole Valley was watching I had no excuse, I had to exercise and keep motivated," she said. "It definitely has been a challenge, I had to keep myself disciplined."
Going public also helped Patricia Gonzalez remain motivated. "To be honest with you I didn't know what to expect," Gonzalez said. "I knew I needed to lose weight, haven been on a roller coaster diets forever,” she continued. "I was going to be in the paper every week, I had to do this for the readers."
At the onset of the challenge, Rosie Ramirez's personal expectation was to lose 40 to 50 pounds. She thinks she will probably surpass her original expectation of a 50 pound weight loss.
As the journey comes to an end on October 23, contestants acknowledge that the experience has had a tremendous impact physically and mentally.
What began as a competitive journey has become a friendly competition. Friendships among the contestants have developed and relationships with their family and other friends have improved through the encouragement and support extended to them. "I am so proud of all of our Slim Down Challenge contestants, we all have become good friends!," Gonzalez said.
"As we come near the end of this challenge whether I win, come in second, third or not place at all --- whether I lose pounds this month  or not, I have come a long way from  the beginning of the challenge,” Adela Feekes stated. "I have dropped 4 dress sizes and feel so good and I am so ready to continue with my fitness journey to reach my ultimate goal," she said.
Eduardo Cruz was expecting to lose 100 lbs. He is a little disappointed but still happy that he has lost almost 20 lbs. "Being in the challenge has helped me learn good eating and exercising habits, which I hope I will maintain after the challenge,” Cruz said.
Like Cruz most of the contestants plan to continue their journey after the challenge is over.