Enhance Magazine | Page 11

member spotlight 3 Q&A HAC MEMBER JASON RAGAZZO SECOND RUNNER-UP in HAC's 2016 Lifestyle Challenge Jason lost 27.3 inches, 28.9 pounds, and 8.33% body fat! His prizes included a onemonth free membership, a one-month VIP massage membership, and six 60-minute personal training sessions. What made you take the Lifestyle Challenge? I had been wanting to get in shape and lose weight but was not staying committed. When I heard about the Challenge, I felt like it would push me to stick with it and keep me motivated to stick to my goals. Had you tried personal training before the Challenge? What made you sign up with your trainer? I had actually been with my trainer, Kristi Leigh Morgan, for a while but was not taking it seriously enough. Kristi actually mentioned the Challenge to me and thought it was a good opportunity to help me get back in shape and challenge myself. 8.33% body fat lost in 12 weeks is an outstanding accomplishment! What types of lifestyle changes did you make / what was the “key” to your success? I started to really watch my diet and stopped drinking beer. I ate extremely low carbs and no sugar on a 1500 a day calorie intake. It was really hard at first, but I adapted and got used to it. The Challenge made me realize the lifestyle I was living and the weight I was carrying were why I felt so crappy. Jason at the beginning of the Lifestyle Challenge Was there any point in the challenge, or at any time as a HAC Member, that you thought about giving up? I don’t know about giving up, but there were times I felt discouraged. I hit a wall in the middle of the Challenge and was not seeing any results. I really wanted to win, but not knowing how other contestants were doing and how I compared made it difficult to know how hard I needed to push myself. Are there any major life moments – experiences, epiphanies, etc. – that brought you to this point? I was in the worst shape and at the heaviest point of my life, so felt I needed to do something about it. How do you feel right now vs. when you started? The Challenge served its purpose. I feel great and good about myself and the progress I’ve made. The Challenge made me realize the lifestyle I was living and the weight I was carrying were why I felt so crappy. Do you feel like your results are sustainable? Yes I do feel like it’s sustainable. The Lifestyle Challenge really helped push me back into shape. If I keep a steady routine and eat healthy at least 4 or 5 days a week, I should be good. enhance magazine | JULY 2016 11