It all started in July of 1997 when I initially met my husband-to-be. On our first date we went rollerblading and that one physical activity set the stage for our joint goal to stay fit and healthy. And for the first few years of our marriage we were incredibly active and we cheered each other on by going to the gym every day and supporting one another's small weight loss goals and bulging arm biceps! And, looking back, I was likely in the best shape of my life. We'd get on our bikes and marathon ride throughout downtown Brooklyn and yes– we even exercised on our honeymoon!
But then one of us, namely yours truly, fell off the wagon. After having two pregnancies and eating all the food my picky eaters refused to finish, feeling bloated and uninspired I found every excuse not to exercise. My husband shelled out a cool 1,500 for an elliptical and I decided I didn’t like the home exercise equipment and used it as a hanger for my clothes. My husband tried to get me to walk with him but I said, it was too cold outside and I didn’t have the right clothing. No matter what my husband said or did I found a way and reason to talk my way out of exercise.
But then four years ago a bell went off in my head, or more aptly, my dad passed at the tender age of 68 and my the gravity of my mortality hit me like a bolt of lightning. At the time I was 20-25 pounds overweight and my kids and I were leading very sedentary lifestyles.
I decided it was time for us to join a great gym as a family and fast forward to the present; my husband runs and does spin classes, my daughter is now running track and my son plays basketball and baseball on teams.
And honestly my greatest triumph is when we do it all together– my husband and daughter run while my son and I ride along side them. this year I am daring myself to be even more healthy by enrolling in some of the spin classes my husband adores so much and playing one-on-one basketball with my son!
And this month UnitedHealthCare is daring you to be more healthy and to take their dares on their site
.1-Match the Healthy Dessert
2-Prevention Care Quiz
3-Breast Cancer Awareness Video
By doing any of these dares participants will be entered to win the prizes. For each dare every week there is a $25 visa gift card given every week (3 a week given away), and as the monthly prize for each dare a $400 visa gift card given away( 3 total for the month).
So are you ready to Dare yourself and your loved ones to be more HEALTHY?!
This post is part of a sponsored conversation with UnitedHealthcare but as is always the case all opinions expressed are my own!
Love how you are all active together! Trying to take advantage of the warm weather and get moving with the family,
When you have people to exercise with, it makes it so much more fun. Who better than your own family! Love how you guys are doing this together, such a great role model for the kids!
It is so much easier to exercise in groups so I love this idea.
Great tips – I’m in the midst of my own weight loss journey and I’m always looking for ways to encourage my entire family to be healthy – thanks for sharing!