Elise had to be mentally ready and engaged in the process of losing weight if it was really going to work. She was determined to achieve a healthy lifestyle. While a friend introduced her to HealthyWage, she put it to the side. With her attention needed from her four children under the age of ten and an ill family member, Elise was focused on other things besides her own health. However, as she gained weight and as she reflected on her situation, she knew it was time. What she faced as a stay-at-home mom was something many women face, and that is the fact that losing weight becomes one more task to manage on an already full plate. It is this alone that, regardless of how much she and other women want to lose weight, is the reason the best intentions never work.
Once Elise committed to making weight loss the one more task that was a priority, she began implementing a strategy of eating less and moving more. There would be no quick fix as Elise wanted to make changes that would stick and evolve with her as she changed. Although exercise always came easy to her and she enjoyed running, eating more than she was burning was always the biggest challenge. With friends that had a similar objective, she began a blog to encourage each other and share ideas. Although she appreciated all the support, Elise still knew it came down to her and the choices she made about not taking that extra cookie or choosing healthier items at the holidays and parties.
After reaching her initial goal, Elise is now focused on far-reaching goals that will address body changes over time in order to maintain her healthy lifestyle. For her, the financial incentive was huge. First, there was making the initial financial payment to enter the competition, which was no small feat, and then there was the opportunity of winning money that she could use to buy a new smaller wardrobe. Her enthusiasm for her new healthy lifestyle is infectious as she enjoys helping other women meet similar goals.