On September 20, 2014 Revive Fitness opened its doors in Dell Rapids, beginning to change lives of people in the community by promoting health and fitness through group fitness classes. A year later Revive Fitness kicked off their 2nd year in Dell Rapids with the “Game On Challenge”. The Game On Challenge was a 28-day program that challenged individuals on all levels; physically, mentally, spiritually, and nutritionally. 82 members of the Dell Rapids community and Revive Fitness signed up to participate. Participants were then randomly split into teams and worked to gain their team the most points.
Contestants earned points by following healthy nutritional guidelines, daily exercise, and proper rest habits. Additionally members had to commit to breaking a “bad” habit, starting a new “good” habit, and finally setting an overall weight loss or fitness goal.
Brittani Bollock, owner of Revive Fitness, said, “Overall health and wellness is not only just fitness or nutrition. It is a combination of physical, emotional, spiritual and nutritional needs, that when balanced properly, allow your body to accomplish all that is was made to accomplish. This challenge was not a diet, it was not a fad, but it has been a guideline to creating and helping people of all walks make lifestyle changes that have positively effected not only their lives but the lives of many people around them.”
Challenge participant Sara Schneider said, “The biggest thing I’ve learned during this journey is to keep going. Just because I had a bad day or lunch, I still have to keep going. One screw up doesn’t determine your outcome. Just keep pushing. The breakthrough will come! I have also prayed a lot, and Jesus has definitely been my strength through a lot of this!”
Over the course of the 28-day Game On challenge, the 82 participants lost more than 600 pounds! While not all participants had a weight loss goal, those that did lost an average of nearly 10 pounds over the 4 week time-frame. In fact during this short time, one member lost over 20 pounds. Another participant was able to come off of all blood pressure medications (with doctors guidance and approval). Numerous participants reported that their lifestyle changes had influenced their family, friends, and coworkers, who then started eating healthier and exercising more once they saw the participants results.
“Because of the challenge, I am more conscious of what I’m eating and how much activity I’m getting daily. It takes a lot of discipline and planning ahead to follow all the rules, but it’s paid off for me. I’ve lost 12 pounds and am definitely motivated to continue to try to make the changes into new habits. And I know I would have never done that without the support from the Revive trainers and other Revive members,” commented Jared Hohn.
Lisa Carr added, “You will face your greatest opposition when you are closest to your biggest miracle”.
The winners of the challenge received a night out of socializing and celebrating their team’s victory. Not only did the challenge build up individuals and deliver great results, it also helped to build up the community of Dell Rapids and inspire greater health and wellness for all. Given the success of the first round of the challenge, nearly 90% of the participants have signed up for “round two”, which will run through the end of November.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” 1 Cor. 3:17