Maria says she appreciates more than anything her new awareness of the connection between mind and body. That mental strength was important in the final months of her mother's life, when Maria's role as caregiver was at its most emotional and demanding. She doesn't deny that it also feels good to look good. But to Maria, the physical and psychological benefits of fitness feed off each other and keep her motivated to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle. She does 150 to 200 crunches or other ab work every day.
Dinner is usually chicken or fish with a small salad and sweet potato or brown rice or sushi.
I was doing my cardio workout at the gym the other day and another member came up to me and gave me a great compliment. It was really gratifying and it made me realize how much work that I've accomplished in the past 9 weeks. The past year was a tough and stressful year for me in my personal life. I gained nearly 20 pounds from my normal 115 pounds. Needless to say, my clothes no longer fit, so rather than investing in a new wardrobe, I invested in myself.