March National Challenge Check-in

Oh wow, here we are almost half way through the X-Weighted National Challenge! It's been one heck of a ride for all of those competing and it is absolutely thrilling to see how much weight you've all been losing (check out the National stats here).

Stay tuned, Paul Plakas has recorded a special message for all of you that reach the mid-way point.

For this month's update, we wanted to profile a member who is putting his heart and soul into his X-Blogs, and giving lots of support to other Challenge participants - Michael Russel, from Toronto, otherwise known as Mike6.

So Mike, why did you join the Challenge?

I joined the X-Weighted Challenge because I was finally ready to change my body, my attitude and my mindset. I was tired of hiding behind depression, anxiety, body image issues, food-related issues. I was using my body as a kind of armor that pushed everything away but at the same time smothered me. I've been struggling with weight issues my entire life. I've been unhealthily skinny, overweight etc. I want to be healthy and this challenge gave me a medium to do so.

I've been a fan of the show for a long while and started checking the site routinely, when I saw there was a challenge my face lit up! I was excited, I was ready. This was my time to shine. I made a promise to myself a while back, I said before I was 20 I'd conjure up the courage to initiate change, well, I'm 19 and I'm literally turning my life around. I'm digging deep into my past to find closure to all the baggage I carry with me.

I also decided to join the challenge with my Mom because it was a nice way for us to reestablish a relationship. We help each other out all of the time and constantly try to reinforce one another's motivation. It's great because this challenge is doing so many great things for me; it's allowing me to grow closer to my family, it's helping me become the person I want to be and it's letting me let go and close certain chapters of my life that need to be closed.

How have you done so far?

In all honesty, I think I've done amazing! I'm changing my habits, I'm exercising a lot more, I'm eating better, I'm feeling better, I'm shedding pounds. It's all good. I'm starting to take time for myself and congratulate myself on my progress, on my gains and just reflect on this journey.

I'd also like to be realistic too. This journey isn't just a smooth, downhill country road with dazzling scenery. It's hard work, it's an uphill battle and it is a continuous challenge. For me, I'm dealing with a lot of different issues that this challenge is also helping me tackle. B.E.D (binge eating disorder), depression, social anxiety, self image, body image etc--and I need to constantly remind myself that there are going to be scrapes and bruises, downfalls etc. I'm slowly but surely learning how to forgive myself and that life is not all about being the "perfect somebody" it's about being who you are and trying to better yourself.

I've made amazing gains within. My mood is better, my outlook on life is a lot more positive, I'm a lot more optimistic and my body is beginning to reflect these changes. I used to be an all-or-nothing kind of guy--one screw up and I was out, I'd quit. But now, I'm using these bumps in the road as motivation to continue. Life is full of challenges and lessons to be learned, I'm ready to take on anything. :)

I am still working through a lot of issues concerning my relationship with food, clothes, people, myself...but at the end of the day I've got an awesome team of people around me that constantly reinforce my goal to heal.

So to answer your question in one sentence: I'm doing great, I'm enjoying this roller coaster of a journey because for the first time in a very long time, I feel like I'm being real!