It has now been two months since this video was taken and it’s amazing to see how far Rashida has come. She’s lost weight at the rate of about one pound per week, which is considered ideal because it signals healthy, permanent weight loss that is the result of lifestyle changes.

But there is so much more to Rashida’s journey than simply losing weight. In this video (Rashida’s video) she talks about how hard it is to get up and exercise in the mornings.

Nevertheless, she has stayed focused and committed to her morning workouts at All About You! Wellness BootCamp. She almost never misses a day and she does a variety of other physical activities on the weekends, and on some evenings as well.

She’s also made improvements to her nutrition. She’s incorporated a lot more vegetables, fruit and other whole foods. Rashida has such a down to earth, realistic attitude. She knows that giving up all her favorite foods would backfire, so she’s learned to enjoy them in moderation.

Rashida inspires others with her hard work, determination and positive attitude. It is an honor to have her in our fitness & nutrition program and it’s exciting to be a part of her wellness journey.

Elaine Miller, Co-Founder
All About You! Wellness BootCamp

Meet Rashida, a woman determined to lose weight through a fitness and nutrition program called “All About You Bootcamp.” Rashida is fighting against some lifestyle related diseases that run in her family (like diabetes) and is determined to take a proactive role in her own health. Come along on Rashida’s journey and share some of her insights on her own challenges.

I’m Doing It! from oomphTV on Vimeo.

My partner, Tammy 0’ Connor, read about a local long-distance run in our home town of Glendale California and wanted to cover this event for oomphTV. This will be the third annual 5K (3.1 miles) Glendale Downtown Dash taking place on March 14. Nearly 70 runners and walkers started preparing two weeks ago as part of an eight week training program designed to shape up the participants before the Dash.

The Glendale Downtown Merchants Assn. will host the Dash, which raises money for the Glendale Adventist Medical Center’s stroke services.  The event has raised nearly $100,000 for the hospital’s stroke services.

In addition to the Dash, participants were also asked to take part in the “Lose a Ton in 10” community weight loss challenge. This challenge urges residents to set weight-loss goals and pledge money for each pound lost. The funds raised will benefit Glendale Healthy Kids, a non-profit organization that provides health-care services to uninsured children. And the hospital will donate $1 – up to $2,000 – for every pound lost by residents.

Co-owners Elaine Miller and Narina Minassian, from a local gym called All About You Wellness Boot Camp, coordinate the work-outs. They aim to train local participants in the Dash and help them lose weight.

There are countless events and challenges across American like this one.  Tammy and I wanted to see the kinds of people that participate and help organize this kind of positive community experience. Raising money for those in need and getting yourself more healthy? This seems like a win, win for everyone.

After spending the first cold Sunday morning with the participants and the organizers, I can tell you it was worth effort. First of all, Elaine and Narina, the owners of the gym, were filled with great enthusiasm and designed a well thought out and easy to follow work out routine. The local participants were eager to join in and seemed ready to dive into the eight-week training program.

After the first workout program was completed, there was a weigh in for the “Lose a Ton in 10.” We then announced to the participants that we would be interested in interviewing and keeping track of a few participants progress during the eight week program. Tammy and I thought maybe one or two people might volunteer. We were shocked when nine participants stepped forward to be interviewed on the first day.

After interviewing the nine participants we found out that what got them active in “Lose a Ton in 10” was their deep desire to lose weight and get control of their own health. Pasadena resident Phyllis Cremer just turned 50, and is hoping to improve her health for the next 50 years.  We found out that another woman was also turning 50 this year and wanted to see her grandchildren grow up. She told us heart disease runs in her family and felt this year she was going to be the time to take action and make some positive lifestyle changes.

Tammy and I came away from this event very surprised by how much we were inspired by the energized owners of the gym and by the residents of our home town. We plan to continue to follow some of these residents and get back to you with their personal oomph! stories.