He said finding activities you enjoy, such as walking with friends or going salsa dancing, is important to staying motivated. Even little things that can fit into an existing routine, such as parking farther away or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
“Every step and every movement counts because you’re moving toward being healthier,” Parker said.
Scott Parker and Lisa Morales
Morales, formerly on Telemundo, offers healthy eating tips, workout plans and inspiration through her social media sites. She encourages her followers to sneak in exercise, even a few minutes at a time to increase overall physical activity.
“Do squats while you’re on the phone or cooking,” she said. “Even small things can add up. Just get up and move.”
Interaction by the group’s 13,500 participants, as they share recipes, post videos or photos that celebrate goals or motivation, has been the real key to the program’s success because it keeps a healthy lifestyle top of mind through regular discussion and sharing, Parker said.
“Fitness can be a daunting task,” Parker said. “Realizing you aren’t alone makes it easier to stay on the path because you realize there’s a group of people going through the exact same thing.”
Having extra support was important for Magan, who has struggled with her weight since her teens and with heart disease and Type 2 diabetes for the last 15 years. She was put on insulin while pregnant with her third child – now 14 – and wasn’t eager to resume the daily injections her doctor warned she would need if she couldn’t get her blood sugar under control.
In addition to participating in Go Red Get Fit, about 10 months ago, she joined Overeaters Anonymous for support. She eliminated added sugars and stopped drinking diet soda. She limited her eating to three meals a day. The changes helped her lose more than 70 pounds.
The weight loss meant Magan no longer required blood pressure medication. She was also able to reduce medications for cholesterol and controlling her blood sugar.
During the last month, Magan has been using an elliptical machine at the gym a few times a week but also sneaking in activity through her daily routine where possible.
During a Go Red Get Fit award trip to New York with her mom in February, she logged 25 miles walking over three days.
“There’s no way I would have been able to do that a year ago,” she said. “Having the support of all those people in Go Red Get Fit played a role in how I was able to make those changes in my life.”
