It was around Christmas that I realized in less than a month I was about to hit a stage in my life I was not ready for: my mid-twenties. The big 2-5. The quarter life crisis. I was turning 25. The worst part (besides having to fully accept I am not in college anymore and that day drinking has morphed from a hobby into an exhausting special occasion) was that I wasn’t happy with my body. Things have slowly gotten soft where they were once toned and other things have gotten large or smaller in undesired ratios and relations to other parts of my body. I guess you could say I hit body image rock bottom. So, I reluctantly joined a gym. I bought some new work-out clothes and sneakers. And I slowly but surely started going every day (with the help of some words of inspiration) – telling myself no matter what I do, I will feel better when I’m done. After a few weeks, I had only lost a few pounds of water weight and was alotta sore and a little discouraged.

Then, in late December, Michelle and I went out to lunch with celebrity stylist, Kithe Brewster. As he explained the Mirror Mirror Challenge and how it had worked for him (he lost 122 lbs in 2011!), he opened my eyes to a whole new way of looking at my body: through clothes. Instead of staring at my nearly-nude body in the mirror, and hating what I saw, I could stand in front of the mirror in clothes I loved (and have sadly grown too big for) and I can see the hope in my eyes and the determination in my body knowing that a little hard work can get me back into the clothes I once so deeply loved and so fiercely rocked. Instead of a scale, I could use my favorite pieces of clothing (the pieces I had held on to with hopes and dreams of fitting into again) as motivation to get healthy and fabulous once again. It was so inspiring to hear from so many of you on our facebook event wall during our first ever three-week challenge, divulging to us about your favorite pair of skinny jeans that don’t fit any more or your big event or milestone that would be made even better with the accomplishment of losing a few extra pounds.

Almost two months later, I am down 15 lbs. It’s not super visible on my curvy, 5’9” frame. But I see and feel the differences in my body. I can run a mile again without walking. I can kick the Stairmaster’s butt. And, last weekend I zipped a leather jacket I hadn’t been able to zip in over a year and a half. I would have never taken that jacket out of the back of my closet if it wasn’t for Kithe. My journey isn’t over, but because of Kithe and this challenge, I have a meaningful repertoire of benchmarking tools to track my progress and keep me motivated. Thank you, Kithe!

We’re sending two of the fairest of them all to the spa…

Thank you to all those who shared and expressed your struggles and hopes, successes and setbacks. And now to award two Mirror Mirror Challenge participants with a $50 Spa & Wellness Gift Cards…

Laura R: I can’t wear my skinny jeans anymore or one of my favorite dress. I think I’m up for this challenge. Thanks

Susan K: OK, me and my jeans are in! Let’s hope this works!

It was and is still incredibly moving. Thank you for sharing.

Winners, please contact daily(at)spaweekmedia(dot)com within 3 business days to redeem your prize. We can’t wait to hear from a more fierce and fabulous you!

The post Kithe Brewster’s Mirror Mirror Challenge: Completed! appeared first on Spa Week Daily.