She tried a group workout to motivate herself

Dubai - Melissa D'Souza has gotten her colleagues and even her dog involved in the challenge!

The DXB 30X30 challenge came just in time for working professional Melissa D'Souza as she'd broken many fitness resolutions over the years. Although, a fitness enthusiast, it was hard for the marketing professional to follow a fitness regime after a long day's work. But it was a radio contest (hosted to boost participation in the DXB Challenge) that gave Melissa the start she wanted and motivated her to get back on track.
On her way back from work, business development and marketing manager at an engineering firm in Dubai, Melissa happened to hear about the fitness challenge registration on radio and went on to sign up for it online. Little did she know she would win free fitness sessions that would motivate her to take up fitness more seriously than ever.
"This challenge has been my ultimate push to get fit because previously I had signed up for a gym a couple of times, paid up annual memberships but would get bored half way and then would discontinue. After coming back home after work by 6pm, it gets a bit hard to get into fitness mode but after downloading the fitness challenge app I have managed to enrol myself in different free classes and I feel excited about working out in a group," she told Khaleej Times.
She has also involved her dog in the challenge and takes him for a little jog at least twice a week. "Three days a week my dog gets its fitness dose at the day care I drop it to when I go to work."
Melissa said she told her colleagues about the different free sessions and now her assistant also accompanies her for some sessions such as Zumba and Yoga classes. "Working out together has helped us bond well, we meet new people and get to know each other better. I feel it is an amazing way to get to know your team and definitely boosts team spirit."
Talking about how the challenge has disciplined her, Melissa said: "The whole fitness thing has also changed my mindset. Since I am working out better now I also want to eat healthy and this has motivated me to cook healthy and not to order from outside. Even though I am tired, I force myself to cook something healthy. I think I have become very disciplined.
Her advice to all: "This is a good chance to gauge your fitness levels. Take these 30 days to explore and know your body and you might just discover things about yourself that you'd never known."
saman@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai Fitness Challenge