biggest loser ending thoughts

tomorrow is the final weigh in. it's been an interesting 6 week journey. in some ways...i feel like this has been going on forever and in others - i feel like it's just the beginning. i'm going to break down the list of things i thought i was going to get, the things i got, the things i wanted to get, and the things i got that i had no idea i'd get:

thought i'd get:
(check-plus one more work out/week) *6 weeks to a gym i thought i'd work out at twice a week (plus one yoga class a week)
(check) *a personal trainer to give me some nutritional tips (perhaps a better way to fix my salt cravings than chips) and work out advice
(check) *a stronger friendship with gretchen (due to the fact that we'd be doing this together)

what i actually got:
(check) *regular weigh ins
(check) *a must go to work out with your team and our trainer (once a week)
(not really) *competition with other teams ("if you really knew me...you would know that i hate competition and tend to try and do the worst of the people around me so that they feel better about how hard they're working")
(check) *2 other (must do) work out classes/week at the gym
(check) *weekly challenges like, "drink 4 nalgenes of water/day".
(nope-you just do what you can) *public humiliation - i have done probably 10 push ups my entire life
(i did 4 weeks) *a food journal. i have to write down "everything i put in my mouth"

what i wanted to get:
(check) *better self awareness
(check) *a different work out routine
(check) *tips on what i should add/subtract from my diet
(check) *a sense of accomplishment - to finish something hard always feels amazing
(check) *getting out of my comfort zone
(not sure yet) *a cheaper gym membership (the owner of the gym said that we could talk about a discounted price after i complete the program)
(check) *some knowledge to share with my friends and family

what i got that i had no idea i'd get:
strength
endurance
a stronger heart and stronger lungs
joy in pushing through weakness
something to power through the worst winter months
-5 pounds
a stronger friendship with karen and loralee
accountability, minus the guilt
a passion for yoga
competition - with myself

overall - this has been a super positive experience and i hope to keep it up...maybe i'll write a blog soon about the after effects and what i take with me long term.
with love & encouragement to be the best version of yourself!
- *t