Margarita Lopez has been a part of the Fit Family Challenge presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas for three years. She started going to the Health Collaborative’s Zumba classes at Linton Elementary in 2017, where she befriended Diane Castro who told her about Fit Family Challenge, San Antonio Sports’ free summer fitness program designed to get families active, eating better and learning about health and fitness. When she retired in December 2019, Margarita wanted to be more active. The more she moved, the better she felt. She started setting and meeting goals of 30-days, 50-days and now 100-days straight of staying active. With the help of her Apple Watch, she holds herself accountable and keeps up with her daily and weekly progress.
Margarita’s consistent attendance paid off when she won the monthly Fit Family Challenge Home Edition $100 gift card drawing for June. Participants are automatically entered to win every time they stay for at least 75% of class.
One of Margarita’s favorite parts of Fit Family Challenge is the music. “After attending so many classes, the music is ingrained in your mind and anytime you hear the song–you want to get up and start moving,” she says. “Zumba steps are easy to do and everyone can modify the steps to their own level.”
Another aspect of the Fit Family Challenge she enjoys is stress relief. “During the one-hour Zumba class, you forget about any problems.”
Margarita says the best way to describe Fit Family Challenge can be found in the name! She loves being a part of a community that feels like family. “Whether it is navigating the internet, phones, Facebook, texting, email, sharing a ride, celebrating birthdays or wrapping their arms around you when you have lost a loved one, my Fit Family is always there.” Margarita would like to give a big thank you to her “Zumba Angel”, Diane Castro, who is always there when she needs her. She would also like to recognize the Zumba instructors and Fit Family Challenge sponsors, administrators, and staff because without them– her Zumba classes wouldn’t be possible.
Margarita plans to use her Academy Sports + Outdoors gift card to buy a new pair of shoes to replace her current pair explaining, “they’re pretty worn out, but that’s a good thing!”
We agree. Congratulations Margarita!
By Avery Tuggle, San Antonio Sports public relations intern who attends Trinity University