Exercising is always more fun with friends. Darlene Martinez (left in photo) learned about San Antonio Sports Fit Family Challenge from her BFF, long-time participant Bertha Ornelas de Sanchez, last summer (2019). She decided it was a good way to stay fit and it would be fun to meet and make new friends. Fast forward to 2020 and Darlene was the grand prize winner of $1,000 in the 2020 Fit Family Challenge Home Edition presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Her name was randomly chosen from participants who were automatically entered when they stayed for at least 75% of class. Darlene only missed eight classes all summer! That’s commitment!
The virtual format of Fit family Challenge classes worked fine for Darlene. ”It was convenient, easy to use, and helped me stay active and healthy.” She liked that she could still have fun online with her Zumba family while keeping safe. Like most of our participants, the music is her favorite part of class.
She also loves the “amazing, selfless and phenomenal instructors that encourage, motivate and are very supportive to everyone.” She recalls that when the pandemic began, they all took time out of their busy schedules to put together free virtual Zumba which was continued through Fit Family Challenge. “It helped me because I was sitting at home watching TV, snacking all the time and gaining weight.” No quarantine 15 for Darlene!
She plans to use the money on a mini trip after the pandemic is over, pay some bills and take her dear BFF Bertha out to eat.
As another summer of Fit Family Challenge comes to an end, Darlene wants to thank the instructors, Blue Shield and Blue Cross Shield of Texas, and the staff that “made this journey possible for all of us. I look forward to next year and every year after that for another fun and exciting opportunity of being part of such a great program!”
We are too. Stay active. Stay healthy everyone!