Savannah Trujillo

Savannah Trujillo
Upland, California
17 years old
Student, Upland High School, Upland, California

As a third year returner, I am really intent in venturing deeper into the world of PATHSTAR. The reason I want to participate in this program again is so I can be as involved as possible with the whole ‘shabang.’ I always enjoy my time in PATHSTAR and feel that my partner and I can help newcomers when it comes to getting adjusted to the new lifestyle. As a returner, I have already picked up some important skills that I use everyday. And let us not forget the amazing reward of swimming in the bay’s brisk waters!

I think coming again to participate in the Alcatraz Swim Week will put my training into deeper effect and really help with the rejuvenation of my lifestyle. During the week I would like to learn more about new ways of incorporating healthy habits into my lifestyle as well as possible introducing anything that I have absorbed throughout my journey. As young as I am, I think it is very crucial to start reforming myself now rather than later. PATHSTAR and the people within it have really helped kickstart this whole ideal for me.

A few goals that I have been working on already are eating the proper amount of fruits and vegetables, finding alternatives to salad dressings, avoiding any sweetened beverages, avoiding salting my foods, preparing snacks for my day, and exercising. Overall, I fell like I am doing a decent job and, although these steps may seem small, they add up. In all honesty, i do struggle with some of these based on the fact that I am so used to the ‘bad’ things in life. I really want to continue to prove my dedication to a healthier me. My battle with weight loss is one of the things that bothers me the most. I feel like I am making so many changes but am not putting my full effort into actually pursuing them for extended amounts of time. It seems like I get in and out of routine very easily, and I think the exposure to PATHSTAR again can help get me into a more structured routine.

A few additional goals I would like to work on are eating adequate protein and calories daily, partnering up with someone to become healthier, being part of a family meal at least once a week, and losing a stable amount of weight over the course of the next few months. I absolutely love the fact that PATHSTAR strives to create a ‘family’ and have the utmost gratitude for this value. I truly believe that it makes things extremely easier when you have a support system, and this program offers that. Before PATHSTAR I feel I haven’t had a sufficient support system in my life, but that has all changed. Overall, I genuinely want to continue to build my relationship with those around me and those who have helped me through PATHSTAR.