Best friends makeover: Finale

This story was originally titled "Best Friends Makeover," in the February 2008 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!

RECAP: Last year, Tracy Metcalfe, 46, and Tanya Leavitt, 37, of Calgary, were selected for Canadian Living's yearlong Best Friends Makeover Program. At the time, the single moms wanted to enhance themselves so they could take the next steps in their journey looking and feeling the best they can. With rewarding but low-paying not-for-profit-industry jobs, they juggled debt and the high cost of living in Calgary by sharing rent and living frugally. But Tracy was unhappy in her job, had a strained relationship with her son, Spencer, and was always tired. Tanya lost sleep worrying about money and had her own health concerns. The Best Friends Makeover Program provided the women with a team of professional coaches (fitness, life, nutrition, career, finances and image) and over the past year, they've addressed different goals – and experienced successes, disappointments and a few surprises. But most importantly, they're on the road to better health and wellness. This is the final installment of their story.

Weekday afternoons were not like this a year ago for best friends Tracy Metcalfe and Tanya Leavitt. After arriving home from work, Tanya quickly fills in her daily Food Tracker while eating a small serving of nacho chips (a preplanned, allowable snack). Upstairs, Tracy decides what she'll pull together for supper as she chats with Spencer, her 17-year-old son. Then the girls are off to Mount Royal Recreation – Tracy has a one-on-one kickboxing class, and Tanya is doing the Chisel strength-training class she likes so much. Later, Tracy has a session on the phone with her life coach, and Tanya has a quick dinner with her son, Kesler.

Newfound confidence is part of their healthier lifestyles, too. Tracy has a new, better-paying job and an "exciting" goal to start her own business. She has improved her relationship with Spencer and is finally going to take Latin dance lessons with a new dance partner.

Tanya has created a more satisfying role for herself at her work, and along with a solid financial plan, that means she doesn't worry about money as much as she used to (she's even planning a trip to Disneyland with Kesler). She has come to terms with her health goals too; she exercises regularly and is now "putting the foundations of a nutritional lifestyle in place."

Even though it's the end of the makeover program for Tracy and Tanya, it's clear that their new lives are really just beginning. Here is a review of their goals and progress, as well as words of wisdom from their coaches.

Coaches
Fitness coach Shelly Stranaghan, www.mtroyal.ca/recreation
Nutrition coach Andrea Holwegner, www.healthstandnutrition.com
Life coach Cathy Yost , www.cathyyost.com
Career coach Gimalle Crawford, www.thewomensedge.com
Financial coach Jennifer Kirby, www.kirbyfinancialgroup.com
Image coach Astrid DesLandes, www.bellevieseminars.com
Family physician Dr. Rita Dahlke, Calgary Urban Project Society Community Health Centre, www.cupshealthcentre.com

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