Team Beachbody Guest

I began in 2007 using P90 as my only program. This program was
very difficult for me when I began. I really could not imagine moving beyond
that. It seemed impossible to me. I could not do but a couple of push-
ups(girl push-ups) and my chest would hurt as I did cardio. But I kept
hearing Tony say "do what you can"..and I took it from where I was and had
small goals each week. In addition to the working out I was eating clean for
the very first time in my entire life. It even took me a couple of months to
fully grasp what that even meant. I was
drinking 8 regular dr. Peppers every day and eating fast food constantly. But
as the weeks went on I became starved for knowledge and information more
and more. After eating clean for a few weeks, I felt like I had more energy and
a
much better attitude. It was amazing how taking sugar out of my daily diet
just changed my overall attitude and energy level.
I decided to mix up the work out a little bit by adding some running on my
elliptical machine. The first time was literally 3/10 of a mile and I was ready
to quit. I didn't allow myself the option of failure though. Over the next 6
weeks I worked up to 9 miles. This
blew my mind and propelled me on. Some MDB friends helped me and
recommended some books to read. I read them and learned so much more.
In fact, I have always been hungry for knowledge from anyone on Beachbody
who would take the time to answer my questions. I emailed and reached out
to the veterans who I trusted and respected the most. They always gladly
offered their encouragement.
At the end of 2007, I began Turbo Jam and mixed that with the other
workouts. I loved Turbo Jam. At first I could not imagine that I would ever be
able to do the Cardio Party...and before long I was doing that and then more
when I finished. Some weeks would go by and I would lose nothing, and
some weeks I would lose 3 pounds. But, I kept moving in the right direction.
People were noticing and I could not believe how good I felt. I told people
how the eating and the working out had completely changed my life...inside
and out.
In January, I began Si6. I started with BIU immediately to just see what I could
do. i guess I was feeling strong. I did it pretty well but i certainly felt it for
about the first 2 weeks. I have now even mixed in some of the P90x
workouts with it. I have found that the best way for me to stay interested and
committed to this is to keep evolving. I change things a lot but I do keep a
consistent level of intensity with my workouts no matter which one I do. I
push myself and pour myself into my workouts. I also never give myself the
option of not working out...I just do it. I am also always reading more and
learning more about nutrition. I cannot imagine my life without my current
commitment to my health and fitness. I never want to get back to the place
where I have no energy and no drive. I never want to be ashamed of myself
for the way I look ever again. I do take this journey one day at a time.
I really do like mixing my workouts so much... As long as it is Beachbody
then I know I can trust it. I love all of them and I just combine them now in
my own way...but I do always follow one program exactly, and then add the
other videos on top of that and it is NEVER BORING.
My goal is still 20 pounds away and the weight is coming off much slower
but every day I am here, I am in this 110%.This has changed me forever and I
feel like I am really living. No more being afraid to leave the house.... No
more looking down so that nobody looks at me as I walk into a room...No
more hiding behind people..This feels really
good... and the journey is just amazing.
UPDATE*****
I won the monthly contest in June of 2008 for my transformation and this
proves that anything is possible!!!! The old April never would have believed
that she could accomplish so much...but once I decided to go for it with all of
my heart and soul, nothing could stand in my way. Each and every workout
was full of my heart... I worked through all of the pain and the baggage of
life... and I fought through new challenges all along the way. It was never
easy!! It never is!! I found the time a challenge. It was hard to carve out the
time between 3 kids and owning my own business to devote time for just me.
But, I learned that the more I did find that time for me, the better I became
for everyone else. I had more energy and I just believed in myself for the first
time.
I am now down 78 pounds total ...and down 21% body fat!! I have learned
through Beachbody how to prepare my food in a more healthy way and I use
the recipes found on this site almost every day! The workouts are a part of
my life every single day! I don't give myself the option of not working out, I
just do it. My friends on Beachbody have become like family to me and have
been instrumental in keeping me on course. I also have an AMAZING
COACH...DERYL WILLIAMS! He was there from day one and never left my side.
He endured I think thousands of questions and always either had the answer
or went out and found it for me. He has also helped me with getting my own
Coaching business started and I love that most out of everything. It has been
HUGE in my journey for me to begin helping other people along their journey.
I love telling them everything I know and sharing my blog entries with them
to let them see where my heart was all along the way... the good days and
the bad days!
I cannot imagine my life ever being any different again. I live a very full life
and get to enjoy so much now that I never could before. If I am ever having a
hard day, my workouts are where I find my center and I can find that
mountaintop again.
My goals are to continue challenging my body to accomplish things I have
only dreamed of. I want to reach a level of fitness that will inspire others to
be healthy!