Team Beachbody Guest

There I was in front of the bedroom mirror, positive, high-energy, happy, successful me — all 210 pounds. I cried as I looked in the mirror, assuring myself that this “me” was OK. I thought to myself, “I can be happy like this; it’s just part of getting older.” I had to accept that menopause had taken its toll and there was no turning back. Plus the doctor had just told me I had crippling arthritis in my knees. I never expected to be at this place, not at 49 years old.

Six years earlier, I was determined to get back in shape — hard body by 45. I was going to look better than ever. I did a fast of lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper for 21 days. I lost 25 pounds; however, four days later, I went out to dinner and ate bread with butter, fried chicken, mashed potatoes with butter, wine, cheesecake, and anything else that was put in front of me. All the talk to my friends and family about changing my life and getting fit was just that — all talk. I felt like such a loser.

So I got a prescription for Fen-phen, the diet pill. Initially, I lost weight, but when I stopped losing weight, the doctor wouldn’t renew the prescription. Not deterred, I starting buying any and every energy/weight-loss pill and drink I could find. I’d lose a few pounds, then gain them back. Then I learned I could buy prescription diet pills over the Internet. So I did. I was sick — physically and emotionally. I put on the “everything is fine” face, but I was dying on the inside.

High energy and a great attitude had always been my trademark, but it got to the point that the only way I could get there was with coffee and diet pills, which made me irritable and hard to live with, so I got a prescription for Prozac. Prozac at night, diet pills in the morning, quad shots of coffee midday. But I was still fat!

My confidence was so low. I don’t think it showed on the outside, but it was a living hell on the inside. I felt like I was living a lie, and with that comes guilt. What a life! I hadn’t made a sales call in more than two years. I didn’t want to see anyone or have anyone see me; I did only what I had to do.

To top it all off, last year in April, I learned I had severe arthritis in my knees. The doctor said he wanted me to use a cane as long as I could; I was still too young for knee replacement. He gave me a shot of cortisone and a prescription for pain pills — a new pill to add to the mix! So not only was I fat, but I had also become crippled by my lifestyle.

I saw my future before my eyes. I was going to celebrate my 50th birthday depressed, fat and now crippled from arthritis. Something had to change. I had a choice to make: Would I change my approach to life or medicate my problems until I died? I decided to change my life. Now, where to begin?

I talked to my Team Beachbody Coach, Kory Edwards — SANKOR, and he showed me how much food to eat for my lean body mass, my job, and my Power 90 workout. I pushed play four or five times a week and ate a clean, healthy diet. For the first time in years, I felt good again. My new approach increased my strength and energy, and I lost fat! Even better, people noticed my changes, and that motivated me even more. I had forgotten how good it felt to be strong, energetic and healthy!

My 50th birthday was nearing, and we were celebrating my son’s 25th. I cleaned all morning, cooked a meal for about 15 people, and was playing Frisbee with the kids in the evening. I didn’t think anything of it until my sister looked at me in shock and said, “How in the world do you have the energy to do that after all the work you did today?” Now I knew it was real, I have changed!

If someone told me a year ago that I would be riding my bike on 40-mile rides, hiking a mountain or participating in a kickboxing class, I would have thought they were crazy. But I am doing all that and more and…I’m not fat!

Thank you, Team Beachbody! I am living the life I want to live. I feel younger than I have in years. I’m strong, I’m happy, and I have great energy and enthusiasm for life. There are no pills involved in getting me there; it’s truly who I am!