Team Beachbody Guest

I always thought I was invincible to gaining weight. In high school I was average-- 5 foot 6 inches 145 pounds; I ran track and was very involved, but I was never “fit”. I started dating my now husband, Tom, right after high school and that is when my weight started coming on. Not because of him did I gain weight, but because of my comfort with being in a relationship and not feeling like I needed to take notice to that aspect of myself any longer. In addition, Tom was a typical bachelor and used to getting all of his meals at any of the most popular fast food restaurants. He was also overweight with no desire to eat right or to exercise which DIRECTLY affected me!

I went away to college and fell into the traps of staying out and drinking followed by hitting up the late night drive-thru for “munchies”. I exercised in college, but it was never more than a few times a week at best and typically consisted of running on a treadmill or using an elliptical machine. PLUS, my diet was horrendous!! I had tipped the scales at 165 pounds- the most EVER in my young life! Looking back, I have realized that I used to think that I could eat whatever I wanted to because at least I wasn’t the biggest girl in the crowd. I always have cared about how I looked, but I never truly realized how the weight was affecting my looks, the way I felt and most importantly my HEALTH until NOW looking back.

Shortly after my senior year of college Tom and I got married in July of 2007. I had lost some weight from my heaviest and was down to about 155-160 pounds. But, when we got back from our honeymoon I hopped on the scale to realize I had gained 5 pounds in ONE week after all of the honeymoon indulgences. It STILL didn’t click in my head that I needed to get on track and make a change. I started falling into the same routines my husband had been in for years, “I don’t feel like cooking, I will just stop and get a burger and fries or we can order pizza” attitude. Around this time my new husband had an eye-opener of how important HIS life really was, and he started using P90X. I tried so hard to do it with him, but I had a TERRIBLE piteous attitude and I gave up just a couple of weeks into it. I wasn’t totally lethargic though... I did go to the local recreational center and use the treadmill a few times a week only to maintain my body weight and honestly not feel any better, physically or mentally. I still had that AWFUL attitude!

Everything changed for me in December of 2007. I had watched my husband work so hard by himself through P90X and he had lost almost 50 pounds in the first 90 days!! I have always been a competitor and I KNEW that if I gave it a shot I could be successful just like him. I wanted more than anything to get out of the weight rut that I had been stuck in for months and years, to find more value in myself, and to have a new appreciation for health and fitness.

When I started P90X, I could barely do a single push-up from my knees and I got very winded during the cardio routines. I would get so frustrated with not being able to keep up with Tony and his crew let alone my husband, but I
pushed forward. My diet changed drastically too! We cleaned all of the “garbage” out of the cupboards and opted for whole wheat, fresh veggies and fruit, and lean protein. I haven’t been to a fast food restaurant in months, have completely stopped drinking soda and have now become a water addict.

I’m now in the BEST shape of my life. I’ve gone from feeling like quitting 5 minutes into Plyometrics to wanting more when it’s over! I can do over 30 standard push-ups! I can complete all 349 moves in AbRipperX!! I’ve gone
from running a 5K in 35:49 to 26:06 with P90X alone!! I’m even able to do unassisted pull-ups, which is something I
never thought I’d be excited about!! I have since incorporated several other workouts into my rotation: P90X+, Tony Horton One on One, TurboJam, and I recently started ChaLEAN Extreme, which I LOVE!

Not only has Beachbody helped me to shape my body, but it’s helped me to reshape my ATTITUDE and LIFE. My relationship with my husband feels much more significant and committed. This journey wouldn’t be what it has without him by my side! He is a HUGE part of the reason that I began this journey for myself. Beachbody's programs have given me such enthusiasm for health and fitness. I now have an even stronger desire for a healthy lifestyle; not only because of how much better I feel myself, but also because of the impact it has on my family and friends. My confidence is through the ROOF! I want to be the example of someone that went from average or skinny-fat to FIT. I want to help others understand that EVERYONE goes through their own
personal struggles and there is always someone willing to help you through! I want to engrain these habits so much into my daily life that when we have children we can help them acquire a taste for healthy foods and a desire to stay active and HELP others.

I’ve learned a lot on my journey to myself, and it’s FAR from over. I am strong, beautiful, courageous, and confident! I am excited to LIVE and take each day as it comes my way!

Thank you, Beachbody!!!