Team Beachbody Guest

I had no idea how the day I decided to push play would impact me on so many levels, emotionally, physically, socially, and even mentally……
I came from a place where I was physical and mental mess: out of shape, over weight, overwhelmed, overstressed, tired, and well on my way into a downward spiral. I was too busy to eat right (seemed like my main meals consisted of what was the left over from my kids plates. The mere thought of exercise was frustrating and seemingly pointless. It was then that I hit rock bottom.
One day I stood toe to toe looking at my body in the mirror: My round face, blood shot eyes, dull lifeless hair, flabby arms, (ugh…..I hated my arms) fat stretched out stomach, flat butt and shapeless legs were just a shell of the what was hiding beneath…

I came to a point where I questioned ….Who was this person in the mirror? How was I going to get the true self back? It was then that I decided to prove to myself that I could regain control of my body and my life again. I needed a program and routine that could whip up my body’s loss of shape, malnutritition and the abuse that I was displacing onto my body to a place I NEEDED and not just WANTED to be.

I recall never liking the idea of getting my pictures taken….I was the one who was behind the camera and the one who always wore the frumpy clothing to cover up so that no one would actually see what was underneath. I was extremely insecure with myself and my body. Looking back, when I think about it, it doesn’t seem all that long ago, yet not long enough ago that when I think back to those days, I can’t even possible recall how I allowed myself to remain in that place for as long as I did.

I was always active with an inner spirit and zest for life, but it had been covered and hibernated for so long that I almost forgot that I had it in me.

The flip side of that, was those same negative self images that I had manifested of myself also were the motivating factors to help me move beyond my comfort zone and into a level where I would push through and surpass my limitations. I knew I had to dig deep and find that in me again; re- discover how to get it back the energetic and lively individual that was screaming to get out!

When I was introduced to P90 Master Series…I knew I had found something that I knew I could commit to and that would keep me focussed for at least three months. I was afraid to embark on something that required my full attention, but at the same time, I was fighting for the fit body that I always wanted….and I knew the health benefits would follow closely behind — naturally.

P90 MS was that carrot I wanted to snatch up — like a personal challenge made just for me. Initially, my main goal was to really just see if I could do it. I think the hardest emotional pit fall along the way was finding that time to actually do what needed to be done and find the inner strength to justify my commitment and that it was not a it not a selfish or selfless act to do something for myself.

Over time I was able to learn how to treat my workout as my “sanctuary time”. I found an escape from the chaos of my life and took time to focus on just me. ! Working full time, and caring for my sons, I knew I would have to organize my fitness around a fairly tight schedule. If that meant getting up early or working out late into the night, than that would have to be something I needed to prepare for. I knew I had to figure out an action plan…not only to successfully complete the workouts on a regular basis but also to review my eating habits and patterns and make the necessary change to allow for it all to happen.

So…..I picked a start date, I put the DVD’s in, pushed play — and fell in love.
I fell in love with Tony’s corky antics, I feel in love with the rush that came from the diversity and change of pace which was different than the usual matra of workouts or dvd’s you often find on the shelves. I fell in love with the community and the history and experience of the people I had come to encounter along the way. I knew right then and there that this was going to be my brass ring…my carrot to snap up that would be the tool to allow me to fulfill the goals I was wanting to achieve.

What I found was that I loved to be able to workout at home….considering all the extra demands life can put on a person; going to the gym just seemed like one more “thing to do” that pulled me away from an already existing busy schedule, which also meant less time at home and more time away from my children who also needed me. I didn’t want any more excuses for why I couldn’t do this for me that would ultimately keep me away from becoming a happier and healthier person.

After a few times of pushing play….I immediately saw the results (both physically and mentally) Over the course of time, I knew this was something I didn’t want to give up or let go of and I just had to continue to keep showing up and pushing that button — every day. NEVER in a million years would I have envisioned that a workout program like this would have changed my life in so many wonderful ways until now. Lucky for me, I did something before heading further and deeper on that downward spiral. I don’t think it is EVER to late….the endless success stories have proven that!

I started my journey at the age of 30, a working mom of an 6 year old and 4 year old and weighing 175lb (give or take) I did a mostly A LOT of cardio driven workouts and even though I started to shed the lbs, I found that I had come face to face with the dreaded plateau that many face. I wanted to be stronger, more flexible and more defined. After a successful 90 days of following Tony’s lead….. all my hard work had finally paid off! I found myself with many inches lost and fat % off my body. Soon after…I decided to embark onto the P90X. Through this, I discovered a part of me emerge that I never even could exist — and it was then that I discovered that was really hooked!