Team Beachbody Guest

Okay, this is the year of major change. How many times have you told yourself this before? Well if you're anything like me its too many to count. In fact, I've personally started and stopped hundreds of times. I'm Jay Hopson and I'm a chronic starter and stopper!

Now that I've got that confession out the way, let me tell you why this really is my year. Forgive me if I ramble but I think it all make sense in a few. First of all, this is the year I turn 40. I'm a firm believer that 40 is one of the great milestones of human life. You've experienced your wild 20s (at least I did). You've grown up a bit in your thirties. In the past ten years, I've married, fathered four kids, bought a house or two, owned a couple of businesses, and even lost a business or two. Overall, I'm very thankful for the successes and count my blessings. I guess to get real (as they say), I've tasted the good life. I've earned the type of money that affords the lifestlye that I dreamed of as a youth. I only put that out there because there's been one nagging incomplete on my report card. While everything else as been moving along like a fairy tale, I've watched my health and body image go to crap. Yep, with every success, I seemed to add a few pounds and inches to my waistline.

Now don't get me wrong, I can whip it back into shape for a special event like homecoming or reunion with the best of them. I have yo-yo'ed from event to event for years. Frankly, I'm sick and tired of that routine. It's now or never for me.

On to reason number 2 why this is the time. This is probably my deepest reason. My hero, James Arnold Hopson I, was 39 years old (my current age) when I was born. My father died of prostate cancer at the age of 57. I was only 17 at the time and 22 years later I still miss him dearly. There are a few things that have been scientifically proven to help men escape this deadly disease. Three of those strategies are maintain a healthy body weight, eat a low fat diet, and exercise frequently. Well my dad did a lot of things right but these three strategies were not a high priority on his list. Although, he was never grossly overweight but he was never accused of being an athlete.

There's more to this story. My father's father also died of this disease. To make matters worst, at least one of his six brothers also suffered from the disease. As a father of three sons (and one daughter), it is my absolute duty to show them a healthy life style. I've done a luke warm job of that thus far. I want to reprogram the future for my sons. Well, this is the year I turn the tide forever.

Whew, let's move on to a lighter subject. This is also the year my bride and I celebrate 10 years of marriage. We made a verbal promise that we would be in wedding day shape at our 10 year anniversary. Well, needless to say I was in the best shape of my adult life on my wedding day. We were married in Puerto Morelos, Mexico on the beach. I still have the linen suit I wore for the ceremony. I can still wear it but it definitely doesn't hang the way it did on September 4, 1999. We're returning to the location of our wedding for summer vacation. Other than the receding hairline, a few gray hairs, and the four kids that look just like me, I plan on those photos being very difficult to distinguish from the ones a decade earlier. If you hang out with me on this transformation, you'll get to be the judge.

So far so good (as Tony Horton would say). I'm down 20 pounds from my start date of May 18. I'm in the sixth week of p90x and I'm starting to see results. I definitely can tell a difference in the way my clothes are fitting. In fact, my wardrobe as expanded into clothes I haven't worn in a few years. That's also a nice bonus.

The best news is the way I feel. I have more energy than I have in years. I've even picked up training for my first triathlon (a long time goal). Believe me when I say p90x was more than enough physical activity when I started this transformation. Every day I find myself looking forward to workout time. I've got a 'ways' to go to meet my ultimate goal. This time I know I'm on the right track.

I would love to help you start or renew your journey. Just reach out to me and I promise to help you select the right program for you and be that positive encouragement you'll need to get through the challenges. Stay tuned this transformation story there's a lot of 'good stuff' coming soon.