Team Beachbody Guest

Before I began P90X, I was miserable. My weight was a constant yo-yo (anywhere from 125 to 155) and I was frustrated. I blamed most of my weight fluctuation on my underactive thyroid, which certainly was a factor, but not the only problem. In my closet, I had clothes from a size 6 to a size 14, which was ridiculous. In any given 6 month period of time, I could fit into any one of those sizes. My self-esteem was non-existent, which affected all of my relationships. A few months prior to beginning my transformation, I broke off a serious relationship. I wasn’t happy with myself, which made it impossible for me to be happy with anyone else.

So much of my social life was spent eating and drinking and “eating healthy” was not a term I was familiar with. If it didn’t come in a package or if it took longer than 2 minutes to make in the microwave, I didn’t buy it. When I was active, I worked out with personal trainers off and on (and spent way too much money), played Kickball on a co-ed recreation league, went scuba diving with my dive group as well as hiked in the summer and snowshoed in the winter. I tried Body-For-Life, Tae Bo, and Jillian Michaels. I also did the Atkins diet for a bit and was by far the grumpiest and meanest I have ever been after eliminating everything that I loved to eat (carbs).

When I ordered P90X, it was on a whim. I thought it would be just another program that I started and became disenchanted with a couple of weeks into. One of my co-workers had ordered the program around the same time and we decided to create a friendly challenge to keep us both accountable. I really didn’t make a commitment until after we went to Tony Horton’s fitness camp in Las Vegas. I was just starting Week 6 of P90X. Laying out by the pool that weekend (in between grueling workouts), I decided that this time I was going to finish something. I was committed to see what changes my body would make at the end of 90 days. Then I got really involved on the message boards and found people asking ME advice and telling me how much I inspired them. In a nutshell, I didn’t believe that I could do it (especially after the exhaustion of the first 2 weeks of P90X). My philosophy was, “I am going to fake it until I make it” and it worked for me! Even after my first 90 days and starting my next phase, I still struggle with wanting to give up and give in to skipping my workout and eating poorly. Every day I have to make the commitment to myself that I am worth it. Fortunately, I have an amazing support system to keep me accountable and on track.

I began using P90X and instantly loved it. I get bored working out at the gym and doing the same thing every day (my workout partner calls me Exercise ADD). P90X worked for me because every day there was something different and the program itself is a no-brainer. I followed the program and the nutrition, pushed play every day and saw amazing results. Looking at the before and after pictures on the message boards and watching the monthly winners made me think that if they could do it, there was no reason why I couldn’t do it too. In between my first and 2nd round, I started adding other Beachbody programs…P90X+, 10 Minute Trainer, Slim in 6 and Turbo Jam. I now have enough dvds in my workout library to keep me pushing play every day.

I was one of those people that wanted instant results. At 30 Days, I was frustrated after measurements. I only had a 1% body fat drop. I did, however, lose 6.5 lbs and in that, I lost ½ of the clothes in my closet. I went from a size 8/10, to a size 6 in just 60 days. I took pictures every week for my first month and was frustrated that I wasn’t losing more. When Tony Horton said that it should be P120X for women, it really resonated with me that I couldn’t compare my results to my workout partner, or to anyone else’s. I look back now at losing 6.5 lbs my first month and know that for me, this was huge progress. I also struggled with my social life. During my first month, I was completely by the book in terms of my nutrition. I learned in month 2 and 3 that I could go out with my friends for happy hour, or for dinner. I just had to be very cognizant of what I ate and drank. The more results I saw, the easier it was to pass on dessert. I was fortunate to have a very strong support system in my workout partner. We made a pact to get through the 90 days and to be accountable to each other. We also were very real with what we were doing each day and how we were eating.
Today I look and feel fantastic. Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t comment on my transformation. In 90 days, I lost 12 lbs/5% body fat/3 dress sizes and gained my self confidence back and took control of my life. Without Beachbody and P90X, my life would be much different today. In the middle of month 2 of P90X, I got back together with Brian (the serious relationship I broke off before starting P90X). He immediately noticed how much I had changed…not only in how I looked, but in my attitude, demeanor and self confidence. I went from being the depressed, jealous, insecure, overweight woman to a very assured, confident, healthy woman with the help of Beachbody. We were married on the beach in Aruba on October 15, 2008. The wedding dress I bought was a size 4!