Team Beachbody Guest

I started Power 90 in May of 2005 after seeing the all-powerful infomercial. What caught my ear was Tony's line that said, "the Almighty didn't design us to be fat!" That hit me right between the eyes! He was spot on about how I had been feeling. Like I had let myself down and that I wasn't being a good steward of what God had given me. I have never been skinny or thin. I have always been a little overweight. I was always the "big girl" amongst my friends, gaining weight through college due to inactivity. I was 175 pounds when I married in 1994 (and I was only 22!). Now, after having two children, moving to another part of the world then moving back, my sedentary life took it's toll on my body. When we returned to the U.S, I was not as heavy as before (180) but I was out of breath climbing my stairs or running after my children. I wanted more of life, and I figured that anyone could exercise for 30 minutes a day!! How hard could that be?? Ha!! Only Tony Horton can make you sweat and wish you'd died after only 30 minutes of exercise! I finished P90 and had lost 6 pounds and 11 inches! I then moved on to some MS, PHH, and even Turbo Jam. I gave myself a goal of starting P90X before my first year anniversary with BeachBody.

So, my Progress as I moved through the programs: 10 push-ups on my toes, 44 max squats on Sculpt 3/4, 26 max push-ups at the end of Sculpt 3/4. I was toying with the X and wanted to see if I was ready. I borrowed Cardio and Kenpo X from a friend to see if I was ready and on April 6, 2006, I actually did the Plyo part of Cardio X without stopping the DVD!! Tires, wacky jacks, and all! That was a HUGE improvement from my first days of P90, when power yoga just about sent me on the oxygen! And for me, Kenpo was the clincher. I LOVED it!! It made me feel so strong and ready to conquer this beast called P90X.

I did reach that first goal, starting the X before my one-year anniversary with BB. I began the program on
May 8, 2006. Whew!! The workouts were more than INTENSE for me, but I appreciated how Tony helped me not only push myself to do more, but allowed me to see where I could improve, all with silly jokes and smiles. And yes, there were many a day where I was so nauseous I couldn't stand back up, but those were the days where I pushed HARD and felt FANTASTIC afterwards (and never loved my Recovery Drink more)!!

I could not believe the change in my physique in the first 30 days!! I actually gained muscle, but lost 13 inches!!! I was shocked! The next 30 days again saw inches lost. I went from a solid 14/16 to a size 10! I had never thought of myself as having the ABILITY to become "small." For me, that size 10 started an incredible mental change. I began to say, "Yeah, I can do that!" or "That can be ME!" I continued to take over more control of my physical life, which was freeing.

I have to say that I was unable to finish that round of P90X. I had some major personal setbacks. I had two weeks of exhausting panic/anxiety attacks. I firmly believe that because I was in good health when the attacks hit, it was that former determination that helped me to be strong afterwards. Immediately after those attacks, my family went through another very hard time, emotionally. There have certainly been days when my motivation was in the toilet. I had to get my head back on straight. My eating was still good, but my workouts became very sporadic. Much of that time was used to just refresh my spirit and mind from the demon of panic/anxiety/insomnia.

In the last months, it has become a mental game for me. Can I cut the mind chatter and just get up and PUSH PLAY? Praise also goes to my Lord Jesus Christ, for without Him, this journey wouldn't mean as much. It is for Him and His Glory that I strive to be better at what I do, what I eat, and how hard I exercise. You've heard it said before, but I'm in better shape now, at 37, than I was in my 20's.

Thank you, Tony, Carl, Jon, and BeachBody, for giving me my life back.

I became an Independent BeachBody Coach after meeting Tony in person at his Washington, D.C. camp last April. Making any money from this coaching gig isn't what I'm all about. I'm all about walking alongside my friends, my family, and YOU, as we all strive to be healthier. I have not yet reached my "ultimate" goal weight. However, I'm stronger, both mentally and physically, than when I began working out with P90 in 2005. Community is extremely important, and the message boards and this coaching system is set up for just that. If you're reading my story and don't have a coach yet, I'd be honored to walk with you. If you already have a coach, but still need that community...drop onto my message boards or meet me in WOWY sometime. I'd love to get to know you! Blessings to you on your fitness journey!