Team Beachbody Guest

In Nov. of 2007 I weighed 226 pounds and was informed by my doctor that my cholesterol level al was 204. He recommended several different medications I could take but I choose to change my diet and activities instead. I was able to drop my weight to 185 pounds by watching what I ate and doing a short routine of my own in the morning as after as possible. At 185 I still had a good size pair of love handles, a fat bell and incredible thunder thighs.
I tore the cartilage in my left knee in Sept. of 08 and had lower back problems since I was a sophomore in high school from a football injury. Several years later I was informed that I had a large calcium deposit around my fifth vertebrae indicating; my body had tried to repair the slipped disc that was incorrectly diagnosed when I was sixteen. With my new and old injuries I had trouble moving around, I was always stiff and sore with no energy.

I am a self employed contractor, with the economy in the shape it is in, I am forced to work by myself instead of hiring others to help. In Nov of 08 I had a project installing an acoustical ceiling over fourteen boiler units in a class/display room for a boiler manufacturer. This required setting up scaffolding in between the boilers, which were three feet apart, running wooden planks over the top of the units to install the ceiling. The original plan was to install a flat ceiling at nine feet. After a walk threw of the company executives they asked to expose all of the massive duct work and steam piping that was used for making the connections to the boilers as part of the display/class room. The new ceiling height was now changed to sixteen feet. I had to climb in-between the boiler to get on top of the planks. Once I was on the planks I would have to climb on top of the steam pipes lay on my back to install the ceiling. I would complete a twelve foot section take everything apart and move the setup, the room was seventy two feet long.
It was very difficult for me to climb the scaffolds and maneuver in-between and on top of all of the steam pipes. I would attempt to position myself several times to reach a comfortable working position. I would come home at night so tired I would fall asleep sitting in a chair without eating.
After struggling to finish this project by myself I realized I would have to do something to better myself. The economy was not getting better and I would have to continue to work by myself in order to survive. Getting in to better shape was what I had to do to be able to climb, crawl, bend and fit into tight spaces. The difficulties I had completing this project was what made me realize I had to do something about my body and health.
I watched the infomercial for P90X several times and was very interested in the program. My concerns about P90x were my ailments, my age and the poor physical shape I was in. Early one morning I saw the advertisement for The Ten Minuit Trainer for the first time. Without watching the entire advertisement I got up and order the program. The routine I had been doing on my own of stretches, sit ups and pushups took me a little over ten minutes. This would be great ten moves in ten minutes fabulous.
Organized ten minute routines would be just what I need to get in to better shape. I started my workouts the day after I receive my package. By the end of the first week I was doing at least three routines a day and looking for more. I looked at other Beach Body programs that were available and contacted my couch for some direction. My coach tamus had both of the programs I was interested in and gave me a breakdown of each. Still moving forward cautiously I decided on P90 Fat Burning System. Having gone through phase 1 & 2 and into my first full week of phase 3 & 4, I’m feeling more confident about what I cab achieve, P90X will be next. The routines are inspiring. I like Tony’s approach of constantly being on the move. My only regret is that I did not do this a long time ago. I ordered and started P90X on 3/30/09
The hardest obstacle I had to overcome when I started my transformation was the fact that I enjoy eating. I use to plan everything around my next meal that has changed. I started my transformation early in Dec. of 08. I had lost five pounds after the first week, but then came Christmas and a visit from my chef son-in-law. By New Years I gained back the five pounds I lost and put on an additional five. During that time I worked out at least a hour a day proving to me that exercising without controlling what I ate did nothing for weight lose. I have taken control of my diet and the portions I eat. I will prepare my lunch and snacks before I leave for work so I do not have to deal with fast food or delis while I’m on the job. Now I plan every day around my morning workout and not my next meal.
Other obstacles I have are my nagging back pain and the torn cartilage in my left knee. My back is sore every morning and has been ever since I was sixteen. The doctors recommended cortisone shots and arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn cartilage in my knee. The daily exercise has strengthened my knee. I used to wear a knee brace to work and for my workouts. My back pain has become a way of life for me, it is always there. Both my father and brother have had back surgery and are in worse shape than I am; I decided to live with my back the way it is. Since I started my transformation the most important part of my day is to make sure I work out in the morning before I do anything. I’ll get up at four in the morning before work to get my work out in. I am stiff and sore when I start but after a few minutes I am loosened up feeling no pain and ready to go for the rest of the day. On the few days that I did not work out in the morning, I was stiff and sore the way I used to feel before my transformation. With everything that is going wrong in this world, my transformation has been the best thing that could happen to me. I was always told as long as you have your health nothing else really matters. I have my health back so I guess I’ll be alright.
My life has changed I am confident about having to work by myself. I am moving around freely, running around with my three year old grandson and I’m working on my twenty year old son to work out with me. I said it before and I’ll say it again thanks Tony I just wish I had started many years ago.
***In early March of 09 I returned to the project location that made me realize I had to do something about my physical condition. There was a 3’ X 3’ hole in a concrete block wall 12’ above the floor and directly over one of the expensive boiler units that had to be sealed. With all of the gas, water and electrical connections to the unit it was impossible to use scaffolds, planks or ladders to work off. I had to climb above the unit and work in-between the pipes that were 12” apart or less. This time I had no problems fitting in between the pipes and climbing up to get above the unit. It was as though I was a different person. ***
** I no longer use the knee brace, my back pain has just about disappeared and my cholesterol level is 178. **
THANK YOU BEACHBODY