Team Beachbody Guest

At 30-years-old, I remember looking into the mirror and not recognizing the person staring back at me. Who was this overweight, stressed out, unhealthy, uninspired person? Although I tried to deny it, the reflection was definitely me! Earlier that day I had gone for my yearly physical—it was devastating. My total cholesterol was 275 and my weight had reached an all time high. I was taking a pill for anxiety, a pill for migraines and a pill for heartburn. I felt defeated. My doctor and I both agreed I needed to focus on diet and exercise.

Of course, I went home and had an anxiety attack as I laid in bed thinking about how to change me so I could be around to watch my children grow, to watch them graduate, to see them marry, to see their children grow...I just knew I needed to be there for them. So, in an attempt to stop my mind from racing, I turned on the T.V. and there it was…an infomercial for Hip Hop Abs! The testimonials spoke to me, but was this really for me? I thought not—AND was I wrong!! A couple months later, not being able to forget the words of the people in the test group who had regained their lives, I placed my order. I remember being excited the day it arrived and I “pushed play” as soon as I got the wrapper off. Shaun T is amazing, he made me laugh, kept me interested, kept me motivated, kept me working out—even though some days it hurt to laugh…literally, my abs ached. After completing a round of Hip Hop Abs, I had lost about 25 pounds and four inches off my stomach!! I felt amazing!! I was even able to run a mile in 10 minutes, something I couldn’t do before HHAs!! You would’ve thought my biggest motivation was the change in my body, right? Well, it wasn’t, because that doesn’t happen overnight. For me, my greatest motivation was logging my workouts into WOWY each day and seeing the x’s on the calendar; reading transformation stories of people all over the country—people who were just like me; seeing “before” and “after” pictures of people who once looked like me, but now have these healthy bodies. But most of all, it was the support of complete strangers—people, who like myself, had just begun this journey and people who were achieving results beyond what they thought possible. My coach, Jason, is one of those incredible people! His success with P90X is what made me think maybe I should give it a try. But what is this P90X? So many people in WOWY are doing it and they look amazing! Weightlifting, pull-ups, push-ups, yoga…this is definitely not for me…WRONG AGAIN! I began a round of P90X January of 2008. I thought I was going to die after my first workout—I could barely get out of bed, let alone lift my arms above my head!! I found that only lasted until I “pushed play” again. I feel so empowered and accomplished every time I finish a P90X workout. And HEY, I found some muscles!! I’m not going to lie, P90X has been a challenge for me, but I LOVE IT! I love the way it makes me feel. Tony Horton’s words: “Do your best and forget the rest” have become my motto! In order to “spice up” my workouts, this fall I purchased Turbo Jam! LOVIN’ IT!!

Although I have a ways to go to reach my fitness goals, I am stronger and more confident than I’ve ever been. AND the results don’t lie…since joining the Beachbody Community, I have lowered my total cholesterol 48 points, my LDL is 55 points lower and my HDL is 10 points higher!!! I NO LONGER take a pill for anxiety, I NO LONGER take a pill for migraines and I NO LONGER take a pill for heartburn—I have been able to discontinue them all!! Working out works people! Most of us start for one reason or another, but you’ll find the benefits are so much more! YOU MUST do it for yourself! You MUST make time for yourself!

October 2009. Okay, time for an UPDATE...I was kidding myself when I thought I could workout and eat ANYTHING. Sure I was getting stronger, feeling FABULOUS, but not loosing. My Coach gave me some great diet tips which I've been working very hard to incorporate into my life. I've been committed to cleaner eating since June 2, 2009 and have lost 27 pounds!! That’s a grand total of 35 pounds!!! Now it’s time to set a new goal! Also got my new cholesterol numbers…thrilled to report a “total cholesterol” of 209 - down 66 points!!!