Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
In the past 30 years I’ve been in 3 car accidents, and each should have ended my life. Because of my accidents and other injuries, I’ve had fractures in my fingers, ankles and back, and my pelvis was broken in 3 places. I had a left knee reconstruction, a broken nose, rib and a split liver. Also, two closed head injuries, resulting in brain shearing, swelling on the brain and slight brain damage. I was told if I hit in that same spot on my skull again, I could go blind. I hit it again years later, shattering my skull, resulting in being air lifted to the hospital with bleeding and swelling on my brain. Now I have titanium mesh installed in my head. I had damage to the carotid artery in my neck, causing it to bulge in 3 different places. Prior to starting this program, I was told that I would need a knee replacement. That was the last straw. I was feeling old, tired and just done! I hated looking in the mirror. Mentally, I felt like I was 30. Physically, I looked, moved and felt like I was 60.
What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
Well, turning 50 was going to happen this year, weather I wanted it to or not. I came to a point with my health where enough was enough! I’ve stood by the sidelines & watched my health decline over the years. Not just by choice, but by circumstance as well. With each year, I started to feel each of those injuries creeping back into my life reminding me of the past. They showed up as arthritis in both knees, both shoulders, and in my hips. That coupled that with my poor eating habits, I began the slow decline into old age and excuses. I didn’t want to be one of those old guys that sat around telling stories about the past and how good things use to be. I wanted to continue making memories. I wanted to be active in my kids and grand kids lives. But each injury took a little more energy from me. Slight depression set in as I realized there were things I just couldn’t do anymore. About that time my daughter and her friend Jennifer introduced me and my wife to the 21 Day Fix program.
What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
The pain from my injuries were a big factor, but honestly, it was the mental hurdles and excuses that I had to overcome each day making it difficult. I’d tried exercise routines, diet programs, and physical therapy in the midst of my injuries, trying to fight my way back to being in better shape and health. Nothing really worked. I would gain a little ground, but lost more than I gained. So I was reluctant to start another program only to have no results. With the constant encouragement from my daughter and her friend we started. We had to constantly push and hold each other accountable. We were determined not to quit this time. We’d also adopted a 7 year-old and needed the energy just to keep up. The greatest asset was Autumn’s videos, encouragement and diet plan spelling out the importance of eating the right food.
Shakeology which took care of our cravings. I had to modify my workouts to protect my knee, shoulders, elbow and hips. I still need a knee replacement and have arthritis, but I kept moving!
What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
How easy it was to incorporate it into my busy life. I’m reluctant to describe this program as a “diet” when I explain it to people who have asked about my results. For me a diet had always held the stigma of starving yourself or going without. I honestly thought I was eating way too much during this program to lose any weight. 21 days after starting I had lost 20 pounds and was amazed at how easy it was.
Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
I lost 34 pounds of fat from all areas of my body. I actually have abdominal muscles again! Not that I had any real definition in that area since high school, but my abs were something that I had given up on ever seeing again after I had broken my pelvis. I’ve gained muscle, lost weight, gained energy and feel 20 years younger. I just turned 50, and feel like I’m 30 again! I’m eating healthy and clean for the first time in years and I feel great. I’m proud of all of my achievements and will continue to gain more cause I’m not quitting!
How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
I don’t really look at this as “completing” a program. This is not something that I intend on stopping so, I guess it will never be complete. But I love the results thus far. I never intended on entering any contest when I started. Actually, I didn’t even know there was one until my Coach encouraged me to send my pictures in. I was in this for purely selfish reasons. I wanted my life back. I wanted to be healthy and look good for my wife and to be around to see my kids and grand-kids grow up. As a result, I’m rarely sick and I have more energy. I’m reluctant to say this, but I am a police officer and my uniform and gun belt actually fit comfortably for the first time in years. I have actually had to make new holes on my belts so I could tighten them. I had to take all of my uniforms in to be altered just so they’ll fit! My life has become full again. Not just with memories, but activities.
How did your Team Beachbody® Coach support you on your journey?
Through holding me accountable, providing us with food/meal plan suggestions and constant encouragement. She also explained the benefits of Shakeology, which prompted us to buy it. It helps that she was not just a Coach but a friend. I also saw her results after starting this program which was encouraging as well.
How did a Beachbody Supplement or Nutritional Product or Program (such as Shakeology® or Beachbody Ultimate Reset®) support your transformation? What are the greatest benefits you gained? Did you see benefits to your energy, sleep, mood/mental clarity, digestion/regularity?
I saw benefits in all of those areas. In my sleep, especially. I went from tossing and turning to sleeping solid all night long. The depression was gone, everything on the inside was working properly again! The Shakeology really curbed the desire for “sweets”. I was amazed at how much I had craved sugar when I finally cut it out of my diet. But the area of my diet that would have been a constant problem (desserts) was filled with the chocolate shake.
How did a Beachbody Supplement or Nutritional Product or Program affect any existing health conditions you have?
Overall, everything got better. But I don’t know that “just” the supplements would be where the credit would or should go. There was a lot of hard work involved too. Eating right and exercising was definitely helped. Also, pushing through my pains and mental blocks every day. If I had let any one of those get in my way, all of the supplements in the world wouldn’t have helped.
You can change your life, too. Take the Beachbody Challenge for the tools you need to Decide, Commit, and Succeed! Complete any Beachbody program, and enter your results for a free gift and a chance to win cash and prizes.
Results vary depending on starting point, goals, and effort.
Always consult with your physician about your unique medical needs before commencing any fitness program
