21 Day Fix Results: This 63-Year-Old Lost 45 Pounds
†Results vary depending on starting point and effort. Catherine is an independent Beachbody Coach.
Meet Catherine Herrick, age 63 from Port Townsend, WA. She entered The Beachbody Challenge in March 2015 and won $1,000!
Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
I have always been an active and busy person but I began putting on weight and feeling constantly tired in the last few years. I am 63 years old and I wondered if this is how you feel as you get older. Somehow I knew that wasn’t right. I went to my doctor and found out I have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.3 My doctor explained that hypothyroidism is an epidemic in this country. I began medication for my thyroid and needed to have it adjusted several times to get good control of my hypothyroidism. After I was stabilized I knew I had to lose weight and exercise. I began my quest to reclaim my health and started exercising and watching what I was eating. I noticed I was drawn to eating carbs because they helped me feel more energetic in the short term but then I would feel horrible after a short period of time. I was able to lose 10 pounds but it took me 8 months and I was feeling really discouraged and ready to give up and just be old, tired and overweight. I ordered the 21 Day Fix.
What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
My husband and I own a Pet Care business and I am also a licensed massage therapist for both people and animals. I need to feel great and have energy to walk dogs and take care of my clients. Both of my jobs are very physical and require me to be strong and in good shape. I also want to be a role model for people to stay active throughout their lives and especially for people that have dysfunctional thyroid conditions. I have exercised all my life. I was an aerobic instructor and a runner for many years. It was difficult for me to accept that I was not healthy anymore. I was just not ready to accept that I was going to feel bad for the rest of my life and not be able to do what I love. I knew I had to find a program that would help me regain my health. Besides I had my furry friends that needed me and massage clients that count on me.
What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
My greatest obstacle to face before I started the 21 Day Fix was the self limiting belief that I had tried exercise and it was going to take forever to lose weight and feel well again. I did not feel like I could face feeling the discouragement and sadness if the program didn’t work. I knew there was a meal plan with measuring cups but it didn’t make sense until I received the program and got to look over the meal plan. I was thinking to myself, “well, it is just 21 days so what do I have to lose?” Well, I had weight to lose and here was a “bomb proof” meal plan and an exercise program that Beachbody had developed so I knew it was a good product.
What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
I loved the 21 Day Fix Eating Plan from the beginning. The portion control aspect was something I knew was important for me to understand. The color coded containers made it so simple to fix food ahead for the day. It was enjoyable to prepare food for the day and have everything thought out beforehand. I could take containers of food with me when I needed to be on the go. I appreciate how much thought went into making the diet balanced and nutritious. Getting 30 minutes of exercise done the first two weeks and 60 minutes the last week was great for my schedule. The exercise had a nice mix of cardio, strength and stretching. It felt like I was really on to something.
Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
I was astonished to see that I lost 13 pounds on the first round of the 21 Day Fix. I was ecstatic! It had taken me 8 months of struggling to lose 10 pounds and in 21 days I lost more than that. My doctor told me it was going to be hard to lose weight because of my hypothyroidism but here was proof that portion control was the key for me to achieve my dream. I have stayed with the 21 Day Fix program and lost a total of 35 pounds doing it. That is a whopping 45 pounds lost, and I would not have been able to do it without this program. I want anyone with thyroid dysfunction to know that they can lose the weight too and feel great again.
How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
I cannot say enough good things about the 21 Day Fix program. I am so grateful to my husband for holding the space for me to exercise and to Autumn Calabrese for developing this fantastic program. I feel like me again. My energy is great and I really feel like I am in my thirties. I have been coaching other people with thyroid issues. It feels great to pay forward my good fortune. I do not feel old. My health is back!
How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
Being in a Challenge Group was a major factor in my success. Seeing that other people struggled and had hard days made my difficult days easier. It was also great to rejoice with other people when the successes came. I liked to find and post inspirational thoughts to keep me and my teammates going. Sharing recipes and family stories made for a close knit community. It was like a second family that wanted success for me. I really appreciate the support I received.
How did your Team Beachbody® Coach support you on your journey?
My Coach kept me accountable in many ways. There were phone calls when I need them. She developed contests to keep all of us excited. She gave me ideas for recipes to try. She suggested fitness equipment to try such as heart monitors and websites to track our performance. She listened when I was too discouraged to keep going. That was so valuable. I knew I had to be responsible to my coach. So I was. I owe her a big thank you!
How did a Beachbody Supplement or Nutritional Product or Program support your transformation?
I used Shakeology for nutritional support. I tried all the flavors but I kept coming back to chocolate. Chocolate has always been something I crave and I was a little worried that the flavor would trigger a “chocolate binge.” It did not. I think having the chocolate Shakeology everyday actually satisfied the need I have for chocolate. The amazing nutrients, antioxidants, adaptogens and probiotics in Shakeology deeply nourished me. I found I was really looking forward to my shake each day. A very healthy addiction!2
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.
3Always consult with your physician about your unique medical needs before starting any fitness program or nutrition product.
2These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.