Jerome Lost 41 Pounds with FOCUS T25 and Won $500!

Jerome S. lost 41 lbs. with FOCUS T25. He entered his results into The Beachbody Challenge, and won the $500 Daily Prize for October 26th!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
Before I started FOCUS T25, my nutrition and workout regiment were very inconsistent. I would make great strides, but continuously allow my weight to fluctuate. This was very frustrating. However, I had to acknowledge my lack of discipline in this area of my life! My decisions caused me to become very self-conscious. During this time, I realized that I was living to eat, rather than eating to live! I was wrestling with disappointment, because I would make so much progress, but it seemed to be in vain! I was solely responsible for why my fitness goals were not being met and, more importantly, maintained! So to say the least, I was very displeased with my body and appearance!

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
Being that I have always been an athlete, I was no longer willing to accept being so overweight and out of shape. In addition, I was tired of constantly losing and gaining 25-30 pounds at a time. I wasn’t holding myself accountable, and was very double-minded in my approach to fitness. I would be diligent for long periods of time, but would binge eat and completely revert back to my unhealthy eating habits. What truly inspired me to buckle down was a conversation I had with my wife. She firmly pointed out that I was constantly up and down with my fitness and nutrition. Clearly, I was already aware of this, but being that I valued her opinion so much, it really provoked me to take what she was saying into consideration. So as of March 22, 2014, I made a decision to take fitness more seriously and make it a lifestyle. After making great gains independently, I decided to reach out to a Beachbody Coach (Garnett Taylor McNeill) about joining her team. Joining an accountability team helped sustain me!

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody help you overcome that challenge?
Initially, the biggest challenge was just getting started. After two weeks of working out and re-implementing healthier eating habits, things seem to become automatic. Tracking my progress and taking transformation pictures monthly was also a great motivator. However, because of my past track record, I did not want to become lax in my approach. This is why joining a Beachbody accountability team (Team Triumph) played such a pivotal role in my journey. Knowing I had to check in with my workouts daily helped me a great deal. If I was not consistent, my Coach would definitely reach out, or better yet, call me out. Being that I have always been very team-oriented, this only helped me build momentum. Seeing other team members go through their own journey and being able to support one another was truly life-changing! Encouragement and having a strong support system make a big difference!

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
What I love about the FOCUS T25 program is that it is intense, but practical! Who doesn’t have 25 minutes a day to work out? You no longer have any excuses as to why you cannot take your fitness seriously and make it a lifestyle. I have always been a fan of the results of interval training anyway, so when I got my hands on this program, it felt like a Godsend!

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
I try not to put so much emphasis on the scale and weight, because I know that does not tell the entire story. But I love the fact that I was able to surpass my goal of losing the 30 pounds. As of March 22, 2014, I was 268 pounds, and now I weigh in at 232 pounds. Being able to get to a leaner athletic build was more important to me. I have always made heavy free weight training an active part of my regiment. So seeing that I was able to maintain my strength and muscle mass with FOCUS T25 primarily using my body weight was very impressive! I also love that it has provoked me to make great progress with the program itself!

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
My life has most definitely changed for the better since completing FOCUS T25. I have made it a lifestyle, and plan to continue using it, in addition to other programs to challenge myself! Thanks Beachbody!

How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
I had already built momentum on my own before joining the Team Triumph Challenge Group. But I will say that being held accountable by my Coach and teammates helped increase my intensity and drive. I look forward to their feedback and support, and, in return, take pleasure in encouraging them as well. I believe that has always been the missing piece for me!

How did your Team Beachbody Coach support you on your journey?
Coach Garnett assisted me by simply encouraging me to continue what I was doing. She gave me a sense of affirmation when I joined the team, which was very helpful. In addition, Garnett was very active in her own regard, and held herself to the same standard! Seeing her post her workouts and progress pictures definitely made me want to reach new goals and not become lethargic!

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.