This Father of Four Lost 40 Pounds with P90X3 and Won $500!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
When I put on a few pounds in my mid-20s, I didn’t think it was a big deal and just part of growing up. But by the time I hit 30, my self-image started to change. It had been happening slowly but by 32, I was 50 pounds over what I considered my target weight. It hit me when I was looking at family pictures; I realized I didn’t recognize myself. “Who is that guy?” I thought, and then started to realize those few extra pounds put me at 265 pounds. There were two major frustrations with my physical health: (one) appearance and (two) ability to endure. I started traveling more for work, which added to the extra heavy dinners and bad food habits, but felt uncomfortable with how I carried myself and looked. I saw a picture of myself on my horse, and felt bad for the horse! It just wasn’t what I expected from myself. My top weight was 283 pounds at the end of 2013! Something had to change.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
There haven’t been a lot of embarrassing moments, because I usually laugh them off or make fun of myself openly. But in the spring of 2014, at age 35, our family was at an amusement park and my wife and I got on a ride. The security harness wouldn’t latch correctly due to my size, and I was asked to leave the ride. That was my embarrassing moment! Not that anyone else cared, but I did! It would have been nice to say that from then on I made a change, but I did the opposite. I gave up for several months in complete frustration. That experience happened right after my third effort or attempt at P90X, when I thought I had lost some weight and made progress. I gave up for a while, and didn’t know what to do or the right next steps. My wife suggested hiring a trainer, but our area has limited qualified trainers — plus how would they relate to me and my experience? Nutrition was for sure my biggest weakness.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody help you overcome that challenge?
I decided enough is enough, but also that I couldn’t do it on my own. My wife is extremely supportive and will do anything to help me. However, outside advice and support are what I needed, as well as education on nutrition. Life is full of activities and my career is very demanding, as well as chasing around four kids and serving in the community. I heard a statement that I think is very true: “When the pain of staying the same outweighs the pain of change — then you’ll change.” For me, the pain of where I was demanded that a change be made. Having seen several updates on Facebook from some old high school acquaintances, I started to notice they were involved with Beachbody. That was when I realized Beachbody was more than the DVDs and extreme home fitness workouts — there were Coaches and communities that could help motivate, relate, and educate. I reached out to one of the top Coaches to see if he’d be willing to take on another individual, and that is where this journey began.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
P90X3 was amazing! I liked Tony’s style in P90X, but reducing that to 30 minutes helped me mentally push harder in the workouts. Those first weeks were tough! I liked the variety of workouts and the fast pace. I was burning 600 to 700 calories in 30 minutes each day. I didn’t miss a workout, and looked forward to the next day’s challenge. Participating in a Challenge Group with others doing the workout was also helpful and motivating to stay on track. Each workout strengthened the entire body, even when they were targeted for specific areas. I recommend P90X3 to anyone! Shakeology was also so beneficial. It immediately reduced my cravings for sugar, and I looked forward to drinking it every day. Nutrition has to be part of the process.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
The results surprised even me! I dropped 30 pounds in just 90 days! Each week, it was exciting to step on the scale and see results. About 7.5 inches just around my gut are gone. Before Christmas, I had to buy some new pants, because they were getting too tight. I couldn’t squeeze into a 38 anymore, so I regretfully bought size 40. Right before the end of the 90 days, I had to buy some again — this time size 36 and it was a very comfortable fit. Tracking how many reps on push-ups or pull-ups and what weight was used was helpful, and I loved seeing an increase in reps each week. I feel stronger than I have in 10 years. I’m proud of the way I eat now too. Healthy meals are just as easy to create as bad meals. I haven’t eaten fast food since I started. I can walk by the soft drinks at the store, and not crave them so bad and have to buy them. As a side effect, my kids are eating much healthier too.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
My confidence is up, my endurance is back, and I can keep up with all the tasks around the house and still chase the kids around. It just feels really good. I couldn’t have done it without the team and support system as well. The nutritional guides are great, and Tony and his routines just simply work. I learned that when I decided and committed, I succeeded with P90X3.

How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
The Challenge Groups were instrumental in staying accountable. To see other people doing the same thing, fighting for the same goals, and succeeding gave confidence and determination to keep pushing play. Without those Groups, it would have been easy to skip a workout or not stay on track with nutrition. After all the things I tried (including P90X on my own), the biggest difference was the Challenge Group and support from a Coach.

How did your Team Beachbody Coach support you on your journey?
David Ingram was great — he had been there and done that. The information he shared changed my fitness and perspective forever. He spoke from the heart, and shared his experience and books that helped him. His short videos were educational and exactly what needed to be done to find success. David kept me accountable, believed in me, and encouraged me every step of the way. He is a true Coach and supporter.

How did a Beachbody supplement, 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, or digestion/regularity?
A little more about Shakeology: I was hesitant to spend the money, but I wanted results and my Coach recommended it. So I invested in myself and bought it. My first impression was, “Wow — this tastes amazing.”

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.