Fitspiration Friday: I Now Live Life To The Fullest!

If you’ve tried a Beachbody program, you’ve probably had a goal in mind that you wanted to achieve. Maybe you wanted to lose weight. Maybe you wanted to get stronger. Maybe you wanted to improve your health. Maybe it was a mix of all three, or something else entirely. But, along the way, no matter what your goal, everyone needs a little inspiration. Every other Friday, the Beachbody Success Stories team will share inspirational fitness stories from some of the folks who have done Beachbody programs. Maybe one will inspire you!

 

Meet Marcus. He was diagnosed with cancer in his early 20s. Before his diagnosis, he lived an active lifestyle and was at a loss with his body’s new limitations. After beating cancer, he struggled to find a workout routine that worked for him. He decided to give Beachbody a try.

“In the summer of 1998, I started feeling very tired and sick all the time. I didn’t have the energy to go hiking or play basketball. I saw a doctor numerous times and was given various minor diagnoses, but my condition only got worse. I started losing my appetite, had blurred vision, and developed horrific back pain. At this point I could do very little of what I used to do and was struggling to get through each day.  At one point, my back pain became so serious that I was taken to emergency room. After X-rays and blood work, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Testicular Cancer at the age of 23.

Instantly, my life and my wife’s life changed. We no longer had control of our lives. They were now determined by treatments, doctor appointments, and trying to get healthy again. We went from a carefree lifestyle to a world where we spent most of our time in hospitals. I suddenly had a sense of mortality that I didn’t have before and quickly realized the importance of friends and family. There was a sense of loss as I could not do things I did before, but I also tried to focus on the new aspects of life I learned as a result of battling cancer. I learned about healthy eating, meditation, visualization, the power of positive thinking, and the importance of living a healthy life. I embraced all these things, and it has greatly impacted my life for the better.

After two years battling this disease, going through two major operations, six cycles of chemo, and one intensive bone marrow transplant, I was given a clean bill of health. I had weighed 180 pounds, but after the bone marrow transplant, I was down to a frail 137. The treatment ravished my body and left me a shell of myself. At first, I could barely walk. In fact, my first goal was to walk to my local grocery store. When I tried for the first time, I only made it to the parking lot of my apartment building. I literally had to learn to walk and run again, and I had a long way to go. I started with small goals and took each day at a time. Some days I could do a lot, other days not so much, but I always tried to do something. 

During the years that followed, I struggled to find a fitness routine that worked for me. I was active and followed a healthy diet, but I still felt something was missing. I didn’t feel healthy. I have four kids, so I live a busy life. It was hard sometimes to get to the gym to work out on a regular basis. When my wife introduced Beachbody to me this past Christmas, I said why not? I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I was paying $60 a month at the gym and not getting any results. I had done this for years and needed a change.  

After two and a half months of Beachbody programs, first with 21 Day Fix and later with The Master’s Hammer and Chisel, I am in the best shape of my life. My eating habits have greatly improved, and I am working out on a regular basis and getting results. I am stronger and more athletic, I have more stamina, and I have flexibility that I have not had in years. I feel I am more focused with my goals in life, and as a result, I am happier as well!

Beachbody has provided my family an opportunity of a lifetime that I can’t put a price tag on: true wellness. We have all embraced Beachbody workouts and eating plans, and it has lead us all to being happier and healthier. We eat healthy meals together, and it is not uncommon for one or all our kids to work out with us. This has been a wonderful gift for my family.”

Remember, always consult with your physician about your unique medical needs before commencing any fitness program or nutritional product.