Beachbody Results: John Lost 51 Pounds with P90X, Body Beast, and FOCUS T25!

Meet John D.! He participated in The Beachbody Challenge and won the $500 Daily Prize for July 18th!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
In high school and college, I was very involved in athletics. After college, in med school and residency, I didn’t find the time to do much exercise. At one point in residency, after I saw my weight go up, I lost 20 pounds using “Slimfast” in about 4 months. After I stopped, the weight came right back on. This continued into my career. I saw myself getting bigger and bigger. I tried to eat healthy, but that didn’t do a lot. I wasn’t really comfortable with the person I saw in the mirror. Seeing that belly sticking out and saggy muscles; I certainly wasn’t the person I was back in college.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
My wife was always trying to get me do something for exercise. I tried a few things, like her elliptical machine, but just didn’t like them and didn’t keep them up. I always told her “eventually I’ll do something.” As I approached age 50, I really realized I better do something if I wanted to enjoy part-time work and retirement, or I might even be dead if I didn’t get back into shape. I decided that if I got a high def TV in my man cave, I would order P90X and use it there. I listen to a lot of sports radio and heard about it from a lot of the personalities I listen to. My wife finally said I could get the TV, so I ordered the DVDs. I started them as soon as I got them.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
The largest challenge was being out of shape. The first week was hell. I couldn’t even get through a work out, but, like “Uncle Tony” says, I just kept “Pushing Play.” Within a few weeks, I could really tell the difference in my energy level, and saw the weight beginning to disappear. So, I kept it up. I continued to see results, and people began to tell me how much better I looked. It kept me motivated to keep going. I call him “Uncle Tony” because after about four weeks of doing P90X, my wife and I went camping with our little dogs. We went on a nature trail and I had our Boston Terrier, who just “wants to go!” I ran with her, and when we got to the end, I couldn’t believe my own reaction. Normally, it would have been let me sit and have a beer. This time, it was “wow, that was fun, I want to do it again.” So I told my wife that and said “Thank you Uncle Tony,” and it stuck.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
I chose FOCUS T25 after I had done 4 rounds of P90X, a round of Body Beast, and 5 months of alternating them. While my muscles were bigger and my definition was much better, I still had nagging body fat on my chest, love handles, and a stomach. I thought that I’ve come this far, I need a little more cardio to help get rid of the extra fat, yet still enough strength exercises to to maintain the muscles I gained. T25 fit the bill.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
Overall, I lost 51 pounds, and probably even more pounds of fat as I gained muscle mass. My definition is great, I have a ton more energy. I’ll even get up and do things for my wife now before she asks, because I like to keep moving. I’m proud of the way my blood pressure and cholesterol have dropped. I’m also proud when people who haven’t seen me since I started working out don’t even recognize me if they see me now. I’ve had to tell several people who I am. In addition, people who have seen my weight loss have asked what I’m doing and, after I told them, a few have even begun to work out, with me as their inspiration. That’s probably what I’m most proud of.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
My overall energy, ambition, and alertness have increased. My mood is better. I had a friend tell me “when you first started working out, you were on an exercise kick. Now, it’s become a lifestyle for you.” He was right. Even if I don’t feel like dong a workout, I always feel good after I finish, and better about myself. I’m even getting up before work now in order to make sure I get a workout in. Even in normal routine activities, I find myself moving differently. I don’t use my arms at all when I stand from or sit in a chair, and when picking something up I squat or lunge rather than bending over. I really try to engage my core and legs.

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.