By the Beard of Zeus, What a Great Mansformation!
Bryan Hamblen lost 66 lbs. with FOCUS T25 and 21 Day Fix. He entered his results into The Beachbody Challenge, and won the $500 Daily Prize for January 18th!
Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
I have always been a little on the heavy side since as far back as I can remember. I just figured that was how I will always be. I grew accustomed to what I saw in the mirror every day. The only difference I saw was I was getting bigger. I was very ashamed of the way I looked to the point I would lie, so I wouldn’t have to go to the lake or pool when friends or family wanted to. In the last few years before starting the program, I went back to school to get a better job. By the time I was done, I was up over 270 pounds and started to have medical problems. It first started with sleep apnea, and shortly after that, I was told I had plantar fasciitis. My doctor and other specialists all told me it was caused by my weight. I didn’t really care what they had to say at the time until it was to the point that I would get winded just from playing with my (at the time) 3-year-old and 6-month-old. It really made me think when my oldest asked me how old will I be when I die. That is when it was time.
What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
I would have to say my family is what inspired me to start the journey of getting in shape and getting my life back on track. It started when my wife wanted to be a Coach for Beachbody, so she could stay home with our two boys and still be working. At first, I just wanted to support her in what she wanted to do, and then I realized she was pushing me to do better like any Coach would do. But it meant more to me, because I know she really wants what is best for me. My relationship with my kids also has inspired me, because now I am able to run and play with them without getting out of wind in the first two minutes. We now play out in the yard, running and playing tag, t-ball, and soccer, and I am able to keep up with them.
What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody help you overcome that challenge?
The biggest challenge I faced before the beginning was the motivation to help myself do anything. I was very down and thought I could never change how I ate, or even taking walks around the block, and definitely not work out hardcore for an hour or more at a time. Beachbody really helped me get started and gave me what I needed to succeed in getting to where I want to be in my life. First, they gave me a wonderful Coach to push me when I need it, online support that is very friendly, a good eating guide, and a great workout program that I can’t go more than a day without. The eating guide was so good for me, since I only ate fattening foods and way more than I should have. And Shakeology really helped not have the cravings for candy like I used to have. So if it wasn’t for my Coach and Beachbody, I’m not sure if I would ever be where I am today. For that, I am thankful.
What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
The program I originally started with was FOCUS T25. I really liked the fact that no matter what your fitness level, it is still a great workout. When I used this workout, I felt motivated by the energy Shaun T brings to all the workouts. By the time I was on my sixth week, I started to add the 21 Day Fix workout back to back with T25. I really like the way I felt after putting in a solid hour of cardio.
Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
I achieved many results with Beachbody that I couldn’t do on my own. I think the biggest result is that I lost 66 pounds in about seven months. I know my kids have noticed I have more energy, and can really play with them know. I know my wife can tell I am a lot happier with life in general. The achievement I am most proud of is I can know fit in a large shirt and size 36 pants. When I started, I was in a snug 3X shirt and my size 42 pants were about to pop at the button.
How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
My life has changed in many ways and all for the better. I am able to have fun and play with my boys without getting tired before we even start to play. I know my wife has noticed how much happier I am with the new me. I’m sure she is happy with the new me as well. Every day things are so much easier to do, like going up and down the stairs. When I first started T25, I was dealing with some medical problems which my doctor said were caused by my weight. I thought it would take more than losing some weight to get rid of these problems, but I was wrong.+ I know my life has changed so much in the last seven months, and I hope it continues since Beachbody is now a way of life.
How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
Participating in Challenge Groups helped me set reasonable goals, and the other members would help keep me on track. I would keep in contact a few times a week, and if I took longer than normal to respond, I would get a personal message to get back on point. It wasn’t that I was not working out or doing what I needed to do, but I just got busy. We would set goals at the start of every month and see if we met the goals from the month before.
How did your Team Beachbody Coach support you on your journey?
My Coach and I started this life-changing journey together; she is also my wonderful wife. It started as me supporting her in a new job at home. Then she talked me into giving Beachbody a chance. Once I started, I couldn’t stop, and she was there supporting me all the way. She would push me when I needed it. The biggest thing was she helped me change my bad eating habits and use portion control. We now eat healthy every day. We sit down and have a glass of Shakeology once a day, which we will continue to do since it is now part of our everyday lives.
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?
The only things I have tried so far are Shakeology and 3-Day Refresh. Shakeology is great. It helps me with candy cravings. It sounds odd but since I started using it, I really don’t care for sweets at all (and I used to eat them all day long). I think next to my Coach, Shakeology was the main player in my transformation. I’m not sure if it was the shake or just eating better, or the two combined, but I do have way more energy. I started feeling more energetic since about the second week that I started the shake. 3-Day Refresh is also great. I lost 4.5 pounds doing it. Once I was done, my body felt better and it also kick-started my weight loss again since I had started to plateau.
How did a Beachbody supplement, nutritional product, or program affect any existing health conditions you have?
As I mentioned before, I had two medical conditions before I started the T25 program: fasciitis and sleep apnea. I’m only 33 now, and am not ready to give my body these types of health problems if I can help it.
Did you achieve any other measurable improvements with a Beachbody supplement, nutritional product, or program (e.g. blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, etc.)?
When I went to the doctor the other day, he said I am the healthiest he has ever seen me. My blood pressure was at 112 over 69, and all my other vitals were right on. I’m not sure what they were before, but lets just say it couldn’t be anywhere as good as they are now. I feel the best I ever have since high school, and I owe it all to Beachbody and my Coach.+
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.
+These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Beachbody products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.