Ismael Lost 95 Pounds and Won $1,500!

Ismael M, age 39 from Lake Jackson, TX, lost 95 lbs with INSANITY, INSANITY MAX:30, FOCUS T25, 21 Day Fix, 21 Day Fix EXTREME, Body Beast, and P90X . He entered his results into The Beachbody Challenge and won $1,500!
Ismael is an Independent Beachbody Coach.

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
I had recently been to a doctors appointment, where I was told that I needed to do something about my weight. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis 8 years ago, and was put on medication to control the illness. I was also put on blood pressure medicine. My doctor told me that I needed to lose weight to help relieve the impact on my joints, and to lower my blood pressure. After being told this, I realized that not just for my health, but the fact that I am married, and I have an 11 year old that I want to see grow up and become a woman. I realized that I was ashamed to look in the mirror unless I was shaving. I avoided taking pictures because I would see how overweight was. I made excuses for why I was over weight. I didn’t have time or I was to big to do anything about it. So I finally looked in the mirror, and decided I needed to do something for my family, as well as health. I began my journey to lose weight with determination, and Beachbody, on January 27, 2014.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
My daughter was my biggest inspiration. With her being only 11, I decided that I wanted to witness all the milestones of her life. Sweet 16, graduating from high school, going away to college, graduating college, and some day walking her down the aisle. I know that my wife and my daughter need me around, and I decided I wanted to be around as long as I could by getting healthy.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
The greatest challenge was being able to do the workouts, and finding the time to actually workout. The Beachbody program I did offered a modifier for most of the exercises, and offered an amazing workout in a short period of time.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
I really loved the fact that I was able to get an incredibly intense, and tough, workout in a short amount of time. I also liked that all the Beachbody programs I completed offered some type of eating guide.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
With the Beachbody programs I used, I was able to lose 90 pounds and tons of inches. The achievement I’m proudest of is the day that I was able to get completely through one of the workouts of a program. I was able to get through most of the workouts without having to modify the exercise or stop the exercise in the middle of it.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
I have been taken off of one of my medications, and have had the dosages lowered on 2 others. I have started running again, have taken part in several 5K races, and have been able to set personal bests at each race. I have lost a lot of weight, and I am proud of what I see when I look in the mirror.

How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
Their encouragement and guidance helped me stay motivated. Checking in with the group helped keep me accountable. It was great to hear encouraging words, even when I may have had a bad day in my diet or working out.

How did your Team Beachbody® Coach support you on your journey?
My Coach gave me constant encouragement, and held me accountable. She pushed me when I wanted to give up. She made me realize that getting healthy was a journey, but it would be completely worth it when I got to my goals.

How did a Beachbody Supplement or 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, digestion/regularity?
I used Shakeology as a meal replacement for breakfast. It helped fill me up in the morning. I had energy I didn’t have before, it helped me sleep, and helped with my digestion.

How did a Beachbody Supplement or Nutritional Product or Program affect any existing health conditions you have?
It helped me with losing weight, and I was able to lessen a medication I was taking.

Did you achieve any other measurable improvements with a Beachbody Supplement or Nutritional Product or Program? (e.g. Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, triglycerides, etc…)
My cholesterol is very good, and my blood pressure is the best it has been in a very long time.

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.