“My Doctor Told Me I Was Fat”
†Results vary depending on starting point and effort. Lynn is an independent Beachbody Coach.
Meet Lynn, age 56, from Tooele, UT. She entered The Beachbody Challenge in December, 2014, and won $1,000!
Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
I am 56 years old. I have had multiple injuries that had interfered with my ability to exercise and specifically dance. I had danced most my life and was in a college dance company. Dancing was sidelined due to damaged knees. Due to injury, age, and other health problems, I found myself miserable, unable to go up and down stairs without getting breathless. I couldn’t get down on the floor to play with my grandchildren and more importantly, I couldn’t get back up. I felt unhealthy, sick and lethargic. I didn’t like the way I looked. I was embarrassed about my size and didn’t want to be seen in public. I certainly didn’t want to be seen in a swimming suit or on a beach anywhere. I was miserable!1
What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
I had a parathyroid tumor, and on my year follow up I had told my doctor about all the breathing problems I had been having. At that time, the doctor told me I was FAT. (and he said it just like that). He told me that I needed to do something about it. I went out to my car angry and crying. What kind of person tells another person that they are fat?! I had struggled with eating disorders earlier in my life, and I was determined not to let his “fat” comment send me back into the eating disorder cycle.1 I first started by eliminating white sugar. I lost 5 pounds and that encouraged me to continue. I started researching what was the best methods to healthy fitness programs. I learned that lifting weights burned fat and was the best exercise for older people. I don’t enjoy going to the gym and lifting weights in front of people. That’s when I found the ChaLEAN Extreme program. LOVE IT
What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
My greatest challenges were and still are my limitations with my knees and back. Chalean Johnson and Autumn Calabrese both are really great to teach people modifiers. Because of this, I was able to complete ChaLEAN Extreme, 21 Day Fix, and PiYo workouts. I have learned about healthy eating and have completely changed my lifestyle. I feel fabulous. I have energy and can play easily with my grandchildren.
What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
Chalene is motivating and positive. I was excited to get up each morning to work out with her. One woman in the workouts was a gal my age. It was great to see her, how she modified and kept up with the others. I really loved this program and I will do it again. I love, love, love Chalene Johnson. She is amazing!!!
Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
Besides losing the weight, I have lost many inches. My husband was motivated by my success and has started his own transformation journey as well. This is very exciting for me that something that I have done has motivated someone else. I am really proud of the fact that I am a size 4 now, and I weigh less than what I weighed the day my husband and I got married. I can run up the stairs without getting winded and this may seem silly, but I can push-up to plank from chaturanga, which I have never before been able to do, but now that my upper body strength is improved, I can.
How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
I am happier. I look forward to the things that life has to offer. I have a bounce in my step that I had lost along the way. I won’t ever be able to dance again, but I can do PiYo and that makes me very happy!
How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
Participating in a challenge group motivated me. I wanted to make sure that I had completed all the assignments and goals. I didn’t want to cheat myself out of any opportunity to improve each day. It was a nice forum to stay accountable and to get encouragement form other.
How did Shakeology® support your transformation? What are the greatest benefits you gained?
When I finally committed myself to invest in the Shakeology, that is when I began to see the weight really drop and stabilize. I struggled with yo-yo weight fluctuations and once I started using the Shakeology on a daily basis, that’s when the fluctuations stabilized.2 I love it. I won’t live without it now. My husband had started using my Shakeology and we had run out. He came up from the basement and said, “Sign me up as a coach, I want my own Shakeology!”
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 shirt and a chance to win cash & prizes.
1Always consult with your physician about your unique medical needs before commencing any fitness program or nutritional product.
2These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.