“I Am a Healthier, Happier, and All Around Better Person”

Meet Alicia I. She participated in The Beachbody Challenge® and won the $500 Daily Prize for January 27th!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
I thought that I would always be the short little fat girl, that there was no chance I could ever be comfortable with my body. My weight is something I have struggled with since I was a child, despite being very active my entire life. I’ve done all kinds of sports and activities throughout my childhood and adult life, but it wasn’t until I found Beachbody that I FINALLY found something that changed my body and my mind. Prior to starting Focus T25 in August of 2013 I was the heaviest I had ever been. I just had my second child in March of that year and weighed in at a whopping 166 pounds the day of her delivery. I was depressed, had terrible anxiety, and just wanted to stay in my bed under my covers so no one would see how I had let myself go. I was a group fitness instructor, and I dreaded teaching classes, because I thought no one could possibly respect or look up to me looking the way I did. I was at my lowest low at that point.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
My “rock bottom” came one night while watching The Bachelorette. Everyone in my house was asleep, and I was sitting on the couch mindlessly eating. Before I knew it, I had eaten half a bag of chips, two bowls of ice cream, and 2 margaritas. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw what I had done. I had just celebrated my 30th birthday, and I SWORE that when I turned 31 I wouldn’t resemble that person anymore. I instantly downloaded MyFitnessPal onto my phone and decided that it was time to get back into the gym. I returned to teaching group exercise classes, but my stamina was so low. I knew that I needed to do something to get to the point where I could get through a full hour class without huffing and puffing through the whole thing. So I started just taking classes instead of teaching them. I lost a few pounds over the next couple of months, but I figured there had to be a better way to get back into shape.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
Before I started Focus T25, I was haphazardly working out at home and at the gym. My biggest problem was that it was difficult to get to the gym often with a toddler and newborn. I struggled to find the time to get a good workout in. My mom had lost a lot of weight before I started my fitness journey, but she was putting in two hours at the gym and eating practically nothing. I couldn’t bring myself to do that, nor did I have the time and energy to do that. So I started taking Turbo Kick classes at the gym, and I met my current coach, Amy Ahmed. I had been Turbo Kick certified last year before I got pregnant, so Amy agreed to mentor me in teaching Turbo. We became friends, and she invited me to try Shakeology and the T25 program.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?

I loved that Focus T25 is short. Shaun T motivates you. It has a modifier, so even I could do it after 2 kids and 3 knee surgeries. It wasn’t the same DVD everyday, and it incorporated some strength in addition to cardio. I loved that I could work my way up to the more difficult moves as time progressedI. I loved everything about T25. What I loved about P90X3 was that it really toned me up in places I NEVER thought would be toned on me. Abs, on me??? Not a chance, I thought, but I have them. When I was done with P90X3, I really wanted to build muscle, so I thought that Body Beast would be the next best program for me. I have never been one to lift weights – mainly because I didn’t know HOW. Sagi made it seem like he was my personal trainer, right in my living room, whenever I wanted to workout. I didn’t have to pay thousands of dollars and log a ton of hours in the gym to get the results I was looking for.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
I am so proud of myself for completing THREE programs- start to finish. With T25, P90X3, and Body Beast, I can’t even begin to tell you how I have changed physically, mentally, and emotionally. I have lost weight, toned up, and had to go buy all new clothes, because none of my “skinny pants” fit anymore. My “goal pants” from high school all had to be given away, because they were a size 8, and I am now a 0/2. I have more energy to play with my kids. I am also not miserable and losing my patience all the time. I am sleeping great, and my skin is clear. I think Shakeology has had a great effect on my body as well. My digestive system is regular, my hair and nails are shiny and strong, I don’t snack on crap all day, because I am not craving it, and I love drinking it everyday. For the first time in my life, I am at a healthy weight, BMI and Body Fat for my height. I went for my yearly physical a couple months ago, and she said that I was in “Picture Perfect Health.”

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
My life has taken a 180 since I started T25, P90X3, and Body Beast. First, I became a Beachbody Coach myself! I was seeing such great results I had to share it with friends and family. I am a Success Club 5 All Star, have hit SC every month that I have been a Coach, earned my Success Starters Ticket to Summit this year, achieved Diamond rank 7 months into the business, and am contributing to my family’s household expenses significantly. My family’s eating habits have changed completely too. My 4 year old hijacks my Shakeology every morning. SHE LOVES IT! She also runs around the house doing burpees and when she pretends to be on the phone, she says she’s talking to her Beachbody Coaches about her Challenge. My husband does the workouts with me in the morning, and he is seeing great results. I am a healthier, happier, and all around better person thanks to Beachbody.

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.