INSANITY Results: Emily Lost 30 Pounds and Won $500!

Emily Hensel lost 30 lbs. with INSANITY. She entered her results into the The Beachbody Challenge, and won the $500 Daily Prize for May 2nd!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
Before beginning the program, my confidence and self-worth were at an all-time low. It had been an ugly winter. I had just begun a new career with a lot of stress, and I had just moved to a new city where I knew no one. All of those things combined had me hitting an all-time high with my weight. I would actively avoid mirrors and wear clothing to hide my body. At 23 years old, I thought that I would never have a good body. I was ashamed of myself. I knew that I was in my early 20s, and I felt like I was wasting the best physical years of my life hiding behind fat and frumpy clothing. It was a pretty dark time for me.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
I’ve always been what most people would call “chubby.” I have never been satisfied with my body, but never been so unsatisfied that I felt the need to really do something about it. But when I hit an all-time high in my weight and was, for the first time, classified as “overweight,” I knew I could no longer be passively unsatisfied with my body. My “aha” moment came when I realized that I was consciously avoiding seeing myself in the mirror after a shower. I noticed that I would sneak out just my hand to grab the towel, and then dry off while still behind the curtain to hide myself from the mirror. I knew that was unacceptable. I could no longer take being ashamed of my own body, and that’s why I began with Beachbody.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody help you overcome that challenge?
My greatest challenge was the mental challenge of admitting I had gotten to a point in my life where some sort of intervention was necessary. I had been living my entire adult life in denial that I needed to make health and fitness a priority, telling myself that dancing a few days a week was good enough. When I started my first program with Beachbody, I knew that this was the right fit for me. I could achieve my goals in my own home, and not have to worry about “gym shaming” or being intimidated by not knowing what to do.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
I absolutely loved the intensity of the INSANITY program. It made me feel like I had really given it my all every single day. I knew I wasn’t doing any less than what I was truly capable of and pushing my own limits.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
The physical achievements include losing 30 pounds (and that’s a lot for someone who is five foot two!) and countless inches all over my body. The nonphysical achievements include confidence that is higher than it has ever been before, and an overall happiness that I did not know something like this could bring me. I’m happier with myself, which makes me happier in general. I am proud that I achieved my goals through hard work and dedication, not by taking the easy way out or by using a gimmicky quick fix. This was the real deal. I am so proud that I took my time and got healthy the right way.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
My daily life has seriously been altered since completing my transformation. I have gained such an awareness for health, and how to treat and fuel my body correctly. The foods that I am eating are wildly different than before the program. My level of exercise and my knowledge of how to get and stay fit are all things of which I am incredibly proud. The confidence and the happiness I have gained since my transformation affect me positively in every aspect of my life, both personally and professionally. I am happy with myself, and I don’t know if I have ever been able to say that before and mean it.

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, ordigestion/regularity?
The nutritional plans were amazingly helpful, educational, and easy to understand. I had so many people say to me: “What did you do? How did you lose the weight?” And I would usually start by saying, “I educated myself.” That’s what it takes. Before the nutritional programs, I really didn’t know what an appropriate portion size was, or how to incorporate veggies into my diet, or even what to eat in general. Knowledge is power, and knowledge of how to fuel my own body was the greatest benefit I gained. I definitely saw and felt big improvements in my energy and sleep.

How did a Beachbody supplement, nutritional product, or program affect any existing health conditions you have?
I had a bad shoulder injury prior to beginning my program.^* I had been to a chiropractor (I had actually been going to him three times a week for a few months at the time). I had gone to an orthopedic surgeon, had been on medication, and was even considering a cortisone shot for the pain. Nothing touched it, and I really feared that I would never heal. At 23, that was a devastating realization. Interestingly enough, however, once I started exercising and working out consistently, my shoulder pain vanished and I found myself completely healed! I was absolutely amazed.

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.
^*Always consult with your physician about your unique medical needs before starting any fitness program or nutrition product.