“Beachbody Has Changed (Saved!) My Life!”
†Results vary depending on starting point and effort. Dianna is an independent Beachbody Coach.
Meet Dianna M., age 46 from Point Richmond, CA. She entered The Beachbody Challenge in January 2015 and won $1,000!
Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
My father died in 2010 after a long illness, and my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer on the one year anniversary of his death. Even though her treatment went extremely well and she continued to be in remission, I was depressed and comfort eating to excess. Through lack of exercise and horrible eating habits I had allowed my weight to skyrocket to 380 lbs.! I was tired all the time. I felt fat and hopeless. It had gotten to the point where none of my clothes fit, and I wouldn’t even look at myself in the mirror. My current job contract was coming to an end, and I had to find a new position. I knew that I had the credentials and experience to be a highly sought candidate, but I felt just worthless. All I could think was that no one would want to hire me when my self-esteem was so clearly at an all-time low.
What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
Today I am 16 months deep in working out with Beachbody. I desperately wanted to lose weight and get healthy. I would dream of being fit and looking like myself old again, but I wasn’t doing anything to make those dreams a reality. The final straw came a few days prior to ordering Focus T25, when I realized that my weight had gotten so out of control that I was going to have to have my wedding ring cut off because it was so tight that it was endangering the circulation to my finger. How could I have let this happen? I couldn’t bear the idea and knew I had to make changes quickly. I didn’t even know where to begin. Several of my friends were posting about INSANITY, so I went to the Beachbody site to see if there was a program for me. I decided on T25 and have not looked back since!
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 for me was that I thought I was too far gone. I thought I was too fat and out of shape to be able to exercise. Besides that, I just didn’t have the time to workout, even if I could physically do it. I held on tightly to that belief as an excuse not to change my habits. Why eat healthily when I was just going to gain weight anyway? As crazy as it seems now, I really believed that! When I watched the T25 promo, saw that there was a modifier, and that the program was only 25 minutes a day I started to believe that I could do this. With Shaun T motivating me to push play, and Tania modifying, I began my journey to a new life. Of course I had 25 minutes. The moves could be modified. I had run out of excuses! Beachbody has changed (saved!) my life!
What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
I adore Sagi and the Body Beast program. I was afraid that it would be too male-focused, but he really pushes you to do more than you think you can. He is also aware that not everyone has a full home gym, and makes sure that you know how to use free weights and a balance ball to get your best results safely. I chose to do Body Beast at this juncture because muscle burns more calories than fat does. I don’t want to end up as one of those “skinny/fat” people. I wanted to build lean muscle and begin to shape my body as I lose fat. I love everything about Beachbody. I love not having to go to the gym. I strongly believe that you don’t need a whole gym, filled with equipment, to get fit. I love that the programs have a modification option. I have a place to start to help me get to the full move. I feel like I am still getting the full benefits of the workout. I love that I cannot find an excuse not to workout every day.
Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
I have lost 140 lbs. and 70 inches overall, at my key measurement points, with Beachbody programs. These results are far beyond what I thought I could ever do. Clients and coworkers who have seen my weight loss ask me what I’m doing, and when I tell them about Beachbody and explain the benefits of the programs, they are really interested. Several of them have even begun to work out and have told me that I was their inspiration. I hadn’t seen my sister in 8 months and when she saw my progress recently she was inspired to restart Insanity! Even my mum has started exercising with my support! I am incredibly proud of my personal achievements and progress, but helping to inspire others is what I’m most proud of.
How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
I have lost 140 lbs.! That is more than a third of my body weight. I have so much more energy, flexibility, strength, and stamina. When I first started with Beachbody I couldn’t even walk up a single flight of stairs without my heart pounding and panting for breath. My overall fitness has improved so much that I am signing up for my first obstacle run this year! I look at myself completely differently. I had been dieting on and off for years. I am no longer on a “diet.” Instead, eating healthily and working out are now part of my life. Now rest days feel odd and healthy food choices feel like second nature. Even though I still have 70 lbs. more to lose, I now know that I have all of the tools that I need to succeed, and that it really is possible. I am now able to buy clothes in the regular women’s department. That feels incredible. My mum cried tears of joy when she saw me this Christmas. She said she was so happy to see the old me again.
How did your Team Beachbody® Coach support you on your journey?
My Coach, Rhonda is there for me every day. We set goals, make detailed plans to reach the goals, and check in on progress regularly. I chat with her almost every day. She has become more than a Coach, but is also a friend and an inspiration! Rhonda’s story is much like mine; an accident, an injury, weight gain, and loss of confidence all turned around and used to fuel her ongoing fitness quest. Her recent participation in a fitness competition was so inspirational for me. She shows me every day that I can reach my goals, step outside of my comfort zone, and be my very best. Having her available for encouragement, accountability, and advice is invaluable to me. Every time I reach a goal or have a non-scale victory, I glow with pride before even telling her because I know how proud she will be.
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?
Using Shakeology made a huge difference to the way eat and feel. I have never been a breakfast person. I just don’t like eating in the morning. Breakfast is such an important meal and Shakeology helped me to get the nutrients I need to start my day off right.
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. 