“I Had So Many Awesome Results!”

^†Results vary depending on starting point and effort. Ann Marie is an independent Beachbody Coach.

Meet Ann Marie S. She participated in The Beachbody Challenge and won the $500 Daily Prize for February 14th!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
Before Beachbody, I was depressed, lacked energy, and felt horrible overall. I have always been insecure and hated seeing myself overweight. I am getting ready to hit 40 years old, and not having enough energy to keep up with my kids made me depressed. I grew up in an Italian family were we ate bread with almost every meal; I always had a struggle with controlling my portions. I would eat my husband under the table, and even though I made some good food choices, I negated them with unhealthy choices more times than I like to admit.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
I hated the way I looked, felt, and I wanted to be a better role model for my kids. I had recently lost my younger brother and father, in a matter of 4 months of each other, because they had not been taking care of themselves. I had initially fell into a depression. With that depression I was eating more, drinking wine every night, making very bad food choices, and had a short fuse. About 2 months before my 40th birthday, I looked in the mirror and did not like what, or who, I saw. I made the decision that I wanted to be around for my family, and I knew the only way I would be able to do that was with better nutrition and working out. My now Coach had posted on her Facebook page that she was all out of her Shakeology. I had also seen other friends posting about Shakeology, PiYo, the 21 Day Fix, so I sent her a note and ordered the 21 Day Fix Challenge Pack the same day. After I completed 1.5 rounds I decided to try Focus T25 next.

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 before beginning the program was making right food choices, portion control, and finding the time to work out. Initially with 21 Day Fix, I learned what I should be eating to fuel my body, and it helped me find time time to work out since the workouts were only 30 minutes and I could do them from home. I initially decided to do Focus T25 as my next program because my husband was willing to do it with me; quickly, I realized that I loved Shaun T. He was able to help me increase my endurance for cardio with only 25 minutes a day. I still followed the 21 Day Fix eating plan because I am a creature of habit, and the plan is perfect for me.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
What I liked best about Focus T25 was that it was only 25 minutes a day and Shaun T. was a great motivator! I really enjoyed the variety of workouts and that most workouts did not require weights so I could even take the workouts with me while traveling! The program included a lot of cardio, which tends to be my nemesis, but really helped me build my endurance and helped me run longer and faster in my training for a 5k.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
The question should be “What results didn’t I achieve?” because I had so many awesome results! I lost weight, lost inches, increased my energy and endurance, and tightened and toned my body overall! The achievement that I am most proud of is the inches that I lost in my hips and thighs. I went to wearing a Size 2, which I had not been since I was in school!

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
My life has completely changed! I make time to work out instead of making excuses of why I can’t work out. I also make sure I am eating the right foods, correct amounts of those foods, and drink my Shakeology every day. I have also motivated my family to eat better, drink Shakeology, and work out. Considering that I have been with my husband for over 20 years, that fact that this is the first time that he has worked out or even remotely thought about what he is eating says a lot! I am much happier with how I feel and look! My energy has increased to a level that I never thought was possible, and I am completely loving my life and new lifestyle!

How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
Instead of being in a Challenge Group for only Focus T25, it was a mix of people doing various workout programs. The group helped motivate me so much by seeing people posting their workouts for the day, which helped keep me accountable by also posting my pictures. We also shared recipe ideas and reminded each other to drink our water. The group also just helped me feel part of a group, and not alone in my journey. We pushed each other when needed, and I could not have done it without them!

How did your Team Beachbody® Coach support you on your journey?
Amanda was the one that added me to our awesome support group. She checked up on my progress and held me accountable by reaching out to me when she had not seen me posting. She would also post motivating items in the group to keep us focused.

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.