“My Physical Appearance Matches Who I Believe I Am Inside!”

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

Meet Ken S, age 42 from Bloomsbury, NJ.
He entered The Beachbody Challenge in June 2015 and won $1,000!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
I was a wreck. I can laugh about it now, but I had let myself go, and I felt I had an excuse. I had gone through a very tough time in my life, with a very difficult divorce where my ex-wife suffered from depression and drug and alcohol addiction, eventually straying from our marriage and cheating on me. I never felt such pain or self pity, but eventually I made the decision to get healthy again and began my journey with running and then back to the P90 program!

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
I would love to say my boys and my future with them, but I truly feel I became self-motivated. It was that light switch you hear about. I just decided, I don’t need to feel sorry for the life I was dealt. I don’t need to eat excessively to drown my depressing feelings. I want to feel better about myself, both mentally and physically! I had never been a runner, but I was surrounded by a lot of great friends, one special woman who I now call my girlfriend, who were runners, and inspired me to get into it. For me, I have always loved lifting weights, and I still do! I went through the original P90 program several years ago… actually had it on VHS, hahaha. The P90X3 program was a perfect fit for me! 30 minutes was something I definitely could work into every day, though there were some days I did miss, I kept hitting play and pushed through as often as possible. I love Tony’s motivation and joke cracking.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
Starting is always the hardest part! Once you get going, it becomes more routine and easier to accommodate time for yourself. On the other hand, diet has been a struggle for me my entire life. I really don’t over indulge in deserts, but I do overeat… frequently! I really appreciated what I call the lazy mans approach to dieting. Fist for protein, open hand for vegetables and fruits and I was in! I think now that I am more attentive to what I put in my body, including Shakeology each morning, I have continued to feel better, healthier, stronger!

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
Time! 30 minutes, you hear it all the time how easy it is to fit into your day…well, it is! I did miss several days, but I jumped right back the next day and continued to push as hard as I could in each workout to make the gains I have.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
I am most proud of my body fat reduction. I like lifting weights and honestly did not expect to drop a ton of weight, even though I did,and be this skinny guy. I want muscle and gaining an inch in my chest and arms feels great, while I see the difference in fat loss around what used to be my spare tire.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
I am very active, more than I ever have been, but better still is getting my confidence back. I look at the pictures and the first thing I personally notice is my posture. I look taller and more confident and that is priceless to like what I see in the mirror now! There is nothing that can take the place of liking yourself. I feel great and my physical appearance is matching who I believe I am inside!

How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
Motivation! The team was instrumental in getting me to post my first selfie to show my progress. I have not yet posted my before and after as I am doing right now, but I am actually excited to do so right after this is done! I have always been self conscious of my physical appearance, but that is drifting away with everyone’s support.

How did your Team Beachbody® Coach support you on your journey?
Steve and I used to work together at a pizza hut place, and we had hung out numerous times and when I saw his transformation and began speaking to him about his journey, it definitely inspired me to do the same. Steve is a “regular” guy like me, enjoying life at every moment. He is truly a testament of how dedication can pay off big time!

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.