“I Am a Flower That Is Starting to Bloom”

Meet Simone, age 40, from Loganville, GA. She entered The Beachbody Challenge in October 2014 and won an Ultimate Health Transformation prize of $1,000!

Tell us about your life before you started the program. How did you feel about yourself and your body?
I didn’t struggle with weight-loss my whole life. In 2010 I tried for the first time to lose weight on my own, and failed miserably. I ended up rupturing a disc in my back and because of that I believed I wouldn’t be able to do anything. Then on 6/28/11 my 19 year old son was murdered and I gained over 50 lbs in a matter of 3 months. I suffered from depression, anxiety, PTSD. I had bad knees, lower back and neck. I was absolutely miserable in a very bad place. Then we decided to have a baby, and I gained another 30 lbs. My knees and back hurt even more at this point, and I was not able to take any of my meds. When the baby was born, I kept him in my bedroom, because I was lazy and out of breath walking up a flight of stairs to his room. It was a struggle walking to the mailbox. I tried everything from over the counter weight loss products, to HCG shots, Phentermine, other prescribed meds and nothing worked. I believed that I would be fat and miserable forever.

What inspired you to change your life and begin your transformation journey?
An old friend and I connected when my son was killed. I would see her posts on FB and see her transformation. I was very impressed and thought if she can do it, why can’t I. Then she shared other success stories with me and I sat back and really thought about WHY I wanted to lose weight. I realized that although my circumstance was absolutely devastating. GOD gave me life and I needed to live it. If I was going to LIVE, I had to live it right. God Blessed me with a new baby boy after my older son was killed and I was going to do it all differently this time.. Starting with my health.

What is the greatest challenge you faced before beginning the program? How did the program and Beachbody® help you overcome that challenge?
I struggled with severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, bad knees, lower back and neck. I had 2 back surgeries and 3 knee surgeries. Walking up the stairs was a chore.. now I can run up skipping steps!!! I have become such a different person. This program has not only helped me lose weight, it has shifted my thinking. I CAN do anything I put my mind to. I am so grateful that God placed this program in my life when he did. I can run around with my new baby and I have not taken any meds of any kind since I started beachbody. Although I still have a very bad back, I have built up my core so it is much stronger. I have learned to listen to my body. My anxiety levels have drastically reduced and are absolutely controllable now. I have been surrounded by such positivity that my story has become my inspiration to others.

What in particular did you like about the program you chose?
Focus T25 was my main program. I loved that only I had to work out 25 mins a day for 5 days. I liked that there was a modifier in all the workouts. It was great to burn and sweat as if I was working just as hard as Shaun T. I liked how you did different videos on different days (followed a schedule). It mixed up the workouts so it didn’t become boring or mundane. I loved how it was a mixture of cardio and sculpting toning. I also used 21-Day fix, and I loved the easy portion control containers and knowing exactly what I should put in the containers. I also liked the 30 min workouts with this program.

Describe the results you achieved with your Beachbody program. Which achievements are you proud of?
Using Focus T25 and Shakeology, I lost 30 lbs and 25 inches .It was amazing how strong my body became. I was building my core, and that was helping my back become more stable. I loved that as I got stronger I was able to keep up with Shaun T for a good portion of the video, and I lost another 7 lbs with the 21 Day Fix.

How has your life changed since completing your Beachbody program?
Words can not describe how Beachbody has changed my life. I have become such a different person. After my son was murdered I wanted to die. I begged God to take me, but He had different plans for me. I isolated myself from the entire world. I worked fulltime from home and rarely had to go to the office. I disconnected and didn’t plan to change. I am now like a flower that is starting to BLOOM! I am coming out of my shell. I am growing and learning about myself every single day. I have learned to embrace my story and share it with the world. I want the world to know that there can be LIFE after DEATH if you CHOOSE LIFE. I have stepped out of my comfort zone many many times and try to do so once a day. This is all thanks to the amazing team I am on and the love and support that is given every day.

How did participating in a Challenge Group help you reach your goals? How did your group support you and keep you accountable?
Yes and LOVED IT… The challenge group is what kept me motivated and inspired every single day. It was a place to get motivation and give it back. I found that inspiring others was what motivated me. When someone saw you struggling or not showing up they were there to pick up back up and get you going again. I was able to motivate others. It kept me accountable to what I was really eating and doing.

How did your Team Beachbody® Coach support you on your journey?
Lucrezia was absolutely amazing.. Her story was why I started. I saw how much weight she lost and her amazing transformation of mind, body and soul and I knew I wanted it for me. I basically stalked her for a year before I started. I kept asking her what she was doing and then I would say .. nah that’s not for me. She was still there doing what she was doing and finally I told her I AM IN!!! Everyday she checked in and posted food, exercise, motivational and inspiring posts. She was engaged in my journey everyday making sure I was successful with my goals. This wasn’t just about the weight loss, it was about shifting my thinking. She is so passionate about helping others and I was honored to have her as my coach and have her there everyday pushing me and supporting me with love, encouragement and sometimes tough love!!!

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?
I drink Shakeology once a day as a meal replacement every day. It fuels my body. My energy, moods and overall health has drastically improved. I used to take naps all the time, not anymore. I couldn’t nap if I tried!!!! Everyone I know can see that I lost weight but they say everything about my whole being is so different. That I have a glow over me now. I suffered from IBS and would have severe attacks that could last anywhere from 30mins to an hour several times a month – since starting Shakeology I have had 2 attacks that lasted a few minutes and I know it was due to something I shouldn’t have eaten. I always had stomach issues and was never regular. Since I started Shakeology I have become regular and have no stomach issues. My anxiety, depression and PTSD have drastically reduced. I FEEL GOOD from the inside out. My body doesn’t hurt anymore like it used to. Was always at the doctor for something. I have not had a cold, sinus infection or anything

How did a Beachbody Supplement or Nutritional Product or Program affect any existing health conditions you have?
Shakeology made me regular and I no longer suffer from IBS attacks. My anxiety, depression and anxiety are all under control. My chronic pain is not as nearly bad as it used to be. My body doesn’t ache like it used to. I haven’t been to a doctor for a cold, sinus infection, nothing. I can say that Shakeology has made me healthy from the inside out.

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.